The old man, whose name was Arden, led John deeper into the forest. They walked for what seemed like hours, but John was too captivated by his surroundings to notice. They passed crystal clear lakes, towering mountains, and valleys filled with exotic plants and animals.
Finally, they reached a small clearing in the forest. In the center of the clearing was a simple wooden cabin.
"This is where you'll be staying," Arden said, gesturing towards the cabin. "It's not much, but it'll do."
John stepped inside the cabin, surprised to find that it was much bigger on the inside than it had appeared from the outside. It was cozy and well-stocked, with a bed, a table, and a small fireplace.
"You'll be safe here," Arden said. "No one will bother you while you train."
John's eyes widened in surprise. "Train? What do you mean?"
Arden smiled. "You said you wanted to become the strongest, didn't you? Well, you can't do that without proper training."
John nodded, eager to get started.