Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Chapter 260: Seventh Day

Today marks the seventh day since our arrival on this western mountain range.

"Haaah! Haaah! Haha!"

If it sounds like I was tired, it's because I was tired.

The reason, you ask? Well, I had been running up and down the mountain all day long.

And as if that weren't enough, I had also subjected myself to perform one thousand blocks, parries, thrusts, and slashes before doing this.

My body ached, muscles screaming with every step I took.

Fatigue seeped into my bones, and my eyes burned in this cold wind pressing against my face as I logged uphill.

All I want to do is to return to my apartment and collapse onto my bed! I want to lie down and just sleep!

And of course, I want to eat some food, like real food. Yato just give me one cup of noodles a day and he eats meat.

I tried to complain several times to him but every time he said that I had to beat him up in a sparring session then he would let me eat some meat, and then I had to eat cup noodles.

Grrrrrr—!

Ugh! Just the mere thought of food has triggered another hungry growl from my stomach.

These days, our practice sessions have become an endless marathon.

We don't even take that many breaks between training anymore. From dawn till dusk, all I do is swing my sword trying to perfect my basics and exercise!

If I happened to pass out, Yato would give me a stamina potion to revive my energy, and we would return to training again.

If I ran out of mana, he would give me a mana potion which would help me replenish my mana pool.

If I became too slow or sluggish, Yato would critique my movements and push me harder. There was no escape from the relentless cycle of training.

"Haaah! Haaah! Haha!"

The mountain path twisted and turned, challenging our stamina and focus. Yato's form remained a distant goal, an elusive target urging me to push beyond my limits.

As we ascended, the air grew thinner, and the biting cold pierced through my worn-out clothes. The exertion and harsh conditions intensified the physical strain, but Yato's unwavering presence propelled me forward.

"Endurance isn't just about physical strength, Lucas. It's a harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Find that balance, and you'll endure even the harshest trials," Yato's voice echoed through the mountain winds, carrying wisdom with each word.

His teachings resonated within me, merging with the rhythmic sound of our footsteps on the snow. The journey wasn't merely a climb up a mountain; it was a pilgrimage to self-discovery and mastery.

We reached a precipice, the panoramic view of the mountain range unfolding before us. Yato halted, allowing a moment of contemplation.

'Maybe the fight might already be started against Adrian and the one who challenged him...what was his name again? I forget it.' I thought as I took a moment to catch my breath.

***

Nova City, Nova Academy training ground.

loud cheering reverberated across the place as students could be seen leaning on the handrails of the arena grounds excitedly talking to one another as they all had their eyes glued towards a certain platform below them.

Emma and Evelyn sitting sides also glanced at the platform, toward Adrian's standing figure.

"Why I'm sitting here with you?" Evelyn asked as she glanced at Adrian.

"C'mon, it's not that bad thing. Let's see how the match will unfold." Emma's said excitedly to Evelyn.

Evelyn just rolled her eyes at Emma being a fan girl over Adrian, but she knew she couldn't complain about it after all she was also the same at some time in past.

Thinking of her past Evelyn thought about Lucas.

'When is that idiot coming anyway?' There was so much she wanted to ask him, for example, what was he doing at Evergreen clan.

She had tried to ask Isabella but she didn't answer anything.

"Look it's starting," Emma said bringing Evelyn's attention back to Adrian.

The duel was starting.