Clang!
Wooosh—Ting!
BAAM!
The repeated sounds of metal clashing rang through the towering trees and swords met each other fiercely.
Both Kaelis and Bell were in the middle of sparring with the latter being bashed around from the exchange.
"Guh…!"
As usual, Bell was blasted backwards by an exchange of swords.
Quickly maneuvering, he twisted his body and used his twin swords to slow himself to a halt.
"Phew…"
"…Your reaction time has improved quite a lot compared to two years ago. And your techniques too, you're close to being an Adept-class. Give it another 2 or three years."
Kaelis delivered his assessment of Bell's skills in his teacher-like tone.
Standing up, Bell brushed off his knees and walked over quickly.
"Really? Two more years? I became an Apprentice three years ago though…"
He muttered under his breath as he recalled the past three years of what you would call torturous.
Even though he had made significant improvements since then, the amount of beatings hadn't decreased.
If anything, he might be getting more beatings…
Snorting loudly, Kaelis began explaining.
"Need I remind you that you could make such progress in such a short time is due to my training."
Bell went quiet as Kaelis continued, further explaining the significance of his training.
"It took you one year to become an apprentice. If you were trained by other masters, you would still be learning the basics to become an apprentice next year."
"Huh!?"
"Mhmm. Next year." He emphasized.
"Receiving lessons and instructions from me have already elevated your practical knowledge and skills close to what most people would call 'masters.'"
"As you are now, you could deal with most people with ease as long as their strength isn't too drastic." Kaelis added.
Although Bell kind of understood what he meant, he still doesn't comprehend the meaning behind Kaelis's words.
"It seems you still don't get what swordsmanship truly is."
Kaelis could still sense the ignorance inside the young apprentice.
"…No matter. You'll find out in due time."
These words left many questions inside Bell unanswered.
"Anyway, like I told you three years ago, an Adept class is a more competent Apprentice. Being able to apply the basics in combat situations."
This serves as a reminder to bell before he adds.
"And with my 'torturous' training, your body already knows what to do. It's been doing most of the work all this time. For you to advance to the next rank…"
Kaelis tapped Bell's forehead twice.
"You'll have to start doing the things subconsciously. And who knows… I might just promote you to Advance."
He laughed before putting some distance between them.
"Look alive, chump! We're resuming training. It's another two hours away from lunch time."
He raised his sword and pointed at Bell, signaling him to get in position.
Knowing attacking is outside his skills, Bell groaned as he crossed his dual swords close to his body.
He just wanted training to end quickly.
I missed my old days.
…
For the next two hours, Bell received nonstop pummeling with only a few corrections thrown in between.
By the time even a single hour crawled by, his arms already felt like they weren't a part of him.
Every swing got heavier, every block rattled all the way up to his shoulders.
Kaelis didn't slow down.
"Your stance is slipping again," he said, flicking Bell's blade aside with a casual tap. "Fix it. Don't make me repeat myself."
Bell stumbled back into position, breathing through his teeth.
"Y-yes, Master…"
Another exchange. Another impact that sent him skidding. Another correction barked out like a drill sergeant disciplining a recruit.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Bell mourned the peaceful mornings he used to have and not getting launched ten feet into the dirt.
But weirdly… he wasn't giving up.
Each time he fell, he got up a little faster.
Each time Kaelis feinted, Bell flinched a little less.
He still tried to slip a few attacks through the gaps but he would always end up at the foot of a tree.
By the final stretch of the two hours, sweat poured down his face, his shirt stuck to his back, and his legs wobbled with every breath.
Kaelis stepped back as the swords vanished.
"That's enough for now." He gave a nod—not quite praise, but close. "You lasted longer today. That's something."
Bell collapsed onto the grass immediately.
"I… lasted on pure suffering…"
Kaelis smirked. "Good. Cause you got nearly zero talent. Your only hope is to learn the ins and outs."
Bell wasn't sure he agreed, but he was too tired to argue.
Smack!
"Ouch…! What was that for!?"
"Drink some water."
"You didn't have to throw the pouch in my face though."
Bell grumbled as he drank and grabbed some sandwich from the lunch basket.
He began eating in silence as Kaelis closed his eyes and enjoyed the breeze.
So nice…
Since Bell won't be moving for the next hour or so, Kaelis summoned his keychain sized sword and was about to meditate.
…!
He caught a whiff of smoke.
Hmm, something burning…
Opening his eyes, he caught sight of Bell spread out on the ground and began glancing around.
No sign of something burning.
Even though he couldn't see anything on fire, the scent is getting stronger.
Sniffing the air, he tried to figure out its direction as it's bothering his sensitive nose.
Following it, he turned towards where they came from… the direction that leads towards the farm.
Only his farm is the nearest habitation to this forest, and a village is further away.
Hm? Did the old man light something on fire? No…
That thought crossed his mind for a split second before he ruled it out as the scent is pretty strong.
Plus the fact that their current location is in the forest, which is 2 and a half miles away from the farm.
Wanting to get a better picture of the situation, Kaelis flew up toward.
"Wow! Master can fly!?"
Above the towering trees, Kaelis focused his spirit into his eyes, sharpening his vision as he looked toward the farm.
…!
The farmhouse was engulfed in flames.
Hordes of monsters swarmed across the fields—wolves, bears, goblins, and dog-like creatures standing on two legs that reminded him of kobolds.
They tore through the livestock and even turned on each other in the chaos.
And worst of all… there was no sign of the old man.
Not wasting another second, Kaelis launched himself forward with a thunderous BOOM, tearing through the air at blinding speed.
"Raugh…!"
"Hee-hee—Graa…!"
Growls and shrill cries echoed across the burning farm as the monsters tore into anything in their path, chaos swallowing the fields.
"Grrrrrr—!"
Before one of them could even finish its snarl, a sword pinned it to the ground in a clean, decisive strike—followed by another, and another, each monster dropped in an instant.
Kaelis didn't spare them a glance.
He swept the area with sharp, focused eyes, searching for any trace of Deus.
Both the house and the farmhouse…
Still no sign of him.
With no other choice, Kaelis expanded his spirit sense, letting it sweep across a few miles in every direction, hoping—just hoping—that the old man had managed to get away.
But the only living presences he detected on the farm were monsters.
His expression darkened.
That was when he sensed them—several silhouettes sprinting away from the farm at incredible speeds, moving in the complete opposite direction of the chaos.
He didn't know who they were or what their goal might be, but one thing was certain…
"A have couple questions I need answers to."
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
In the next instant, he launched himself forward with explosive force—so powerful that the already-damaged house collapsed behind him as he took off.
Chapter 49 end.