Zeke violently spat out an ink-black clot that smelled horrible, like death.
A sizzling sound was heard when it made contact with the floorboards as it ate through the already rotten wood.
'The Way sure is incredible… no wonder it's a higher magic! Here I thought I would slowly rid myself of the toxin later… The Ancient Dragon Way's just that powerful, immediately ridding my body of all toxins,' thought Zeke as he caught his breath.
"Hmph," Zeke shot his fist forward, creating a strong breeze, much like a dragon's breath, Zeke felt as though a real punch could shatter a hill.
"Is this the Might of a dragon?" Zeke mocked.
All he did was practice a simple punch, and he already felt it's Mighty power.
"Huh… true energy?"
"All I did was recite it once, and it bolstered my energy manifold!" Feeling the power within him, Zeke felt ecstatic.
Only through experience and mastery, will a practitioner emit true energy.
He felt his battle power become stronger than before, surpassing his previous limits.
"However, this power still isn't enough! I need more of these pills to augment myself.Lincoln, you better not miss a delivery!" he growled.
Zeke continued to hone his control over the Way throughout the night.
The next morning, the ruckus from Zeke's training could be heard from outside his shack, the stance he took conveyed a dragon's wrath, each strike carried great power.
"A dragon's Might is no small matter… even though I've reached new heights I am still far from where I need to be." Zeke surmised that he must be at a level six Strength fighter now.
A loud creak shocked Zeke.
Just as he started to recover, the shack's door was hastily opened.
A small silhouette quickly entered the shack.
She was Zeke's handmaiden, Lily.
Even if she wore simple clothes, she had the sweetest face and the most mesmerizing eyes.
She was breathless and red-faced, hands clutching two buns.
Upon seeing Zeke, she shot up with glee.
"Master, are you feeling better?"
"Lily!" Zeke lit up; he barely controlled his excitement.
Lily was the servant Lincoln forced himself upon, he was glad to see that she remained unharmed.
Lily was taken in as a child by Zeke's father and has served Zeke loyally and faithfully ever since; she was the only one in the clan that genuinely cared for him.
As such, Zeke could not bear to stand idly as Lincoln harassed her that day.
"Master, this is great, you're alright!"
Lily walked forward and examined Zeke.
Upon realizing that he has indeed recovered, she smiled brightly.
Ever since the "duel" with Lincoln two days ago, Zeke had been knocked unconscious, it turned Lily into a worried wreck.
"I am."Zeke caressed her face lightly to comfort her, warm memories were instantly triggered.
'I will never let anyone hurt you,' he thought to himself.
In his past life, Zeke had saved her once as well, but he could not save her the second time.
To protect her purity after being defiled by Lincoln, Lily chose to take her life.
Since then, Zeke had been in deep pain and blamed himself for what had happened.
To ensure vengeance, he escaped his household.
Although he managed to get his revenge, he was not able to get Lily back; the regret of not saving Lily always haunted him.
Fortunately, he had the chance for a do-over, a living, breathing do-over.
Zeke hugged her.
'She's still alive…' he thought, Zeke couldn't help but let a few tears shed from his face.