Getting Acclimated...
~ Baby's Pov ~
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It's interesting how my overall need for sleep carried over into this new body of mine. I didn't need much, and I woke up feeling more energized than ever. Glad to know that small bit hadn't changed.
I stretched, letting out a content sigh as I glanced to my left. Sitting beside the bed was a set of Saiyan armor. Classic design—compact, sleek, and deceptively simple. It looked small at first glance, but if I remembered correctly, these things could stretch to fit even something as massive as a Great Ape. Say what you want about Saiyan ingenuity, but their technology had its moments.
I stood and slipped the armor on, the material adjusting to my frame almost instantly. Comfortable and flexible, yet strong enough to withstand the chaos of battle. Not bad.
But now came the question: Where should I go?
I didn't know much about this place. The layout, the people, the customs—everything was essentially a mystery to me. And yet, I refused to just sit around and let the world pass me by. I wasn't meant to be cooped up in this room, waiting for answers to fall into my lap.
So, I decided to leave.
Vtoom~
The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of two Saiyan guards standing at attention. Their armor was identical to mine, but their expressions looked far less welcoming. Regardless, I doubt they would react that way if they knew I was stronger then them both...
"Come with us," one of them said, his tone clipped and formal. "The king has instructed us to give you a tour of the castle and the city."
A tour? How thoughtful. Or calculated.
"Lead the way," I replied casually, masking my curiosity with nonchalance.
The guards didn't respond, simply turning on their heels and motioning for me to follow.
The halls of the castle were vast and intricately designed, a mix of practicality and grandeur. I doubt Saiyans weren't known for their architecture, but there was a certain elegance to the structures here—as if it was a reflection of both their pride and history over the years...
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the stares... Passing servants, warriors, and attendants all stopped to watch me, their gazes filled with clear curiosity, suspicion, and perhaps a hint of unease... I didn't blame them either, I looked much different compared to the typical Saiyan... I smirked inwardly. This was good. Let them wonder.
Eventually, we reached a large balcony overlooking the city. The view was breathtaking, even to me. Towers and domes stretched out as far as the eye could see, their shapes blending seamlessly with the rugged terrain of the planet...
"This is Saiyara," one of the guards said, breaking the silence. "The capital of our world and home to the Saiyan royal family."
Saiyara? Not planet Vegeta? Or even planet Sadala? Still, I filed the name away, my mind wondering as I took in the sight before me... The busy streets below, the faint sounds of activity—it was a living, breathing testament to Saiyan power and resilience...
"What do you think?" the other guard asked, his tone neutral but his eyes watchful.
I turned to him, a small smile playing on my lips. "It's, impressive." That was the raw truth of the matter; it was much more different from what I saw in the original story and movies, even if that information was small... "No wonder the Saiyans are so proud."
He nodded, his expression though was somewhat unreadable... "The king thought that you would appreciate seeing where we hail from."
I leaned against on one of the railing, my gaze fixed on the city below me... The king, huh? Whether this was a gesture of goodwill or a subtle way of keeping an eye on me, it didn't inherently matter much. This was my chance to gather some information, to understand this world and its people were...
And there wasn't a chance in hell that I was going to waste any of it.
"Alright," one of the guards said, breaking my thoughts. "Follow us. We'll show you the training grounds first, and then finish with the rest of the castle."
I straightened up, giving a faint nod. "Lead the way."
We descended from the balcony and made our way through a series of halls and staircases. The further we walked, the more the atmosphere shifted. The refined, regal air of the upper levels gave way to something more primal—a sharp, charged energy that seemed to hum in the very walls.
The sound of clashing metal and shouts echoed faintly as we approached the training grounds. When we stepped outside, the sight that greeted me was... exhilarating.
Saiyans, dozens of them, all locked in fierce combat. The arena stretched out before us, a massive open field surrounded by tall stone walls. Warriors of all sizes sparred with each other, their strikes echoing like thunderclaps. Energy blasts lit up the air, and the ground itself was scarred from countless battles.
"This is where we hone our strength," one of the guards said, motioning toward the chaos. "Every Saiyan trains here, from initiates to the elite. Combat is our way of life."
I watched as two warriors squared off in the center of the field, their movements a blur of speed and precision. One of them—a woman with a fierce snarl—landed a devastating punch that sent her opponent skidding across the dirt. He got up almost instantly, wiping blood from his mouth with a grin before charging back at her.
Impressive, I thought. Even by my standards, the intensity of their training was something to behold. Saiyans weren't just warriors—they were born for this.
"Care to join them?" one of the guards asked, his tone was light, which is interesting...
Not going to lie, I smirked a little... My eyes still on the fighters, analyzing them a bit. "Not yet. I'd hate to embarrass anyone on my first day." Which is true. I was stronger than everyone here, at least individually speaking; In fact, I was likely the third strongest being on this planet...
The guard chuckled a bit audibly, but there was an edge to his laughter, like he wasn't entirely sure if I was joking.
We continued past the training grounds, making our way toward the heart of the castle. The architecture grew more intricate as we walked ahead, with multiple towering pillars and ornate carvings that seemed as if they told stories of past Saiyan victories...
"This is the inner sanctum," the other guard explained. "Only the royal family and their most trusted advisors are allowed here. Consider yourself lucky."
"Lucky?" I repeated calmly... Or carefully watched. I didn't want to sound paranoid, but I don't think that king is as benevolent as they want him to seem; But that was just my personal hunch.
Up further, we came across multiple rooms, rather chambers...
The guard gestured to the doors of said chambers, "These are the artificial gravity rooms—training grounds designed to build raw strength. They can simulate up to a thousand times this planet's gravity."
Whoa... I raised an eyebrow at that one, I'm genuinely intrigued. A thousand times? That was no small feat, even in the original story. They must have worked hard...
The guard continued, his tone carrying the pride of someone well-versed in Saiyan accomplishments. "The king himself holds the highest record—120-fold gravity. The prince follows at 80-fold. Only the elite train here."
I stared at the doors for a moment, curiosity bubbling beneath my calm exterior. This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. "Impressive," I said, keeping my tone casual. Then I added, "Do you think I could try one out?"
Both guards turned to look at me, surprise flickering across their faces.
"Use the gravity chambers?" one of them repeated, as if he hadn't heard me correctly.
"Yeah," I said with a small shrug. "I could use the workout. Might as well make the most of my time here, right?"
The second guard hesitated, glancing at his companion. "That's not exactly up to us," he said carefully. "You'd need the king's permission. These chambers aren't open to just anyone."
I smiled, stepping closer to the nearest door. "I don't need full access," I said, my voice calm but firm. "Just a single session. You've been tasked with showing me around, haven't you? Consider it part of the tour."
The first guard frowned, clearly unsure about this, and I couldn't blame him. "We're supposed to escort you to the throne room. The king—"
"Can wait," I said smoothly. "I won't be long either... Unless, of course, you think I'm not strong enough to handle it."
The first guard folded his arms first, his gaze sharpening for a second... "Alright," he said. "But we'll set the gravity ourselves. No complaints if it's too much for you."
Hmm... That must have did the trick. Saiyans were prideful by nature, and the implication that I couldn't handle the chambers was enough to spark a reaction in them. Now I'm glad I took those psychology classes.
"Fair enough." I replied calmly, stepping inside the chamber as they opened the doors...
The room was simple but effective. The floor and walls were reinforced with some unknown and likely incredibly dense composite materials, and faint lines of energy pulsed across the surfaces. I could already feel the faint hum of the machinery here...
The second guard stepped up to the control panel outside the room. "We'll start you at 20 times gravity. More than enough to humble most newcomers."
I smirked, "Make it 50 times."
The guard froze, his hand hovering over the controls. "Fifty? Are you out of your mind?!"
I met his gaze, my expression still rather calm. "If it's too much, I'll stop. But I doubt that'll be an issue."
The two guards exchanged a look before the second one let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Fifty it is. Don't say we didn't warn you."
The door hissed shut behind me, and the sound of the machinery grew louder. A moment later, the gravity activated.
"Urgmm~" Damn, that actually got me for a sec...
The air shifted instantly, coupled with the weight pressing down on me with an intensity that would've crushed a lesser being. But for me? It felt... manageable. Almost natural. My body was handling this without much issues, and I could already feel myself adjusting to the pressure...
I rolled my shoulders, taking a slow step forward as I continued adjusting to the weight. I could feel a fat grin spread across my face.
Hohoho~ Yeah; This is definitely going to be fun.
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END