CHAPTER 181: PAINFUL TRAINING

"What about you? What do you plan to do?" Nash asked Camilla.

"Since you’re focusing on training, I will too. I plan to reach 1000% soul saturation before you arrive to the Nova Capital." Camilla smiled.

"Oh? Is there really a technology that can boost the advancement of void energy and soul?"

Although runic devices could double or triple soul advancement, reaching 1000% soul saturation in three months was still an achievement.

"Of course there is. Once you arrive in the Nova capital, you’ll be shocked."

With scientists as the most revered profession, how could technology lag behind extraordinary powers?

"Then I look forward to it..." Nash sighed.

Now, instead of dreading of leaving Earth, he was excited to explore the wonders of the universe.

Although there were books, it was better to see things in person than read a thousand books about them.

As Nash and Camilla discussed their plans and goals, the day passed quickly.

---

Meanwhile, on Earth.

After the Earth Federation took control, they began clearing and organizing everything.

Their first step was to reinstate and recruit officials for every department to guide and instruct the people.

In the past week, through an all-out effort, the officials in charge made the place more orderly, registering everyone without an official identity.

Providing each individual with food and shelter, they began implementing strict rules to maintain order.

Then, a massive construction project began, giving everyone a job and a way to contribute.

They weren’t building houses, malls, or infrastructure for comfort or entertainment, but a vast structure to house a hundred thousand people.

It was for group education, a place to learn, a place to be guided in rebuilding their civilization.

Though the walls, roof, and supporting structures weren’t yet built, the cleared space was already in use as a training ground.

---

After a good sleep, people from all around came in droves to the nearest Training Center in their vicinity.

Finding their place, instead of eating or working, the first thing they did each morning was sit down and train.

Practicing the Earth Star Astral Art distributed a few days ago, a dull pain began to echo through their bodies, making them frown with grim faces as they held their ground.

As if a massive slab slammed every part of their body every second, they couldn’t help but groan in pain, while others quickly collapsed on the ground.

"Stand up! It’s only been a few minutes. You have three hours of training this morning!" an invigilator warned, pulling those who collapsed to restart their training.

One of the Earth Federation’s mandatory rules required people to train for three hours every morning and evening, after waking and before sleeping.

On the first day this was implemented, it nearly sparked a massive outbreak and rebellion.

The pain was so intense that, even though they knew the training was beneficial, forcing them to endure it felt worse than going hungry or mining.

If such pain and torture were the price for food and shelter, many would rather go without.

However, after their first session, those who stuck with the morning and evening training underwent massive changes.

Like entirely new people, their complexions brightened, their strength increased, and their intelligence sharpened.

Though the changes weren’t too drastic, for bodies that have been plagued by deficiencies from birth, it felt like a rebirth.

Day by day, those who persisted in training grew better and better, living lives they could only have dreamed of.

Not only did they brim with energy, but their newfound strength and intelligence also helped them work more effectively and earn better pay.

As for those who skipped training, they received the worst resources, barely enough to survive.

Seeing such a stark difference, by the third day, almost everyone on Earth, except children too young to train void energy, flocked to the training centers.

Enduring the pain that made them collapse and tear up, they pressed on to complete the three-hour session.

Sure enough, once they finished, they felt endless energy in their bodies, like a fire that could never be extinguished.

At night, before sleeping, after enduring another torturous three-hour training session, they slept peacefully, like babies untroubled by the world.

Repeating this cycle of heaven and hell, most couldn’t help but grit their teeth, grateful yet cursing the manual’s creator.

Who could be so devilish as to design such a torturous manual? Were they a masochist?

Those with knowledge knew that typical void manuals didn’t inflict pain, but felt like soaking in a spring.

So why was this particular manual so perverse, like it was crafted by a psycho who enjoyed their suffering?

What they didn’t know was that, compared to standard void manuals, which required resources they lacked and were too complex to understand, this one was a universal manual.

In exchange for a shortcoming, they could easily grasp it, like elementary students learning one plus one.

Moreover, even with the free void energy in the atmosphere, they could still progress slowly without worry.

For most, no training manual could be more perfect than the one they were using.

As for the pain that increased with every inch of their progress, if one were to think in another direction, it was an advantage that could hone their will and spirit for free.

When the three-hour training ended, most collapsed on the ground, breathing roughly, staring at the sky in a daze.

"When will these days be over? Can we skip training tomorrow?"

"Hah! You’re just a lazy coward. If not for the limits, I could train like this for days."

"Tsk, don’t lump us in with a pervert like you!"

"If you don’t want to train, then don’t. No one’s forcing you!"

"No one’s forcing me? What a joke..."

Indeed, no one was forcing them, and though training was mandatory, there was no punishment for skipping it.

Yet, it was only an illusion. In truth, everything around them pressured them to comply.

If they didn’t meet the required training, they wouldn’t receive their daily free resources. They’d be weaker than others, earn less pay, have less energy, a duller complexion, fewer prospects, and more.

As everyone advanced, those who didn’t keep up would be left behind in a dark, lonely world.