Chương 67: Resistance Training

"Done," I said, signing another waiver before I started resistance training this morning. Healer Melon had checked everything as well and signed as my current guardian.

"Alright, come on to the resistance training chamber. We have come a long way from the days of the Eldarin Empire and have reworked one of their more sinister inventions," Thoron said.

"That is a soul compressor," Healer Melon said with a frown as we walked into the room.

"While it looks like a soul compressor and uses similar principles, I guarantee it is completely different. Developed at the College of Advancement for resistance training."

"How does it work exactly? Specifically, the safety mechanisms?"

"Justin strips down and gets in. A specialist has prepared certain Alchemical mixtures to simulate a certain type of damage. The resistance chamber monitors his healing points and overall health on these displays. A tube connects to his mouth so you can administer potions, and for breathing, he can grip a channeling rod here to use skills directly on his head without opening the chamber." He pointed at various release mechanisms.

"In the event of an emergency, you can pull this red lever while gripping the handle. The entire thing will blow apart without harming Justin. Do not pull that lever unless necessary."

"What are the Alchemical mixtures?" Healer Melon asked, and Thoron handed him a sheet filled out with lots of tiny numbers.

"Huh, this is quite professional."

"Of course! I haven't had an accident here in all my years. I am even certified as a licensed equipment and professional skill hall by the College of Advancement."

"I am more impressed by the actual Alchemical chart here than credentials, even including the baseline for different races and ages. What about stats and fine-tuning?"

"This controls the density of the Alchemical mixtures released into the chamber with natural suspension fluid. Changing mixtures is a hassle. So, only one per day. Just fill out a sheet with the ones you want. Our Alchemist calculated the initial mixture to use, but you can request adjustments based on your discretion as the Healer in charge of this."

"How fresh are these mixtures?"

"Made every morning and checked personally by me. If you have any concerns, let me know. I can also have you speak with the Alchemist if you require. While I understand pushing things, avoiding accidents is important. How close to the edge will you take things?" Thoron asked the last question a bit nervously, and Healer Melon looked at me.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Resistance training is dangerous the closer you get to the body's limit. People usually use a 20% margin of error," Healer Melon said.

"But the improvement is probably small. The lowest margin of error?"

"I would feel comfortable handling 3% if I am constantly monitoring things, though the pain will be immense, and you can't move. You have to remain as still as possible. I will also refresh your healing and stamina reserves as well, so your body doesn't give out."

"You can't push things further?"

"If he weren't your personal Healer, I would object. The lowest we go is 6% with our healer," Thoron said, and Healer Melon nodded.

"Any variance in the Alchemical mixture, your body's reactions, and skill levels will all cause issues and require constant adjustment of the mixture density," Healer Melon said. With everything decided, I stripped down and lay down in the resistance training capsule. It was like a coffin, only more rounded.

"You can speak once the mask goes on, but I need to focus on your health. The chamber will fill with a suspension mixture, and they will adjust it until you float. Then they will add the alchemical mixture to apply it to your entire body. You can move your toes and fingers, clenching and unclenching them, but no more. Questions?"

"How long will I be in?"

"Eight hours. Even that is pushing it. Anything else?"

"Eyes open or closed?"

"Either is fine. Just focus on your resistance skills as much as possible. We are starting with Poison Resistance. Any other questions?"

"No." Healer Melon fixed a breathing mask over my nose and mouth. There was a separate tube that went into my mouth for potions if they needed to be administered quickly. However, since I had a high level of Alchemical toxicity, I should avoid those if possible. He ensured everything was strapped tight and working. My breathing mask, which also had a gold and platinum rod connecting from between my eyes to outside the capsule, was designed for optimal oxygenation.

It would allow Healer Melon to use his skills on me more easily at a distance. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Alright! See you in eight hours," Healer Melon said as he closed the resistance capsule. I kept my breathing steady as suspension fluid filled up the dark capsule. Even with my Darkness Vision, I could barely see. The temperature wasn't uncomfortable, just slightly warm. The suspension fluid was not water, but a neutral Alchemical mixture. My sole knowledge was of its use in spreading Alchemical mixtures, stretching them out, though making them weaker.

Because the suspension fluid went over my head, I was soon floating in the middle of the capsule. I was only 11. 5 years old, so there was a lot of room in the capsule. They had designed it for an adult human. That's when I started itching, and my joints throbbed. I tried to keep my breathing steady as I felt my healing and stamina reserves decrease. They got very close to bottoming out before going back up. The pain slowly got worse. I just kept focusing on remaining calm and still. It was a long eight hours.

Every second felt like eternal torture. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea? The longer the suffering went on, the more I thought that this was a terrible idea. The concept of being resistant to stuff sounded great, but this was the first skill in a chain of three. It would only get harder as time went on. I felt the skills from Healer Melon impact my soul and enter me. My soul automatically pushed back against the healing. I was training another resistance skill without any prior planning.

As the liquid exited, I struggled to keep my mask on. I realized I'd surpassed Pain Resistance and achieved Pain Immunity. Even that skill was not enough once the pain took over my whole body.

"Easy now. Just stay lying down," Healer Melon said while I kept my eyes shut. He began unhooking the mask from me.

"Still there, Justin?"

"Barely. That was horrible," I replied weakly.

"What did you expect? Resistance training really is the worst. You have sensory training tomorrow, and you wanted to study tonight," he said as he slowly helped me out of the capsule. There was a wall shower nearby, which I used to wash the remaining Alchemical mixture off my body.

"My head hurts," I replied.

"Pain Resistance became Pain Immunity."

"I was afraid of that. Your soul is straining from that Tier 4 skill, especially your mind. You need to keep focusing on controlling your skills, especially your resistances. Hopefully, you can unlock Skill Control. It is tier 3 and should help you," Healer Melon explained and handed me a towel once I finished cleaning myself off.

"This should be illegal," I muttered and began getting changed.

"It is in most places. Only with a certified Healer is resistance training allowed. Otherwise, the risk of an accident is too great. The pain should go away."

"My head still hurts."

"What about your soul?"

"Like it is ready to burst, now that you ask."

"Your Soul Resistance skill is helping a lot right now. Let's get back to the Roaring Furnace and get some food. After that, you can work on some of the stuff Tutor Damian left you."

"Sure," I muttered, completely wrung out. Healer Melon led me out of the training hall, and we got a magical carriage back to our inn. We had dinner, but it was hard to eat.

"Hey, Mom. Hello guests, do you need a lift tomorrow morning?" Anerac asked.

"Yes, same time," Healer Melon said.

"No problem. It is when I start work. He okay?" Anerac asked while looking at me.

"Intense skill training."

"Ah, I get it, College of Advancement and all that. Everyone wants to look good on their applications. Well, if you ever want to get the Driving skill, I am your dwarf. The best driver in Undercraft who isn't a professional. I am almost there."

"Hush, you. I made you stew. Let the guests rest," his mother Borton said.

"It is fine," I replied, trying to be polite, even if I wasn't in the mood for a conversation.

"Well, if you say so, dear," Borton said while Anerac sat across from us. This was a new place, and I wanted to learn more about dwarves now that I was here, even if I felt like dying.

"I thought dwarves spoke a different language?"" Haba da ra gorsh. Of course, we do, but my father insisted I learn Eldarin. We get so many foreign visitors here in Undercraft because of the College of Advancement up above," Anerac said.

"What happened to him?" I asked and then realized it was a rude question.

"Sorry, never mind."

"No, it is fine. Magical compressor blew. Sent a sprocket straight through his head, killing him instantly. Got a large settlement from the maintenance company. Now I have my magical carriage, making money driving people like you around."

"My condolences," I replied.

"Are accidents common?"

"Not really. Everyone is certified for such work. Even when driving people, I had to get my skill up to tier 3, Empowered Driving, otherwise I couldn't legally taxi people around."

"Really?"

"For safety reasons. The city doesn't want visitors to get hurt. If you drive in the city, you need at least Focused Driving. While it might seem crazy to outsiders, we dwarves know what we are doing," he said.

"What about you? You must have some background to apply to the College of Advancement."

"I was already accepted, and I am just working on my skills before entering," I replied.

"Wow, a prodigy or a genius. I had thought I might do it when I was a kid, like everyone else. But I am not good at studying. The competition is insane. To get early admission, you have to be super-duper smart or have a parent who can afford to powerlevel you. I am only level 20. Maybe one day I will save up for some more."

"It is exhausting. Once I am done eating, I will study Algebra and Geometry."

"Ah, I am glad I don't have to study anymore. Just going fast," Anerac said.

"You and that magical carriage. You are taking care of it?" his mother came over and asked.

"Yes, yes. I treat her better than anyone else, and I make sure she is treated properly."

"More stew, you two?" his mother asked us while shaking her head at her son.

"No," I replied. I didn't feel hungry after the resistance training.

"Yes, please," Healer Melon said. His bald head was giving me a headache as it reflected the magical lighting of the inn.