After resting the night they started their journey again.
Harry meanwhile started training Rodrick, Irene and Lilly. For the inital couple of days, early morning they were doing stretches and then run for a few miles. After breakfast ride for a couple of hours then again run for a few miles and lunch.
An hour of rest after lunch and again continue their journey for a couple of hours and carry out a few basic weapon combat skill before the sunset.
All three started to drag their feets with aches all over their bodies by the end of the day.
The routine persisted for a week. As they grew accustomed to it, he ramped up the intensity. Despite often contemplating of giving up, when witnessing the other six effortlessly tackle much more intense training sessions made them realize that the eventual outcome would far surpass anything they had ever imagined achieving in their lives.
This kept them going even after they were utterly exhausted. Observing all these, Harry felt proud of his disciples.
"Rodrick, Lilly and Irene, we will be entering the Misty Mountains range in a couple of days. Before reaching there I would like to ask you a few things." Harry looked at the three and stated solemnly.
With expressions of both horror and awe, Lilly gazed at the boys. Sympathy was clear on everyone's face. Alan rose from his seat, approached Lilly, sat beside her, and gently patted her head. "Don't worry, Lilly," he reassured her. "There's nothing to fear in the Misty Mountains as long as any of us are by your side."
Lilly took a deep breath and noded with a smile. Harry who was observing this also smiled. " Let me ask you, are you willing to train in the Misty mountain? Reat assured, you will be only at the periphery of the mountains and not go to the inner parts or the peaks, where the real danger lurks."
"The second one is, are you willing to face the powerfull beasts inside the mountain range? If you all are ok with this, we will continue our training and pass through the misty mountain. A shortcut to the Pheniox City, which I was talking about. If not, then we will stop everything and continue our journey on the well trodden path towards the capital."
It hardly took a few seconds for all three of them to nod in agreement. "Excellent then, Sleep well for tonight. From tomorrow, the real training begins." Harry smiled devilishly.
Lilly, Irene and Rodrick all shreddered, with a chill running down their back.
"I never.... thought..... you guys.... had been through.... this type of.....training... " Rodrick spoke panting heavily. He just killed a wild boar after 15 minutes of grappling with it.
It had been 4 days since they had entered the Misty Mountains. Known for their rugged terrain, towering peaks, and mist-shrouded valleys and mountain tops. The range was filled with mysterious, dangrous and rare life forms that cannot be found outside of this area.
They were just at the perimeter of the Misty Mountain but the beasts they were encountering were bigger and stronger than they had seen outside this area.
Did.... master Harry..... Trained you all... in the same way?" Rodrick continued.
All the other six smiled solemnly. "Rick this is he, going easy on you guys. He used to tie our hands behind our back and made us fight with these things." Dave said giving Harry a seething look.
No way..... I don't believe you....." Rodrick said in disbelief. He then looks at all six of them who had the same expression as Dave and nodded their head.
Dave grinned, " Lets put my words into test Rick." Dave then asked Rodrick to bind his hands on his backside. Then he called Irene to tie his eyes. Skeptically Irene tied her handkerchief to his eyes.
Harry's lips curled into a slight smile. He was observing and listening to these kids said, " Everyone follow Dave maintaining a 100 steps distance, and no matter what, do not interfere or try to help him.
Dave who was listening shook his head with a smile, took a deep breath , listned for a few seconds and started walking forward to his left.
He was walking as if he was not blindfolded at all. Lilly, Irene and Rodrick were in awe to see how easily Dave was navigating between the trees, roots that were jutting out and the fallen logs.
After walking for a few minutes, Dave stopped, and the others followed suit.
A huge red eyed tiger slowly appeared in front of them.