Saiphee’s breath was coming in short bursts now, his legs feeling the strain, but he pushed through. His body was screaming for relief, but he refused to slow down. He had to prove to Quartz—and to himself—that he could handle whatever came next.
As the final seconds ticked away, Quartz gave another nod, signaling the end of the test. “Alright, that’s enough for now,” he said, his tone softening just slightly. “We’ve got enough data to work with.”
As Saiphee slowed down and stepped off the treadmill, the hologram screen in front of him flickered, displaying a series of statistics based on his performance. Quartz glanced at the data, his eyes scanning the numbers quickly before his gaze landed on the first piece of information.
The hologram displayed:
Trainee: Saiphee Astralis
Origin: Jupiter
Department: Department of Cosmology
Occupation: Lead Scientist In the A.S.S
Height: 5'10 Weight: 130 lbs
BMI: (Underweight)
Stamina: 50/100 (Low)
Quartz studied the hologram monitor, analyzing the data with a quick glance. “Hmm, interesting,” he muttered, more to himself than to Saiphee. “You’ve got some… endurance.. I guess..., but there’s room for improvement. We’ll work on that. But for now, you’re good to go.”
Saiphee nodded, feeling a sense of relief mixed with anticipation. He had passed the first test, but he knew the real training was just beginning.
As Saiphee finally stepped off the treadmill, completely drained and feeling like his legs had turned to jelly, he slumped down onto the floor, trying to catch his breath. The intense workout had taken its toll, and he could barely keep his eyes open as he sprawled out on the ground. His body felt like it had been pushed to its absolute limit, but there was a sense of accomplishment mixed with the exhaustion.
“Ah, looks like you guys are finished now. Is it my turn?” a familiar voice suddenly cut through the air, and Saiphee barely had the energy to look up. He knew that voice all too well. Vantheos was standing there, looking as casual as ever, his expression one of mild amusement as he looked down at Saiphee’s exhausted form.
Saiphee could barely manage a weak smile, still panting. “Yeah... it’s your turn,” he muttered, trying to sit up but failing miserably. His limbs felt like they had been drained of all strength.
Vantheos chuckled at the sight of Saiphee sprawled out like a limp ragdoll on the floor. He didn’t seem the least bit fazed by the physical strain of the workout, his energy still radiating from him. “Guess I’m gonna have to show you how it’s done, huh?” he teased, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Quartz, who had been observing the exchange with an unamused frown, shot Vantheos a stern look. “It is your turn, yes. But don’t think you can just skip the guidelines like last time. I’m not in the mood for your antics today,” Quartz warned, his voice sharp and commanding.
Vantheos, however, wasn’t paying attention to Quartz’s words. Before Quartz could finish speaking, Vantheos had already stepped onto the treadmill, his movements fluid and confident. Without a second thought, he hit the speed control, cranking it up to a high setting.
The treadmill hummed to life, and Vantheos was off, running effortlessly at a speed that would have left most people struggling to keep up. His feet barely seemed to touch the ground as he moved with a grace and ease that only someone as seasoned as him could manage. The intensity of his pace was almost absurd, especially considering how casually he’d approached it.
Quartz stood there for a moment, blinking in disbelief at Vantheos’ sudden action. “Hey! I didn’t even—” he started, but his voice trailed off as he watched Vantheos continue running at full speed, completely ignoring any instructions.
Vantheos shot him a smirk over his shoulder, clearly enjoying the chaos he was causing. “What’s the matter, Quartz? You were saying something about guidelines?” he teased, his tone light and playful, though his speed never faltered.
Quartz sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “I swear, you’re impossible,” he muttered under his breath, clearly used to Vantheos’ unpredictable behavior. “Fine. Do whatever you want, but don’t come crying to me when you pass out from exhaustion.”
Vantheos just laughed, his voice echoing through the training room. “Don’t worry about me, Quartz. I’ve got this,” he called back, his pace only picking up as he continued to run, clearly relishing the challenge.
Saiphee, still recovering on the floor, watched Vantheos with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. Despite the intense training they had just completed, Vantheos seemed to be running on pure energy, his body moving with effortless precision. It was almost as if he thrived on pushing his limits, and Saiphee couldn’t help but feel a little envious of his strength and stamina.
Quartz, now resigned to the fact that Vantheos wasn’t going to follow any rules, began analyzing the data on the hologram screen, his fingers tapping away at the controls. “I’ll be monitoring your stats, whether you like it or not,” he called out to Vantheos, though his voice lacked the usual edge of frustration. It was clear he’d given up trying to control Vantheos’ behavior.
Vantheos, still running at full speed, gave a mock salute without breaking his stride. “Thanks, Quartz. You’re the best,” he said with a grin, clearly enjoying the entire situation far more than he should have.
Finally, Vantheos stopped. Stepping down the treadmill to wait for the stats from Quartz.
The hologram flickered and displayed the following information as Quartz analyzed Vantheos’ stats on the treadmill:
Trainee: Vantheos Lunaris
Origin: ???
Department: Department of Voyagers
Occupation: Leader of Interstellar Voyager Generation V
Height: 6'1" Weight: 210 lbs (Muscular)
BMI: 27.9 (Healthy, Muscular Build)
Stamina: 98/100 (Exceptional)
Quartz raised an eyebrow, impressed by the data that flashed across the screen. “Well, well, well… this is what I’m talking about,” Quartz muttered under his breath, glancing at the numbers with approval. “210 pounds of solid muscle and nearly perfect stamina. Looks like Vantheos is in a league of his own.”
Saiphee, still recovering on the floor, couldn’t help but glance at the hologram, his eyes widening slightly. Vantheos’ physical stats were far beyond anything he could ever dream of. His weight, purely muscle, and his near-perfect stamina were a testament to the years of grueling training he had gone through as a Voyager. It was no wonder he made everything look so effortless.
Vantheos, still running with ease, shot a grin over his shoulder. “You like the numbers, Quartz? I’ve got more where that came from,” he teased, his voice full of confidence.
Quartz sighed, his gaze never leaving the screen. “I’m not surprised. You’re a freak of nature, Vantheos,” he said, his tone a mix of admiration and frustration. “But don't get too cocky. We still need to keep you in peak condition.”
Vantheos just laughed, his energy seemingly boundless. “I’m always at peak condition, Quartz. You know that by now,” he called back, his smile never fading.
Saiphee watched in awe, still lying on the floor, his exhaustion only growing as he compared his own abilities to Vantheos’. The contrast was stark. Vantheos was a living example of physical perfection, his stamina and muscle mass honed from years of intense training. Saiphee couldn’t help but feel a mixture of admiration and a desire to push himself harder. If he ever wanted to catch up to Vantheos, he had a long road ahead of him. Quartz noticed Saiphee’s gaze lingering on Vantheos, his eyes wide with admiration. The way Saiphee watched Vantheos so intently didn’t go unnoticed, and Quartz couldn’t help but smirk. It was clear that Saiphee was in awe of the seasoned Voyager, but there was something else in his expression—a kind of admiration that went beyond just physical prowess.
Quartz crossed his arms and, with a teasing grin, spoke up. “That’s Vantheos, the Interstellar Voyager for you,” he said, his tone light but filled with a sense of pride. “The guy’s a machine. No one else has stamina or strength like him. He’s been through hell and back and still looks like he could take on the galaxy.”
Saiphee nodded slowly, still processing the fact that Vantheos, despite all the grueling training, had the kind of strength that seemed effortless. His admiration was clear, but something else lingered beneath the surface. “Yeah... I can see that,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.
Vantheos, now off the treadmill and wiping the sweat from his brow, caught Saiphee’s gaze. His lips curled into a confident smile, and he stepped closer, his movements smooth and deliberate. He leaned in slightly, his voice low and playful. “It sure is,” he said, the words almost a purr. “But don’t let it intimidate you, Saiphee. You’ve got potential... and I’m here to help you realize it.”
Saiphee’s heart skipped a beat. The way Vantheos spoke, the way his eyes locked onto his with such intensity—it was more than just encouragement. There was something magnetic about the way Vantheos carried himself, something that made Saiphee’s breath catch in his chest. He wasn’t sure if it was the exhaustion from training or something else entirely, but the warmth spreading through him was undeniable.
Vantheos flashed a grin, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Saiphee. “With a little more effort, you’ll be able to keep up with me,” he continued, his voice smooth and full of that same playful charm. “Maybe not this level of greatness,” he said, flexing his muscles in a way that seemed almost deliberate, “but you’ll get there. And I’ll be right here, cheering you on.”
Saiphee felt his cheeks flush slightly, not sure if he was embarrassed by the compliment or the way Vantheos was looking at him. It was hard to focus on anything else when Vantheos was standing so close, his presence so overwhelming in the best way. Saiphee managed a small, nervous smile. “Thanks,” he said softly, trying to keep his composure.
Vantheos leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “You know, I think you’re already doing better than you realize,” he said, his gaze never leaving Saiphee’s. “You’ve got a lot of potential, Saiphee. And I’m sure you’ll be incredible... if you let me help you reach it.”
Saiphee’s heart raced, and he had to look away for a moment, trying to regain his composure. He wasn’t sure if it was the exhaustion from the training or the effect Vantheos had on him, but his mind was swirling. The words were innocent enough, but there was something in Vantheos’ tone that made them feel like more than just encouragement.
Vantheos noticed the shift in Saiphee’s expression and smiled softly, his teasing tone softening for a moment. “Don’t worry,” he said, his voice gentle now. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here to help you through it all.”
Saiphee finally met his gaze again, feeling a flutter in his chest. “I appreciate it,” he said, his voice a little steadier now, though there was still a hint of nervousness in it.
Vantheos gave him a wink, his usual playful demeanor returning. “Good. Now let’s get this training going. I wouldn’t want to leave you behind,” he teased, giving Saiphee a wink before turning to Quartz.
Quartz, who had been watching the exchange with an exasperated expression, sighed heavily. “Alright, alright. Enough of the heart-to-heart. We’ve got work to do,” he said, though he couldn’t hide the faint smirk that tugged at his lips. He had seen Vantheos pull off his charm before, but there was something different about the way he was looking at Saiphee today.
Vantheos shot a final playful look at Saiphee before heading toward the next part of the training area. “Ready to keep up, Saiphee?” he asked, his voice still laced with that teasing, confident tone. “Or do you need a little more time to catch your breath?”
Saiphee took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing of his heart. “I’m ready,” he said, his voice firm, though the butterflies in his stomach were anything but calm.
Vantheos smiled, clearly pleased with Saiphee’s response. “That’s what I like to hear,” he said, his voice warm and encouraging.
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