Chapter 17: Training and Facetime

[You know.]

"What? Ha! Ha!" I waited and continued with my push-ups. My physical score wasn't going to raise itself.

[You are strange.]

"How?"

Down. Up. 30.Down. Up. 31.

[You say you're trying to adjust to this life, yet you're flawlessly flirting with a woman. I can conceptually understand it, but I don't understand the feelings behind it.]

"My flirting? Ha! Huh! Or do you mean what I was thinking about earlier?"

[Both.]

"Well. Hah~" I paused, stopping my push-ups the moment my arms gave out. Sitting down and resting my back against the bedframe, I continued, "I just like Kate's energy. She's attractive, sure—but there's something about her that just clicked with me."

[You seriously expect me to believe in love at first sight?]

"Aren't you omniscient or something?"

[No. That feature was locked because I'm in a pathetic mortal.]

"Haha~, aren't you asking this 'mortal' questions?"

[Correct. A pathetic one.]

"Bahahaha~!"

[Stop laughing and finish.]

"Fine, phew~. I mean, love is kind of a heavy term. Not all relationships start with love. I'll definitely say I like her—but we just met, and saying I love her would be a lie. I love the energy she brings, but that's just one aspect. And honestly, that's all I needed to get this far."

[I still don't get it, but I understand it for now.]

"Doesn't that mean you get it, then?"

[No. I don't get all of it, but I understand your words.]

Shrugging my shoulders, I got back up and walked into the bathroom. I needed a shower after all the sweat I'd worked up. My workout was a full-body routine—arms, legs, the works. I needed to test my overall limits before getting serious.

Still, I couldn't just sit in my thoughts forever. I had a goal today—and it paid off.

[Martial Arts: Level 1][Sound Recall: Level 1]

The two skills visualized my current ability in their respective fields. Martial Arts: Level 1 meant I had some knowledge and physical practice. Sound Recall: Level 1 meant I could use my ears and interpret sounds better. Not exactly what I expected, but close enough—it showed progress. Human limits and human training, just like the Record said.

"Since we're asking questions, why could I keep all my skills? I know you spoke a little on it, but what's the full explanation?"

[Oh yeah, I forgot. It's because your soul and body aren't connected. Before you ask, I mean that it wasn't connected, so you had to adjust your soul to the body. This body isn't as experienced as your previous one. You had to regress a bit in order for a perfect fusion.]

"If it was perfect, I would have gotten some memories..." I mumbled.

[No. Why would you receive the memories of another soul?]

"Ah... yeah, you're right. Makes me wonder about those other transmigration stories I read back on Earth."

Turning the water on, I let it run while I grabbed a change of clothes and a towel. My night clothes consisted of only pajama pants—everything else was bare. I didn't care since, one, I was alone at home, and two, I was alone in my room.

I turned around and stared at myself in the mirror. Tall, with a bit of muscle but mostly lean. My skin was much like Mom's but unlike Her's my tan was barely noticeable. My body clearly had potential; it just needed refinement, which is what I was striving toward.

Sweat clung to my chest and collarbone, sticky and cool against the sudden temperature shift. The overhead bathroom light gave the room a soft amber hue, bouncing off the mirror and giving my skin a faint golden sheen. The tiles under my feet were cold and sharp against the lingering warmth in my muscles.

My blue eyes were calm and serene as they stared back at me through the reflection. I even brought myself to a degree of calm. My hair was what bothered me a bit, but it wasn't that big of a deal. It was grown out enough for a small ponytail, and it covered my ears when it laid flat. Stray strands clung to the sweat on my temples. With some styling, I could save it.

Ring~! Ring~!

My phone started ringing, pulling me out of my self-appreciation. It was Kate, and thankfully I had her number saved, so I didn't just hang up.

'That would've been one hell of a thing to deal with.' I picked up, not realizing an important fact. This was a...

"E-EIZ, WHY ARE YOU ANSWERING THE PHONE NAKED!"

"Oh..." I felt heat rush to my face as I flipped my phone to cover the camera.

'WHO THE HELL MAKES THE VIDEO CALL THE SAME AS THE REGULAR CALL!?' When Mom called me to get groceries yesterday, the same screen popped up. Just the contact, and an accept or decline option—that was it. The same thing appeared now, so I didn't think anything of it, but...

"It's kind of big..." I heard Kate's whisper. It was painfully obvious what she meant, but she probably didn't realize she wasn't muted.

I coughed, "K-Kate, I heard that."

"SHUT IT! MY EYES ARE BURNING FROM THE HORRIBLE SIGHT!"

"..." Horrible, she says. Even though she just praised it.

Anyway, I grabbed my towel and covered myself while flipping the phone back over.

"My bad, Kate. I didn't know it was a video call."

Her face was tinged red—no amount of façade could hide it. The silence was deafening, lasting for way too long. It felt like minutes, but only seconds had passed. I had the call timer to thank for letting me know that.

"I-It's fine. I should've texted first. I just wanted to talk; I'm bored, so..."

Clutching my head, "Hah~! I'm only here to relieve your boredom, I see!"

"Wow. You are annoying." Her face lost all embarrassment, and her eyes tore into me with disgust.

Raising my hands in defeat, I apologized.

"How about you call me after your shower?" She put her phone down, which gave the camera more room to work with. I could see everything—from her stunning and resplendent golden eyes to the curves her pajamas highlighted. Sure, she was sitting, so it was a bit skewed, but nonetheless, she was stunning even without trying.

I froze for a second. Her suggestion wasn't bad, and probably the most reasonable.

"I can, or what if you just stay on the call? I'll turn my cam and mic off, and you can talk about whatever you want. I'll be here to listen."

She looked at the camera, her eyes thoughtful. The way she twirled her hair around her fingers while staring at me was kind of hot. I didn't let her know that, though. We'd just barely recovered from one awkward situation.

No need for another.

"Sure! I need to tell you about Ophi's horrible interrogation. It was so horrible, I tell you!"