As the day wore on and the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the courtyard, Bartlow stood before Alex with a resolute expression. He handed Alex a detailed schedule, outlining his new training regimen.
"Since I won't always be able to train you personally due to my responsibilities with Lady Mane and the kingdom, you'll need to follow this schedule strictly," Bartlow explained, his tone serious but encouraging. "Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be for body cultivation—strength training, endurance, and pain tolerance."
Alex furrowed his brow at the mention of pain tolerance, unsure of what that entailed, but Bartlow continued without missing a beat.
"Tuesday will focus on spirit cultivation, and Thursday on mana cultivation. The rest of the time, you'll study at the library on Saturdays to learn about the world—nobility, cultivation, and history. Sundays are for rest and meditation, where you'll review your lessons and find ways to improve. This will push you to your limits, Alex, but it's necessary if you want to grow."
Alex nodded in understanding, feeling the weight of Bartlow's words. He trusted his master's guidance, even if some aspects—like pain tolerance training—puzzled him. Bartlow gave him a look of approval before adding, "And don't forget, this will mostly be on your own. I'll be here when I can, but you'll have to rely on your discipline."
As Alex absorbed the information, Bartlow's face suddenly broke into a grin—a grin that sent a shiver down Alex's spine. "Now, let's start your pain tolerance training."
Before Alex could fully process the statement, Bartlow raised his wooden sword and smirked. "Your goal today is simple: survive."
Alex barely had time to react before Bartlow rushed at him, delivering a barrage of precise strikes aimed at his joints, vital points, and muscle groups. Each hit was excruciating, but Bartlow never pushed him past the point of irreversible damage. Still, Alex could feel his body straining under the assault, his mind screaming for relief as the hours dragged on.
By the time the sun was setting, Alex lay on the ground, barely able to move. Every muscle fiber in his body ached, and his joints throbbed with pain. Bartlow stood over him, looking as composed as ever.
"You did well, Alex. Pain tolerance training is about pushing your body beyond its limits, breaking down your threshold to help your vitality and endurance grow. But it's risky, especially at your level. Continuous use without a breakthrough could cause long-term damage, but with your potential, this method will expedite your progress."
As Ruth approached the courtyard with trays of food, she froze when she saw Alex's bruised and battered body. Panic set in, and she rushed to his side.
"Is he going to be okay?" Ruth asked, her voice laced with concern.
Alex, despite the pain, gave her a weak smile and a pat on the shoulder. "I'll be fine, just need to see Rebecca."
Bartlow, with a satisfied nod, agreed. "He did well today. Take him to the infirmary, and I'll eat here."
Ruth hurriedly helped Alex to his feet, supporting him as they made their way to the infirmary where Rebecca was already waiting. As soon as Rebecca saw Alex's condition, she nodded toward the cot without a word.
Ruth, still worried, asked, "Will he really be okay?"
Rebecca, unfazed, simply sighed. "It's not as bad as it looks. He's tough, and it's nothing life-threatening."
As Rebecca began her examination, she noticed the shattered joints and poor blood circulation in Alex's body. She called Ruth over, guiding her on how to practice healing.
"Focus on his joints and ligaments. Infuse your mana into the vital points to improve blood flow, which will help his body heal itself more effectively. You'll also need to use slow heal to work on his bones, but be careful—it's a delicate process."
Ruth nodded, her nerves calming as she concentrated on Rebecca's instructions. Slowly, she began to channel her mana, carefully mending Alex's injuries. As the healing progressed, Alex's blood flow suddenly surged, causing him to pass out from the sudden rush.
"Did I hurt him?" Ruth asked in panic, looking to Rebecca for reassurance.
Rebecca chuckled. "No, his body just couldn't handle the sudden increase in circulation. He'll wake up soon. Keep focusing on what I showed you."
Hours passed as Ruth continued her work, casting slow heal on Alex's body. The process was exhausting but effective, allowing his body to heal naturally while conserving her mana. By the time she was done, Ruth wiped the sweat from her brow and collapsed into a nearby chair, admiring the progress they had made.
"This is hard work," Ruth said, exhausted but proud of herself.
Rebecca, with a small smile, responded, "It is, but it's worth it. You did well today. Now, get some rest—I'll warm up some food for you and Alex. He'll be waking up soon."
Ruth nodded, grateful for the break, as Rebecca headed to warm up their meals. She glanced at Alex, who lay peacefully on the cot, and felt a surge of pride. Today had been tough, but she had helped him heal, and that gave her hope for what lay ahead.
After a while, Alex began to wake up, feeling lighter than expected. He braced himself for the excruciating pain, but to his surprise, all he felt was a deep soreness, like he'd worked too hard chopping wood or lifting heavy weights. His body ached, but it was a manageable discomfort. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light in the infirmary, he noticed Ruth sitting beside him, half-asleep, her head resting against the chair. Realizing that she must have stayed by his side the whole time, healing him, Alex felt a deep sense of gratitude.
He reached out, gently grabbing Ruth's hand. As his fingers touched hers, she stirred awake, blinking in surprise at the sight of Alex awake and holding her hand. Her puffy red eyes betrayed how much she'd worried over him, but she smiled as their gazes met.
"Thank you, Ruth. I feel a lot better now," Alex said softly, his voice filled with appreciation.
Ruth smiled wryly, a mixture of relief and amazement in her expression. "Your body's healing faster than we expected. You better not let Bartlow know about this, or he'll start thinking he's been taking it easy on you," she teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Alex noticed the tiredness in her eyes, the subtle redness from the worry she'd experienced, and felt a surge of emotion. He didn't know how to express everything he was feeling—her dedication, her care—so instead, he brought Ruth in for a gentle kiss. The kiss was soft and full of unspoken gratitude, an intimate gesture that explained what words couldn't.
Ruth, not pulling away, let out a soft sigh of relief, melting into the kiss. It was a release of the tension and fear that had built up over the day. However, before the moment could deepen further, a loud cough from across the room made both Alex and Ruth jump. They quickly pulled apart, their faces flushed as they looked toward the sound.
Rebecca stood at the doorway, clearly unfazed by what she had just witnessed. With a teasing smile, she set down two trays of food. "I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. Goodnight," she said with a chuckle, walking out of the room before either of them could respond.
Both Alex and Ruth were momentarily frozen, unsure of how to react. But the moment passed quickly, and they shared a laugh, the awkwardness melting away. Grateful for the food, they decided to settle in for the night, eating their meal together in peaceful silence, both appreciating each other's company after such a taxing day.
Once they finished eating, Ruth helped Alex back to his room. Though still sore, he could feel his strength returning little by little, and Ruth's steady presence at his side made him feel at ease. As they reached his door, Ruth jokingly said, "You keep scaring me like this, and I'm going to have to start charging you for compensation."
Alex chuckled, appreciating her humor despite the long day. "And how exactly could I repay such a debt to a fine woman like yourself?" he asked playfully as Ruth opened the door and helped him into bed.
Ruth, blushing slightly at his teasing, looked away shyly before answering. "Well… you could take me on a date," she said, her voice soft and unsure, as though she was testing the waters.
Alex, caught off guard but pleasantly surprised, smiled. He could see that she wasn't joking, and the thought of spending time with her outside of their duties warmed his heart. "I'd like that," he replied. "How about this Saturday? It's our first day off together, and I was planning to go to the library anyway. Would you like to join me?"
Ruth's face brightened, her shyness fading. "The library sounds perfect. I'd love to go with you," she said, a soft smile spreading across her face.
Alex, knowing that Ruth had an interest in libraries from what he'd read in her file, was happy to have found something they both could enjoy together. With plans for their first date set, the two of them exchanged goodnights. Ruth left the room, leaving Alex alone in the quiet of his room, a smile still lingering on his face as he thought about their upcoming day off together.
As he lay down, Alex felt the weight of the day finally catch up with him. Exhaustion tugged at his body, but his heart was light. Slowly, his eyes fluttered shut, and for the first time in a while, he drifted into a peaceful sleep.