Chapter 3
Adem exhaled slowly, letting the burn in his lungs fade. Sweat trickled down his neck as his chest rose and fell in heavy rhythm. "I've only cultivated for about twenty minutes," he muttered, glancing at his trembling hands. He got up and threw a few lazy punches into the air, his movements cutting through the wind with surprising speed. "But the difference is already insane. My balance, reaction time, even the flow of movement… everything feels sharper. With enough effort, it's only a matter of time before I reach the level of a black-robed Knight."
He paused, frowning as an awful stench hit his nose. It was sour, metallic, and thick enough to make him gag. He looked down and realized the smell was coming from him. His body was coated in a thin layer of black, sticky residue that clung to his skin like oil.
"…So this is the legendary 'impurities,' huh?" he said dryly, grimacing as he tried to wipe some of it off. "Smells like shit , looks like shit..... and it's probably shit."
Muttering under his breath, he slung the borrowed spear over his shoulder and began looking for a nearby stream or pond.
Adem made his way toward the woods. It was already midnight, and the camp was quiet , the young nobles were fast asleep inside their tents, snoring softly under layers of thick blankets. The only ones still awake were the black-robed knights standing guard under the pale moonlight.
As he passed by, Adem caught sight of Leylin stepping out of the carriage, his skinny frame momentarily illuminated by the firelight. One of the knights gave him a brief inspection before letting him go.
They didn't bother stopping Adem either. After watching his earlier training, they probably assumed he was heading off to wash up.
The forest was calm, the night air was calm and gentle like a mother's touch. Ever since he got his cheats the world no longer felt the same to him , it was painted in a sea of colorful particles . He felt that if he did try hard he could move them .
when he reached the river, he knelt beside it and began rinsing off the last of the black residue. The water was freezing, but the sensation was strangely refreshing after hours of sweat and exertion.
A few minutes passed. He was just about done when he heard footsteps behind him .
He turned his head and saw a shadow approaching through the trees. It was Leylin.
As the other boy stepped into the moonlight, Adem straightened and greeted him casually. "Yo. You must be that Leylin guy that got beat up by Bessita's loyal dogs . Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
Leylin's eyes flicked over him, cautious but composed. "And you are?"
"Adem Veyron," Adem replied, wiping his hands on his pants before resting the spear against his shoulder. "But just Adem's fine."
He didn't expect any recognition. Just because he knew Leylin's name from the story didn't mean the reverse was true.
Leylin raised a brow. "You're the one who was training earlier, right?"
Adem grinned. "Yeah. Guess you noticed. From the smell, I'd say you had a breakthrough too. That… disgusting stench of impurities, right?"
Leylin blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected the bald, muscle freak of a child to speak so casually, much less to hit the mark so precisely.
For a moment, curiosity flickered in his gaze. When he discreetly measured the boy's .He called in his head 'A.I chip scan him!'
[Beep! Analyze complete! ]
[Name: Adem Veyron, Gender: Male, Strength: 2.3, Agility: 1.7, Vitality: 2.5. Alert! Alert! This life form is relatively dangerous. Recommendation: Host should immediately move at least 1000 meters away.]
'What kind of monster is this kid … what did they feed him . He is almost on par with a black-robed knight,' Leylin thought.
Adem didn't seem to notice. He just stretched his arms with a content sigh. "Feels good, there is nothing like a bath after training ". He really missed bathing in hot water , he vowed in his to live as luxurious as possible once he becomes a Magus.
Leylin gave a small nod. "Indeed. Your progress is… impressive."
Adem smirked. "Heh, I'll take that as a compliment. You too, huh? I didn't know you would have a breakthrough in cultivation after being beaten half- dead ."
Feng Meng's's mouth twitched as this kid kept reminding of beating the previous Leylin got .
For a brief moment, the two stood there under the moonlight, two strangers with unmatched ambition.