The moment I stepped past the reception—
I realized something important.
That I had no idea what I was doing.
"…Right."
Machines.
Rows of them.
Different shapes.
Different sizes.
All equally confusing.
Some people moved through them like it was natural.
Effortless.
Like they had always known what to do.
"…Yeah, I definitely don't belong here."
I stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Not moving.
Just observing.
"…Think."
There had to be a way to do this without embarrassing myself.
Simple.
Watch.
Copy.
That should work.
Probably.
I shifted slightly, pretending to stretch—
While actually watching a guy nearby.
Bench press.
Basic.
He lowered the bar.
Pushed it up.
Controlled.
Easy.
"…That doesn't look too hard."
That was mistake number one.
A few minutes later—
I was lying on the bench.
Hands gripping the bar.
"…Okay."
This was fine.
Totally fine.
I had seen how it worked.
Lower.
Push.
Simple.
I lifted the bar off the rack.
"…A bit heavier than expected."
Not bad.
Manageable.
I lowered it slowly.
So far—
So good.
Then—
I tried to push it back up.
…
Nothing happened.
"…Why isn't it moving?"
I pushed harder.
The bar moved—
Barely.
Then stopped again.
"…This is not good."
My arms started shaking.
Not slightly.
Violently.
"…Okay. Calm down."
Think.
Think.
what should I do
This was not how I imagined my first day of gym to be going.
The bar felt heavier by the second.
"…Why does gravity feel stronger here?"
I tried pushing again.
Nothing.
The bar stayed exactly where it was.
Right above my chest.
"…Yeah, this is bad."
I turned my head slightly.
No one was looking.
Good.
Very good.
"…Let's just put it back."
I lowered it slightly—
Too much.
"…Wait."
Now it was even harder to push.
"…Great."
This was going exactly as expected.
Which was to say—
Terribly.
My arms trembled harder.
Breathing uneven.
"…I might actually die here."
That would be impressive.
First day.
Crushed by a barbell.
"…Focus."
I gathered what little strength I had left—
And pushed.
The bar moved.
Slowly.
Painfully.
But it moved.
Just a little more—
Then—
A hand grabbed the bar.
"…Yeah, that's enough."
The weight lifted instantly.
Like it was nothing.
I blinked.
"…Right."
Someone had seen.
Of course they had.
I sat up slowly.
Trying to act like that was intentional.
"…Thanks."
The guy nodded.
"First day?"
"…That obvious?"
He gave a small laugh.
"You almost died under 40 kilos."
"…That's a bit exaggerated."
"…Slightly."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Sure."
Fair.
I exhaled.
"…I thought it'd be easier."
"That's what everyone thinks."
He stepped back slightly.
"Start lighter."
"…Yeah. Makes sense."
Thanks
Obvious.
In hindsight.
He looked at me for a second—
Then nodded once.
"Don't rush it."
Take it slow
"…I won't."
And this time—
I really meant it.
He walked off without another word.
Simple.
No judgment.
No unnecessary advice.
Just—
Normal.
"…That wasn't bad."
Awkward.
Slightly embarrassing.
But not bad.
Then—
[Chain Quest Progress Updated][Expand Social Range: 2/3]
"…Two already."
That was faster than expected.
"…One more."
Then—
Insight.
Whatever that was.
"…Interesting."
I looked back at the bench.
Then at the weights.
"…Let's not repeat that."
I removed a few plates.
Tried again.
This time—
Lighter.
Manageable.
I lowered the bar.
Pushed it up.
Slow.
But steady.
"…That's better."
Not impressive.
But controlled.
And for some reason—
That felt better.
Because this time—
I wasn't guessing.
I was learning.
Rep after rep—
My arms started burning.
Not sharp pain.
But a deep—
Heavy strain.
"…This is new."
Uncomfortable.
But not unbearable.
I kept going.
One more.
Then another.
Then—
My arms gave out.
I let the bar rest back.
Breathing heavier now.
"…Okay."
That was enough.
I sat up slowly.
My muscles felt—
Different.
Tired.
But not weak.
Just…
Used.
Then—
A familiar presence.
[Physical Strain Detected]
"…Here we go."
[Adaptation in Progress][Muscle Efficiency Slightly Increased][Stamina Recovery Improved (Minor)]
"…So it reacts to effort."
Not instantly.
But gradually.
That made sense.
Nothing so far had been free.
Everything required—
Action.
I stood up.
My legs felt slightly unstable.
"…That's normal."
Probably.
I moved toward another machine.
This time—
More careful.
Watching.
Understanding.
Adjusting.
Each movement felt—
Less awkward than before.
Not natural.
But improving.
And that—
Was enough.
Time passed without me noticing.
Exercise after exercise—
Small improvements.
Small failures.
Small adjustments.
Nothing dramatic.
But consistent.
And somehow—
That felt satisfying.
Because for the first time—
I could see it.
Progress.
Not imagined.
Not exaggerated.
Real.
Eventually—
I stopped.
Not because I wanted to.
But because my body had reached its limit.
My breathing slowed gradually.
Sweat cooling against my skin.
"…That was… something."
Not easy.
Not smooth.
But worth it.
I wiped my face with my sleeve.
Then stood there for a moment—
Thinking.
"…I didn't quit."
That thought stayed.
Longer than expected.
Because before—
I would have.
At the first sign of difficulty.
At the first awkward moment.
At the first failure.
But this time—
I didn't.
"…So that's different."
Not big.
But important.
Then—
As I turned to leave—
I felt it.
A pause.
Subtle.
Almost unnoticeable.
But there.
"…What?"
I glanced around.
People were still moving.
Talking.
Lifting.
Normal.
Everything looked normal.
And yet—
For a split second—
Something felt…
Off.
Not wrong.
Just—
Out of place.
Like something didn't belong.
"…Again?"
The feeling faded instantly.
Like it was never there.
I frowned slightly.
"…I'm imagining things."
Probably.
It had been a long day.
New environment.
Fatigue.
That explained it.
It had to.
Still—
As I walked toward the exit—
That thought lingered.
Faint.
Unclear.
But present.
And somewhere—
Deep down—
A quiet realization formed.
This wasn't just about getting stronger.
Or improving.
Or changing.
Because something else—
Was changing too.
And this time—
I wasn't sure it was just me.
Chapter 13 End
Author's Note:If you enjoyed, don't forget to vote with Power Stones 💎
If you enjoy and add to library at the end, don't forget to vote with Power Stones 💎