The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 25

Inside the gym, the air was filled with the sounds of clanging weights and the low hum of treadmills. Matsu led Blaze, Calie, and Marie through the bustling atmosphere, heading towards the familiar figure of Zenith, the gym owner.

"Hey, Zenith!" Matsu called out, and Zenith turned, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Matsu! Long time no see. It's been what, almost two years?" Zenith exclaimed, extending a hand for a firm handshake.

"Yeah, something like that," Matsu replied, introducing Blaze, Calie, and Marie to Zenith. "These are my friends, and we're here for a good workout."

Blaze, Calie, and Marie exchanged curious glances, prompting Matsu to provide some context. "Zenith here taught me how to use enhancement aura back when I was just starting out. He's the reason I can do some of the things I can do."

Zenith chuckled modestly. "Ah, just a bit of guidance. Matsu's the one who put in the hard work. I'm glad to see you're still keeping up with your training."

Matsu nodded appreciatively. "Thanks to you, Zenith. Your teachings have been invaluable."

With pleasantries exchanged, Zenith led them through the gym, pointing out various sections and explaining the equipment.

Zenith, a stern yet fair mentor, turned his attention to Calie and Marie, giving them a once-over before speaking with a firm tone.

"Here, everyone gets treated the same, no matter their background or status. You're no exception. Work hard, and you'll see results," he stated, emphasizing the gym's commitment to equality.

However, he softened his expression as he continued, "But we do prioritize the safety of our patrons. If anyone tries to bother you or if things get out of hand, we'll step in. You're here to train, not to deal with trouble."

Calie and Marie nodded appreciatively. "Thank you," Calie said, and Marie added, "We're here to work hard and stay in shape."

Matsu chimed in, expressing his gratitude, "Thanks, Zenith. I appreciate you letting my friends join us. We're looking forward to a good workout."

With that, the group dispersed into the various workout areas of the gym, each member preparing for a rigorous session under Zenith's watchful eye. The air buzzed with determination as they embarked on their fitness journey, knowing that in this gym, everyone was equal in the pursuit of strength and well-being.

After a while, the group took a break from their intense workout, Matsu found himself searching for his towel. Unable to locate it, he improvised by using his shirt to wipe away the sweat. Blaze, noticing Matsu's well-defined muscles, couldn't help but express her surprise.

"Whoa, Matsu! When did you get those abs? They're like, super defined!" she exclaimed.

Matsu, with a playful smirk, retorted, "Jealous, Blaze?"

Blaze, however, didn't miss a beat. She lifted her own shirt slightly, revealing her own progress. "Not at all, Captain. I've been working on my own gains, see?"

Matsu nodded approvingly, acknowledging her efforts. "Nice work, Blaze. You're making great progress."

Meanwhile, Calie and Marie, feeling a bit self-conscious, chimed in. "We don't seem to get those defined muscles, though. It's strange."

Matsu, genuinely puzzled, looked at them. "You two are incredibly strong, though. It's odd that you're not showing the usual signs of muscle development."

Calie shrugged, "We've just accepted it. We're strong where it counts, right, Marie?"

Marie nodded in agreement, "Exactly. We might not have the abs, but our strength is undeniable."