As Sammy ventured across the divine town in search of Ragna, he stumbled upon a quaint cottage that seemed to defy spatial logic. Each side of the structure presented a different facade, perplexing Sammy in more ways than one. When he entered, he found Ragna, seemingly immersed in the mundane task of chopping wood.
Sammy, grinning at the sight, couldn't resist poking fun, "Chopping wood, Ragna? As a god?"
Ragna, still swinging the axe, shot back with a smirk, "Old habits die hard, kid. Besides, a bit of manual labor keeps me grounded."
Curiosity gleamed in Sammy's eyes as he asked, "So, you're living the rustic life even as a god?"
Ragna paused, looking around the magically shifting interior of the cottage, and then replied, "Gives the place character, doesn't it?"
Deciding not to press further, Sammy got straight to the point, "I need your help, Ragna. I want you to train me."
Ragna, putting down the axe, agreed with a nod, "Sure thing, kid. A bit of sparring might do you good."
As they began their training, Sammy's speed and agility surprised even Ragna. Despite the clear power gap between them, Sammy's ability to keep up with the seasoned viking spoke volumes.
"You've got the moves, boy," Ragna commented, blocking Sammy's swift strikes. "But you're holding back. Don't be afraid to hit hard."
Switching from defense to offense, Sammy unleashed a barrage of punches. The tire 11 gauntlets glowed with an otherworldly heat, and each strike carried an unexpected weight. Ragna, momentarily taken aback, saw Sammy's potential in a new light.
"Alright, you've got some fire in you!" Ragna praised, a grin forming. "But let's see if you can take this."
In response, Sammy sent a powerful punch toward Ragna, dislocating the viking's shoulder. Ragna winced but continued, attempting to strike Sammy's shoulder. To his surprise, the axe embedded into Sammy's arm without resistance.
"Huh? You didn't even flinch," Ragna remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Sammy, feeling the heat from the gauntlets intensify, explained nonchalantly, "Seems my skin is getting tougher. The perks of fighting centipedes, I guess."
Before they could resume, a sudden applause interrupted the training. They turned to see Aruara, smiling in approval.
"Oh, don't mind me. Carry on," Aruara chimed in, her voice light-hearted. "Impressive display, Sammy. Even I'm impressed."
Sammy, cheeks turning slightly red, credited Blazeheart for the feat. Aruara, pleased with his humility, mentioned that she wanted to teach him a few things after the session. Before she vanished, Sammy couldn't resist teasing Ragna, "Looks like she's into you, old man."
Ragna, chuckling, retorted cheekily, "Not my type, kid. Now, let's get back to our spar."
As they resumed, Aruara's voice echoed in Sammy's mind, instructing him to try using a normal gauntlet since beast weapons wouldn't be allowed in the upcoming trials.
After their session, Ragna leaned in and said in a playful tone, "So, you're not into the queen, huh?"
Sammy, deadpan, replied, "Nope. She's not my type. Now, let's continue where we left off."
The banter continued, blending humor with the rigorous training of a demigod. In this divine realm, where the extraordinary met the mundane, Sammy's journey toward godhood took unexpected and amusing turns.
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