The human body itself was a vast treasure trove!
Gourmet Cells were like a key to breaking through limits—or a catalyst—that helped the body uncover its deeply buried potential much faster.
At the same time, training the body was immensely important.
Without limits forged through relentless training, relying solely on the evolution of Gourmet Cells to grow stronger would be no more than a castle in the sky.
Abel was experiencing this firsthand.
With every thrust he made at full force, he could feel an energy like a clear spring being drawn out from within him, then flowing back to nourish him.
Especially after the fiftieth thrust, his right arm had started to tremble noticeably. It was a sign that he was nearing his limit.
Yet even ten thrusts later, Diamante, who had been ready to teach him a lesson, still hadn't found an opening to act.
And he saw that Abel's right hand, which had been trembling, had somehow become steady and strong again.
"What's going on?"
Diamante looked troubled and uncertain. He'd clearly seen the kid on the verge of giving up just moments ago, so how had he suddenly—
Could it be?!
Just moments earlier, Abel really had felt he couldn't keep going. His arm had started to ache and grow heavy.
But the highly active Gourmet Cells inside him believed he still had more to give!
And just like that, he broke through his limit with ease.
All the discomfort he'd accumulated vanished, replaced by the thrill of surpassing himself!
Abel felt his strength return, and it felt great.
Especially when he noticed Diamante's expression, twisted up like he was constipated. That made him even happier.
He even picked up the pace, while keeping his form correct.
He wanted to finish training early. Maybe he'd still make it in time for breakfast.
That bastard had dragged him out before he'd even eaten.
Otherwise, he'd have stuffed himself and seen just how insane the tenfold learning boost from the [Full Stomach] state really was!
By the time Abel finished the training with what looked like effortless ease, Luo had only managed thirty thrusts, and he looked like he was completely done for.
Clang!
When Luo saw Abel stop, he lost focus. His arm was aching, and the iron sword slipped from his hand and hit the ground.
Diamante frowned at the sight.
He hadn't expected either of them to finish the exercise on time from the start, but this was still pretty pathetic.
And what made him even angrier was that the brat he hated most had actually managed it.
That only made him even more annoyed!
Once again, he swung the long sword in his hand like a serpent.
"Pick up your sword! You want revenge on this world, don't you? Are you going to throw down your sword and surrender when you face an enemy? You're useless!"
This time, Luo was struck to the ground and let out a cry of pain.
Then Diamante deliberately glanced at Abel, clearly hoping to see a reaction.
But to his disappointment, the kid didn't show the slightest response. He was perfectly calm.
Instead, he asked, "I've finished a hundred thrusts. What's the next exercise?"
Diamante was caught off guard and blurted out, "Can you even lift your arm?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Diamante regretted them.
Sure enough, Abel grinned. "Wasn't that just a warm-up? I thought sword training would be more than some childish game."
Diamante had been mocked again!
And this time, it was a veiled insult he couldn't even call out!
Diamante was furious. His teeth ground together, and even the long sword in his hand began to writhe like a venomous snake.
It looked as though the snake would sink its fangs into Abel's throat at any moment!
But in the end, the snake settled down.
Diamante had noticed Doflamingo watching from behind a second-floor window, a glass of red wine in hand.
So he took a deep breath and suddenly came up with a particularly vicious idea.
"The next hour is your rest period. You can eat, sleep, or do whatever you want."
"Of course, you can also stay here and share some of the pressure your partner's under. For instance, by taking a little 'gentle' punishment."
"I'll even lower Luo's training requirement from a hundred thrusts to fifty."
"Heh heh heh heh. Well? What will you choose?"
Diamante thought he had this in the bag. He'd pinpointed the other boy's weakness.
With such a "generous" offer, he had no doubt Abel would accept.
After all, judging by what had happened so far, Luo would probably be beaten to death before he could finish a hundred thrusts.
But to his surprise, before Abel could answer, Luo gave him an answer of his own.
"No need. I can do it myself."
Luo stood up again and gripped the iron sword in both hands. His body trembled, but his arms thrust forward steadily and fiercely.
"Thirty-one!"
The sight made the anger simmering inside Diamante flare up again, though he also felt contempt.
But what happened next surprised him even more.
Abel nodded, turned, and left. "I'm going to eat, then. Hurry up, too. If you go late, that guy Buffalo will probably have eaten everything."
Luo didn't answer. He simply thrust twice more.
That was his answer.
Diamante was stunned for a moment. Then, when he saw that Abel had really left, he couldn't help sneering, "Don't worry. Dead people probably don't need to eat."
Without looking back, Abel raised his middle finger high over his head and said, "Don't underestimate someone who crawled out of hell. Who couldn't manage something this easy?"
Idiot!
Abel mouthed the last word.
He truly gave Diamante no chance to use it as an excuse to make trouble!
Even though Diamante hadn't heard that last word, he could still hear the mockery dripping from Abel's tone.
"Fine. Then this is a game between the two of us."
"Let's see which of us will disappoint you, Luo."
By now, Luo couldn't hear anything around him. He was entirely focused on thrusting, over and over again.
Even as his arms began to swell, even as his mind grew hazy.
He knew he couldn't stop. Once he did, he wouldn't be able to start again.
And compared to the pain of watching his parents, little sister, and all his companions die before his eyes, what did this amount to?
"Ninety-nine, one hundred."
After an unknown amount of time, Luo's body swayed as soon as he reached one hundred, then he collapsed face-first.
The expression on Diamante's face shifted from surprise to disbelief, and finally to silence.
"If it's those two kids...perhaps one day they really will stir up mighty waves across the seas."
"Doflamingo, had you already seen that distant future?"
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