From Trash to Lord of Thunder: The Rise of the Cursed Extra-Chapter 36: I’m Strong

Charles followed Kaira through the hallways of the storm clan's headquarters. The dining hall's noise faded as they ventured into a less-traveled area.

'This is farther than I expected,' he thought, noticing how some passersby shot him sidelong glances.

'Are there still people who hate me?' he thought, a twinge of unease hitting him, but Kaira, walking beside him, ignored the stares, practically bouncing with energy.

"We're almost there..." she said, her smile brimming with excitement. "I promise you'll love it, Rian."

Kaira's red eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and Charles couldn't help but give a faint smile.

They reached a set of double glass doors, and Kaira pushed them open without hesitation.

Clack!

The doors swung wide, and Charles's jaw dropped slightly.

'What the hell is this?' he thought, blinking as his eyes scanned the place.

It was a gym, but not just any gym.

Treadmills, weight machines for shoulders, back, and legs, racks loaded with dumbbells and gleaming bars.

The floor was covered in black rubber mats, and the air smelled of metal.

'This looks straight out of my world,' he thought, a wave of confusion hitting him.

Suddenly, the memory of the TV in Lira's room flashed in his mind.

'First the TV, now this,' he thought, frowning.

The realization that he still knew almost nothing about this game's outside world hit hard.

'What are the cities like? If I escape... are there other clans like this?'

His mind started spinning, but an inner voice stopped him.

'Why am I overthinking? First, I get out of here, then I worry about that.'

Kaira, catching the funny look on Rian's face as he froze in the doorway, shot him an amused glance.

"Hey, Rian," she said, laughing. "I didn't come here to stand around like a statue."

Before he could protest, she grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

Tap tap!

Their steps echoed on the rubber floor, and Charles felt a sudden warmth in his face, noting how firm Kaira's grip was.

'This little thing's got strength,' he thought, following reluctantly.

The gym was packed with people training, all wearing black tunics with blue trim like Rian's.

Some lifted weights, others ran on treadmills, and a few practiced combat moves in a ring at the back.

But what caught Charles's attention most were the stares.

'They're looking at me weird,' he thought, noticing frowns and murmurs among them.

'What's their deal?' he thought, the air growing tense.

Kaira either didn't notice or didn't care, forging ahead and leading Charles to another door at the gym's far end.

"This way!" she said, opening it with a Click! that echoed in the space.

Charles followed, stepping into a smaller but equally modern room.

Fewer machines here, but the equipment was just as impressive: punching bags, climbing ropes, and a padded combat area.

What stood out most, though, were the people.

Everyone wore solid-colored tunics—red, blue, brown, or gray.

Kaira, in her red tunic, fit right in.

But Charles...

'I'm the odd one out,' he thought, catching annoyed glances from some in the room.

A guy in a blue tunic stopped hitting a punching bag, eyeing him narrowly, while a girl in a brown tunic whispered to her partner.

'They don't like me being here,' Charles thought, a knot forming in his stomach.

He turned to Kaira, lowering his voice.

"Hey, is it okay for me to be here?" he asked, pointing at his tunic. "I don't see anyone like me."

Kaira looked at him, letting out a soft laugh.

"What? Getting nervous?" she teased playfully. "Relax, Rian!"

She waved a hand dismissively.

"You're with me. No one's gonna say anything."

Charles frowned, unconvinced.

"It's not that," he said, scratching his neck. "I just... don't wanna get you in trouble."

Kaira blinked, clearly caught off guard by Rian's comment.

'He's... worried about me?' she thought, a warm feeling spreading in her chest. 'That's... sweet.'

Her smile softened, and she stepped closer.

"Chill," she said, her tone warmer. "No one's gonna mess with us. And I might look small, but I'm pretty strong, you know?"

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Kaira put her hands on her hips, standing tall as if to prove it.

Charles couldn't help laughing, more from disbelief than mockery.

'Strong?' he thought, eyeing Kaira's frame. 'She's like a kitten thinking it's a tiger.'

The idea of Kaira, with her playful smile and short stature, being "dangerous" was more cute than intimidating.

"Sure," he said, his tone teasing. "But you think you're stronger than me?"

Kaira's eyes widened, her smile turning mischievous.

"Oh, that sounds like a challenge!" she exclaimed, stepping closer to Rian.

Her red eyes gleamed with excitement, and Charles felt his heart pick up.

"What do you say, Rian? Wanna spar? Right here, right now."

She gestured to the padded area, where two people in gray tunics practiced smooth moves.

"No powers, just skill."