Chapter 44: Newfound strength

Luca woke before the sun had fully risen. His body felt light, refreshed, but the dull ache in his muscles remained. He stretched, testing his limbs. The soreness was strange—it wasn't from overexertion but something else, as if his body had been reforged and was still adjusting to its new state.

He got out of bed and stepped outside, walking toward the river nearby. The cool morning air brushed against his skin as he crouched by the water's edge and splashed his face. The shock of the cold helped wake him up fully.

As the ripples settled, his reflection stared back at him.

Luca had always had bright skin, only slightly tanned from training under the sun. But now, it looked even smoother, almost glowing. He frowned, leaning in closer. "Does the fruit have a beautifying effect too?" he muttered to himself.

It was a ridiculous thought, but he couldn't deny that his appearance had changed. His skin looked clearer, almost polished, as if it had been refined along with his strength.

Curious, he took off his clothes and stepped into the water for a bath. The river was cold, but it felt refreshing against his skin. As he ran his hands over his arms and chest, he realized something else—his muscles felt harder, denser. He had always been strong from training, but this was different. It was as if his body had been reshaped, like tempered steel after being forged in fire.

He clenched his fist, watching the muscles in his forearm shift beneath his skin. Even a simple movement felt sharper, more refined.

After bathing, he decided to test himself. He picked up his Luminite sword that had always felt perfectly balanced in his grip—and swung it in a wide arc.

The moment the blade cut through the air, Luca nearly lost control.

It was too fast. His own strength worked against him, throwing his balance off. He stumbled forward, catching himself just in time.

Luca narrowed his eyes and steadied himself. He tried again, focusing on control rather than power. But no matter how carefully he moved, every strike carried far more force than he intended. His blade felt light, almost weightless. It was unsettling.

He turned to a thick tree branch nearby, aiming to slice through it cleanly. The moment his sword connected, the entire branch snapped off and flew through the air, crashing into the river with a loud splash.

Luca stared at his sword, stunned. It felt like he was swinging a wooden stick rather than a weapon of solid metal. "Wow," he muttered, gripping the hilt tighter.

He had underestimated just how much he had changed.

By the time he returned home, breakfast was ready. As he sat down to eat, he felt a pair of eyes watching him. He glanced up to find his mother staring at him—not just looking, but inspecting him.

"What is it?" Luca asked, shifting uncomfortably. "Is there something on my face?"

Instead of answering, his mother reached out and pinched his cheeks.

"Last night, it was too dark to see properly. But now that I get a good look—Luca, your skin is so smooth! And it's glowing! What did you use? Tell me!"

Luca groaned, trying to pull away. "I didn't use anything, Mom!"

His mother huffed, still poking his face. "Aiya, my son looks so cute. I don't know how many girls will fall for you!"

Luca's face turned red. "Mom, I am not cute! The right word is handsome, okay?"

She chuckled. "Cute and handsome are the same thing."

"No, they're not!" Luca protested, crossing his arms.

His mother just laughed, patting his head. He sighed, knowing he wouldn't win this argument.

*******

His mother did not leave for work that day, so Luca had no choice but to train near his home.

He started with small movements, testing his balance and coordination. This was the first time he had ever experienced such a sudden increase in power. Even when he had broken through to the Essence Flow stage, his strength had grown gradually over time. But now, a single fruit had given him what would have taken years to achieve.

And it didn't stop there. He could feel something else. His body had stored the excess energy from the fruit.

Luca decided to train using the strengthening exercise movement techniques in the old book. As he went through the routine, he noticed something different. The energy inside him flowed more smoothly than before, and the effects of the exercise were stronger than ever.

As he pushed himself harder, he could feel the stored energy slowly being released. The soreness in his muscles faded, replaced by a cool, soothing sensation that spread from his core outward. It was like dipping into a cold spring after hours of intense exertion.

Luca exhaled deeply. This feeling… it was incredible. Almost addictive.

The energy didn't just enhance his strength—it restored him, refined him. It was as if his body was absorbing the power, moulding itself into something better.

He had no idea what kind of fruit he had eaten, but it had to be something rare, something valuable. A real treasure.

Then, his thoughts drifted to the creature. Would it be waiting for him? Would it be sad that he didn't visit today?

Luca smiled to himself.

Next time, he would give it a name.