Chereads / Aeon Enigma / Chapter 103 - CHAPTER 102: Training Torment

Chapter 103 - CHAPTER 102: Training Torment

As Aria stood outside the gates of the special training grounds, her thoughts swirled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Despite her initial optimism about the training session, the sound of Kaito's piercing scream echoed through the hallway, sending a shiver down her spine. In that moment, any semblance of reassurance evaporated, replaced by a growing sense of unease.

"Well, how bad could this be? It's just training after all," Aria mused to herself, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty as she attempted to rationalize the situation. However, her attempt at self-assurance was short-lived, as the unmistakable sound of intense physical exertion emanated from beyond the gates, punctuated by Kaito's agonized cries.

"Never mind..." Aria muttered under her breath, her earlier optimism giving way to a stark realization of the gravity of the situation. With each resounding thud and crash reverberating through the walls, Aria couldn't help but wonder about the nature of Raiden's training methods and the toll they were taking on Kaito.

"Thankfully, I don't have to train with Raiden," Aria remarked, a wave of relief washing over her as she contemplated the fate that had befallen her boyfriend. Despite her relief, however, Aria couldn't shake the lingering sense of guilt that gnawed at her conscience, knowing that Kaito was enduring such hardship in her stead.

Inside the training grounds, the sounds of impact and struggle filled the air, as Kaito found himself locked in a grueling battle of wills against his formidable mentor. With each blow and collision, Kaito's resolve was tested to its limits, as he struggled to keep pace with Raiden's relentless onslaught.

"Does Raiden resort to physical training?" Aria pondered aloud, her brow furrowing in confusion as she attempted to reconcile the brutal sounds emanating from within with Raiden's earlier assurances of going easy on Kaito. Despite her best efforts to rationalize the situation, Aria couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease at the disparity between Raiden's words and his actions.

"How is that considered 'going easy' on someone?" Aria wondered, her voice tinged with disbelief as she contemplated the apparent contradiction in Raiden's approach to training. Despite her misgivings, Aria knew that she was powerless to intervene, forced to remain on the sidelines as Kaito endured the trial by fire that awaited him within the confines of the special training grounds.

Inside the unforgiving confines of the training grounds, the atmosphere crackled with tension as Raiden, the formidable "Emperor of Lightning," delivered a relentless barrage of blows to Kaito. With each strike, Kaito's resolve was tested to its limits, his body thrown about like a ragdoll amidst the chaos of their training session.

As Raiden's powerful kick connected with Kaito's frame, the force behind it sent him hurtling through the air, his body colliding with the unyielding surface of the wall with a sickening thud. Despite the seemingly minimal force behind the blow, the impact was enough to leave Kaito reeling, his senses momentarily overwhelmed by the intensity of the assault.

"Why are you so weak?" Raiden's voice boomed through the training room, cutting through the air with an icy edge as he berated his struggling pupil. "Did you think training with me would be easy? I'm the 'Emperor of Lightning' for a reason."

Kaito's breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to push himself upright, his muscles protesting against the punishment they had endured. "I didn't know you'd be that difficult to train with..." Kaito's voice wavered slightly, betraying his mounting frustration and exhaustion. "I thought you'd be a caring mentor!"

In response to Kaito's plea, Raiden's movements were swift and merciless as he closed the distance between them in an instant, seizing Kaito once more in his powerful grasp. With a swift motion, Raiden hurled Kaito across the training room, the force of the impact sending shockwaves rippling through his already battered body.

"You're weak!" Raiden's words cut through the air like a whip, each syllable laden with disdain as he continued to push Kaito to his limits.

As Kaito lay sprawled on the ground, his body bruised and battered from the onslaught, a desperate plea escaped his lips. "Can I get a break...?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of pain and desperation. "Or at least, can you heal me with Life Enes? Mine is far too slow... I cannot heal before you return to tossing me around."

As Kaito struggled to regain his composure amidst the punishing onslaught of Raiden's training, every fiber of his being cried out in protest against the relentless barrage of blows. With each strike, the weight of Raiden's power bore down upon him, leaving him gasping for breath and clinging to the last vestiges of his stamina.

"Learn to heal faster, then," Raiden's voice cut through the air with a cold edge, his tone devoid of sympathy as he issued his stern command. For Kaito, the prospect of mastering the intricacies of Life Enes healing within the confines of their grueling training session seemed an insurmountable challenge, yet one that he knew he must confront head-on if he was to stand any chance of survival.

Desperate for respite from the relentless assault, Kaito pleaded for just a moment's reprieve, his voice tinged with a mixture of pain and exhaustion. "Can you just give me a minute...?" he implored, his words trailing off as Raiden's steely gaze bore down upon him.

"20 seconds," Raiden's voice brooked no argument as he set the timer, his patience wearing thin with each passing moment. With a sense of urgency coursing through his veins, Kaito summoned forth the power of Life Enes, channeling its healing energies to mend the wounds that marred his battered form. Yet even as he poured every ounce of his concentration into the task at hand, the passage of time seemed to stretch on indefinitely, each second feeling like an eternity as he fought to mend his broken body.

As the final seconds of the countdown ticked away, Kaito's efforts bore fruit, the last of his injuries fading away beneath the soothing glow of Life Enes. Yet despite his success, the sense of accomplishment was fleeting, overshadowed by the weight of Raiden's disappointment.

"It took you 20 full seconds to heal yourself from miniscule damage... I'm disappointed," Raiden's words cut through the air like a knife, his disappointment palpable as he surveyed Kaito's efforts with a critical eye. For Kaito, the sting of Raiden's reproach was keenly felt, a harsh reminder of the gap that still lay between him and the mastery of his abilities.

With a heavy sigh, Raiden acknowledged the limitations of their current predicament, his frustration evident as he grappled with the monotony of their training session. "Even a 10% blow from me would be enough to destroy you," he lamented, his words tinged with resignation as he resigned himself to the necessity of their current regimen. "For now, I'll have to stick with these..."