The next day, Leo and Helmond trained alongside Gabriel in a private training area deep within the castle of the City of Lucindor. The chamber was hidden inside the inner structure of the castle, a place reserved only for the strongest warriors and confidential training.
The hall was massive, with tall stone pillars supporting the high ceiling. Torches lined the walls, casting a steady glow across the reinforced stone floor. The ground itself was built from thick enchanted stone, strong enough to withstand powerful attacks without cracking. Weapon racks lined one side of the room, filled with swords, spears, and training equipment. Metal dummies were scattered throughout the chamber, many already damaged from previous battles and intense sessions.
The sound of metal striking metal echoed sharply.
After encountering the Tyrant, Leo's motivation burned stronger than ever. The memory of that overwhelming presence still haunted him, but he refused to let fear control him. Every swing of his sword carried the weight of that memory. He vowed never to feel helpless again.
Under Gabriel's supervision, Leo practiced channeling the Light within him. At first, it flickered along the blade like an unstable flame, glowing briefly before fading.
"Focus," Gabriel said calmly.
Leo steadied his breathing and closed his eyes. Slowly, he gathered the Light and directed it toward his sword. This time, the blade glowed steadily.
Gabriel nodded toward one of the reinforced metal targets across the room.
"Strike."
Leo swung with full force.
CLANG!
The sound echoed through the chamber. The metal plate cracked under the strike. Leo stared at the damage, surprised at his own strength.
Gabriel crossed his arms. "You're improving," he said. "At this level, your blade can cut through even the hardest metal we possess."
Leo tightened his grip. He was getting stronger—but the Tyrant still lingered in his mind. It wasn't enough yet.
Nearby, Helmond trained as well. His abilities remained mysterious, even to himself. His new cloak fit him perfectly, and he moved with precision. While Leo focused on raw power, Helmond focused on movement. Gabriel occasionally threw wooden spears toward him without warning. Each cut through the air faster than the last.
Helmond dodged the first spear with difficulty. The second nearly grazed his shoulder. But as the session continued, his movements became faster, sharper, more instinctive—even he was surprised at how naturally his body reacted.
Suddenly, a sword flew across the hall, spinning toward Leo. Without thinking, he deflected it. The sword clattered across the stone floor. Leo froze, realizing what he had done.
At the far end of the chamber, Eryndor watched with a faint smirk.
"You reacted faster than you thought," he said.
"You threw that at me?" Leo asked.
Eryndor shrugged casually. "Of course." His footsteps echoed as he approached. "If you fully unlock your potential, you might one day fight the Tyrant toe to toe."
The words weighed heavily on Leo. He still felt unready; the Tyrant's strength loomed in his memory. But the pressure left him no choice. To survive, he had to train harder than ever.
Leo still hadn't mastered hand-to-hand combat, so Eryndor proposed a strict plan.
"I'll train you," he said, "but only if you unleash your full power."
Leo hesitated, then nodded. For the first time, he accepted Eryndor as his master. From that moment, the private training hall became the place where Leo was pushed to his absolute limits.
While Eryndor relentlessly trained Leo, Helmond focused on understanding the true nature of his mysterious powers. Meanwhile, the second-strongest warrior, Art Ryder, trained the army across the city, preparing them for the Chainbound Lord.
After a week, Leo hadn't even landed a blow on Eryndor. Each day followed the same brutal pattern: Leo attacked with everything he had; Eryndor dodged effortlessly. Leo tried hand-to-hand combat; Eryndor countered instantly. He enhanced his blade with Light repeatedly, but Eryndor blocked or avoided every strike. By the end of each session, Leo was bruised and exhausted, yet he refused to give up.
"Your will is strong," Eryndor said bluntly. "But your strength is still useless."
Desperate, Leo gathered every last ounce of energy. Light burst along his blade, and he launched his strongest attack. For a brief moment, the strike nearly connected—but his body had no energy left. He collapsed unconscious.
Eryndor caught the sword before it hit the floor. "…Not bad." Then he turned to Helmond. "Take him to the Great Wizard."
Helmond lifted Leo and rushed through the castle corridors. He noticed he was faster than ever before. If he could enhance his speed further, he might unlock his true potential—though even he couldn't match Eryndor.
After Leo was healed, Helmond returned to Eryndor and asked if he could train alongside Leo. Eryndor agreed, warning that they needed to understand their powers faster than expected. Helmond focused on speed; Leo trained mentally and physically.
When training resumed, Leo moved with greater confidence, and Helmond dodged Eryndor's attacks with precision. For the first time, Leo landed a small strike on Eryndor's chest. Helmond dodged nearly every attack. During the session, Leo accidentally unleashed a radiant slash, cutting through the air and slicing into the stone floor. Eryndor smiled; tomorrow, they would refine that power.
At night, Leo wandered the city and spotted Rein with her friends, other magic users. Her friends were clearly smitten with him, embarrassing Leo. He awkwardly joined the conversation.
Rein, quiet, thought about Helmond's gem. Leo noticed and asked, "Why do you want that gem from Helmond?"
"I wanted to show you how strong I am," she replied calmly.
Leo smiled. "I already know you're strong."
Rein shook her head with a small laugh. "Not enough… not yet."
To comfort her, Leo handed her a small barbecue he had brought. They left her friends behind and found a quiet spot to talk about their training, discussing whether Leo was truly ready to face the Tyrant again. Eventually, the conversation faded, and they fell asleep under the moon, sharing a calm moment amidst the chaos of their world.
The gem Helmond possessed could potentially unlock Rein's true power, allowing her to enchant her staff and greatly enhance her magic.