The Last Gentleman

Chapter 43

After completing his review of the data lists and analysis reports, Yi Chen had a question in mind.

He recalled that in pathology class where Dagobert, with just one hand, lifted a whole metal desk and threw it, directly smashing a zombie so hard that its head was completely crushed. Even before obtaining the "Gentleman's Skin," his strength in Green Lake Town was just as astonishing.

"Can I, in terms of physique, really reach the level of someone like Dagobert?"

"Dagobert... Oh! I remember now. That strong student with fair skin and perfectly defined muscles, right?"

As they discussed Dagobert, Zed couldn’t help but drool, as if he were eager to dissect and understand the distribution of his muscles. After a moment of fantasizing, he continued:

"No… His strength is an innate talent. With only basic activation training, he could probably reach the 'Limit Membrane'. Even if you trained tirelessly under me and made some extreme modifications to your body, achieving that level of strength within two years is out of the question.

However, you might be misunderstanding something: Physique includes more than just strength. It also encompasses endurance, resilience, and other traits directly related to the body. What we need to do is find the one most suited to you, amplify it through specialized training, and reach your version of the limit.

Don’t worry, I’ve already tailored an optimal growth plan for your body! As long as you can stick to it, reaching the limit in physique within two years is definitely achievable. Personally, I have high expectations for you."

As he said this, Teacher Zed cracked a slow smile, even snapping a few lines at the corners of his mouth as he patted Yi Chen on the shoulder meaningfully.

Next, Zed took out an open pocket watch from his coat pocket, touching it to read the time.

"Due to your earlier unconsciousness, it’s already 'three in the morning'. The school building is locked down at this hour, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving, so you’ll have to stay here tonight. Let’s not waste time—eat these foods quickly, and we’ll start your training."

"Alright... okay."

Squatting nearby, Zed tore open his unusually wide mouth, staring at Yi Chen... quietly waiting for him to finish his meal.

Yet, the strange atmosphere didn’t disrupt Yi Chen’s eating; he knew well the importance of nutrition replenishment. It reminded him of the "food scramble" at the orphanage, where they’d all be herded into a dark room, and food would pour from a large pipe above—enough for only half the people there. They had to fight over it, not only against each other but also against rats in the dark. Failing to secure enough food meant not filling up... and in the long game that followed, exhaustion would inevitably lead to elimination.

Recalling this experience, Yi Chen ate even faster, nearly dunking his head into the bowl. Seeing this, Zed lightly tapped the back of his head.

"Hey! Don’t rush~ take it easy; we have a bit of time."

Yi Chen’s mind snapped back, and he replied quietly, "Mm... I was just reminded of some unpleasant things."

Not long after—clang! The empty bowl clattered on the ground.

"Let’s begin the training, Mr. Zed."

"Mm, follow me!"

Zed, still dressed in a long black coat, led Yi Chen back to the main hall of his office. Pulling back the rug, a passage leading even deeper underground was revealed.

"Does this go even further down?"

"Yes… this is just my 'office', where I conduct my personal research and mental exercises. My body can’t relax and move freely in such a confined office space. So when the academy assigned me this place, I naturally had one request—to create a ‘playground’ for physical relaxation."

Talking about his "playground" seemed to excite Zed, who couldn’t wait to lead Yi Chen downward.

As they descended the passageway, a faint, rusted scent mixed with a fishy stench pricked Yi Chen’s nose like tiny needles, making him rub it reflexively. Though there was no actual sound, he could faintly hear faint screams echoing from the lower depths in his mind.

Stepping out of the hidden passage, Zed smoothly flipped the power switch on the side wall.

Clack!

The wall lamps hanging here, each fitted with red glass, filtered out an eerie red glow resembling two sinister, blood-stained hands, welcoming visitors to unveil the mysterious curtain of the "Paradise."

Although Yi Chen had mentally prepared himself beforehand, the scene before him immediately triggered a primal flight response.

Despite his best efforts to control himself, Yi Chen still took a step back.

"Welcome to my Paradise!"

Like a proud host, Mr. Zed stretched his arms wide, revealing the crimson interior behind him in full glory.

The basement spanned around three or four hundred square meters, filled with a variety of "exercise equipment," each piece personally designed by Zed. He had passed these blueprints to the academy, which had produced these custom-made items.

Zed jogged over to a corner of the Paradise and beckoned Yi Chen toward the entrance.

"Come over here! Give a little wave to the camera. The folks at the academy are quite strict—we need their approval before we can start the special training. If you accidentally die while working out, they'll come after me."

"But of course, I believe you’ll hold up. You won’t die that easily."

"Okay… alright," Yi Chen replied, forcing a smile as he stepped in front of the camera.

After a moment, the camera’s "eye" moved up and down in approval.

"Oh! Today, the academy folks are being generous—they approved it right away! So, let’s begin our special training! Since this is your first time here, let’s start with some of the simpler equipment. Do you see that treadmill over there? Get on it and run to your heart's content. But remember, don’t stop until every bit of your stamina is drained."

"Okay..."

Yi Chen looked in the direction Zed pointed.

The treadmill was made entirely of metal, with restraints at the handles. Once strapped in, there was no escape—unless one were to rip off both arms.

The most horrifying part was that the treadmill belt was covered with iron spikes, ranging from 2 to 5 centimeters long. Each step would land directly on these spikes.

If he couldn’t keep up with the treadmill’s speed, with his arms bound, his lower body would meet the belt in a rather intimate and painful encounter, leaving it scraped and mangled by the spikes.

However, the spiked treadmill was merely an entry-level piece of equipment in "Zed’s Paradise." Zed himself found it so beneath him that it was even collecting dust.

Just before stepping onto the treadmill, Yi Chen had a small question.

"Mr. Zed, is this meant to train my endurance?"

"Endurance is just part of it.

Think about it! If you were attacked and felt no pain, or even felt pleasure, wouldn’t that be a huge advantage? What I truly want to teach you is 'physical control'."

"For us humans, the body has never truly belonged to the brain; she has always had a mind of her own. Think of your body as a cheeky little companion. She seems loyal to you, obedient on the surface, but often works against you behind the scenes. Whenever she’s unhappy, she might even push you towards death.

"Take the classic example of hammering your knee—the brain didn’t issue any command, yet she instinctively displays that tantalizing, pale little leg.

"A little external stimulus, and she’s whining and screaming, sending waves of pain signals. Only by constantly pushing her to the brink and repairing her can you deepen your bond, making her your most faithful partner."

"Understood." Yi Chen begrudgingly accepted this strange philosophy.

"Oh, and before you get on the treadmill… remember to take off all your clothes. The ‘Gentleman’s Skin’ is a precious thing, but it’s useless for our training here, so let’s try not to get it dirty."

Yi Chen changed into a set of clothes he had bought in Easton Town.

Taking off his shoes, he stepped onto the treadmill, binding his arms securely to the handles. Zed thoughtfully brought over a blood-circulation device—a tube connected one end to a vein in Yi Chen's wrist, and the other to a reservoir beneath the treadmill. Any blood lost while running would be recirculated back into Yi Chen’s body to prevent him from passing out from blood loss.

As the training began, Zed pulled over a stool, like someone watching his favorite TV show, thoroughly engrossed in the agony of Yi Chen, his suffering runner.