Inside the private gym, Terrence jogged on the treadmill, eyes focused on the massive 100-inch TV mounted to the wall.
A music video played with a heavy beat, and fast rhythm.
But it wasn't the song that kept his attention. The screen flashed with female dancers, all moves and exposed skin.
He wasn't about to pretend it didn't get his blood moving. Just not in the way cardio was supposed to.
"Inhale… Exhale…" He kept his breathing steady.
Normally, he wouldn't have adjusted this fast.
In his past life, he gone through brutal military training—sleepless drills, live combat tests, and survival missions that killed most trainees.
So getting back into form wasn't an issue for him.
"Now I need to change the timing," he muttered, transitioning into a controlled breathing pattern.
'Impulse Breathing'
A standard military technique that focused on timed inhaling and exhaling.
It helped expand lung capacity, slow down the heart rate, and push the body past its usual limits.
But that alone was not enough.
Right now, he was also inhaling the nearly non-existent mana in the air and circulating it through his body .
He could feel the particles was about three thousand times thinner.
Still, it was more than enough to bring his body up to the level of an average male in a couple of days.
'Time to rest.' He slowed his pace, making sure his body adjusted gradually.
Once he finished his stamina training, he grabbed the dumbbells. Ten pounds in each hand, and moved to the next set.
Even that light weight made his arms shake. A clear sign of how weak his body was.
By using Impulse Breathing, he managed to send more oxygen to his biceps and surrounding muscles, allowing him to prolong the set.
An hour passed just like that. He found himself panting, sitting on a bench with his head tilted back, staring at the ceiling.
The glass door slid open. Effie stepped in, still wearing her loose tank top, holding a tray.
It held almond milk and a stack of homemade chocolate chip cookies.
"I brought you some snacks," she put the tray on the table.
"Thanks,"
He expected her to leave after that, but then he felt something brush against his hair.
It was her wiping off the sweat.
"Aunt Effie, you don't need to do that," he objected.
She smiled warmly, her hand lingering a moment longer.
"It's not good to let your sweat dry on your clothes," she responded, her tone gentle. "Turn around. Let me wipe your back."
The movement of her hands was gentle, almost as if tracing the tension in his back muscles.
A strange mix of relief and something deeper stirred inside him—something he couldn't control.
He wanted to ask why she was being too caring.
Being his aunt didn't feel like a valid reason, especially since their age difference was only ten years.
As for her appearance, she looked even younger than him.
Suddenly, a soft, wet sensation touched his back.
'Did she just kiss me?'
His heart raced. He wanted to check but couldn't bring himself to.
A few seconds later, the sensation was gone.
When he turned around, she acted like nothing happened.
'So I was just imagining things,' he thought, blaming his own dirty mind for making up scenarios.
'Maybe it was just her soft fingers,'
"I should go now, I need to get ready before heading to the store," she stood up. Her cheeks were flushed, and sweat clung to her skin.
Meanwhile, Terrence was still in a daze, close to losing his sense of morality.
'I need to focus...' Shaking off the thought, he turned his attention to the snack in front of him.
The chocolate chips melted perfectly in his mouth, sweet and warm, with just the right amount of crunch. He never expected something so simple to taste this good.
She must've put a lot of effort into making it just right for him.
Unfortunately, even after finishing everything, he still didn't feel full.
'I need more.'