Chapter 2
The Training That Shook the Battalion**
The war ended at sunset.
Bodies were carried, banners lowered, and the smell of smoke drifted through the battalion.
The Chief Commander stood in front of all soldiers, arms crossed, voice booming:
"LISTEN! THIS WAR WAS NOTHING. THE REAL ONE COMES IN ONE YEAR!"
Everyone stiffened.
"You have one year to train yourselves till your bones break and rebuild. If not—YOU DIE FIRST. Now… SLASH YOUR SWORDS A MILLION TIMES!"
The soldiers groaned in fear.
But Lare didn't react.
The commander glanced at him sharply.
"That boy… after the war, he changed. Even before, he trained hard, but now he trains alone. No technique, no bloodline style… only basic swordsmanship."
Raen muttered beside him, "I know, Commander… Lare only knows the most basic sword skill. Even peasants know more than him."
The commander sighed.
"Even so… why does this kid push himself like this…?"
---
Lare's Insane Training
While the battalion rested, Lare was already at the edge of the forest.
Sweat drenched his shirt.
Blisters covered his palms.
His sword slashed through the air again… and again… and again.
He counted silently.
"…Nine million… nine hundred… ninety-nine thousand… nine hundred ninety-nine."
One breath.
One final slash.
"Ten million."
Raen collapsed behind him like a dead fish.
"BRO! STOP! My arms are gone! My soul is gone! I'm dead twice already!"
Lare didn't even pant.
He whispered,
"Compared to everyone… my stamina is insanely high. Maybe the old Lare trained his body every day."
Raen rolled on the ground, whining.
"Yeah, yeah… but ten million BASIC slashes!? You're a demon!"
Lare sat down, thinking deeply.
"If I want to enter the Grand Academy, I need top knowledge.
For knowledge, I need the Grand Library.
To get that, I need a high-ranking position.
To get that… I must become a captain."
Raen blinked.
"That's… actually smart."
Lare smiled.
"I'll do anything for it."
---
Mana Infliction & Internal Energy Channeling
After finishing sword practice, Lare sat cross-legged.
He began channeling mana and internal energy together.
Thin threads of blue and white swirled around him.
Raen's jaw dropped.
"Hey… hey! Lare! That's advanced training! Basic swordsmen don't do BOTH at the same time!"
Lare ignored him.
His system beeped.
> [INTERNAL ENERGY CHANNELING SUCCESSFUL]
[MANA INFUSION SUCCESSFUL]
[HIGH UNDERSTANDER LEVEL +1 → LEVEL 2]
[BASIC SWORDSMANSHIP MASTERED]
Raen screamed.
"BRO JUST LEVELED UP SITTING DOWN!?"
The air around Lare grew sharper.
Mana spiraled around him like wind.
He stood and swung his sword once—
A tree 10 meters away split in half.
Raen fainted again.
---
The Commander Receives a Letter
The commander entered his tent.
A soldier bowed.
"Commander, urgent letter."
He opened it and read.
His eyes widened.
"…The Prince of North Lurantua… Aricus… is coming?"
He stared out of the tent.
"And Lare will be the one to pick him up."
He groaned loudly.
"Why him!? Why that boy!? He causes training earthquakes!"
Raen popped his head in.
"Commander! What earthquakes?"
"YOU caused half of them!!!"
Raen saluted proudly.
"Thank you, sir."
"THAT WAS NOT A COMPLIMENT!!!"
---
Lare Finishes His Day
At six o'clock, the sun dipped.
Lare exhaled calmly.
"Training finished."
Raen dragged himself on the ground like a worm.
"Bro… I can't feel my legs…"
Lare stretched his arms.
"Tomorrow we train harder."
Raen began crying.
---
A New Step
The chapter ends with Lare looking at the sky.
"Prince Aricus…
A noble… a strong one…
I must not embarrass myself."
His R.O.Y.A.L system beeped softly.
> [NEXT PATH: ESCORT THE PRINCE]
Lare smiled.
"Then I'll get stronger first."
The journey had only begun