Evolution of the Ruined Heir

Chapter 348: Testing

Malakai meditated until the next day.

Though Renlo at some point came to check up on him and even invited him to eat, Malakai had been so intoxicated with his newly awakened powers that he had refused.

His muscle node had been awakened, and the power it promised was not something to scoff at. Malakai had envisioned massive improvements to his future fighting style.

He felt so impatient, as though he should find someone to battle with and test out his new powers right now. However, he held himself back and instead focused on understanding it.

The muscle was unlike blood, that much was evident. Both had different functions, and most especially different ways of controlling them.

His muscles were solid, and he could feel every sinew wound together to form strength. He could manipulate it, and after countless testing, he had seen how effective it was in battle.

He could tense and unleash his muscles at a moment’s notice. He didn’t need to bend to apply pressure on his legs and release for a fast launch anymore.

He could simply accomplish the same, even more, with a thought. Asides this, he also determined that he could tighten his sinew somewhat.

This hardened his muscles to an extraordinary degree, enabling him to either defend against powerful blows or send out steel-like attacks.

Malakai ended his training when morning came and Renlo stopped by to invite him for breakfast. Though reluctant, he didn’t think it was right to be away from Renlo, especially right now.

Standing from his bed, instinctively, Malakai was about to stretch when he realized that he didn’t feel any need to.

With all the experiments he had done with his muscles, they were stretched to the extremes.

Stepping out his door, Malakai smiled and shook his head. Renlo’s food was all he could smell.

At least that hasn’t changed. He was glad. Though Renlo still acted bubbly and nice, Malakai could tell from his eyes that he was hurt.

Traumatized, even. And from their exchange yesterday, when Renlo had shut down his apology, Malakai could tell a change was coming, and he wasn’t sure if it would be good or bad.

Reaching the kitchen, Malakai noted that the others were also present. Karla, Unoa and Kiana. They stood at the edge of the kitchen, watching Renlo work.

“Ninth vein.” They both greeted with deep bows.

None of them had dared to sit at the table without Malakai arriving.

Acknowledging them with a nod, Malakai settled down.

“So what do you have for us today?” He asked after a moment. Renlo shot him a grin.

“Something good.”

As though he couldn’t wait, Renlo sped up and quickly set down all the food. He sat down when he was done, still grinning at Malakai.

“Well, open it,” he said.

Malakai stared at the biggest dish directly in front of him. He reached forward and lifted up the warm lid. A wave of hot steam hit him instantly, carrying with it a rich, savory aroma that made him swallow his spit.

It was tender cuts of slow-braised goat, browned at the edges and simmered in a dark red sauce filled with peppers, onions, and crushed spices. The meat seemed so soft it could fall apart at the touch of a fork.

Malakai took another gulp. This was it, this was what made life so worth living.

He opened the next dish, and another wave of heat rolled out. This one carried the buttery, golden scent of fresh flatbreads, stacked high and still steaming.

The next was roasted yams, caramelized on the outside and sprinkled with a light dusting of spice.

“You’ve outdone yourself, Renlo.” The words came out before he could realize. Malakai didn’t even have to taste it to see the world-ending taste it would have.

Renlo looked at Malakai smugly. “Of course I did.”

Malakai had no intention of wasting any time. He wanted to taste this food immediately.

“Nyx.”

As Nyx appeared, after some back and forth, she joined them at the table. Karla and the others also did the same after getting the go-ahead from Malakai.

They ate in silence, with only the occasional hmm sound, acknowledging just how delicious the food was. Even Karla and Unoa, who had spent enough time in the kitchen and had tasted numerous meals, seemed to recognize the art that was Renlo’s cooking.

Afterwards, they slumped back on their seats, each with a satisfied expression on their face.

“Well, how was it?” Renlo asked, looking at Malakai expectantly.

“It was good. Really good.” Gone were the days where Malakai would pretend not to enjoy his cooking.

They had survived death and come back as new men. Now, he had every intention of being direct when it came to his feelings.

As Renlo smiled, Malakai suddenly took on a thoughtful expression.

“After resting for a while, we should go train.”

He saw Renlo’s expression darken then turn back to normal.

“T-train?” Renlo stammered.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

He doesn’t want to train? Malakai wondered. While it was true that Renlo always whined when it came to training, there was always an anticipatory glint in his eyes.

Malakai had never gotten the vibe that the boy hated it. But now, he couldn’t see the anticipation in his eyes. Only dread.

Half an hour later, the two stood across from one another behind the manor where Malakai had built his makeshift training course.

Despite the weeks that had passed, Malakai was thrilled to see it in good shape. The balance course that had become Renlo’s nightmare was still in perfect condition.

However, today Malakai had another thing in mind.

“How do you feel?”

“I feel… okay.”

But this hadn’t been the answer Malakai wanted.

“No.” He shook his head. “How do you feel physically. Those limbs of yours…”

Malakai didn’t miss the shudder that ran through Renlo’s body at the mention.

He’s ashamed of his limbs, he realized. Still, he didn’t stop.

“…Do they make you stronger, faster? Can you use them to fight? Or do they still feel awkward?”

“T-they’re… th-they are…” Renlo turned downwards and stared, frantically looking at his arms and limbs. He panicked.

A firm hand on his shoulder made him pause.

“Listen.” Malakai met Renlo’s clouded eyes. “This is the hard truth. What happened in Sylvastein has happened already. There’s no turning back. The earlier you accept and face it, the faster you can move forward.”

Renlo bit his lips, clenching his fists. Through his touch, Malakai felt the roar of his steel-like muscles, but ignored it.

As Renlo nodded with a twisted expression, Malakai continued.

“The first thing is to get used to your new limbs. You need to be able to move and perform basic movements. Let’s have a quick spar.”

“…Alright.”

Malakai backed up, creating a little distance between them.

“Attack whenever you’re ready.”

Renlo nodded, taking in deep breaths. Then he clenched his fists and lowered himself into a stance. His expression turned resolute.

The silence stretched. Malakai’s gaze sighted Renlo’s legs flexing. Then, Renlo moved.

It looked like a torpedo in water. A black missile cutting through space like it wasn’t there. Renlo was upon him in the next moment.

He’s fast.

Malakai’s mind calmly spun. Renlo’s speed had surprised him, shocked him, even. The difference was stark compared to before.

Still, Malakai saw him come in slow motion. With his new power boost, his perception was just that insane.

In this slow world, Malakai saw and noted everything.

He misjudged his power.

Malakai vanished to the side, and a blur screamed past where he’d been moments before. In the next second, Renlo suddenly tumbled. He fell and rolled across the earth, dust kicking up in his wake.

“Ah… damn.”

Renlo stood, scratching the back of his head. He must have hit it a couple of times during the fall.

“You know what happened?” Malakai asked.

“Yeah. I wasn’t expecting to be that fast.”

“Your limbs are new, so it’s expected their limits are unknown too. We have to test that limit and make sure you’re used to it. Attack again.”

Renlo let out a breath, stretched, then nodded.

The second time, he had pushed himself to the limit once more, but he had been able to control his body somewhat better than the last time, even though he still fell. But as he continued, Malakai began noticing the shift.

‘He’s getting better.’

On the fifth time, he stopped falling, settling for a rough skid on the floor instead. And as he continued, his movements became even more controlled.

When Malakai was satisfied, he decided to move to another aspect.

“Try to punch me,” he said.

Renlo’s eyes widened. He looked at his steel-like muscles and back at Malakai.

“Em. Are you sure about that?”

As though understanding his thoughts, Malakai chuckled.

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

“…Alright.”

Renlo nodded and got into a stance. This time, as he blasted forward, he halted his momentum with a stomp, and his fist exploded forward with force.

Malakai was taken aback. Gale like air whipped around it as it surged towards him.

He shifted, evading the attack, but Renlo let out a couple more. He evaded them just as easily. Punching, as it seemed, came easier to Renlo.

Afterwards, Malakai ended this part of the lesson. As they stood facing each other, he finally asked the question that had been bugging him.

“Can you form nodes in those limbs?”