During a break.
Ryan walked over, holding a bottle of water.
"Hey, buddy, your action design is very thoughtful!"
Cassius unscrewed his water bottle. "Thanks, your Hal Jordan fits the expectations of a traditional superhero better!"
"Yeah, classic style!"
Ryan smiled, a bit self-deprecatingly. "Sometimes I really envy you guys who can play new tricks!"
He glanced at the unique training suit on Cassius.
"Good luck, bring your best tomorrow!"
"You too!"
Business courtesies exchanged, the two returned to their respective positions.
Cassius could feel the atmosphere on Ryan's team was noticeably tighter.
A seemingly sure win suddenly turned into an unexpected challenge; the feeling must not be good.
After a day of blocking, Cassius felt his physical condition was amazing, without any fatigue or soreness from high-intensity training.
Body Language halo, you are my god!
Rob leaned in excitedly, lowering his voice:
"I heard Martin praising you to the producer! Said you're more agile than he imagined, acting is very natural, definitely promising!"
Cassius was quite calm.
He knew today's amazement relied largely on the halo.
Tomorrow's official test shoot was the real test!
What halo he would get tomorrow depended on luck!
"Let's go!"
Cassius changed into his own clothes. "Going back to ponder the lines!"
Walking out of the soundstage, it was already late.
Cassius felt today passed so quickly!
He subconsciously moved his wrist, performing a coin flip.
This was practiced for Han Lee. Doing it now, the dexterity and precision of his fingers amazed even himself.
It was a waste not to use this Body Language halo to show off!
At night, Cassius returned to Beverly Hills.
Pushing open the door, he smelled familiar perfume and a hint of pizza.
"Surprise!"
Kristen peeked out from behind the living room sofa, a somewhat tired but bright smile on her face.
She wore a loose T-shirt and sweatpants, face bare, short blonde hair a bit messy, looking like she just wrapped up work.
"I wrapped up early. Thought you'd be under pressure these two days, came back to be your cheerleader!"
Cassius was indeed a bit surprised, a warm current surging in his heart.
He threw the keys into the bowl at the entrance, laughing as he walked: "Cheerleader captain dresses like this? Where's the professionalism?"
"Fuck you!"
Kristen laughingly threw a cushion over, easily caught by Cassius.
She looked at him carefully:
"You look in good shape! Rob messaged me this afternoon complaining, saying he was so nervous he almost got a perforated stomach!"
"Rob is in charge of being nervous, and I'm in charge of maintaining good condition!"
Cassius sat down beside her, naturally putting his arm around her shoulder.
The moment of physical contact, Cassius clearly felt her shoulder and neck muscles were a bit tight, obviously fatigue accumulated from consecutive days of filming.
This was also one of the benefits brought by the Body Language halo.
He was extremely sensitive to physical conditions, even others' bodies!
"You're the one who needs a massage!"
As Cassius spoke, his fingers pressed onto her nape, kneading several sore points with precise force.
"Oh~ shit~~"
Kristen let out a comfortable moan unexpectedly, her whole body going soft as if her bones were removed, lying on his lap.
"When did you steal this skill!"
"Mmm~ right there~~"
Cassius didn't stop, marveling inwardly.
This [Body Language] halo was simply versatile!
When he massaged acupoints and muscles, it was like having built-in navigation.
Force, angle, rhythm were all just right.
Even if not acting, going into massage therapy could attract some wealthy ladies with this skill.
Cassius felt Kristen's tense muscles gradually relax under his fingertips.
"Looks like being a cheerleader paid off!"
Kristen's voice became lazy and muffled, carrying a seductive tone.
She turned over, looking up at him, her gray-green eyes misted, reflecting the warm yellow light of the living room.
Missing each other after days apart, plus the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere now, quietly raised the temperature in the air.
She reached up to hook Cassius's neck, pulling him down:
"Don't just massage, Master Cass!"
What followed happened naturally.
The [Body Language] halo showed a dimensionality reduction strike effect in a certain unspeakable field.
Cassius felt his control over every bit of strength and every angle of his body was exquisite to the peak.
Attempts that usually required tacit cooperation and some luck now came naturally.
Stability!
Power!
Flexibility!
"Wait! How did you?"
Kristen widened her eyes in surprise, incredulous!
After the storm.
It took Kristen a long time to find her voice. She bumped Cassius's chest with her elbow, her strength soft:
"Confess honestly, did you secretly attend some strange yoga class behind my back, or take some magical Eastern elixir?"
Cassius couldn't help laughing, brushing aside her sweat-dampened forehead hair: "Maybe chosen by the Green Lantern ring, granted energy!"
"Bullshit."
Kristen also laughed, resting her head on his arm, fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his chest:
"But just now was indeed magical!"
Her voice lowered, carrying satisfied laziness:
"I feel like my body was dismantled!"
Kristen soon fell into a deep sleep in Cassius's arms, breathing evenly.
Cassius, however, wasn't sleepy.
The effect of the [Body Language] halo persisted; that exquisite sense of control remained clear.
But it was already 11:58 PM.
Two minutes until the halo refreshed!
Wonder what the next halo would be?
Cassius was full of anticipation.
Just past midnight!
Cassius clearly felt that extreme body control that felt like an extension of his arm recede like a tide.
The [Body Language] halo expired!
An obvious sense of loss hit instantly.
Not that he turned back into a weakling.
After all, Level 3 Body Language attribute itself was professional level.
Cassius felt a bit empty inside.
He moved his limbs, feeling his body a bit heavy!
The feeling of lightness that seemed to defy physical laws disappeared!
From frugality to luxury is easy; from luxury to frugality is hard!
Just then!
A new notification appeared:
[Today's Random Halo Attribute: Aura]
[Aura attribute temporarily boosted, lasts until 24:00 today]
Almost the instant the notification appeared, a distinctly different feeling rose from deep within his body.
This time not a physical change!
But his aura!
Cassius felt the space around him seemed to expand a circle; the density of the air became different.
A feeling impossible to ignore flowed naturally, without needing him to deliberately express it.
He walked to the bathroom mirror.
The man in the mirror had unchanged features and figure, but his eyes seemed deeper, his stance more relaxed yet steadier.
Cassius raised an eyebrow at the mirror.
He was very satisfied!