Chapter 296 New Foundation

New minions had just been assigned to training, and the sense of relief that washed over me was immense. For weeks, I had been tirelessly training them, but now I finally had a break. I decided to head back to my house and relax for a while. But as soon as I entered my house, my eyes immediately fell on my sword, which lay there, dull and lifeless. I knew that I had used it in a battle the day before, and it had taken quite a beating. I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment at how worn out it looked.

With a deep sigh, I picked up the sword and decided to get it fixed before anything worse happened to it. I stepped out of my house, and the first thing that caught my eye was the lively residential area. It was full of life, with children playing and adults conversing. I walked down the narrow alleys until I reached the houses of the weapon makers.

As I entered the area, I was joined by a group of kids, and soon a crowd gathered around me. I was no less than a celebrity to them, and everyone wanted to meet me. They were all so fascinated by me, and it was heartwarming to see the affection they had for me. It took me a while to make my way through the crowd, but eventually, I reached the weapons makers' area.

The leader of the weapon makers was sitting outside his shop, and he stood up as soon as he saw me coming. He was a middle-aged man with a rugged face and calloused hands. I went over to him and handed him my sword. I told him to take a look at it and sharpen the edges, as they had become dull. I also mentioned that the handle wasn't gripping well, and it needed fixing. I informed him that we were going on an expedition tomorrow and that I needed my sword to be in top condition.

The weapon maker took the sword from me, and his eyes widened as he examined it. He was halfway bent when I approached him, and he continued to hold the sword with both hands. I gave him some instructions on how to fix it, and he listened attentively. When I finished, he nodded in agreement.

I handed him the sword and said, "We are leaving tomorrow morning, so please bring this sword to my house by evening. I need to practice with it before going to war."

The weapon maker nodded again, and I turned to leave. As I walked away, the people showed me a lot of affection. I was humbled by their love, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The weapon maker's actions had impressed me, but I didn't show it to the people there. I just walked away, ready to prepare for the next day's expedition, knowing that my sword would be as good as new.

I made my way towards the training ground, my heart racing with anticipation. I had been looking forward to this session for days, eager to improve my fighting skills. As I approached, I could see the minion going through his drills with precision and grace. I picked up a wooden sword and called out a technique variant, feeling the weight of the weapon in my hand.

"Minion," I called out, "let's practice together. This is a stage 2 technique variant, and I need to get better at it."

He turned to face me and grabbed a wooden sword from the stand. Without a word, he approached me, his eyes focused and intense. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he swung at me with incredible speed and accuracy.

I tried to keep up with his movements, but it was difficult. The minion wasn't human, and his body moved in ways that I couldn't anticipate. I stumbled back, barely managing to block his attacks.

Despite my struggles, I persisted, determined to improve my skills. The minion didn't let up, pushing me to my limits with each passing moment. His movements were like a dance, fluid and graceful, but deadly.

I found myself retreating further and further back, my back against the edge of the training ground. I could feel the sweat pouring down my face, my heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, I saw an opening, and I seized it. I spun around and landed a powerful blow on the minion's back. For a moment, I felt triumphant, but it was short-lived. He quickly recovered, turning to face me with a fierce determination.

We continued our exchange, each blow more powerful than the last. I could feel my muscles burning with exertion, but I refused to give up. The sound of clashing swords filled the air, and I could see the determination in the minion's eyes.

Finally, I felt my energy waning, and I knew that it was time to end the session. The minion went back to his place, and I stood there, panting and sweating. But despite my exhaustion, I felt a sense of pride. I had pushed myself to my limits, and I knew that I had become a better fighter because of it.

After spending some time practicing with the minion, I turned around to leave and caught sight of Chloe standing a few feet away, her gaze fixed on me. I paused for a moment, unsure of what to do, before deciding to head towards my house. As I started walking away, I noticed that she began to follow me, quickening her pace to catch up.

I tried my best to ignore her as I climbed the steps to my house, but when I heard her footsteps right behind me, I knew she wasn't going to give up that easily. "Are we going to battle tomorrow?" she asked, her voice filled with eagerness. "What time are we leaving?"

I couldn't help but feel irritated by her persistence. I didn't want her tagging along with me, especially not to a dangerous place like the battlefield. Without turning around, I replied, "We're not going anywhere. I'm heading up north tomorrow on my own. The time doesn't concern you."

As I reached for the doorknob, I could sense her disappointment and frustration. She called out my name, her voice pleading, "William, I'm asking you. When are we going to the battle tomorrow and where?"

I took a deep breath, my hand still on the doorknob. I knew I had to be honest with her, even if it meant hurting her feelings. "Chloe, listen. I don't think it's a good idea for you to come with me. It's going to be dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt."

There was a brief moment of silence, and I wondered if she had left. But then she spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand. I just thought...never mind. Have a safe trip, William."

I finally turned around to face her, and my heart sank at the sight of her tear-streaked face. I wanted to reach out and comfort her, but I knew that would only make things worse. So I simply nodded and entered my house, closing the door behind me with a heavy heart.