The Mech Lord

[Wrong!]

[Correct your posture!]

"Yes, Sir!" Leo shouted as he slowly move his body while enduring the biting cold. His right leg was raised at an ninety degree angle and he had been holding that position for ten long minutes now.

He was currently training in some snow-capped mountains. It was literally freezing cold, but Coach Arthur was still following his no mercy policy.

The ruthless A.I. had stripped him off of his clothes.

"Achoo!" Leo sneezed and it immediately made him lose his balance. And, he was forced to put his raise foot down.

[Concentrate!]

"How much longer do I need to bear with this? Isn't it break time yet?" Leo shivered, feeling a chill seep into him as he became tired.

[If you don't learn to be patient, you will have to keep running away like you did earlier.]

Arthur's word immediately shut Leo up and he gritted his teeth while dedicating himself to the training.

It seemed Arthur was really not happy with Leo's cowardly behavior earlier at the Academy. It would rather have Leo return with a black eye instead running away like that.

Leo trained in different harsh climate and regions using the [Virtual Projection]. He also sparred with Arthur. The time was well spent; he learned a few more moves. The mastery of those moves were questionable though, but Leo had them down in his books for sure.

[You have leveled up…] Arthur's voice suddenly rang in his mind as Leo began to pack up. The next instant, he felt a strange sensation all over his body.

"Whoosh!"

His aura suddenly gushed out of his body and began to revolve around him. It was a very strange phenomenon and Leo had heard of this process of advancement. 

The yellow colored energy continued to revolved around Leo as its shade turned a bit darker. It then rushed backed into his body.

Leo clearlt felt more strength and energy than before coursing through his entire body with the energy gushing in. He even felt that his connection seemed to have significantly gone up.

'What's going on?'

Leo was pleasantly surprised by this event. And, immediately took out his Awakeners Card to have a look at his state.

[Stats]

Strength: [7] —10

Agility: [9] — 12

Stamina: [8] — 11

"Why is there such an explosive growth all of a sudden?" He couldn't help, but ask in confusion.

After a week of training, he barely had gained 2 points in each of his state. But now for some reason, he had gained more that in just a single day.

[The fight today has obviously acted as a trigger to tap into your potential.] Arthur's voice sounded in his mind.

'You can do it this way too?' Leo asked in surprise. He clearly wasn't expecting this.

[Yes, this not only counts as training, but also allows you to use your energy. Did you forget, that improving your connection with your energy is a prerequisite for advancement? Not to mention, Niverian Kicking Art is no ordinary technique. It is something made by my creator.]

The words indeed reminded Leo of the fact. 

"Does that mean, getting into fights will be helpful?" Leo couldn't help, but ask with a frown.

[Yes, today was the first time. So, you had such a fast gain. But even if your gain is not as fast as to today, it will definitely be faster than your average everyday training.]

[After all, living beings grow only when faced with difficulties.]

Leo nodded.

It seemed he had to step up his game and get a heart of steel. Only then could he possibly hit Level 11.

[Someone's here.] Arthur suddenly alerted Leo and he immediately opened his eyes to see Vanessa staring at him.

The door to the room was open. It seemed that she had entered the room without even knocking.

Leo immediately grabbed the towel from the side and used it to cover himself. He had taken his shirt off earlier due to sweat.

"Where you having nightmares? Why are you so sweaty?" Vanessa asked with a frown. She had never seen Aiden like that.

"No, I am fine. And, please knock on the door before coming in from next time," Leo said with a stern look. Somethings had to be made clear. If he gave into her, it was very clear that there would be no way out.

"Why are you acting so distant?" Vanessa said with a smile as her hand slowly approached Leo. She was ready to tease him again.

But Leo was adamant about making it clear to her this time. He grabbed her hand and stopped her, "I am not the guy you used to know. Please, don't do things like this. Or I will have to look for Madam below."

"Madam?" Vanessa asked in confusion. She was still unaware how serious Leo's 'apparent' memory loss was.  

"I mean mother," Leo corrected himself with a sigh and Vanessa's eyes widened for a bit. She couldn't believe her ears for a second.

"Why are you here, Miss?'' Leo ignored the change in her expression. He had gotten used to it over the couple of days.

Now even Aiden's family didn't reacted like this. They were already adjusting to Aiden's newfound personality and behavior.

"Lunch is ready…'' Vanessa still hadn't wiped off the shock on her face when she told him about it.

"I will be there," Leo said with a nod before showing her the way out.

…

'What's going on here?' Vanessa finally came back to her senses when the door was shut on her face.

She had initially thought that Aiden would not recognise her and act cute and flustered due to his memory loss. But, when the truth would be out, he would return to his normal behavior.

It was only now that she realized that Aiden just hadn't lost his memory, but his entire personality. He seemed to be a totally different guy.

Let's be honest, she was expecting an empty bottle of cold drink, but how could she have know that even the brand label on the bottle would be lost.

This was Aiden's current situation in her eyes.

The guy had clearly lost his original personality.

In the end, she hurriedly went downstairs and asked Viona what was going on. When the truth came out that Leo had actually refused to acknowledge them family; even wanted to leave, she was stunned.

She could never even imagine Aiden doing something like that. 

"Are you fine?" Vanessa suddenly asked Viona with a concerned look in her eyes.

"Yes, I am," Viona said with a smile before further continuing, "I have decided to built a new relationship with him as a mother and a child."

"Why don't you do the same? He is getting along with Amelia now, maybe you will have a chance now as well." Viona further said with a smile.

"Is it?" Vanessa asked with a pleasant surprise.

The two had no idea just how much trouble Amelia had given to Leo.

…

Leo came down for lunch after freshening up a bit.

He was feeling happy and energetic after leveling up.

Vanessa and Viona were waiting for him at the dining table.

"Let me help out," Vanessa stopped Viona and got up to help Leo instead.

Leo wanted to refuse. He was still capable even if he only had one hand, but people wouldn't listen to him.

"Hmmn?" Leo's faced suddenly turned grim and he grabbed Vanessa's hand, surprising her a bit.

"What's wrong? Did you really fal-" Vanessa's teasing voice came to a halt when she felt a sharp glare from Viona.

But the two of them were indeed curious about Leo's action.

"Why do you have this?" Leo asked in a grim voice.

He couldn't take his eyes off of the familiar tattoo on her wrist which showed a sword in chains.

It was the same one he had seen on that man's hand.