Pyramid of Power [Progressive LitRPG]

Chapter 60: Destination In Sight

Tetra

Focusing my will, I forced my body to relax as I left Ryker propped up against the wall. The moment I passed through the archway, I ducked around the corner and dropped into the nearest seat. Doubled over and breathing hard, it took me a minute to regain my composure. Channeling my ability to read Ryker's emotions for that long exhausted me. The man wore his feelings on his sleeves, and by tuning in, I could get a better idea of what he was going to do.

Reflecting on how much Ryker had improved in such a short amount of time boggled my mind. At first, I hardly had to push myself at all. I could easily predict his attacks and had two or three counters waiting for him. The longer the spar dragged on, I could see the man settle more into the style that Ruby was feeding him. His movements became more natural, his actions more deliberate. He flowed through the motions, fearless of the pain I inflicted. Towards the end, Ryker was a walking bruise but still managed to pressure me.

After catching my breath, I gathered myself and stiffly made my way to the food synthesizer. While scrolling through my options, I glanced towards the doorway and said, "Red, can I speak with you, please?"

A moment later, Red appeared next to me with a bright smile and said, "Of course, what can I do for you, step-mum?"

I shifted my weight uncomfortably and wrinkled my brows at the odd A.I., saying, "Red, you know I don't like it when you call me that."

She snickered, with her hand covering her mouth, and said, "Well, duh, that's why I do most of the things I do. Now, what do you want? I have an entire species to manage, after all."

Resisting the urge to groan, I locked eyes with Red and said, "You saw the spar and have been tracking his growth since the beginning of the voyage. Do you think we have a chance of being ready in time?"

Red's features hardened, and all playfulness evaporated. Then she said, "Between me and mom, we have run millions of sandbox simulations. Our models show that the likelihood of you and Ryker being strong enough to survive the first floor of the Pyramid at this rate is less than 10%."

I staggered back a step, as if I had been struck. I felt the blood in my veins run cold. I had thought that I was special. That since I had found a way to awaken, I could be the one to end Viltrix's tyranny, but it was just a pipe dream. A foolish fantasy thought up by a bored politician. I had to refocus back onto the synthesizer to keep myself from breaking down.

Ruby must have picked up on my change in mood and made a sound imitating someone clearing their throat before saying, "Don't despair, Lady Tetra. You didn't let me finish. At your current rate of progress, you will never have a meaningful chance at success, but! We have made some educated guesses on how far you two can be pushed and came up with a new training program that, if strictly adhered to, will give you a 57% chance of success, as long as you submit to a few... modifications."

My heart began to race in my chest, and I could hear it beating in my ears. I tried not to look as excited as I was feeling but failed miserably as a brilliant smile pried its way through my thorny exterior. I looked back at Red and froze. A prick of uncertainty returned as I took in her overtly serious expression before she said, "The procedure is painful, permanent, and unpredictable. There are great risks involved, but if you can stomach those risks, we have a way for you to keep up with Dad."

Knowing my answer, I wasted no time in saying, "I'll do whatever it takes. I don't care what the procedure is; I am ready."

Smirking, Red gave me a once-over, nodded, then said, "Ya know, at first I wasn't really sure how I felt about you. But I gotta say, you're growing on me. Good thing too."