Chapter 67: Improved Mindset
[ Keep up the good work Sophia. Our family is very proud of you and is glad that you are safe.
Father has instructed me to tell you that you must increase your closeness with the Champion of Gemini over the coming year, winning over his trust completely as you two hopefully ascend the tower together.
As of now, father intends to make a play when you and Rocky reach floor 21 together as it would be then that we shall make a big move, so until then focus on your own personal improvement and increasing your affection with the Champion Of Gemini.
Unfortunately, none of us can make a visit to your university at the moment, not because we don't wish to, but because nobody wishes to face Principal Liam at the moment.
Hopefully you understand,
- With love,
Perseus. ]
Sophia read the letter sent by his brother and crumpled it in an instant.
Although it was a nice letter overall, it did not have the level of praise that she expected to experience nor did it bring the good news of announcing their visit.
Sophia once again felt as if because it was her achievement, everyone was down playing it, whereas if it were Perseus who would have achieved the same then it would be big news all across the Olympian family.
'Focus on the semester ahead they said? Ha-' Sophia scoffed as she dunked her brother's letter into the flower vase beside her bed, feeling angry and frustrated at the response she had received.
In the end, it seemed to her as if, even taking a dagger in her chest for the family, was not enough for her father, as even after performing so well, her standing in the family had not improved at all.
"Sophia, you have been cleared to return to your dormitory, but the head healer has advised that you do not partake in strenuous physical activities until you feel completely fine" An assistant healer said, as he walked into the infirmary looking into his notepad.
It had been three days since Sophia regained consciousness and she had been wishing for a discharge for quite a while now, but her request was rejected by the head healer who insisted that she stay in the infirmary longer.
But now that she was cleared to leave, Sophia sighed in relief as she was quite tired of the infirmary clothes and desperately wanted to stretch her body out in the open.
Thanking the assistant healer, she took her leave as she headed towards her dormitory.
************
( Meanwhile Rocky )
Rocky, Erin and Buhara had been working hard for the past two weeks as they found a new resolve to grow stronger.
Approximately after a week of their floor one raid failure, the trio re-took their attempt after their initial failure penalty passed away and this time managed to successfully clear floor one.
The subsequent week, the university group activity was focused around team attacks and how to perform tactical retreat as even in that activity the trio managed to rank within the top10 teams for the week.
On an individual level, Rocky steadily improved his physical conditioning alongside Professor Maven and improved his swordsmanship under Instructor Mae.
He learnt how to use his first sword skill, called [ Dual Slash ] which was a twin sword move capable of easily slashing through a boulder, via a skill scroll and even picked up the importance of stance and movement.
Like a sponge, Rocky absorbed everything that the teachers at the academy had to tell him, whether it was academic or non-academic, whether it was through observation or practical lessons, as the only thing he seemed to be obsessed with was self improvement.
Although he did not notice it himself, his attitude was like a big source of motivation for his peers as looking at how he trained non-stop, pushing himself to his limits every single day, the others began to follow suit as well, as if even the Champion of Gemini worked hard, what excuse did they have to not do the same?
Although it was not an immediate process, his consistent efforts did bear fruit as he was improving at a rapid pace, building a foundation as a warrior that he previously lacked.
Having already faced a life and death situation so early, Rocky now understood the importance of staying cautious and always being prepared for a floor raid, as now before taking part in any team mission or floor raid, he researched it thoroughly beforehand.
Gradually transitioning from a go getter, to a cautious thinker, Rocky was maturing within the academy as he gained more practical experiences in life.
Humbled, driven, and hard working, Rocky truly began to live up to his image as a Champion of Gods, as he was the model individual at this point, where everyone from teachers, students and peers acknowledged his presence.
Alongside him, Erin and Buhara also showed signs of massive improvement, with Erin gaining weight and becoming slightly less obsessed with his looks and Buhara learning defensive spells alongside offensive ones.
As the horrific incident on floor one faded from the memories of everyone involved, the most important take away was the personality development that Rocky and his friends experienced as a result, as their whole outlook on life became altered.
*********
( Meanwhile, On Floor 92 )
"Husband, I think your new champion is developing nicely now, he certainly has that fire in his eyes that he was lacking before-" Mira, the destructive black dragon queen said as she lovingly fed her husband Ravan grapes.
"Well yes, he's been having it too easy in life until this point, it was about time that he faced a set-back, but even then I'd say he got off too light, a few broken bones and a few dead friends might have been better motivator for him" Ravan said, enjoying the grapes that Mira fed him, as the two watched Rocky train in real time.
" Aren't you becoming too cruel these days, dear husband? Losing friends can be heartbreaking for anyone, can't you be more compassionate?" Mira said as she fed Ravan another grape while stroking his hair.
"Cruel? No-, I'm not the cruel one here my dear wife, the tower is.
If being motivated and working hard for a year or two was all it took to become a lesser god then every Tom, Dick and Harry would be one.
For Rocky to reach where we want him to reach, he will need to get much stronger.
As for whether he does it with setbacks or whether it will be smooth sailing, I don't involve myself with such decisions. That is brothers department" Ravan said as he retorted against his wife's rhetoric that he was becoming too heartless as of late, as he felt that it was simply not true.
"What is your department in this then?" Mira said, teasingly as a wide grin spread over his face.
"Let's just say, someone dared kill our Champion and I could link them to a True God, then the fight that happens next…. That's my department" Ravan said as he felt his palms twitching to pick up his beloved sword again.
A sword that he had not picked up for ages now. Because, nobody had dared challenge him.