chapter 3

Once I got back to my room, I started eating my food while thinking about my plans for the future. I need to make a list of my goals for the near future, but that can wait for later.

The first thing I need to focus on is doing 100 sets of push-ups and 100 sets of sit-ups. I'm going to follow the One Punch Man workout routine since it's a great place to start, and I'll top it off with a 10Km run.

After finishing my meal, I got up from the bed and started stretching, not wanting to deal with cramps later. My muscles were tight, and I knew that jumping straight into a workout would be asking for trouble, especially since this body hadn't done anything this intense before.

I set my mind on the routine: 20 push-ups, and 20 sit-ups, then repeat until I hit 100 of each. It didn't sound too bad at first, but I knew it was going to be a challenge.

The first set of 20 push-ups wasn't too hard. I got through them with decent form, though my arms started to feel a little shaky near the end. Then I rolled over for the sit-ups. The first few were easy, but by the tenth, my stomach began to burn. I finished the first set, breathing hard, and realized this was going to be tougher than I thought.

By the third set, my arms felt like jelly, and I could barely lift myself off the ground. I was slowing down, taking longer breaks between each set. My breath came in ragged gasps, and sweat was pouring down my face, soaking my shirt.

After an hour of pushing through the discomfort, I finished the final set. I collapsed on the floor, utterly exhausted but satisfied I had pushed through.

Lying on the floor, my chest heaving with every breath after that intense workout, I could hear the sounds of movement around me. Footsteps echoed down the hall, doors being knocked on, the dull murmur of people waking up, and the low groans of others reluctantly dragging themselves out of bed.

I tilted my head and glanced out the small window above, seeing the faint light of early dawn creeping in.

It must be around 6 a.m., the usual time everyone starts getting up. The building seemed to come alive with the familiar morning routine—people heading to the showers, groggily preparing themselves for the day ahead. I could almost picture the line forming outside the bathroom already, and I wasn't eager to join it just yet.

Still lying on the floor, feeling my heart finally start to slow, I mentally calculated the time. Breakfast wasn't until 7:30 a.m., which meant I had at least an hour and a half to myself.

The thought of more exercise wasn't appealing right now, but I had committed to this.

I needed to push my limits. The next step? That 10Km run I promised myself.

Without wasting time, I forced myself up from the floor, wiping the sweat from my forehead. I had time, and if I wanted to improve, I couldn't let myself slack off.

I sighed, then started doing stretches for my legs so I wouldn't get cramps later. It took me about two minutes to finish up.

Opening my door, I spotted a few of my friends in the hallway. "Hey, Ethan! What's up?" called Jason, a friend I've known for the past five years. We're the same age, both 15, and we know we won't be at this orphanage much longer. Sixteen is the age when kids like us need to find jobs, especially here in the 1970s. Once we hit 16 next year, the orphanage can't provide for us anymore. We're wasting money that could go to the younger kids.

"Not much, just about to go for a run," I replied.

"Run? What are you running from?" Jason joked with a grin.

I smirked. "I'm not running from anyone. I'm starting to work out, trying to get in shape."

"Oh, I see." He paused, then added, "Anyway, what are you doing later? If you're not busy, we could go look for jobs at this factory I found the other day. They pay around 30 pounds a week."

I blinked, momentarily forgetting that we were still in the '70s. Thirty pounds felt so low, but then again, money was different back then. Did I really need a job right now? I thought about it for a moment.

"I'll think about it after I finish my schooling at Hogwarts," I said with a small smile, teasing him slightly. "I'm not planning to work yet. They let you stay at school over the holiday's if you don't have a place to stay, so I'll be fine for the next two years—food and a roof over my head until I figure something out."

"Fair enough," Jason nodded. "Anyway, I'll see you at breakfast."

"Yeah, catch you later," I said, heading down the hallway.

As I was walking, I bumped into Sister Elizabeth. She's like a mother to me, one of the nuns here, and the reason I have my own room. She's always been kind, someone I've looked up to for as long as I can remember. The others who work at the orphanage aren't as kind—they don't treat me the same way she does. But Sister Elizabeth? She's different, and that's what matters to me.

"Good morning, Mother," I greeted her. I've called her that since I was little—she's the closest thing I have to a second mom.

"Good morning, Ethan," she smiled warmly. "Where are you off to?"

"I'm going for a run. I'll be back in an hour at most."

She nodded, her smile never fading. "Alright, make sure to stay safe."

"I will," I promised, giving her a small wave before heading out the door.

As I stepped outside, the fresh air hit me, instantly waking me up. The orphanage is located in a quiet countryside town called Alfriston, not far from Seven Sisters. It's peaceful here, nothing like the noisy, smelly cities. I don't have many memories of going to the city, but I do remember the first time—how it reeked. Thankfully, none of that matters now.

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the clean country air. Then, without wasting any more time, I took off for my run.