Chapter 78: Training

After settling their differences, Zach and Dukiel headed over to the training rooms to begin their training. They were more than a little hesitant. But it wasn't like they had anything better to do. Their scuffle had also made it clear how bad they were at fighting.

Their familiars were powerful, but without them, Zach and Dukiel were useless, especially Dukiel since Zach at least had his barriers. They needed to do something about that.

Zach went first. He lasted several seconds before he had to use his barrier to block the arrows in the room that seemed the easiest.

There weren't any spikes and the arrows came from only one direction. There was also a gap between the arrows. It wasn't like the room Zach had ended up in that showered the intruder in arrows.

Since Dukiel had a shield with him to the Locale, he used that to block and deflect the arrows he couldn't dodge. Even then, he also only lasted several seconds before Zach had to cast a barrier to protect him.

The results weren't any different from what they had expected, but it was still a painful reminder of their weakness to have concrete numbers on it. A few seconds was nothing.

That was all the motivation they needed to keep going. Dukiel also got extra motivation from having to rely on Zach to save him all the time.

Gradually, as they got more used to the arrows' speed and trajectory, the two boys started increasing how long they could stay in the room without needing a barrier. They went from a few seconds to almost an entire minute in a single day.

By the end of it, both of them were sweaty and exhausted. They also had several scratches and cuts.

Zach was quick and perceptive. But he wasn't omnipotent. He missed more than one or two arrows, especially during his turn. When it was Dukiel's turn, he could focus entirely on the arrows and Dukiel's movements. He could look at the entire picture at once.

When Zach trained, he only saw what was right in front of him. Sometimes, his arms, shoulders, or back blocked his view when he hopped around like a frog on hot coal.

Fortunately, no arrows hit any vitals or dealt solid blows to Zach or Dukiel. What little injuries had piled up at the end of the day were handled by one bite of Jigak's cake. For Dukiel, an entire bite was even a little much.

"...You weren't lying about the magical cake." Dukiel inspected his injuries with eyes wide in awe and disbelief. They were healing at a pace visible to the naked eye.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"I mean—"

"That was rhetorical."

"Right. Shall we head back now?" Dukiel was tired. Although they hadn't found any traces of anything dangerous or concerting in the Locale other than the training rooms, it would still be best if they stuck together, especially during the night when it was time to sleep.

However, Zach wasn't that tired.

He shook his head.

"I'm going to continue a bit more. I feel like I'm about to break the one-minute threshold." Zach looked at the room with an intense expression of determination.

Dukiel raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Good luck, then. Don't die."

"Mm, sure. Seeya."

Zach took a few more minutes to rest before getting started again. He stepped into the room and faced the arrow wall with a calm face. He stood on the balls of his feet, and as soon as the first arrow shot out at him, he nimbly moved to the side.

Zach continued moving when the next few arrows flew straight at him. Then, several arrows came at the same time. Zach shuffled to one side before leaning back to the other and then rolling on the floor. He rolled over and got back up on his feet.

He jumped to avoid three arrows aiming for his legs and feet. He sank into a poorly executed split to dodge the next volley when he landed. Zach leaned back and spun his legs next to each other again before raising them into the air in one smooth motion.

Zach held up his lower body with his before rolling over backward and standing up. He walked backward to get some distance as he dodged another string of arrows.

Without regard for how they looked, Zach continued dodging the arrows with everything he had. He was absorbed in the training.

Even when he failed and had to block an arrow about to pierce his body, Zach continued without rest. He was getting better at reading and dodging the arrows. He could feel it.

It wouldn't be long until he broke the two-minute mark.

Zach forgot about the passing of time. He forgot about his friends. He forgot about eating and resting.

There was something addictive about dancing with danger and entering such razor-sharp focus that time seemed to slow down when he looked at the arrows. When he entered the zone, it felt like he could count the scratches on the arrowheads as soon as they left their shooters.

Of course, as soon as he tried to count, he lost focus and almost ended up catching the arrow with his eyes. But it was the feeling of seeing everything with such clarity that made him continue even when he could see his heartbeat through the ripples on the skin of his bare chest.

However, he eventually reached his limit and had to take a break. He lay down on the cool stone floor with his arms and legs splayed out like a starfish. He tilted his head and looked at Yanael. Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"What do you think?"

"About what, Master?"

"My progress."

"It's not bad, but if I may, Master?"

"Of course."

"There is a lot of unnecessary movement. You are tiring yourself needlessly and making openings for other attacks."

"Really?"

"Yes, Master. I recommend you try moving as little as possible next time."

"Got it. I'll do that then."

Zach rested for a bit more before continuing.