Cain moved.
He didn't roar. He didn't channel blood aura. He didn't create a shockwave. He didn't glow with magic. He barely moved his legs. But his body flashed forward like a passing shadow. The speed alone made the soldiers' hearts seize.
Hall shouted unconsciously, "Formation—!" He was used to battling outside. Then he regretted it. He was about to take his command back but Cain was already in front of the first soldier.
A single punch landed.
It was clean. It was simple. It looked like a normal punch. When it connected, the soldier was sent flying. Then, he hit three recruits and they all dropped one by one. The ground shook. Yet there were no sparks. No glowing runes. No distortion in the air. Nothing magical.
Just pure physical force.
Several soldiers trembled. Zed's eyes widened.
"He's… he's using only fists…?"
Before he could say anything else, Cain spun and delivered a kick to another soldier's side.
The soldier bent sideways like a broken stick and rolled across the ground. The kick sounded like a small explosion. Dust rose around them.
But again—no magic. No aura.
Just muscle, speed, and brutality.
Three soldiers rushed Cain with spears. Cain grabbed the first spear and broke it. He kicked the soldier and sent him into the wall.
The second attacked. Cain moved his head. The spear missed. Cain grabbed the helmet and smashed the soldier down.
The third backed up in fear. Cain appeared in front of him and flicked his fist into the soldier's stomach. A small breath escaped the recruit's mouth before he collapsed.
Hall whispered, "No magic… he's really not using any magic…"
Zed swallowed hard. "That strength… that speed… what kind of training…?"
Cain didn't let them breathe.
He rushed toward the next group. They spread out to surround him. Five soldiers attacked at once. Cain lowered his body, slid forward on the ground, and swept their feet in one smooth motion. All five fell like a row of knocked-down dominoes.
Cain stood up and flicked his wrist. "Too slow," he said.
The soldiers behind Hall and Zed felt their stomach twist.
One soldier screamed and charged with a sword raised high. Cain stepped aside, grabbed his wrist, twisted it, and slammed him onto the ground. The sword flew out of his hand. Cain stomped on it and the blade snapped.
Another soldier tried to stab him from behind.
Cain lifted his elbow and hit the man in the face without looking. The soldier dropped instantly.
Hall's breath shook. "This… this monster…"
Zed nodded slowly. "He's not even sweating…"
Cain's movements only grew faster.
Every punch connected. Every kick landed.
Every soldier that tried to force their way through received a hit that knocked the breath out of their lungs. Cain didn't roar or laugh. He only breathed deeply and moved like he was warming up.
Soldiers were thrown. Soldiers were rolling.
Soldiers were screaming. They tried to use blood aura, but they were too inexperienced. Their aura flickered and died under the pressure of Cain's pure physical dominance.
More tried weapons. Cain broke every weapon that touched him. A sword snapped. A dagger shattered. A spear split in half.
A few soldiers tried to group up and attack from both sides. Cain ducked under a horizontal slash, grabbed the attacker's leg, and flipped him over his shoulder. The second one stabbed forward.
Cain leaned back, grabbed the man's collar, pulled him forward, and headbutted him.
The soldiers coughed blood.
Hall shouted, "Spread out! Don't get grouped—"
Cain twisted and delivered a roundhouse kick that hit three people at once. They flew into Hall's legs, knocking him over.
Zed tried stepping forward. Cain lifted a finger at him. "Don't. You'll break faster than them."
Zed froze.
Cain continued beating soldiers. His fists hammered into torsos. His kicks struck ribs. He knocked people over with shoulder bumps. He moved like an unstoppable wave. Every moment, another soldier fell. Every second, someone groaned and dropped to their knees.
One soldier tried to crawl away. Cain grabbed him by the back of the shirt, lifted him casually, and set him down next to two other unconscious soldiers.
"No running," Cain said. "You came here. Finish the exercise."
The soldier fainted before Cain finished speaking.
The longer the battle went on, the more the officers understood something impossible.
Cain was not using a single drop of blood aura.
Cain was not using a single hint of magic.
Cain was not using a single prepared scroll.
He was beating an entire squad with nothing but his body.
And he was doing it effortlessly.
Hall whispered, "He… he wasn't lying…"
Zed said nothing. His mouth stayed open.
Cain knocked another soldier out with a simple backhand. Then another with an elbow. Then another with a knee. His movements flowed like a rhythm, like a casual dance he had practiced countless times.
Soon, the last remaining soldiers attacked in desperation. Cain walked straight into them. He didn't block with magic. He used his arms. He didn't dodge with aura. He stepped lightly. He didn't push them away with spells. He pushed them with his palms.
One after another, they fell.
Minutes later, the training ground was filled with groaning bodies. Every soldier was on the ground. Some were unconscious. Some were too dizzy to stand. Others clutched their stomachs while rolling back and forth. Not a single one was left unharmed. Their faces turned blue. Their arms trembled. Some had small bruises swelling on their cheeks. Their eyes were unfocused.
They were all beaten.
Cain stood in the middle of them with steady breathing. His clothes were clean, untouched, untouched by even a speck of dust. Not a single part of him was scratched.
Hall lay on his elbows and stared at him in disbelief. "Is he… Is he really not using a Mana or Aura for real? This should be impossible…"
Zed held his shoulder and whispered, "This strength… this monster… just fists… just kicks…"
Cain looked around with a faint smirk. This is much expected. I have a body with Overgod blood. Do these bloody worms really think they have a chance?
Soon, everyone was down. Everyone was broken. Everyone was silent.
He took a long breath and began to calm his heartbeat.
Right… that should be enough.
His eyes lifted toward the path leading deeper into the compound.
He could sense her. Cornelia.
The past me would run to her now, Cain thought.
He would try to get her attention. He would try to cling to her like a dog desperate for praise.
Cain wiped the dust from his hands. I need to be there before I ruin my chance of her disdain.
He glanced at the groaning soldiers around him one last time.
"Exercise finished. I'm sure that girl would hate me if she found out that I beat up all her subordinates.
Then he turned toward Cornelia's direction.
And began walking away.