First Workout and First City
Just like how heroes struggle against powerful enemies they cannot easily defeat, it is only natural that they undergo what readers and viewers recognize as the Training Arc.
An arc that depicts the protagonist's efforts to become stronger by training their bodies and honing their techniques—whether it be chakra, nen, reiki, mana, or qi. There are many ways to name it, but honestly, none of that matters because, in this world, I don't have such convenient powers.
That means the most crucial part of my training arc is something purely old-fashioned—and there's no better way to start than with one of the simplest exercises that can be done anywhere, one of the oldest forms of human transportation… running.
"H"aah… Haaah…"
Right now, that's the only sound I can make.
I'm in a terrible state, gasping for air, my body struggling against the movement I've forced upon it—all in the name of breaking and rebuilding my muscles, over and over, to achieve my ideal physique.
At first, I planned to run.
However, with this untrained body and my stamina at rock bottom, I gave up in just two minutes.
If I can't run, then my new goal is simply to walk—at least 1,000 steps per day to slowly build up my pathetic endurance.
Yet, even though I've barely walked for ten minutes, my body is already in a miserable state. My heart is pounding so fast that I can feel it pulsing through my entire body. My legs ache, a tingling pain spreading through them—a clear sign that my muscles are shocked by this unusual activity. A stark contrast to their usual routine of just lying in bed or sitting on the toilet.
(Damn it, this is exhausting! I feel like I'm gonna die.)
Even as my mind protests, my legs refuse to stop moving.
Why am I doing this?
For what?
For who?
Why don't I just stop and take a break? I can just continue tomorrow. Haven't I done enough already?
Just stop.
"Come on, Carlo! You got this! Keep going, keep going, you can do it!"
Mr. G cheered me on while floating beside me.
Oh, right.
It's because of this damn ghost that I'm suffering like this.
Meanwhile, he gets to float around without a care in the world!
"UWOOOGGH!!"
BEGONE, NEGATIVE THOUGHTS!
I'm doing this to build a healthy and ideal body so I can make an unforgettable high school debut—for my comrade!
I keep moving forward, while he does everything he can to encourage me.
This is our journey to the fitness goal we set together.
I'm not alone in this.
Mr. G is here, supporting me every step of the way!
Some time earlier.
"So, Mom, this is the kind of food I'd like you to help me prepare for my diet," I said, handing her a note listing the foods I needed.
"Alright, so you want foods that are high in protein, like chicken breast, fish, tofu, eggs, and vegetables such as broccoli and carrots. And you're cutting down on high-carb foods."
Mom read through the note carefully.
"You're sure this is enough for you? Especially since you said you'll only eat twice a day, with 12 hours between meals. Are you sure you can handle that?"
Mom asked again, wanting to confirm that I was truly committed to this decision.
"I'm sure, Mom."
"But what if you get sick?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I'll be fine. It's all just about mindset. Maybe fasting for 12 hours sounds extreme, but honestly, it's not impossible. I even heard that some people fast for up to 72 hours."
I reassured her, hoping she'd understand that what I was doing was perfectly safe.
"Well then, I'm heading out to start my workout routine," I said as I stepped outside.
I laced up a pair of running shoes—ones that had probably been sitting around for ages, never used.
With a running shirt, shorts, and a smartwatch to track my steps and calories burned, I was finally ready.
"Take care out there! And good luck!" Mom called out, cheering me on as I left.
"Unn... Brother, where are you going?" Carla asked as she woke up, stepping out of her room and calling out to me in the corridor.
"I'm going out for some exercise. So, Carla, can you give your big brother some encouragement?" " explained to Carla, hoping for some words of support.
"...Fight on!" Carla said, trying to suppress her lingering drowsiness while clenching both fists in an effort to cheer me on.
Uwogh! With the buffs granted by these two, I could feel limitless energy wrapping around my entire body.
"So, are you ready to fight against laziness and start a new life—a healthy life, even if it means walking a path full of pain?" Mr. G asked, greeting me at the door, ready to accompany me for this morning workout.
(Hmm... I don't know, it sounds pretty tough.)
"So, are you just going to give up and lose that easily?"
(Nah, I win.)
---
Back to the present
"Haaah... Haaah..."
That's right—I'm not alone.
Mom and my little sister are cheering me on from home.
I won't give up, no matter what.
(Mr. G.) I called out to him in my mind as he floated beside me.
"Hmm? What is it, kamerad?" Mr. G responded to my call.
(Let's talk. Everything feels faster when you're talking with someone. Besides, it's help me keep negative thoughts away and stop me from quitting midway.)
"Talking, huh? Alright, but what do you want to talk about?" Mr. G asked, seemingly fine with my idea of passing the time through conversation.
(How about we talk about this city we live in? After all, I've only been here for three days, so I don't know much about this world yet.)
"Ah, that's true. We haven't really had the chance to discuss that," Mr. G confirmed.
"Alright, then. Let me tell you about our hometown—a place known as Utopia City."
Mr. G began explaining.
The city we live in is called 'Urbs Natans', which means 'The Floating City'.
As its name suggests, this city floats on the ocean, specifically in the northern Pacific. Strategically positioned between Asia and America, this man-made metropolis was the grand ambition of the powerful Sterben conglomerate, an elite family striving to create a utopia on Earth.
Because of this vision, the city has become a melting pot of different ethnicities and cultures, all part of the Sterben family's idealized society.
Key Facts about Urbs Natans:
Population: Approximately 3,125,000 people
Total land area: 150 km²
City divisions: Split into multiple Sector labeled from A to H
Districts per zone: Each zone is further divided into 5-6 districts on average
The city's structure is something like this...
Sector A: Government Center
Sector A is the administrative hub of Natans City, housing various government institutions, including:
District 1: Mayor's Office; District 2: Government Administration Offices; District 3: Court and Prosecutor's Office
Sector B: Business Center
Sector B is the financial and corporate heart of Natans City, home to various company headquarters, banks, and financial institutions, including:
District 1: Corporate Headquarters; District 2: Banks and Financial Institutions; District 3: Shopping Centers; District 4: Consulting and Service Firms; District 5: Creative Industry Hub
Sector C: Education Center
Sector C is the academic core of Natans City, featuring schools, universities, and educational institutions, including:
District 1: Elementary Schools; District 2: Secondary Schools; District 3: Universities; District 4: Specialized Educational Institutions
Sector D: Healthcare Center
Sector D is dedicated to health and medical services, offering hospitals, clinics, and specialized healthcare facilities, including:
District 1: General Hospital; District 2: Specialist Clinics; District 3: Public Health Center; District 4: Mental Health Institution
Sector E: Entertainment Center
Sector E is the city's hub for leisure and recreation, featuring cinemas, theaters, and concert arenas, including:
District 1: Cinemas and Theaters; District 2: Concert and Performance Arenas; District 3: Gaming and Recreational Centers; District 4: Amusement Parks and Recreational Spaces
Sector F: Industrial Center
Sector F is where Natans City's manufacturing and logistics industries thrive, with factories, warehouses, and industrial facilities, including:
District 1: Factories and Warehouses; District 2: Creative Industry Centers; District 3: Logistics and Shipping Hubs; District 4: Green Industry Center
Sector G: Environmental Center
Sector G focuses on sustainability and conservation, featuring parks, gardens, and environmental research facilities, including:
District 1: City Parks and Gardens; District 2: Conservation and Research Centers; District 3: Environmental Management Institutions; District 4: Environmental Education Center; District 5: Nature and Eco-Tourism Parks
Sector H: Residential Area
Sector H is where the city's residents live, offering a range of housing options to suit different needs and preferences, including:
District 1: Luxury Housing (Mansions, Villas, etc.); District 2: Mid-range Housing (Townhouses, Family Homes, etc.); District 3: Affordable Housing (Small Homes, Simple Housing, etc.)District 4: High-Rise Housing (Apartments, Condominiums, etc.); District 5: Eco-Friendly Housing (Green Homes, Sustainable Living, etc.); District 6: Community Housing (Co-Living Spaces, Social Housing, etc.)
This sector ensures that every citizen of Natans City has access to suitable housing.
"Oh yeah, we live in District 4," Mr. G added.
"So, that's the basic structure of the city. What do you think, Carlo? Do you understand now?" Mr. G asked.
(Ugh, I feel like throwing up...)
Even though I tried my best to stay focused on learning about my new home, it didn't change the fact that this exhausting workout was pushing my body to the limit. I felt nauseous, even though I hadn't eaten anything this morning.
"Ah, that's bad! Quick, find a trash bin in the park so you can throw up!" Mr. G panicked.
(Relax, Mr. G. Considering I've only been drinking water all day, even if I throw up, it's just going to be mineral water.) I reassured him while trying to suppress the nausea.
Oh, that reminds me—I wanted to ask Mr. G a question. If the city has an entire sector dedicated to parks and nature, then why do residential districts have parks too?
Without me even saying anything, Mr. G, who could read my thoughts, answered right away.
"Even though the city is divided into sectors, some essential facilities can still be found in multiple districts. Things like ATMs, playgrounds, police stations, fire departments, and small hospitals can also be found in Sector H: Residential, even if they're not as large or advanced as those in their dedicated sectors."
That makes sense. After all, nobody wants to travel across the city just to find a police station or a park.
Mr. G then continued his explanation about the transportation system in Natans City.
"All forms of public transportation here are available at a low cost, comfortable, and most importantly—always on time," "e said proudly.
Trains are the main option for traveling between sectors. Within just one hour, a person can circle the entire city, making it an efficient and fast mode of transport.
Meanwhile, each district within a sector is comfortable enough to explore on foot. However, for those who prefer not to walk long distances, there are city buses that circulate through the districts regularly. These buses can be found at nearby stops, including at the sector station exits, ensuring a smooth and well-integrated transition from train to bus.
I could only stand there in awe, amazed by the greatness of this city.
Honestly, compared to the country I used to live in, Natans City feels like paradise.
Additionally, Mr. G explained that since the city was built by the conglomerate family, Sterben, almost all major facilities—banks, malls, and hospitals—operate under companies owned by them.
Yet, strangely enough, I didn't feel anything negative about the Sterben family. For now
Considering how comfortable this city is and how well everything functions, it's hard to be suspicious or think badly of them.
If this is truly the utopia they built, then so far, I have no reason to complain.
(I think that's enough for today, Mr. G. We reached our target. Let's go home.)
After listening to Mr. G long explanation about the city I now live in, I didn't even realize that my workout session had already come to an end.
See? Talking really does make time pass faster.
I'm grateful that Mr. G accompanied me during this workout. If I had been alone, I probably would have given up right away—just like the old me in my previous world.
And so both of us walk home
58 days until high school begins.
---