After finishing with one radish, the slices were of uneven thickness, a pitiful sight; once shredded, some pieces were as thin as needles, while others were as thick as fingers...

Brian Carter did not get discouraged and picked up a second radish.

After cutting one radish, Brian Carter realized that his posture was extremely stiff, and his strength was always awkwardly applied. He recalled how the uncle had slightly bent his legs, his whole body exuding an indescribable rhythm, full of the beauty and fluidity of power.

Brian Carter bent his body slightly, trying to find that feeling. It was a unique method of moving every muscle in the body and then focusing all the strength into one spot.

As he cut more and more radishes, Brian Carter gradually understood that this seemingly simple act of slicing radishes was actually training every inch of muscle, even requiring coordination with his breathing rhythm...

While Brian Carter was fully immersed, pouring his whole being into this monotonous task, the seemingly sleeping Uncle Ryan sitting nearby had a glint of satisfaction flash through his half-closed eyes.

No one knew how much time had passed. When Brian Carter reached out for another radish, he realized that all the radishes on the table had already been cut.

“Today's task is done. Come back tomorrow. Remember, to maintain this place, you need the energy of crystal stones, and to expand it, you need even more crystal stones.”

When Uncle Ryan's voice sounded in Brian Carter's ears, Brian Carter felt as if he were a machine falling apart, collapsing with a crash.

Everything went black, and when his vision cleared again, Brian Carter found himself back in his dorm room.

Thinking about the strange experience he just had, Brian Carter felt both shocked and delighted. He swung his legs off the bed, but as soon as he stood up, his thighs went weak. He quickly grabbed the edge of the bed to keep from falling.

With the effort, a stabbing pain shot through his wrist.

This pain seemed to remind Brian Carter that everything that had just happened was not a daydream, but very real.

Brian Carter held onto the bed and sat down again, only to find that the spot where he was sitting was already damp, and his clothes were soaked with sweat.

Remembering the crystal stones he had held during his training, Brian Carter was suddenly startled to find that the two stones had shattered into white fragments—evidence that their energy had been completely drained.

Brian Carter felt a pang of heartache. Those two crystal stones were worth quite a bit and had been earned through many odd jobs.

Thinking of what the uncle had said about needing a large number of crystal stones, Brian Carter started to get a headache. He needed to find a way to earn more crystal stones.

Just as Brian Carter finished gathering up the fragments and was about to change into clean clothes, there was a knock at the door.

Opening the door, he saw a beautiful female student standing outside. Her exquisite academy uniform hugged her figure, accentuating her proud curves. With a faint smile on her face, she gave off a refreshing and pleasant aura.

Just like Edward Clark before, her gaze immediately and accurately landed on Brian Carter's forehead, but her eyes were filled with even more concern.

Brian Carter gave a wry smile. “Grace Howard, you and Edward Clark really do act exactly the same—always looking at my forehead first...”

Grace Howard chuckled softly. “Looks like it’s nothing serious. You too—why can’t you be more careful when walking? Such a careless guy...”

Brian Carter smiled and stepped aside. Grace Howard walked into the room, and as Brian Carter closed the door, he glanced outside and, sure enough, saw a few male classmates looking over with envy.

Brian Carter was already numb to this.

Grace Howard looked at the sweat-soaked Brian Carter, then at the obvious sweat stain on the bedsheet, and asked curiously, “Why are you sweating so much? Are you sick?”

Brian Carter shook his head. Naturally, he couldn’t tell anyone about the virtual space. “I just exercised for a bit...”

Grace Howard gave Brian Carter a suspicious look. Exercising on the bed, and sweating this much?

Brian Carter was helpless, unable to think of a better excuse, so he just met her suspicious gaze with a calm expression.

“Go take a shower. You’re all sweaty—don’t catch a cold.”

Brian Carter nodded. “Yeah, I was about to, but you happened to come by...”

Grace Howard turned to leave, saying, “Then go shower. I’ll head out first. I just heard about you and came to check in. Glad you’re okay.”

As soon as Grace Howard left, the door of the dorm next to Brian Carter's swung open, and a head popped out—it was Brian Carter's classmate Helen Scott, grinning mischievously at Brian Carter: “Heh, the beautiful senior came to check on you again, bro. We’re all so jealous!”

Brian Carter replied with a helpless smile, “What’s there to be jealous of? She came to check on a patient. Don’t tell me you didn’t know I fell...”

Helen Scott chuckled, “You really are careless, tripping while walking. But having a beautiful girl come to visit is worth it. The gentle lady of the Yun family blooms just for you...”