KamiKowa: That Time I Got Transmigrated With A Broken Goddess-Chapter 34: [] Watch Him Work

Calypso trailed behind Xavier as they finally located the training gym, a spacious facility with glass walls that caught the afternoon sunlight. She’d never admit it, but her divine sense of direction had apparently been one of the powers she’d lost in her mortal transition. Not that she needed to tell Xavier that—his smug expression said he’d already figured it out.

The gym was busy despite being between official class periods. Most students wore the academy’s standard workout attire—navy shorts or pants with gray t-shirts emblazoned with the Catalyst logo. Several women occupied the cardio section, their bodies enhanced with various training accessories: one blonde had crystal-embedded wrist weights that glowed faintly blue, while another ran on a treadmill with what appeared to be gravity-altering bands around her ankles.

"This place is actually pretty impressive," Calypso said, taking in the high-tech equipment. One student near the weight section had his hands coated in orange energy as he lifted a barbell that should have been impossible for his frame. Another was somehow manipulating the density of dumbbells as he curled them.

Xavier didn’t respond. His attention had already locked onto the mixed martial arts section in the corner, where padded mats covered the floor and various striking equipment lined the walls. Two female students occupied the space—one holding striking pads while the other practiced combinations.

Calypso immediately recognized the striking student as Eliza Demara from their class. She wore the academy’s standard gym shorts, which showcased her long, toned legs, and had rolled up her t-shirt to tie it just below her sports bra, revealing a flat stomach adorned with geometric black tattoos. More tattoos wrapped around her arms, creating intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer slightly when she moved. Her short black hair clung to her face with sweat as she executed a perfect combination against the pads.

Xavier stopped at the edge of the mat area, his purple eyes fixed on Eliza’s movements.

"You’re being creepy," Calypso said, nudging him with her elbow. "Stop staring."

"I’m not staring," Xavier replied without taking his eyes off Eliza. "I’m studying her technique. I need to know if martial arts works the same way here as it did in my world."

"Uh-huh. And it has nothing to do with her abs or those shorts?"

Xavier finally broke his gaze to give Calypso an exasperated look. "I spent years fighting and killing people. Forgive me for being interested in how combat works in this reality."

Calypso rolled her eyes but couldn’t help noticing the way several women on the cardio machines kept sneaking glances at Xavier.

"Shit," Xavier muttered. "We left our gym clothes at the apartment."

"So? We can go back and—"

"No time," Xavier said, dropping his backpack on a nearby bench. "Fuck it, we ball."

"We what?"

But Xavier was already stripping off his academy blazer, followed by his white dress shirt and blue tie. He kicked off his shoes, leaving himself in just a white tank top that clung to his torso, his navy blue uniform pants, and black socks.

Calypso’s mouth went dry. She’d seen Xavier shirtless before, but something about the casual confidence with which he disrobed in public caught her off guard. The tank top revealed defined arms and shoulders, with just enough of his chest visible at the neckline to hint at the musculature beneath.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed. The cardio section suddenly became very interested in the martial arts corner, with several female students abandoning any pretense of not looking. Calypso felt that strange twinge again, stronger this time. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Xavier seemed oblivious to the attention as he began stretching, rolling his shoulders and twisting at the waist. "Alright," he said, moving to an open section of the mat. "Let’s take this nice and slow. Fifty percent speed to start."

Calypso leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I thought I was supposed to be teaching you about your Essentia."

"We’ll get to that," Xavier said, taking a fighting stance. "First I need to understand what this body can do."

He threw a light jab at the air—and his eyes widened as his fist moved much faster than he’d clearly intended.

"Whoa," he murmured, looking at his hand. He tried another punch, then another, picking up speed with each combination.

"This body..." he said, executing a perfect spinning back kick. "It’s so light!"

Calypso watched with growing interest. She’d designed the Input Buffer system herself, basing it on fighting games she’d seen in the memories of departed souls. But seeing it in action was different.

"Are you going to just stand there looking pretty, or are you going to help me?" Xavier asked, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Looking pretty is one of my talents," she replied with a smirk. "But fine, I suppose I can assist my cousin."

She pushed off the wall and approached the mat, aware of Eliza and her partner glancing their way. "What do you need me to do?"

"Hold these," Xavier said, retrieving a pair of focus mitts from a nearby rack and tossing them to her.

Calypso caught them awkwardly. "I don’t know how to use these."

"Just hold them up like this," Xavier positioned her arms, placing the padded mitts in front of her at shoulder height. "When I strike, push back a little to create resistance."

"This seems beneath me," she grumbled, but held the position.

Xavier stepped back, his expression shifting into something more focused. "Ready?" he asked.

"I was ready before you were born," she replied. "Both times."

Xavier’s lips quirked in a half-smile, then he launched into a combination—jab, cross, hook—that impacted the pads with surprising force. Calypso stumbled back a step before catching herself.

"Sorry," Xavier said, not looking sorry at all. "Still calibrating."

"Don’t apologize. Hit harder," she challenged, resuming her position. "I’m not some fragile girl."

His eyes lit up at the challenge. "Alright then."

The next combination came faster, each impact sending vibrations up Calypso’s arms. His purple eyes gleamed with an almost predatory satisfaction as he found his rhythm.

"Better," she acknowledged. "Now let’s see about activating that meter of yours."

Xavier nodded, continuing his combinations while focusing on the internal sensation of his Essentia. Calypso could see the moment it began to respond—a faint pink glow manifested around his hands, growing brighter with each precise strike.

"There it is," she said. "Your meter’s building. Can you feel it?"

"Yes," Xavier replied. "It’s like... pressure building inside me."

"Good. That’s exactly what it should feel like. Now—"

"Excuse me."

Calypso turned to find Eliza Demara standing at the edge of their mat, her yellow-gold eyes curious beneath her asymmetrical black hair. Up close, Calypso could see that her tattoos weren’t just decorative—they formed specific patterns that seemed to resonate with her Essentia, occasionally catching the light with an obsidian gleam.

"You’re from our class, right?" Eliza asked, her gaze moving between them before settling on Xavier. "1-D with Professor Valdez."

Xavier lowered his hands, the pink glow fading. "That’s right. Xavier Valentine." He nodded toward Calypso. "My cousin, Calypso."

"Eliza Demara," she replied, though she didn’t offer her hand. Instead, her eyes tracked over Xavier’s form. "Your form is good. Military?"

"Something like that. Private training, mostly." He gestured to the pads Eliza’s partner held. "You’ve got solid technique yourself."

"Thanks. I noticed your Essentia activating. That’s the ability you showed in class? The meter system?"

"Still figuring it out," Xavier replied. "It builds through combat actions, but I’m not sure what it does yet."

Eliza nodded, then glanced at her partner. "Aurora and I were about to switch to sparring. Would you be interested in joining? Light contact only, of course."

Calypso saw Xavier’s eyes light up at the prospect, but before he could answer, she stepped between them.

"Unfortunately, we’re on a tight schedule today," she said, flashing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Maybe another time?"

Eliza raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Sure. Another time."

Eliza rejoined her partner, and Calypso turned to find Xavier looking at her with an amused expression.

"What?" she demanded.

"Nothing," he said. "Just surprised you turned down a chance for me to test my abilities against a classmate."

"You’re not ready," Calypso said firmly. "You barely understand how your meter works."

"Which is why sparring would be helpful."

"Not until you’ve mastered the basics." Calypso crossed her arms. "I designed your ability, remember? I know how it works better than anyone."

Xavier studied her face for a moment, then his lips curved into a knowing smile. "So you didn’t notice how Eliza was looking at me?"

"She was assessing you as a potential threat, not undressing you with her eyes," Calypso snapped. Then, realizing she’d fallen into his trap, she added, "Not that I care either way."

Xavier’s smile widened. "Of course not. You’re a goddess. What would you care about the romantic entanglements of a mere mortal like me?"

"Exactly," Calypso said, lifting her chin. "I’m glad you understand."

"Although," Xavier continued, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur as he leaned closer, "I seem to recall something about my ability requiring romantic connections to reach its full potential. Soul Bonds, wasn’t it?"

Calypso felt her face grow even hotter. "That’s... a separate issue," she managed. "And one we can address later."

"If you say so, goddess." Xavier gathered his discarded uniform pieces. "But just so you know, I wasn’t interested in Eliza romantically. I was studying her Essentia. Did you notice how her tattoos react when she moves? I think they’re connected to her ability somehow."

"I noticed," Calypso said, though in truth, she’d been more focused on how Eliza had been looking at Xavier.

"So, are you going to teach me about my meter or not?" Xavier asked, slipping his white shirt back on but leaving it unbuttoned over his tank top. "Because if not, I might take Eliza up on her offer tomorrow."

Calypso narrowed her eyes at him. "Fine. Put your shoes on. We’re getting out of here."

As they crossed the gym, Calypso noticed the disappointed looks from several female students as Xavier covered up. She told herself the satisfaction she felt was merely pride in her creation—after all, she did pick one appealing soul.

It had nothing to do with wanting to keep that appeal to herself. Nothing at all.

She was a goddess, after all. And goddesses didn’t get jealous.

Even if they did occasionally want to turn presumptuous mortals into toads.