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In the depths of the pristine forest, where a serene symphony of whispering winds and singing birds played, Valen stood in his secluded training ground. Surrounded by the pure tranquility of nature, he was determined to test the limits of his power and explore the capabilities of his spirit and body. Traditional training methods had never appealed to him; instead, he drew inspiration from anime and manhwa worlds, committed to developing his energies and honing his skills in a unique and personalized way. His training was divided into grueling exercises, each a battle with himself, each step strengthening his resilience and readiness for the battles that awaited.
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Exercise One: "Sun Breathing" and Sword Techniques
With calm and focus, Valen began his "Sun Breathing" technique, imagining the heat of the sun permeating his core, igniting an inner, blazing light. Each inhale and exhale summoned the sun's energy, which flowed through his body and merged with his spirit. After a deep mental preparation, he executed fluid, rapid sword movements, amplifying each strike by focusing on his deep breathing. He felt himself grow faster and stronger, his sword no longer just a tool, but an extension of his inner light.
Exercise Two: Activating and Controlling "Chaos Flame"
With his body charged with energy, Valen decided to tackle the challenge of the "Chaos Flame," inspired by the ancient, layered fire that blended red, black, and golden flames. Standing before a massive boulder, he readied himself to unleash his flame using a technique similar to "Katon," gradually releasing fire and channeling his energy to control its shape and flow. With each burst of flame, he formed a shield of fire around his body, shielding himself from anticipated attacks. He continued until he could transform the flames into swords and arrows, hitting his targets precisely and testing his command over the fire—a mirror of his spirit's own rebellion.
Exercise Three: Enhancing Physical and Magical Endurance
Valen sat beneath a towering, shade-giving tree, feeling the earth's pulse beneath him as he channeled mana throughout his body, using a technique that demanded patience and discipline to train his body's endurance. Slowly and steadily, he increased the flow of energy within his muscles, connecting his physical and magical strength. Over time, the energy flowed naturally within him, drawing him closer to full endurance as his muscles became more flexible and adaptable to strain. This training bridged the gap between him and his latent power, his resilience deepening like the roots of the surrounding forest.
Exercise Four: Mastering and Concealing His Magical Aura
With calm concentration, Valen gathered his magical aura within himself, then gradually released it, utilizing a concealment technique from "Hunter x Hunter." He manipulated the appearance and disappearance of the aura as though he was hiding his essence from the universe itself until he could control it completely. This training granted him a unique skill, enabling him to hide his magical presence like a shadow retreating behind the light. His newfound ability to conceal himself became both an invisible mask to evade enemies and a hidden shield to protect himself from detection.
Exercise Five: Combat Against Imaginary Opponents and Developing Combat Senses
Valen envisioned himself surrounded by imaginary foes, immersing himself in combat with these envisioned enemies, drawing from techniques in "Solo Leveling." He moved with agility, using "Shunpo" to dodge and leap while simultaneously launching strikes of his Eternal Hellfire, enhancing the destructive power of his blows. His attacks became sharp and precise like a war dance, and the training heightened his instincts, enabling him to sense every movement around him. His new sense of perception allowed him to anticipate his imaginary opponents' strikes with a newly awakened sensory awareness.
Exercise Six: Strengthening the Body Without Relying on Magical Energy
Valen stood before a towering cliff, climbing it single-handedly to test his patience and strength. His hand trembled from strain, and with each step, he climbed closer to the cliff's summit. After reaching the top, he faced the roaring waterfall, standing firm against the powerful flow, with water crashing violently against his body, yet he did not waver, focusing on his breathing and muscle strength. He ended the training by running through the forest with heavy weights strapped around his legs, dodging obstacles and pushing forward, increasing his stamina and endurance.
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After a week of grueling training, marked by sweat, tears, and blood, Valen stood tall atop a massive tree, watching the sun set.
He had made significant progress and decided to return to the base of the Black Aether to take on a mission to test his strength.
At that time, in the "Beast's Den," the Black Aether team's base…
Asta slowly approached the Beast House's door, carrying a large piece of meat.
"Be obedient, be good! Here, this is for you!" Asta said as he raised the meat to give it to the beast.
The beast in the cage, after seeing this, slowly extended its head, took the meat from Asta, and began devouring it fiercely.
In an instant, Asta let out a loud scream as if he were a pig being slaughtered.
"Oww! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts..."
Right after, he used his great strength to forcibly open the beast's mouth and looked back at Noelle.
"I told you, don't just stand there watching, come and help me!"
But Noelle ignored Asta's words.
"I am of royal blood. You should be grateful that I woke up with you this morning!"
Asta: "Who should be grateful?"
While they were talking, the beast jumped again and lifted Asta into the air with its teeth.
But at that moment, footsteps could be heard coming from the dark corridor.
"Tick-tick-tick..."
Hearing this sound, the beast suddenly released Asta and turned to look toward the source.
After escaping the jaws of this fierce beast, Asta sighed deeply and said, "Phew! I thought I was going to die!"
"It looks like someone is coming..." Noelle said calmly, looking toward the dark corridor.
As soon as Noelle finished speaking, "Valen" appeared in front of them.
He revealed the upper part of his muscular body, his eyes calm.
"Ah, what are you guys doing here so early in the morning?" Valen asked in a bored tone as he looked at Asta.
Seeing Valen, Noelle felt a bit surprised, her face blushing slightly at Valen's appearance, but she frowned and said, "You again!"
As for Asta, he looked confused.
"Huh? Valen? Where have you been all this time? I haven't seen you around, I've been looking for you to train together."
The beasts growled at Asta and Noelle.
Valen spoke calmly.
"Silence."
Just one word was enough to make the beasts in the cage submit.
Asta and Noelle were shocked because Valen had made the beasts obey with just a single word.
At that moment, their conversation was interrupted by loud laughter coming from the other end of the corridor.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha..."
At that moment, Yami and Magna appeared, wearing no clothes, in front of the three.
Seeing this scene, Noelle turned away shyly, covering her eyes.
"I didn't expect the old man to lose; it's unbelievable! Ha-ha-ha..." Yami laughed boldly.
Immediately, Magna responded with a grin, "He still outmatches us."
Yami: "A man with a burden on his back is truly strong! Ha-ha-ha..."
Then Magna turned to the three, saying, "Hah! Stupid Asta, Princess Noelle, Valen! We're back!"
While they were talking, Valen raised an eyebrow, wondering, "Were you guys gambling?"
Magna replied with a grin, "You've got your first mission! As new recruits of the Magic Knights!"
Valen looked surprised, showing a look of excitement. This would be his first mission as a member of the Magic Knights, meaning he would engage in battle and test his strength.
Shortly afterward, everyone gathered in the hall, with Yami and Magna dressed.
Magna said loudly, "Now, I'll assign you your tasks!"
Asta: "Magic Knights..."
Noelle: "Our first mission..."
Noelle: "It should be a mission fitting of my royal status, right?"
Magna grinned and nodded, "Yes! Be proud! Go to the village of Suksi and hunt wild boars!"
Hearing this, Valen's face darkened, but he remembered the story and knew this mission would be dangerous, though he showed no reaction.
"Hunting... hunting boars?!"
Noelle looked somewhat displeased and said, "What? Such a simple mission..."
But Magna wasn't pleased to hear this.
"What do you mean by simple?!"
Asta: "I can handle wild boars with one hand!"
Magna: "You fool! Don't underestimate wild boars! These boars run all over the place; haven't you heard of 'boar attacks'?"
Valen: "Um... actually, I haven't heard of that before..."
Magna, annoyed, replied, "You idiot! No!"
As the four of them argued, Yami took a deep breath of his cigarette and said slowly, "We lost to the village chief of Suksi!"
Asta was surprised and showed a look of disbelief: "Huh? Did... did you and Mr. Magna lose, Captain Yami?"
Noelle: "How strong must that man be?"
But Yami calmly clarified, "We lost at poker!"
Hearing this, Asta and Noelle immediately burst into anger, shouting in unison.
"Poker?!"
Valen: "I figured as much..."
Yami: "He took all my fortune!" he said nonchalantly.
Magna: "And half my salary for the year!" he added proudly.
Asta: "Why are you two happy..."
Noelle: "I feel annoyed..."
Yami: "Then we agreed to his request, and he asked us to solve the wild boar problem!"
Magna: "Around their village, a herd of wild boars has been destroying the fields and causing them big trouble!"
Hearing that, Asta raised his hand and said loudly, "I'd like to say, what does that have to do with us?"
Before Asta could finish, Magna glared, saying, "You fool! Do you expect Captain Yami to clean up after you?"
At that moment, Yami stood slowly, giving a deadly look, and said coldly, "Go, or die; choose one!"
Hearing that, Asta and Noelle shivered and quickly said, "We'll go!"
·········
Meanwhile, in the forest outside the village of Suksi.
A silver transport device appeared on a forest path.
Then, four people slowly emerged from within. They were a man with pale gray hair and three hooded men behind him.
The man with gray hair slowly walked forward, a scar running across his face from his forehead to his chin. He took out his watch, checked the time, and said, "We arrived on time!"
Then, a group of wild boars with fiery heads standing in front of him caught his attention.
In return, the boars glared at them sharply.
The man calmly put away his watch, then took out his magic book and opened it.
In an instant, the boars roared angrily and charged at the man.
"Roar!"
But the man remained unfazed, and a cube of ice the size of his fist appeared in front of him.
Suddenly, there was a "buzz!" sound, and the ice cubes turned to dust, spreading towards the boars.
In the same moment, the boars transformed into ice statues!
Then the man put away his book and approached the nearby cliff, beneath which lay the village of Suksi.
He looked out at the village before him and said in a calm tone:
"Is the magic stone here? Find it!"
As soon as he said this, the three men beside him transformed their bodies into water and vanished from the place.