Half a Year

[One Week Passed]

His basic attribute values hadn't changed at all due to the special training.

On the contrary, Yi Chen's mental state had become extremely haggard. He had lost a lot of weight, and his hair was starting to fall out in clumps.

During the Pathology class on Monday, Edmund and the others were startled by Yi Chen's condition when they saw him. They tried to offer him some material assistance, but he refused it all.

Yi Chen simply replied, "Special training."

After confirming a hint of determination in his dull eyes, Edmund didn't ask any further questions.

The first week was spent mostly in Teacher Zed's 'Paradise,' with about 80% of the time dedicated to it. He slowly began to try out equipment other than the treadmill. Just as his body started to adapt to a certain piece of equipment, it would immediately be thrown off balance by a new one.

[Second Week]

His attribute values remained unchanged.

Yi Chen's condition hadn't improved either. His scalp was now largely exposed, and he looked as if he had aged twenty years. He started wearing a coat and a hood daily.

Walking between the teaching building and the campus, he looked like a walking corpse.

Sunday brought a rare night of rest. As he stumbled back to his dormitory, Unexpectedly, Professor Chamberson, with an owl perched on his shoulder, was waiting for him there.

"Your physical condition is very poor. The accumulated injuries within your body might all turn into lingering after-effects, and your future is precarious... Do you want to give up, William?

If you nod, I will immediately contact the administration to sever all your ties with Zed and switch you to a different Pathology class, ensuring Zed has no further contact with you.

Tonight, I will send you to Zion's internal [Clinic] for comprehensive treatment."

"Thank you, Professor Chamberson... I can feel my body undergoing some subtle changes. I want to keep going."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure..."

Suddenly, Chamberson, who was several meters away, appeared in front of Yi Chen almost instantaneously. He gently placed a hand on Yi Chen's shoulder.

"I was right not to misjudge you... [Suffering] is the most suitable catalyst for your body. To reach the 'Multi-Attribute Limit,' you must pay a price far exceeding others.

Also, You don't need to worry about the monthly mission requirements.

I will submit a 'mission deferral' application to the school for you.

However, the academy does not encourage this kind of isolated self-study.

After all, the ultimate goal of the organization in cultivating gentlemen is to eradicate pathogens. Direct contact and practical combat with pathogens are the most meaningful actions.

Therefore, The maximum deferral period is [Half a Year].

Within these six months, you need to fully adapt to Zed's special training and allow your body to gradually recover while enduring the suffering. After half a year, you must complete a mission that is decent enough.

A gentleman's mission is not as simple as those in Green Lake Town; all encounters are unknown."

"I will be ready. Thank you, Professor."

"I look forward to your condition in six months."

[One Month Passed]

His attribute values remained unchanged, and his physical condition was still poor.

However, the rate of physical damage and aging had slowed down.

During this period, Yi Chen also skipped one Gentleman Etiquette Class and one Pathology class.

[Two Months Passed]

Although his attribute values remained unchanged, his physical condition had improved.

The most significant point was that his hair had started to regrow.

During class, Dagobert, who possessed exceptional talent in terms of physique and strength, also sensed that Yi Chen's body was undergoing subtle changes.

These changes were different from his own or most people's physical development.

It wasn't about refining, exercising, or shaping the existing body.

The feeling Yi Chen gave off was as if his entire original body had been torn apart and crushed, then reassembled in its most primitive form, creating a new set of muscles that were more suitable for him and easier to control.

Three months

Four months

Five months

Over these past few months, Yi Chen gradually returned to his original appearance, and his spirits also slowly improved… but his physique stat remained at [2].

On the surface, it seemed as though everything had returned to its starting point, that nothing had happened.

Additionally, After several months of training, The daily special training routine and schedule had long been fixed.

Once Yi Chen's physical strength was completely drained, Teacher Zed would immediately shut down the equipment.

He would then carry Yi Chen's utterly exhausted body and throw him into a bathtub filled with nutrient solution to soak until he woke up.

If he could wake up before the teaching building closed, he could return to his dorm to sleep.

If he woke up late, he would have to continue training here.

Time had now reached the [final ten days] before the half-year deadline.

Weirsterman Teaching Building - Underground Area

Yi Chen was performing his special training exercises as usual… but today was different.

Zed touched the hands of his pocket watch, his expression grave.

The special training had gone overtime.

Yi Chen should have exhausted his physical strength and collapsed half an hour ago.

However, He was still sitting on the rowing machine, with steel nails piercing his hands, maintaining a high-frequency rowing rhythm.

"Could it be..."

Zed did not inform Yi Chen that the training had already gone overtime. Instead, he spoke in a normal training tone.

"That's enough rowing machine practice. Go to the treadmill for a short rest."

"Okay."

Yi Chen easily dismounted the rowing machine and, with a natural movement, wrapped bandages around his pierced palms.

Without stopping, He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm and stepped onto the easiest setting of the treadmill.

While running, Yi Chen suddenly turned his head. "Mr. Zed, can I run a bit faster? I don't know why… I feel like my body is getting lighter."

"Mm, just do as you and your body feel. From now on, you don't need to seek my opinion on anything."

After giving his final instruction, Zed fell silent, as if quietly waiting for some change to occur.

Hiss~

Zed's ears picked up a faint series of sound signals, the sound of expulsion and vibration from pores.

For a moment, Waves of red mist emanated from Yi Chen's running body.

It was as if the blood within him was evaporating.

In reality, the total volume of blood Yi Chen used for circulation had not decreased; only the stagnant blood and residual injuries accumulated in his body over this long period were being expelled.

The more blood mist was released, The lighter Yi Chen felt.

His speed on the treadmill increased further and further, Until the red mist almost completely obscured him, leaving only a rapidly moving figure visible.

Next, Something even stranger happened.

Yi Chen's skin began to "harden" over a large area, separating from his body… Crack~ A whole piece of hardened skin detached, and Zed quickly stood up and caught it.

Touching the flawless human skin shell, Zed entered a state of extreme excitement.

"Purification, shedding… just one last step remains!"

A new, slightly reddish layer of skin covered Yi Chen's body, and one could even see active, tender root-like tendrils moving beneath the skin alongside his blood vessels.

After a few dozen seconds, The surface of the tender skin gradually matured, transforming into the normal color and texture of skin.

Compared to before, it was more flexible, delicate, and form-fitting.

His hair grew at a visible rate, almost accumulating half a year's worth, and cascaded down his shoulders.

Boom! A deafening roar

accompanied by the sounds of various metal fragments scattering and impacting.

This overused and severely aged metal treadmill had been directly blown up by Yi Chen.

Amidst a backdrop of interwoven red mist and metal debris, a long-haired youth emerged, completely naked.

A small fleshy orb had also grown on his shoulder. He swayed his arms like waves, his teeth chattering, appearing incredibly excited.

The youth picked up his organization backpack, and put on the suit he hadn't worn in a long time.

At this moment, the Gentleman's Skin adhered to his body immediately detected the significant changes occurring in his flesh, projecting corresponding updated data onto his retinas.

[Physique] has increased from [2] to [3]

*Special Note: The essence of the physical body has changed, making it easier to gain Physique points.

* "Diseased Trait" proficiency has increased.