Rizki and Liora arrived at their destination, a remote and humble hut nestled amidst the wilderness. Liora pointed at the structure, declaring, "This is my home. I've lived here for as long as I can remember."
Nodding in acknowledgment, Rizki dismounted from Liora's horse. She followed suit but then unleashed a blazingly fast punch that caught Rizki off guard, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Why did you hit me?!" Rizki exclaimed, bewildered by the sudden attack.
In the blink of an eye, Liora vanished, only to reappear atop him, ready to deliver a powerful kick that he couldn't evade. The impact sent his head crashing into the earth, causing the ground to shatter.
"The Art of Awareness and the Art of Strength, those are what I've just revealed to you," Liora smiled as she gracefully leaped back. Rizki noticed that his right shoulder had been injured during her earlier attack, and he couldn't help but wonder why her blows were so devastating.
"Are you wondering why my attacks are so lethal?" Liora asked, her emerald eyes gleaming. She continued, "It's the Art of Strength—a technique that entails recognizing our weaknesses and having the strength to overcome them."
She elaborated further, "During our duel a few days ago, you instinctively activated your Art of Awareness."
Rizki was still trying to comprehend what had just happened when Liora suddenly disappeared once more. She handed him a knife and instructed him to stab her. To his shock, the blade didn't harm her at all.
Fearfully, Rizki stammered, "Who are you exactly?!"
Liora gently pulled his hand away from the knife, allowing his fingers to graze a certain intimate part of her body. She wore a mischievous smile as she replied, "That's the Art of Willpower, Rizki."
Blushing and flustered, Rizki muttered, "Um, okay… but thank you."
"You see, Rizki," Liora began, "You instinctively activated both the Art of Willpower and the Art of Awareness. If you can master both of these, you'll become significantly stronger."
She moved his hand away, walked a few steps back, and explained, "The Art of Strength is what you currently lack. This place will now be your training ground. What do you think?"
Rizki surveyed the surroundings, recognizing familiar spots. He replied, "Honestly, I don't understand everything you've been talking about. I only know some wushu and silat movements that have helped me defend myself."
"Martial arts?" Liora inquired, a glint of realization in her eyes. She continued, "If you've trained in martial arts, then I will..."
Before Rizki could react, Liora leaped with astonishing speed, catching him off guard. Her strike sent him flying, and he yelled, "Stop hitting me so hard!"
"You need intense training to improve, Rizki," she smiled, her battle dress falling to the ground to reveal the black linen covering her body. Liora continued, "You need to hone and enhance your skills. Later, I will teach you how to awaken your dormant potential."
"Because," she declared, and in an instant, she lunged with such incredible speed that Rizki barely managed to dodge, her punch obliterating four trees behind him. Liora's voice echoed with determination as she proclaimed, "You have the potential to be our hero, Rizki."
The relentless cycle of training and combat continued day after day, season after season. Rizki and Liora clashed in all types of weather, from the biting cold of winter to the scorching heat of summer, the crisp air of autumn, and the unpredictable conditions of rain and dry spells. Time seemed to blur as they honed their skills and pushed each other to their limits.
Three years later, Rizki found himself in a rare moment of respite. His phone buzzed, and he saw a message from Faye. Her complaint was clear, "What are you doing, Rizki? Three years, and you never called me?!!"
Rizki replied with a smirk, "Sorry, I was in training to become a better villain."
During one winter day, Liora was clad in her thick azure coat, while Everyn offered Rizki a coat as well. However, he declined and instead insisted that Everyn wear it for him. As he took a step back, it became apparent that Rizki had not only grown taller and more muscular but also bore a long scar across his right eye. He smiled and declared, "I want to continue fighting."
"But I have nothing left to teach you," Liora praised him. "You've mastered three arts in just three years!"
Rizki sighed at her words, replying, "I wish I could earn the reward again."
Everyn, looking at Liora with a hint of jealousy, timidly complained, "You stole our man!"
Liora chuckled and revealed, "I can't conceive anymore anyway. So, I can use those as Rizki's source of motivation to fight."
Rizki reconsidered his earlier decision and accepted the coat from Everyn, who beamed with happiness as he patted her on the head. He put on the coat and asked Liora, "So, what's next?"
Liora responded, "The Land of Bastion."
"Alright, let's go." Rizki walked with a newfound confidence, now wearing a silver belt on his hip as a testament to his rigorous training and growth. The journey ahead promised new challenges and adventures, and Rizki was more prepared than ever to face them alongside Liora.
When Liora said, "The Land of Bastion," she continued, "But you are on your adult days now. So..."
"Yea yea, I know," Rizki smiled and decided to fulfill his promise to Varian, the father of the quadruplets. He had promised Varian three years ago when he was recovering at the elf forest.
She only chuckled, showing that she was glad that Rizki still remember Rizki's promise.
As he walked to the broken branch, he took the bag away, placing it on his back after he wore his coat,
"Alright, let's go." He announced and walked with a newfound confidence, now wearing a silver belt on his hip as a testament to his rigorous training and growth, towards the path of villain that he had agreed with the goddess.