After around five minutes, Yato reached the top of the mountain.
"...Well, damn."
There he saw a gruesome sight.
Instead of seeing Lucas, all that lay before him were dead bodies sprawled on the ground and an eerie stillness.
Dozens of Frost-Claw Bears lay scattered, their corpses displaying the aftermath of a merciless onslaught.
It wasn't just death that they experienced; it was a massacre.
Their bodies looked like they were pulverized by a crushing force.
Some of them lay torn apart, with limbs separated from their bodies. The crimson-stained snow around them painted a vivid picture of the ferocious battle that had taken place.
Yato scanned the scene, a mix of concern and pride in his eyes. Concern for the gruesome display of violence, but pride for the unmistakable prowess his disciple had demonstrated.
As Yato continued his investigation, he noticed a figure standing amidst the carnage. There stood Lucas, his golden hair tinged with blood, his breath visible in the frigid air.
Using his [Mana Domain] Yato found the boy he was searching for after walking for a few minutes.
There he was.
Atop a hill of Frost-Claw Bears, corpses that loomed high above Yato's head sat a golden-haired boy.
His forest-green eyes struggled to remain open, heavy with exhaustion. His arms rested on the hilt of his gleaming black sword.
Scattered amidst this mountain of carcasses lay even more lifeless bodies of Frost-Claw Bears.
"Lucas," Yato called out, his voice echoing through the desolate landscape.
The wind carried Yato's voice across the gruesome battlefield, reaching Lucas's ears. Slowly, the golden-haired warrior turned to face his master.
"Master," Lucas greeted, his voice worn but resolute.
Yato approached him, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. The sheer number of defeated Frost-Claw Bears spoke volumes about Lucas's strength.
"You've certainly left a mark here, Lucas," Yato commented, a mixture of approval and concern in his tone.
Lucas, still perched on the mound of Frost-Claw Bears, managed a weary smile. "I had to make sure I have my revenge."
I glanced around, realizing the stares I was receiving. "Yeah, maybe a quick wash wouldn't hurt."
Leaving Yato to enjoy his amusement, I headed towards the restroom. As I washed my face and tried to clean the blood stains, I couldn't help but reflect on the intense battle I had just faced.
The warm water helped soothe the exhaustion, both physical and mental. After a few minutes, I returned to our table, looking significantly less like a horror movie character.
The waiter arrived with our orders, placing steaming plates of deliciously cooked food in front of us. The aroma alone was enough to rekindle my appetite.
"Finally, real food!" I exclaimed, digging into the feast before me.
Yato chuckled, shaking his head. "Slow down, Lucas. You're not in a mana beast battle anymore. No need to devour your food like you did with those Frost-Claw Bears."
I paused, realizing the truth in Yato's words. I chuckled awkwardly, slowing down my eating pace.
As we enjoyed the meal in the warm atmosphere of the restaurant, the weariness from the intense battle began to fade away. The tasty dishes, combined with the soothing ambience, made for a perfect conclusion to the day.
Yato, savouring each bite, glanced at me with a hint of pride. "You've come a long way, Lucas. You made an astonishing amount of progress in the last 15 days."
I nodded, a sense of accomplishment settling in. "Thanks to your guidance, Master. I still have much to learn, but I'm grateful for how far I've come."
However, Yato's tone turned serious in the next moment.
"But don't get too comfortable," he said. "By the end of your first academic year, I will shape you into an unparalleled fighter. To achieve that, you'll have to endure even more hellish trials than the one you've just passed. So be prepared."
Even more hellish than this?! Huh? Wait, is he planning to kill me?!
I looked at Yato with a mix of surprise and concern. "More hellish trials than this? You're not planning to, you know, actually kill me, right?"
Yato smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, Lucas. I won't kill you. But you'll face challenges that will push you to your limits and beyond."
I sighed in relief, but the apprehension still lingered. "Well, as long as it doesn't involve massacring an entire army of Frost-Claw Bears again, I suppose I can handle it."
Yato chuckled. "Rest assured, it won't be a repetition of today. Each trial will be unique, designed to hone specific aspects of your abilities."
As we continued our conversation, the waiter brought a dessert menu to our table. Yato, looking at the options, suggested, "How about we finish this meal with a sweet treat? Consider it a reward for your impressive victory today."
I nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds like a plan. I could use a sweet reward after all that fighting."
After enjoying a delightful dessert, we left the restaurant with satisfied stomachs and a renewed sense of purpose.
Right now we are heading toward Teleportation gate station that will bring us back to Nova Academy.