Shadow Monarch: Heroines Could Hear My Thoughts?!

Chapter 10- Aria Silvereye (Part 2)

Before starting anything, Rin got undressed and walked to the mirror to check his body. He needs to have an idea about his body's condition so that he could determine what kind of lifestyle he would choose.

For example, if he was very skinny then he will have to increase his food portions to gain some weight and also build some muscles. If his body is already in a good condition then he won't do any major changes, maybe adding some time to practice mixed martial arts.

In his previous world, he was what people call an athletic man. As much as he loved watching anime and consuming Japanese culture like a drug addict but he still made sure to keep a good social circle and to do that he needed a somewhat decent body.

His average looks didn't help so he had to at least have a good body so that he can not become a complete eyesore for everyone. It didn't help in getting him a girlfriend but it helped him create a good social standing for himself.

One of the ways he trained his body was through mixed martial arts. His father was a fan of that sport so he made Rin train since he was young.

Recalling his memories, a small yet sad smile bloomed on his face.

'Your teachings were very useful, dad.'

He quickly shook his head to erase such thoughts and focused on the mirror. The body that he saw was decent, in fact, it looked quite impressive for a 16-year-old teenager.

He expected an average body considering the fact that his stats said he had below-average strength.

'I guess it's all for show with no substance. That won't last long.'

After that, he finally started the training officially. 500 push-ups were a huge number that he wasn't sure he could pull off that easily.

However, he wouldn't know until he tried. Surprisingly, the first 100 or so pushups passed like a breeze and he didn't even feel that tired from it.

'Woah, is this really a 'below-average body? System?'

[The average in this world is way different than your old world, host. Mana changed the human anatomy and made it inherently way stronger than your world.]

'I see. But still, this is quite impressive, isn't it?'

[No.]

'...'

Rin felt hurt by the cruel reply by the host but that wouldn't dwindle his motivation and he continued. The 200 mark was also fairly easy but after that started the real hell.

"365… Ughh!!" He tried to go past 365 but ended up falling to the ground in defeat as he heaved up and down like a rabid dog.

'Fuck. This is going to be hell. Come, Rin, you can pull it off. A goddamn average joe did it and became the strongest existence in the world!'

After taking a few minutes of resting, he chugged down a whole bottle of water and started again.

The pure torture that he felt while finishing the last 130 push-ups was just mind-blowing. He felt his arms screaming from pain and his abdomen cursing at him.

'It's all for the future… It's all for my family.' He kept repeating those two sentences in his head like some kind of prayer and it seemed to help him greatly.

After a cruel 30 minutes, he was able to finish the 500 push-ups before dropping on the ground like a dead man.

His arms were shaking violently and his mouth was open wide as he gulped down huge mouthfuls of air one after the other.

[Host completed 500 push-ups successfully!]

[Host gained 10 Action Points.]

'That better make me hella overpowered or I will file a complaint to Lili.'

[...]

But, Rin didn't forget that he still had to do 500 sit-ups and a 50-mile jog before he could finally rest.

The pure despair he felt at that moment almost made him give up but he shook those thoughts away and focused on recovering his stamina.

He rested for another 30 minutes before he started the 500 sit-ups, it was slightly easier than the push-ups since it didn't need the use of his arms and instead focused on his abdomen which was still fairly rested.

Again, the first 300 sit-ups were very easy and he only started feeling tired after that mark.

After many attempts and through sheer will, he finished the sit-ups too.

[Host completed 500 sit-ups successfully!]

[Host gained 10 Action Points.]

'Good… Hah… I can… finally… do the easiest one out of them all.' He smiled triumphantly.

Running was by far the easiest thing for him as he liked to job in his old world and he learned many techniques of breathing to help him back in the day.

But, as he was resting, the door knocked. He sipped his water and asked.

"Who is it?"

"It's Aria… Can I come in?"

'The big sister is here. I hope she's not suspicious anymore. I really want to have an amicable relationship with her if possible.'

"Yes, please come in." He replied nonchalantly.

But, as the door opened he looked down and his eyes widened in shock.

'I'm only wearing pants!! Shit!'

Rin's body was laid bare for everyone to see and droplets of sweat were covering his skin and making it shine slightly.

He tried to reach for his shirt quickly but it was already too late for that.

Aria stood there silently as she gazed at Rin. Her eyes went instinctively to his naked body but then shifted to his face quickly.

"Mmm, I'm sorry for the unsightly thing. I was training and I forgot that I wasn't wearing a shirt." He scratched his head awkwardly as he wore his shirt quickly.

"..."

"Mmm, Aria?"

"Nothing. Don't worry, it's my mistake that I interrupted your training." She apologized.

'She's really nice! Any other girl would've screamed or looked at me like I'm some kind of pervert.'

"I would never do that…" Aria murmured.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Nothing. Anyway, I came here to have a small talk with you but it seems I chose a bad time. Did you finish?"

"I was about to go out for a jog."

"Great. How about we jog together?"

"Oh, I won't mind."

'Our relationship is going in a good direction. This is perfect!' He cheered in his head as he kept a small smile on his face.

Aria didn't say anything and walked out to go wear her training clothes.

'Training with Aria should help me a lot. From what mother said, she's very strong so I can ask her for help.'

Then, Rin cleaned the sweat from his face and got ready to go out. This was the first time he will leave the house and he felt really excited about it.

'Let's do our best!'

However, Rin was oblivious to what was happening in another room in the house.

When Aria returned to her room, she closed the door behind her. When she was sure she was alone, her body fell down to the ground.

Her calm face was nowhere to be seen. Instead, her cheeks were flushed red and her eyes were darting around.

"I almost had a heart attack… Unfair, Rin… But, he looked so dazzling… Did he see through me? Ahh! I will die from embarrasement! But, it's his fault for flashing his body in front of me. Yes, it's my fault. But, my Rin sure grew up and became a very handsome man." She said in quick succession.

After that, she stood up and walked to the table and picked up a photo album, and opened it. Inside, tens of pictures of Rin ever since he was a few years old till now. It was her most priceless possession.

This was most likely the billionth time she opened this album and watched every single picture in it.

"My Rin will now be by my side… Don't leave me ever again little brother… Hehehe."

Her cute chuckle and her eyes that were drowned in excitement and love closed for a moment as she hugged the album to her chest dearly.

"But, I still don't know why I can hear his thoughts. What does he mean by heroines? Is he really from another world?" She had many questions but couldn't ask Rin.

She started hearing that voice this morning and it made her really confused at first. She thought it was some kind of illusion magic at first but then ended up listening to his thoughts earnestly.

The idea that her brother was now someone from another world shocked her at first but then when she calmed down she was able to somehow accept the idea.

In fact, in contrast to the old Rin, this one was more gentle and nice which was a great plus in her eyes. The old Rin was rude and unapproachable even by his own parents.

This didn't make Aria hate him since he was still her dear brother whom she took care of since they were young.

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