Chapter 60: Training with Xenovia

The day did not start as well as Strax would have liked. Today he would have to meet with Xenovia again to discuss simple things and...

"She wants to train you?" Samira questioned as she dressed, putting on her black, floral padded bra. "Yes, I also don't understand why so suddenly," he replied. There was a lot to do, and he didn't want to get involved with his family anymore. In fact, he wanted to distance himself from them at the first opportunity because they had completely abandoned him.

"Xyn herself came to me a little earlier before you woke up. Honestly, I really don't want to go, but I'm afraid that irrational woman will hunt me down through the city, causing even more problems for me." He sighed, hurt. He really didn't want to see his sister... not because she was scary, but... well... apparently, he had forgotten many things or hadn't been shown the whole story between them.

"At least she is currently the best to train you. If you want to be stronger and protect me, you will have to work much harder than you do now," she said with a mischievous smile. "You're getting quite used to this, aren't you?" he said with a mischievous smile, advancing toward the woman and kissing her deeply on the lips.

"So delicious," he said, holding her chin as he continued to kiss her intensely.

Samira responded to the kiss, her hand sliding around his neck, pulling him closer. "Don't worry, Darling. I know you'll overcome this difficult day," she teased between kisses, her playful voice making Strax even more attached to her.

"I hope so, if not... I might have to punish my wife," he said playfully, following her shameless teasing in kind.

With a final kiss, Strax left the room, his mood a bit lighter, but he still didn't want to face his sister. However, it was necessary. So, he left and mounted Apocalypse, heading towards the mansion.

Strax walked through the mansion, feeling the growing tension as he approached the place where he would meet Xenovia. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. There was a lot at stake, and he needed to be at his best.

Upon arriving at the main training hall, he found Xenovia already waiting for him. His sister stood there, imposing and with a calm expression, her eyes closed as if she were meditating or something similar. Soon, her voice resonated in the room.

"You came," she said, her voice firm as she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Of course I came. Do I have any choice? Let's get this over with," he replied. Xenovia really knew he didn't want this, but she would force him anyway. In her mind, it was the only way to keep him safe.

"This is going to be complicated..." she murmured internally. Xenovia observed him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Let's begin," she said and tossed one of the swords to Strax.

'You're doing well,' she commented, her tone emotionless. 'But you need to be more efficient. Concentrate your energy. Imagine you're redirecting the force out of your body, like an external barrier of mana, strengthening yourself this way.' Again, she explained, but Strax was feeling far more than he showed externally; his legs were already trembling.

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to visualize what she was saying. When the next blow came, he felt the difference. The impact still hurt, but it was more bearable. 'That's it,' Xenovia said, her tone slightly softer. 'Keep going. Don't let the pain distract you.'

They continued for several more minutes, the sound of blows echoing through the hall. Strax started to sweat, but he was beginning to see results, so he kept going. He could feel his endurance increasing, his body adjusting to the rhythm of the training, and this made him want to continue even more.

'Now let's change,' Xenovia said, stopping suddenly. 'I want you to attack. Use all your strength. I want to see how much you can channel into a single blow.' She said, and Strax picked up the sword. Unlike Xenovia, who could send attacks from a distance, he couldn't. 'I'll defend with the sword,' she said, and he nodded.

Strax took a deep breath, feeling his muscles tremble with effort. He advanced, launching a powerful strike at Xenovia without using any System abilities. She blocked it easily with her sword, but the impact made her take a few steps back.

'Impressive,' she murmured, almost inaudible. 'Again,' she said loudly, not allowing him to breathe or recover; this was also part of the training."

Strax repeated the movement, each time putting more force into the strike. With every attack, he felt his energy concentrating more precisely. Xenovia continued to block as if his attacks were nothing, but he could see that he was making progress. "You're improving," she admitted, finally letting a small smile escape.

"But you still have a long way to go; you're very weak." Strax smiled back, feeling something different. "So you can smile. I think it's the first time I've seen that. I must be improving a lot if I get to see your smile more often," he teased, which only made Xenovia... become even more rigid.

*WUUUSHHHHH*

A gust of wind passed by, hitting him and throwing him back. "Crazy bitch," he muttered very quietly.

After hours of intense training, the hall was marked with numerous cuts on the floor and walls, looking like a war had taken place inside. Strax was breathing heavily, every muscle in his body trembling with exhaustion. It felt like his muscles had been destroyed; there were various cuts on his body. Gasping, he heard,

"That's enough for today," Xenovia said, sheathing her sword and walking over to him. Her tone remained cold, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. "You've shown progress. Your resistance is better, and your strength is being channeled more efficiently."

"Should I call you sensei?" He smiled, but Xenovia merely ignored him. "Come back tomorrow," she said, looking at him with an expression difficult to decipher. She mentally analyzed him again, "You're strong, Strax. Much stronger than you let on... this body... is not normal." Strax noticed Xenovia's gaze.

Xenovia seemed like she wanted to say something, and Strax picked up on it. "What is it? Is something wrong?" he questioned. She pressed her lips together as if wanting to say more, but only replied, "No, just rest a bit. We'll continue tomorrow."