Classes ended, but Zayle didn't head back with the others.
He slipped out of the academy grounds, careful to avoid instructors on patrol. The sky was dimming, stained orange with the last light of the day. Shadows stretched long across the path as he entered the outskirts of town.
This place was different from the academy's organized environment.Narrow streets.Old wooden stalls.Hunters carrying bloody sacks of monster parts.Adventurers shouting over bargaining prices.
Zayle blended into the crowd easily.
He wasn't here to buy anything.
He had a system task to complete.
Train three hours alone in the wild.Preferably with a suitable threat present.
And fortunately—
He knew just the place.
The abandoned quarry lay about a mile east from town, surrounded by jagged stone pillars and leftover ruins from collapsed mining tunnels. Rumors said low-level magical beasts often crept in during the night.
Perfect.
Zayle stepped inside, feeling the air grow colder. The echo of dripping water filled the dark basin.
Then—
A low growl rolled through the space.
Zayle didn't flinch.
He rotated his wrist, loosening the muscles in his arm. "Come on, then."
A creature crawled from behind a broken stone ridge.Four legs.Black fur matted with dirt.Red eyes glowing faintly.
A Duskfang Lesser Wolf.
Still young, but dangerous to a normal first-year.
Zayle felt his heart speed up—not from fear, but anticipation.
The system chimed:
[Suitable target detected: Duskfang Wolf][Combat training efficiency increased]
Good.
The wolf lunged.
Zayle sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws. Dust exploded beneath its feet. It turned sharply, coming at him again, faster this time.
Zayle blocked with his forearm, absorbing the impact. Pain shot up to his elbow.
He didn't retreat.
He countered.
His fist slammed into the wolf's side—not enough to knock it down, but it yelped and stumbled.
Zayle stayed on the move.Circling.Analyzing.
The wolf regained balance and circled him, lips curled back.
Zayle moved first.
He kicked off the ground, feinting left before striking diagonally from the right. His training earlier with Cadren made his movement sharper.
The wolf ducked and slashed upward.
Claws grazed his cheek.
Warm blood slid down his skin.
Zayle hissed.
"Good. Keep me awake."
He darted forward and slammed his shoulder into the wolf, knocking it backward. His breathing turned rough, but his stance remained solid.
The wolf, angrier now, charged recklessly.
Zayle grinned slightly.
He had been waiting for that.
With a swift pivot, he grabbed the wolf's foreleg and used its momentum against it—flipping the beast over and slamming it onto the stone floor.
The wolf hit hard and didn't get back up.
Zayle stepped away, chest rising and falling heavily.
The system chimed again.
[Training Progress Updated][Training Efficiency Bonus: Active]
He wasn't done.
That was only thirty minutes.
He spent the next two hours pushing himself—
Dodging the falling rocks in the quarry.Practicing footwork on shifting gravel.Repeating mana circulation patterns until his vision blurred.Punching and kicking stone until his knuckles throbbed.
By the end of the third hour, Zayle was drenched in sweat, arms trembling, legs heavy.
But he finished.
The system's voice rang clear.
[Task Complete: 3-Hour Wild Training]Reward Granted:Strength +1Stamina +2Spirit +1
Stats Updated:Strength: 36Agility: 28Stamina: 23Spirit: 27Perception: 22
Visible to others (unchanged):Strength: 20Agility: 16Stamina: 11Spirit: 15Perception: 12
Zayle wiped the blood from his cheek.
His body hurt everywhere.
But it was the good kind of pain.
The kind that built survivors.
He stepped out of the quarry and onto the dirt road back to town. The wind at night was cold, carrying distant noises from taverns and shops.
Halfway down the path, someone blocked his way.
Three silhouettes.
Adventurers—older, armed, smirking.
The one in the middle stepped forward.
"Well, well. Isn't this the academy kid who thinks he's impressive? Saw you taking down that wolf earlier."
Zayle's eyes narrowed.
He hadn't realized anyone was watching.
The man continued, tapping the hilt of his dagger. "Hand over the beast core. Kids like you don't need it. Consider it a small tax."
Zayle didn't move.
He didn't look scared.
He looked annoyed.
"Move," he said.
The three adventurers exchanged amused glances.
"Oh, he thinks he's tough."
"Look at him. Still bleeding."
"Maybe we teach him some manners—"
Zayle moved before the man finished.
One step.One punch.Right into the leader's jaw.
The man crumpled instantly.
His two companions froze.
Zayle wiped his knuckles slowly.His voice calm.
"I'm tired. Don't make me repeat myself."
The remaining two backed away, carrying their unconscious friend.
Zayle walked past them without a second glance.
When he finally returned to the academy dorms, the courtyard lamps were dim, and most students were asleep.
He climbed into his room, dropped onto his bed, and exhaled deeply.
No fear.No regret.
Just exhaustion—and a quiet sense of progress.
The system chimed one last time.
[Daily Progress: Excellent][Next Hidden Task Unlocks Soon]
Zayle let his eyes close.
Tomorrow would bring lessons, trouble, enemies, and growth.
He welcomed all of it.
Because he wasn't surviving this world.He was conquering it.