CHAPTER 166: THE BOYS’ DAY

[How was your day?] (Khione)

Upon reading Khione’s message, Nero paused. Her words carried him back through the hours that had passed, pulling him into memory. Their very first day together came rushing to the forefront of his mind. He leaned back, letting the recollections unfold.

Let’s rewind time—to the morning, on the boy’s side.

°°°

The following morning, Nero awoke feeling strangely refreshed. He got ready to start the day.

Blake was still fast asleep, sprawled across the silken sheets of his guest room. The faint rise and fall of his chest and the occasional soft groan made it clear that he had no desire to get up anytime soon. For him, morning was an enemy not worth fighting.

The villa itself was hushed in the early hours, a serene silence broken only by the light footsteps of maids who moved gracefully through the halls, dusting polished furniture and straightening flower vases without so much as a whisper. Outside, the scent of fresh dew lingered in the garden air as gardeners tended to trimmed hedges and carefully pruned roses, their tools clicking softly under the song of sparrows. The sun had just begun to rise, spilling a golden sheen across the ocean beyond the cliff, its light refracted through the cascading fountains around the villa.

Down in the courtyard, two figures appeared almost simultaneously.

"Morning, Nero. You were about to go do some morning exercise, right?" Lux asked with his usual calm confidence. He was already dressed in dark blue training gear that hugged his lean frame, a towel draped casually around his neck. His silver hair, still slightly damp from an early shower, glistened faintly under the morning sun.

Despite being born a Mage, Lux never skipped morning training. His philosophy was simple yet unshakable: a strong body equaled a strong mage. Physical training allowed one to store more prana, circulate it more efficiently, and wield devastating spells without exhausting the body too quickly. Though mages were not expected to train like knights, Lux had long ago decided he would not limit himself. His physique was proof of his discipline—slim yet corded with wiry strength, like steel hidden beneath silk.

"Morning, Lux. Yeah, I was just about to start. Let’s tag along," Nero replied, stretching his arms and shoulders. His black training shirt revealed the sculpted definition of someone who was no stranger to intense conditioning. Unlike Lux, for Nero this was routine, the lifeblood of a knight. The sound of bones cracking faintly as he twisted his neck was oddly satisfying, a reminder of how ready his body was.

Lux gave a small nod, the corner of his lips curling into an encouraging smile.

Not long after, the third member arrived—Adam. Dressed in sleeveless black training wear that revealed the stocky build and hardened muscles typical of his dwarven heritage, Adam’s expression was fierce despite the hour. It was as if he didn’t drink so much yesterday.

"Hah, leaving me behind? Not happening. A knight never misses his morning exercise," Adam grunted, slapping his chest as if to prove the point.

The three exchanged a glance, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Then they set off.

At first, it was a slow jog through the forested trails behind the villa, the back mountain looming like a silent guardian. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth. Each breath filled their lungs with clarity. Birds darted overhead, and the distant crash of the sea against the cliffs provided a steady rhythm. Their footsteps crunched against gravel and soil, creating a harmony of sound with the natural world.

The jog started leisurely but gradually picked up in pace. Adam, with his sturdy build, ran as though he could bulldoze through trees if needed. Lux’s movements were fluid, controlled, almost elegant, his breathing perfectly measured. Nero, with his powerful physique simply enjoyed it. Soon, their light jog became a test of endurance, the mountain trail growing steeper with every turn.

By the time they returned to the villa, sweat glistened on their brows, their breaths steady but deeper now. Without wasting time, they headed into Lux’s pride and joy: the villa’s private training room.

As expected not your typical room—it was a masterpiece of magical engineering. The walls gleamed with enchanted alloy, and crystalline orbs embedded into the ceiling gave off a soft glow, illuminating the entire chamber. Rows of advanced training machines, both mechanical and magical, lined the sides. On one end, holographic dummies flickered into existence, ready to serve as sparring targets. On another, gravity chambers hummed faintly, their enchantments ready to test limits. Weapons of all kinds—swords, spears, and even magic staffs—were displayed neatly, polished to perfection.

The three split their routines naturally, as if they’d done this countless times before.

Nero moved to the gravity chamber first. With a flicker of runes, the gravity doubled, pressing down on his body. He dropped to the floor and began push-ups, sweat already starting to bead along his forehead. The chamber forced his muscles to scream with every movement, his veins bulging with effort. Yet his eyes gleamed with determination. Each push-up was a battle, but also a victory.

Meanwhile, Lux was in front of the holographic dummies. He combined martial strikes with bursts of prana, his fists glowing faintly as he delivered precise blows. His movements were calculated, as though he was painting with his body. One strike shattered the dummy’s illusionary ribcage, another blasted through its core. But it wasn’t only raw strength—he weaved spell circles mid-combat, hurling compressed bursts of wind and flame in between strikes. His combat style was a seamless fusion of magecraft and physical prowess, elegant and terrifying all at once.

Adam, unsurprisingly, headed straight for the weights. Stacking enchanted dumbbells that glowed faintly, he began lifting with gritted teeth. The enchantments added layers of magical resistance, making each lift exponentially harder than it looked. Muscles bulged and sweat poured down his temples, yet his grin widened with every rep.

"Hah! This is what makes a man! Feel the burn, boys!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the chamber.

Their training continued for over an hour, each pushing themselves to their limits. Occasionally, Nero and Adam sparred, swords clashing with sharp metallic rings. Sparks flew as steel met steel, the air vibrating with the force of their strikes. Nero’s speed kept Adam on edge, but his raw power often forced Adam to yield ground. Lux, observing for a while, eventually joined the fray, seamlessly blending his spells into close combat. The training room became alive with motion—blades whistling, spells detonating, grunts and laughter filling the air.

When finally they called it a stop, their bodies were drenched in sweat, their chests heaving. Yet none of them looked defeated—only exhilarated.

The maids entered silently, placing trays of chilled water and towels by the entrance. Nero grabbed a bottle, tilting his head back as the cold liquid poured down his throat, refreshing his entire being.

Adam collapsed onto a bench, laughing loudly. "That’s how a day should start! A fight, a sweat, and maybe a good breakfast next!"

Lux, wiping his forehead with a towel, smiled faintly. "Indeed. A strong body sharpens the mind. And I’d say today, we all improved a little."