Push Through the Pain
"Remember, maggots," he said, his voice resonating with a stern warning, "this is not just about enduring the pain. You need to focus, concentrate as if you're in the midst of condensing your Mana Core or Meridians. It's a mental game as much as it's a physical one."
I swallowed hard, the memory of my abduction and the experiments conducted on me in Korzuv still fresh in my mind. The thought of willingly subjecting myself to such pain was almost too much to bear, but I knew I had to face this challenge head-on if I wanted to survive the gates.
"The machine will deliver the shocks for a maximum of five minutes," the drill sergeant barked, his tone unyielding. "Once those five minutes are up, the machine will stop, and you'll have a fifteen-minute break to absorb Mana and recover. Listen up! You'll only get two rounds with this machine today. Next time you face it will be tomorrow. Is that clear?"
I looked on as the first group of recruits were strapped into the machine, their faces a mix of determination and fear. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for them, knowing all too well the pain they were about to endure.
The room fell silent as the machine whirred to life, its mechanical hum a grim reminder of the ordeal that lay ahead. The recruits sat stoically, their bodies rigid as they braced themselves for the onslaught of pain.
To my surprise, none of them made a sound. Their faces contorted with the effort of withstanding the electrical shocks, but they remained silent, their resolve unbroken. I began to think that perhaps the pain wasn't as severe as I had anticipated.
But as the three-minute mark approached, the silence was shattered by the sound of grunts and low moans. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut: this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. The recruits were struggling, their bodies writhing against the restraints as they endured the relentless barrage of electrical jolts.
'Shit,' I muttered internally, my heart pounding in my chest. This didn't look as painless as I had expected.
The machine finally ceased its relentless assault after the five-minute mark, leaving the recruits visibly weakened but intact. They staggered to their feet, their bodies slick with sweat as they began the process of absorbing Mana to heal their wounds and replenish their strength.
As the next batch of recruits took their turn on the machine, I found myself lost in thought, my mind racing with apprehension. I closed my eyes and focused on absorbing Mana, drawing upon its energy to fortify my body and mind for the trial that lay ahead.
Finally, my name was called, and a sense of dread washed over me. I made my way to the machine, my steps feeling heavy and measured, like a man walking to the gallows.
The scientists in their white robes strapped me down to the seat, their movements precise and efficient. I felt a surge of panic as the straps were tightened, the sensation of being bound to the chair far more terrifying than anything I had experienced in Korzuv. Back then, I hadn't been strapped down like this.
As I sat there, awaiting the onset of pain, I felt a profound sense of vulnerability. I was completely exposed, my every reaction on full display for the other recruits to see. The thought of passing out or crying out in pain before the three-minute mark was mortifying, but I knew I had to maintain my composure if I wanted to retain any semblance of dignity.
The machine hummed to life, its ominous whirring filling the room as the scientists made their final adjustments. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the pain that was about to come, and braced for the most challenging five minutes of my life.
The machine's hum grew louder, an ominous prelude to the impending pain. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the shock, trying to anticipate the intensity of the electrical currents that would soon wrack my body. The straps held me firmly in place, emphasizing my helplessness, but I refused to let fear consume me. I was determined to endure this trial, to prove to myself and everyone else that I was capable of withstanding the rigors of training.
I felt a subtle pain creeping into my limbs, a low-level current that was more of an irritation than anything else. It wasn't enough to elicit a reaction from me, and I focused on keeping my face as impassive as possible. I had seen other recruits grimace and grunt under the strain of the machine, their discomfort etched into their features, but I was determined not to show any signs of weakness.
I turned my attention inward, concentrating on the sensation of Mana as it danced around me in a swirling sea of white specks. I remembered the agony of forming my Mana Core in Korzuv, the searing pain that had nearly broken me. It had taken every ounce of my willpower to push through, to harness the energy of Mana and shape it into a sphere of raw power. I needed to channel that same level of focus now, to draw the Mana towards my body and practice concentrating amidst the pain, just as the drill sergeant had instructed.
But trying to pull Mana towards me while enduring the shocks felt like an insurmountable task. I needed complete concentration, a tranquil mind free from distractions. The pain from the machine was a constant disruption, making it hard to connect with Mana. I watched as the white specks of Mana shifted around me, their movements erratic and unpredictable. I couldn't tell if my attempts at manipulation were having any effect, or if I was merely observing the natural erratic movement of Mana's energy.
As the seconds ticked by, the pain intensified, the electrical currents becoming more pronounced, more insistent. My body tensed, the muscles contracting involuntarily as the machine did its work. I couldn't tell if the pain was genuinely growing stronger, or if my body was simply growing weary of the constant barrage of shocks. Perhaps the machine was designed to gradually increase its output, or maybe my tolerance for pain was waning as the minutes wore on. Either way, I was determined not to let it break me. I had survived the experiments in Korzuv, and I would survive this as well.
I remained stoic, refusing to give in to the pain, refusing to let it show on my face. I was one of the few recruits who could endure such torment and not show any discomfort externally, a strength forged in the fires of my past ordeals. I focused on that strength now, letting it bolster my resolve as I battled the pain.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the machine fell silent, its relentless assault coming to an abrupt halt. The scientists who had been monitoring the machine moved quickly to unstrap me, their hands efficient as they released me from the chair. I tried to stand, but my body felt heavy, my muscles protesting the sudden movement. Every nerve in my body seemed to be on edge, a lingering reminder of the pain I had just endured.
I made my way unsteadily towards the group of recruits who were resting and absorbing Mana. My steps were slow and deliberate, each movement a test of my resolve. I could feel the eyes of the other recruits on me, their curiosity piqued by my ability to withstand the pain without much of a whimper. Though there were a few others like me, it was still a rare ability. I knew they were wondering what I had been through, what kind of experiences had hardened me to such an extent. But those were stories for another time, tales that I was not yet ready to share.
Once I reached the group, I sat down and began the process of Mana absorption. This time, however, I decided to alter my approach. Instead of letting the Mana flow freely through my body, I chose to focus it on specific areas, much like I had during my workouts. I had always believed that if my entire body was sore, it would be more beneficial to let the Mana run its course, targeting multiple muscle groups at once. Most people online felt the same, but their recovery times seemed longer than mine. But now, as I sat there, my body aching from the machine's relentless assault, I decided it was time to try something different.
I directed the Mana towards my head first, seeking to alleviate the lingering fog that clouded my thoughts. I felt the energy surge through me, a gentle warmth that seemed to wash away the pain and confusion. After about three minutes, the soreness in my head began to subside, and my mind felt clearer than it had in hours.
Next, I targeted my legs, which had borne the brunt of the electrical shocks. The larger muscle groups took longer to heal, and I focused intently on the sensation of Mana as it worked its magic. It took about seven minutes for the pain in my legs to dissipate, the energy of Mana gradually restoring my strength and vitality.
Finally, I turned my attention to my torso, the epicenter of the electrical currents that had coursed through my body. I could feel the Mana weaving its way through my core, knitting together the damaged tissue and soothing my aching nerves. It took approximately five minutes for the discomfort to fade, leaving me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
My arms were still sore, but the rest of my body felt significantly better. I was amazed at how effective this targeted approach to Mana absorption had been, and I marveled at the healing powers that lay at my fingertips. It was a stark contrast to the recovery times I had read about online, where others who had undergone similar training had taken much longer to heal. Perhaps there was something unique about my connection to Mana, something that set me apart from the other recruits.
As the 15-minute break came to an end, I knew it was almost time for me to face the machine once again. The thought of enduring another round of electrical shocks was daunting, but I was ready. I had survived the first session with my dignity intact, and I was determined to make it through the second session with the same level of composure and resolve.
I stood up, my body feeling lighter, more responsive than it had just moments before. The residual soreness served as a reminder of the trials I had faced, yet it was no longer an insurmountable obstacle. I was prepared to confront the impending trial, to test the boundaries of my endurance, and to rise above the pain.
With a deep breath, I reclaimed my seat within the machine's unyielding embrace. The scientists, their movements precise and swift, secured the straps around my limbs, binding me to the chair with an unsettling familiarity. As the echoes of the previous session reverberated in my mind, I braced myself for the renewed onslaught, determined to meet it with the same unwavering resolve that had carried me through the first round.
As the machine whirred to life, a sense of apprehension coiled in my gut. I braced myself for the onslaught of pain, trying to steel my nerves for the ordeal ahead. But nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of the electrical shocks that coursed through my body. It was as if the machine had somehow ramped up the voltage, each pulse of electricity a searing brand against my skin.
I gritted my teeth, my entire body tensing as I struggled to endure the pain. It was clear that the machine had adapted to my tolerance, pushing me beyond my previous limits. I couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of cruel joke, a twisted test designed to break the will of even the strongest recruits.
Despite the increased intensity, I refused to let the pain consume me. I focused on my breathing, each inhale a silent plea for strength, each exhale a defiant release of tension. I summoned the memory of my past trials, letting the echoes of my previous triumphs bolster my resolve.
As the machine's electrical shocks intensified, I turned my focus to the Mana specks, aiming to sharpen my concentration amidst the heightened pain. Yet, to my dismay, they remained stubbornly beyond my influence, their usual subtle responsiveness now completely absent. Unlike the previous session, where I could sense a gentle interaction with the Mana, this time the specks were as immovable as stone, impervious to my mental grasp. The increased voltage of the machine seemed to have erected an invisible barrier between me and the Mana, rendering my attempts to connect with it futile.
The minutes dragged on, each second an eternity of pain and concentration. I pushed myself to the brink, my body screaming in protest as the electrical currents continued their relentless assault. And then, without warning, a grunt escaped my lips, a primal sound that echoed through the room. It was a testament to the agony I was enduring, a clear sign that I had passed the three-minute mark.
The pain was harder to ignore this time around, each shock a harsh reminder of the machine's unyielding power. But I refused to surrender, refused to give in to the agony that threatened to overwhelm me. I clung to my focus with a desperate determination, channeling every ounce of my willpower into the task at hand.
Finally, after what seemed like an age, the machine fell silent. The electrical shocks ceased, leaving behind a lingering soreness that seemed to permeate every fiber of my being. I lay there for a moment, gasping for breath, my body slick with sweat as I rode the waves of residual pain.
I looked around the room, taking in the sight of the other recruits who had undergone the second round of training. Some were still recovering, their bodies hunched over as they absorbed Mana to heal their wounds. Others had already left, their training session complete, their bodies healed and ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
After the scientists in their white robes unstrapped me from the machine, I found a spot on the floor amidst the other recovering recruits. Settling into a comfortable position, I closed my eyes and focused on drawing in Mana, guiding its healing energy to the parts of my body that ached the most from the recent ordeal.
I started healing by pulling Mana around my head, feeling the warmth push out the mental fog. Next, I focused on my aching legs, letting the energy seep in and start to mend the soreness. Moving up to my torso, I directed the Mana there, easing the deep pain. Finally, I worked on my arms, where the last of the discomfort was fading away. As I sat quietly, channeling the healing energy, I couldn't help but notice it was taking longer than usual to recover. The machine's stronger jolts had clearly left their mark. But with each passing minute, I felt stronger, the pain slowly replaced by a familiar sense of vitality.
And as I sat there, surrounded by my fellow recruits, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I had faced the machine head-on, enduring its relentless assault, and emerged victorious. I had pushed my body to its limits and survived, proving to myself and everyone else that I was more than capable of withstanding the rigors of training.