The Last Gentleman

Chapter 44

[A Week Passed]

The fundamental attributes remained unchanged despite the intensive training.

On the contrary, Yi Chen’s mental and physical state deteriorated significantly. He appeared emaciated, his demeanor utterly lifeless, and his hair started falling out in patches.

During Monday’s 'Pathology' class, when Edmund and the others saw Yi Chen, they were startled by his condition. They tried to offer him material support, but he refused every offer.

Yi Chen’s only response was simple: “Special training.”

After observing a faint trace of determination in Yi Chen’s dim eyes, Edmund refrained from further questions.

The first week was spent almost entirely in Professor Zed’s “paradise,” gradually exploring other equipment beyond the treadmill. Just as his body adapted to one piece of equipment, a new one would disrupt the balance.

---

[Second Week]

The attribute values remained unchanged, and Yi Chen’s condition showed no improvement. His head had developed a glaring bald spot, and he now appeared 10 to 20 years older. He began wearing heavy coats and a hood daily.

Walking between the teaching building and the campus, he resembled a walking corpse.

On Sunday night, a rare evening of rest, Yi Chen staggered back to his dormitory only to find Professor Chamberlain, the owl, waiting for him.

“Your physical condition is terrible, and the accumulated injuries may all turn into long-term consequences, leaving your future hanging by a thread. Do you want to give up, William?

Just nod, and I’ll immediately contact the school to sever all ties between you and Zed. I’ll also transfer you to another Pathology class, ensuring Zed won’t bother you again. Tonight, I’ll send you to the internal clinic in Zion for comprehensive treatment.”

“Thank you, Professor Chamberlain… but I can feel my body undergoing subtle changes. I want to keep going.”

“Are you certain?”

“I am.”

Suddenly, Chamberlain, who was several meters away, closed the distance almost instantly and placed a hand gently on Yi Chen’s shoulder.

“As I suspected… pain is the perfect catalyst for your body. To achieve ‘multi-attribute limits,’ you must endure far greater sacrifices than others.

Also, don’t worry about the monthly mission requirements. I will submit a ‘task delay’ application on your behalf.

However, the academy doesn’t encourage such closed-door efforts. After all, the ultimate goal of nurturing gentlemen is to eliminate pathogens. Direct confrontation and fieldwork against pathogens are far more meaningful.

Thus, the maximum task delay allowed is six months.

During this time, you must fully adapt to Zed’s training and allow your body to recover through sustained pain. After six months, you must complete a mission worthy of recognition.

Missions for gentlemen are far more complex than those in Green Lake Town. Everything you encounter will be unknown.”

“I’ll be ready. Thank you, Professor.”

“I look forward to seeing your state six months from now.”

---

[One Month Later]

The attribute values remained unchanged, and Yi Chen’s condition was still poor. However, the physical deterioration and aging seemed to have slowed.

During this time, Yi Chen skipped a gentleman’s etiquette class and a Pathology class.

---

[Two Months Later]

Although the attribute values still hadn’t changed, Yi Chen’s physical condition began to improve.

The most noticeable improvement was the regrowth of his hair.

During class, Dagobert, who had exceptional talent in physical strength, noticed subtle changes occurring in Yi Chen’s body.

These changes were unlike the typical physical development of most people. They weren’t about refining, training, or shaping the existing physique.

The sensation Yi Chen experienced felt as though his entire physical body had been torn apart, ground to dust, and then reassembled in the most primal way—creating a form better suited to his needs and easier to control.

Three months.

Four months.

Five months.

Over these months, Yi Chen gradually returned to his original appearance. His mental state also improved… yet his physique value remained at [2].

On the surface, it seemed as though everything had reverted to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, after months of training, the daily special training routines and schedules had already become fixed.

Once Yi Chen’s stamina was completely drained, Mr. Zed would immediately shut down the equipment. He would carry Yi Chen’s utterly exhausted body and throw him into a tub filled with nutrient solution for soaking until he regained consciousness.

If he woke up before the teaching building closed, he could return to the dorm to sleep. If he woke up late, he would have to continue training there.

---

Time approached the eleventh day before the six-month deadline.

[Wilsterman Teaching Building - Underground Section]

As usual, Yi Chen was engaged in intensive training… but today, something was different.

Mr. Zed, with a heavy expression, glanced at the time on his pocket watch.

The training had exceeded its scheduled duration; Yi Chen should have been utterly exhausted and collapsed half an hour ago.

However—

He was still sitting on the rowing machine, which was embedded with steel spikes that had completely pierced his palms. Yet he continued to row at a high frequency as though unfazed.

“Could it be…”

Zed didn’t mention the overtime. Instead, he spoke in his usual tone for special training.

“That’s enough for the rowing machine. Move to the treadmill for a light jog.”

“Alright.”

Yi Chen effortlessly stepped away from the rowing machine, casually bandaging his pierced palms. Without pausing, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm and got on the treadmill with ease.

While running, Yi Chen suddenly turned his head and asked, “Mr. Zed, may I run a bit faster? For some reason… I feel like my body is becoming lighter and lighter.”

“Hmm, follow your instincts and do as you feel. From now on, you don’t need to seek my advice.”

After this final instruction, Zed fell silent, seemingly waiting for some change to occur.

---

Hissing~

A faint sound reached Zed’s ears, originating from the squeezing and vibrating of Yi Chen’s pores.

Suddenly, red mist began to emit from Yi Chen’s running body, as though his blood were evaporating. In truth, his total blood volume hadn’t decreased; what was being expelled were clotted blood and the residual pain that had accumulated in his body over time.

The more red mist that was released, the lighter Yi Chen felt.

His speed on the treadmill increased further, until the red mist nearly obscured his entire figure. All that remained visible was a blur of a body running at high speed.

Then, something even stranger happened.

Yi Chen’s skin began to undergo “shelling”—separating from his body in large sections.

Crack!

A whole piece of shed skin fell off, which Zed swiftly picked up.

Touching the flawless layer of human skin, Zed’s expression turned to one of extreme excitement.

“Purification, shedding… just one final step remains!”

A new layer of slightly red skin emerged on Yi Chen’s body. Underneath, tiny, vibrant root-like fibers visibly intertwined with blood vessels.

Within seconds, the fresh skin matured, transforming into a normal tone and texture—more flexible, delicate, and closely fitting than before.

Yi Chen’s hair grew visibly, gaining six months’ worth of length and cascading over his shoulders.

Boom!

With a loud crash, accompanied by the sound of shattering metal, the treadmill—overused and heavily worn—exploded under Yi Chen’s intense speed.

Amid the blend of red mist and metallic debris, a long-haired young man emerged completely unclothed.

On his shoulder was a small fleshy protrusion, rhythmically swaying its tiny arms. Its teeth ground together noisily, emanating excitement.

The youth picked up his gear bag and donned a long-unused suit.

At that moment, the suit—clinging to his body—detected the drastic changes in his physique and projected updated data onto his retina:

[Physique] has increased: [2] → [3]

*Special Note:*

- The fundamental nature of the body has changed, making it easier to further enhance physique.

- Proficiency in “Pathogenic Characteristics” has improved.

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