The following morning, the sky above the Wastes was streaked with gold and red, the sun rising slowly over the horizon as if it, too, was reluctant to begin another day. Kale awoke with a stiff body, still feeling the lingering effects of the Growth Shard. His skin was tender, and his muscles screamed in protest with every movement. But despite the discomfort, a new sense of strength pulsed within him.
Rheon was already awake, sitting cross-legged by the fire, his expression unreadable. He glanced up when he noticed Kale stirring.
"Looks like you survived the night," Rheon said with a dry chuckle.
Kale groaned and sat up, rubbing his sore limbs. "That… was insane. I've never felt anything like that before."
Rheon raised an eyebrow. "You don't even know the half of it, kid. That was just the beginning."
Kale frowned. "What do you mean?"
Rheon stood up, stretching his arms over his head. "You've unlocked your potential, but that's just the first step. Now, we begin the real training. Stat Forging isn't about absorbing shards and calling it a day. It's about pushing your body to its absolute limit and beyond. You need to learn to control the power you've unleashed."
Kale nodded slowly, still absorbing the enormity of it all. "So what now?"
"Now, you train." Rheon turned and began walking toward the rocky outcrop in the distance. "Follow me."
Kale scrambled to his feet, still stiff, and hurried to catch up. His body was sore from the shard's energy, but the raw power inside him felt like a hunger he couldn't ignore.
As they walked, Rheon didn't speak. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the sound of their footsteps crunching over the gravel. They eventually reached a secluded valley surrounded by jagged cliffs. The wind howled through the narrow gaps, creating an eerie, haunting sound.
"This is where you'll train," Rheon said, turning to face Kale. "Here, you'll push your body past its limits, and I'll push you to face your weaknesses. And trust me, you've got plenty."
Kale swallowed hard, but his resolve was firm. "I'm ready."
"Good," Rheon said with a smirk. "Then let's get started."
Without warning, Rheon launched himself at Kale, his movements a blur. Kale barely had time to react before Rheon was upon him, throwing a powerful punch aimed directly at his chest. Instinctively, Kale stepped back, but the force of the punch still knocked him off balance, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Get up!" Rheon's voice rang out, sharp and demanding.
Kale groaned and struggled to his feet, his muscles protesting with every move. "What the hell was that for?"
Rheon didn't answer, instead charging again. This time, Kale was ready. He summoned the power from the Growth Shard, channeling it into his legs as he leaped to the side just as Rheon's fist whizzed past him.
"Not bad," Rheon said, his voice tinged with approval. "But you're still too slow. You're relying on your instincts too much. Stat Forging isn't about reacting—it's about anticipating."
Kale wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart pounding. "Anticipating?"
Rheon gave a mocking grin. "You need to stop thinking like a weakling. You can't afford to be reactive anymore. You need to control the flow of battle. You've got the strength now, but you lack the awareness."
Kale narrowed his eyes. "How do I do that?"
Rheon didn't hesitate. "You start by learning your body. Feel every muscle, every joint. Sense the flow of energy inside you. The more you understand your limits, the more you can push them. I'm going to break you, and in doing so, I'll build you back up."
Kale clenched his fists. "I'm not afraid."
"That's the spirit," Rheon said, almost approvingly. "Now, get back up and fight."
They sparred for hours. Rheon was relentless, his attacks coming from all angles, testing Kale's reflexes, speed, and endurance. Each time Kale was knocked down, he forced himself to rise again. Pain became a constant companion, but so did the growing sense of power that coursed through his veins.
At one point, Kale managed to land a hit on Rheon's side—a blow that made the older man grunt in surprise. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make Kale's heart swell with pride.
Rheon, however, didn't seem impressed. "That was a fluke." He wiped the blood from his lip and grinned. "But don't worry, I'll give you credit for trying."
Kale scowled, his breath ragged. "I'll do better."
"Better doesn't matter," Rheon said, walking over to the side of the valley. "What matters is if you can keep getting up. Every time you fall, you need to stand again. Stat Forging isn't just about gaining strength—it's about breaking your body and mind and rebuilding them."
Kale gritted his teeth. "Then let's break it."
As the day wore on, the training became more brutal. Rheon pushed Kale to the brink, forcing him to fight even when his body screamed for rest. Every bruise, every injury, only made Kale more determined. The pain was a reminder that he was alive—alive and changing.
By sunset, Kale could barely stand. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, and his clothes were torn. But there was something different in his eyes. The blankness that had once filled him—his blank Potential—was now flickering with the raw energy of growth. He wasn't just surviving; he was becoming something more.
Rheon, standing nearby, watched him silently for a moment before speaking. "Not bad, kid. You've got heart, I'll give you that."
Kale breathed heavily, struggling to keep himself upright. "Is that it? Are we done?"
"For today," Rheon said, a hint of something like respect in his voice. "Tomorrow, we do it again. And the day after that. And the day after that. We'll keep pushing until you can fight without thinking. Until you can move without hesitation."
Kale nodded, the fire in his chest still burning strong. "I'm ready."
Rheon smirked. "We'll see. But you're getting there. Slowly."
Kale stumbled toward the fire, his legs shaking, but his resolve was stronger than ever. He didn't know how far he would go, or what the cost of this power would be. But there was no turning back now.
The Wastes had broken him—but now, they would make him stronger.