RISE OF A LONE WOLF

CHAPTER 3 - THE ZEAL TO BECOME STRONG

Theo woke up around 6 p.m., dressed, and headed out to the gym as planned. After a 30-minute walk, he arrived at the gym.

The gym had a black marble like exterior with white spotted dots on it walls. The gym boasted a sleek black and red marble interior, spanning 1000 square feet and filled with various workout equipment for different specific workout routines.

Among them were two VR pods used for training and simulating battles with basic and intermediate demonic beasts. The gym was often quiet due to the fact that people hardly do physical training and only focus on improving on thier abilities.

The gym owner, Mark, greeted Theo. Mark, a young man in his late twenties with red shoulder-length hair, explained the gym's focus on physical training rather than abilities.

As Theo explored the gym, he noticed a man and woman who looked like couples, working out together. The man was quite tall, had an athletic body frame, with brown bushy hair and treamed facial hair while the woman was average height with small but athletic body frame, and a blonde pony tail hairstyle.

Theo moved closer to where the couple were working out and greeted them. They both stopped thier workouts and sat on a metalic bench not for away from where they were doing thier workout and Theo followed them and sat beside them.

The man spoke first saying, "Hello lad, my name is Issac and hers is Mary. What's your name young lad and what brings you to Ffect Fitness?"

"My name is Theo Taylor and I would like to start working out", Theo said while nervously scratching the back of his head. Mary said, "Theo right? I love your name it's very catchy. So you want to start working out right? What would you like to work on. Theo replied, "I don't know actually, but obviously I have to start with the basics because of how skinny I am." No problem, I and Issac will help you with it but first you have to register.

Theo followed Mary and Issac as they headed to Mark's office to help Theo register. On getting into Mark's office, he was sitted on his chair with his eyes closed and arms crossed.

"Hey Mark, we brought a rookie who wants to register", Isaac said. Opening his eyes, Mark double taped his table, a screen appeared and he told Theo to place his hands on the table. Then a screen appeared in front of Theo. As he finished filling in his details the screen disappeared and Mark went back to his sleeping position.

Issac, Theo and Mary left his office. When Theo mentioned Mark's aloofness, Isaac and Mary explained that many people register but never return because the gym focuses solely on physical training, unlike others that prioritize abilities.

Isaac and Mary continued showing Theo around the gym, explaining each piece of equipment amd their functions including the VR pods' uses. They joked and chatted as they toured the facility.

"It was about to hit 7 pm. It's already getting late, I must be heading home but I will be coming tomorrow to start my workout session immediately after Sunday service", Theo said. Mary and Issac replied, "No problem, we will be expecting you." He bid them farewell waving his hands, then left the gym to head home.

After a short while he got back home, went to his room, had his bathe and went to sleep.

On a cold Sunday morning, Theo wakes up from his bed, and starts preparing for Sunday service. The notification sound was heard, "Daily quest received: Drink 1 liter of water. Quest reward 5 Exp. Workout for 1hr. Quest reward 5 Exp.

After dressing up, he drank 2 bottles of water to complete his first daily quest and received 5 exp and his total exp is 15/25 Exp, then he left for church.

The church is located East side of Theo's home and was about a 45 minutes walk to get there. The church had an exterior design of an European castle like structure with Twin towers at the north and south angle with a big analog clock displayed in front of each towers. It has a white and cream mable for its interior design and red carpet from the altar to every exit with long chair for members to sit on.

Theo entered and sat at the left side middle roll. The service began with praise and worship and then the priest, Rev Father Samuel, preached and they prayed and the service ended by about 12 noon.

After the service, Theo went to see Rev Father Samuel. When Theo greeted him, the Rev. replied, "Theo it's good to see you came to church today. You remind me a lot of your parents. I still remember when they brought you to church you where so little and free of Sin, may their sweet soul rest in peace. Amen!"

So what can I do for you, Theo? The Rev. asked. I will like to ask you what is the best thing to do when one has been given or obtained power. He poundered for a while and said the best thing to do, like we've been taught in God's word "It is to help those who can't help themselves and protect the weak from the evil of the world".

Theo thought about what Rev. said for a while, he thanked and appreciated him for the food for thought. He bowed his head down and left the church to head home.

Back home, Theo decided to take a nap then headout to the gym later. After resting for a while it was time for him to go to the gym he got dressed and headed out.

On his way to the gym, he consulted with Zero, his AI assistant, about his workout routine. Zero amswered saying, "Master you need to build up your body to be strong first and to do that you have to have strong base. I believe you should start with basic exercises and weight lifting. But I believe we should see what they have planned for you, since it's your first time."

Arriving at the gym, Theo meet Issac and Marry at entrance, who were just about to enter, he called thier names, greeted them and they all entered the gym together.

Entering into the gym, Issac and Mary left Theo and began their normal workout routine. He was left standing and confused and didn't know what to do. They saw this and stopped their workout and went to meet him. Mary asked, "What's wrong Theo? You don't know what to do or is this your first time working out?" He shyly answered, "Yes and I don't know what to do, can you help me with a workout routine?"

No problem we will both draft a workout plan for you. Isaac and Mary helped Theo draft a workout plan and taught him the basics.

They showed him and guided him on how to go about the exercises, then he was left to continue his routine while they went back to thiers. After two hours of intense training, Theo completed his routine, earning experience points and leveling up.

The notification ding was heard. Daily quest complete. Workout for 1hr. Gained 5 Exp. For being determined and breaking your limit and spending an additional 1 hour you gained 5 Exp. Total Exp 25/25.

A notification screen appeared at his front. Congratulations you have leveled up, all status increased by 1, HP increased by 5. His status screen displayed his new status.

Status Window

Name: Theo Taylor. Exp: 0/50. Level: 2. Race: Warewolf

Rank: wolf cub. Class: Nil. Abilities: Nil. Skill points: Nil

Hp: 15/15. Stamina: 6. Strength: 6. Agility/Speed: 6

Defense: 6

He felt a surge of power and a slight pain, signs of his transformation. He called out to Zero; "Zero I can feel it, I have a gotten a bit stronger. Yes Master Theo, like I said you will be stronger as you level up and unlock new features. Focus on completing the main quest and reaching level 5. Ok I will, Theo answered.

Theo went to where Issac and Mary were foing their reps and thanked them for thier help and told them he would be taking his leave. They replied, "Already? No problem as long as you are consistent there will be changes. Anyways we are not leaving yet, still have some reps to do. Bye Theo hopefully you won't leave like the rest. He replied, "I won't." Waved at to them as he steeped out of the gym.

On his way home he decided to make a stop and pay a visit to the old woman who saved his life.

On his way home, he visited the old woman who had saved his life, Grandma Elizabeth. After knocking for a while wothout answer, he realized the door was opened. He walked in and continued to call her.

He eventually found her at the backyard, spreading the clothes she just washed he rushed to her and told her to leave it that he will spread the reaming.

She didn't agree at first, but after he collected it from her hand, she had no choice but to agree. She left him, went back inside and sat on a chair in the living room.

After spreading all the clothes, he came back to the living room and asked her where he should put the bucket, she directed him to the bathroom. He dropped it there and came back to the living room and sat an a chair next to her.

So Theo, what brings you to my house, she asked. I decided to check on you after leaving the gym. That is so sweet of you. They spoke for a while and Theo said it was time for him to take his leave.

He waved her goodbye as he left her house and headed to his. On getting home, he took a shower changed his clothes and decided to read for a few hours for his physics test he has by 12noon the next day and went to sleep.

The time was 11pm, while he layed on his back and thought about all that just happened in 2 days and made up his mind to get stronger and have his revenge on Billy and his partners and he closed his eyes and slept.