Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

(Note: Do not unlock the next chapter it's also a mistake. I'm still trying to fix the chapters and when I'm done I'll inform y'all!)

Silas stepped into the small bathroom, the sound of water running from the showerhead filling the tiled space. Steam quickly engulfed the room, and he welcomed the soothing warmth as he stepped under the stream. The water cascaded over his tense muscles, washing away the grime from his morning exercises and the lingering unease of the previous night.

Once he finished his shower, Silas dried off and dressed in his usual workout attire—a black T-shirt and gray joggers. Standing in the middle of his room, he stretched his arms over his head, feeling the pull in his muscles. He glanced at the clock on his desk. He had time before breakfast, and he wouldn't let the day start without completing his routine.

Dropping to the floor, Silas braced himself on his palms and began his push-ups. His breath came in steady bursts as he counted each repetition. One, two, three… His arms strained with each motion, the burn spreading through his chest and shoulders. By the time he reached fifty, beads of sweat dotted his forehead, but he wasn't done yet. He pushed himself to do ten more, gritting his teeth against the fatigue.

Switching to sit-ups, Silas locked his hands behind his head and began another set. The muscles in his core tightened with each movement, his breath steady but labored. Despite the soreness in his body, he welcomed the exertion. It was a distraction, a way to channel his thoughts into something productive.

Finally, he reached for his makeshift weights—heavy books tied to a metal rod. They weren't ideal, but they served their purpose. Silas lifted the weights above his head, focusing on his form and the steady rhythm of his breathing. Each repetition brought a sense of accomplishment, a reminder of his discipline. By the time he was finished, his muscles ached, but his mind felt sharper, more focused.

[Congratulations, you have completed your daily quests]

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He grabbed a towel to wipe his face, his stomach growling in protest. Breakfast was long overdue. Silas quickly changed into clean clothes, opting for a dark hoodie and jeans, and headed toward the cafeteria.

The moment he stepped into the bustling hall, the aroma of food hit him—a mix of freshly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, and toasted bread. The chatter of students created a lively hum, punctuated by the occasional clatter of plates and utensils. Silas scanned the room, his eyes landing on a familiar group seated near the corner.

Vic, Angelica, Sebastian, and David sat together, laughing over something Vic had said. Silas felt a small smile tug at his lips as he approached.

"Morning, everyone," he greeted, pulling out a chair and sliding into the seat beside them.

Vic looked up, grinning. "Morning, Silas. You're looking… refreshed. But let me guess—you had some secret mission last night?"

Silas's stomach twisted slightly, but he kept his expression neutral. "Nothing like that," he said with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just helping Kara with something in her office."

Angelica, who had been quietly picking at her food, glanced up at him. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she said nothing.

"Well, you should've let someone know," Vic said, his tone light but pointed. "Angelica was looking for you everywhere. Thought something happened to you."

Silas turned to Angelica, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "What did you want to talk about?" he asked gently.

Angelica hesitated, her fork hovering over her plate. She had planned to tell Silas about her conversation with Sir Dominic, about his growing suspicions regarding the Artifact and its potential connection to Silas. But as she looked at him now, something held her back. Maybe it was the way he seemed preoccupied or the subtle tension in his posture. Whatever it was, she decided against it.

"It's nothing," she said finally, forcing a small smile. "I just wanted to check on you, that's all."

Silas frowned slightly but nodded. "Well, I appreciate it. Sorry for making you worry."

The tension eased as the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Vic launched into an animated story about a clumsy first-year student who had spilled an entire tray of food on one of the teachers.

"It was hilarious," Vic said, barely containing his laughter. "The professor just stood there, covered in mashed potatoes and gravy, trying to act like it didn't bother him. But you could see the rage in his eyes!"

Sebastian snorted. "Lucky he didn't get expelled on the spot."

David, the quietest of the group, chuckled softly. "Or turned into a human experiment. You know how some of these professors are."

The table erupted in laughter, and even Angelica joined in, her earlier hesitation momentarily forgotten.

As they ate, the group debated trivial matters, like which dessert was superior—chocolate cake or fruit pie—and who would win in a fight between two of the academy's top students.

"I'm telling you, Kara would wipe the floor with anyone," Vic declared, leaning forward. "She's on a whole different level."

Angelica rolled her eyes. "You only think that because you're in love with her."

Vic turned bright red, spluttering in protest. "I am not!"

The group burst into laughter, and even Silas couldn't help but smirk. Despite the heaviness of his own thoughts, moments like these reminded him of why he valued this group of friends. They gave him a sense of normalcy, a brief escape from the chaos of his life.

As breakfast wound down, the conversation grew quieter. Plates were cleared, and students began leaving the cafeteria, heading off to their respective tasks.

Silas stood, stretching his arms over his head. "Well, I'd better get moving. Got a lot to do today."

Angelica fell into step beside him as they exited the cafeteria. She seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant.

"Hey," Silas said, nudging her gently. "You okay?"

Angelica blinked, snapping out of her reverie. "Yeah," she said softly. "Just… thinking."

He gave her a questioning look but didn't press.

Before they arrived at their destination, Angelica hesitated, as if she wanted to say something more. Finally, she said, "If you ever need someone to talk to, you can come to me."

Silas was taken aback by the sincerity in her voice. "Thanks, Angelica. That means a lot."

Silas and Angelica walked together toward the combat hall, their footsteps echoing in the corridor as the anticipation of their next class hung in the air. Silas noticed Angelica seemed quieter than usual, but he chose not to press her. If there was something on her mind, he trusted she'd speak up when ready.

As they entered the hall, the distinct scent of sweat and polished wood greeted them. The space was vast, with high ceilings and padded floors marked with faint scars from countless battles. In the center, a large platform served as the stage for duels. Around it, students in their red gis stood in a loose circle, their attention focused on the two figures already locked in combat on the platform.

"Looks like we're a bit late," Angelica murmured, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the fighters.

Silas followed her gaze. The fighters were evenly matched in size but displayed contrasting fighting styles. One was a lean, wiry boy named Callum, known for his speed and agility. His movements were quick and fluid, like a serpent striking its prey. The other, a broad-shouldered girl named Freya, was all power and precision. She planted her feet firmly, delivering blows that could knock the wind out of anyone unlucky enough to take a direct hit.

The crowd murmured in excitement, the tension in the air palpable. Silas and Angelica moved closer to get a better view, their own training momentarily forgotten as they became absorbed in the fight.

On the platform, Callum circled Freya, his sharp eyes locked onto her. His feet moved in quick, deliberate steps, barely making a sound. Freya held her ground, her hands raised in a solid guard, waiting for him to make the first move.

Callum darted forward, aiming a swift jab at Freya's side. She deflected it with ease, her arm sweeping his fist aside. He spun on his heel, attempting to land a kick to her midsection, but Freya anticipated the move and stepped back, narrowly avoiding the strike.

"Too slow," Freya taunted, her voice steady despite the exertion.

Callum smirked, not letting her words rattle him. "We'll see about that."

He lunged again, this time feinting a punch before twisting his body and aiming a powerful roundhouse kick at Freya's head. The crowd gasped as Freya raised her arm to block, the impact echoing through the hall. The force of the blow made her stumble slightly, but she quickly regained her footing, her expression unyielding.

"Nice try," Freya said, her voice tinged with respect.

She countered with a low sweep aimed at Callum's legs. He jumped just in time, but Freya was already following up with a punch aimed at his chest. Callum twisted mid-air, landing awkwardly but avoiding the strike.

The fight continued with relentless intensity. Callum's speed allowed him to dodge most of Freya's powerful strikes, but her endurance and calculated attacks kept him from gaining the upper hand. Every movement was a testament to their training, their dedication evident in the precision of their techniques.

Callum attempted a risky move, charging directly at Freya. At the last moment, he dropped low, aiming a sweeping kick at her legs. Freya stumbled but didn't fall, using the momentum to spin and deliver a powerful backhand aimed at Callum's shoulder.

The blow connected, and Callum let out a grunt of pain, his balance faltering. Freya seized the opportunity, stepping forward and delivering a palm strike to his chest. The force sent Callum stumbling backward, his feet skidding on the platform.

"Stay down, Callum," Freya said, her tone firm but not unkind.

But Callum wasn't ready to give up. He pushed himself to his feet, his breathing heavy but his determination unwavering. He adopted a defensive stance, waiting for Freya to make the next move.
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Freya obliged, closing the distance between them with measured steps. She threw a series of punches, each one aimed at testing his guard. Callum blocked most of them but couldn't stop a heavy strike t

o his ribs. He winced but used the opening to step inside her reach, delivering an elbow strike to her sternum.