Ibnor is currently wearing a set of Dark Silver Attachment, running through the forest of Sacred Sanctuary undergoing Death March. Old Man Hayato only gives him one task, which is to complete a lap around the forest. The Dark Silver Attachment is a common punishment device in the army where it will be attached to the wearer's two wrists, ankles and torso. The weight can be adjusted and the wearer will lose their ability to utilize Mana as long as they are wearing the Dark Silver Attachment.
This training is called Death March because there are only two outcomes of the training, either complete the march, or die trying. Saying this training is hellish is putting it lightly. There are countless dangers regardless of the place in the continent, and Death March participants had to complete the march according to the designated route with nothing else except the clothes on their backs. Adding the Dark Silver Attachment, Ibnor didn't even have the time to think about anything else except running.
The Sacred Sanctuary houses a variety of Spirit Beast, and some of them can be considered as a powerhouse in the Sacred Sanctuary. Luckily, for the so-called warm up, Old Man Hayato only set the weight to 20kg per attachment. At first, 100kg is nothing to him but as soon as the exhaustion kicks in, his will begins to wear thin. While being chased by Spirit Beasts, Ibnor is having a mental battle with himself where one line of thought screaming in regret, wondering why did he agree to this sort of torture while the other roaring in determination, not wanting to give up. Death March together with Dark Silver Attachment truly tested him, both physically and mentally.
It wasn't until after sun down that he completed the first Death March. Arriving in the villa, looking like a beggar with tattered clothes and miserable appearance, he passed out. Unfortunately, he was even denied the luxury of passing out when Old Man Hayato jolted him awake, removing the Dark Silver Attachment. The Mana rushed through his medians after being suppressed for a long time, making him a bit intoxicated. It was like a sense of satisfaction of a heavy smoker taking in his first cigarette after a long day of not having one, making him feel buzzed.
Old Man Hayato dragged him back to the forest area and told him to start meditating. Without any other options, he starts meditating and unknowingly falls into a deep trance. When he was awake the next morning, he asked Old Man Hayato regarding the trance he experienced last night. Old Man Hayato told him that his body is badly damaged and his meridian is slightly injured, due to the Death March and like rain after a drought, Mana filled his body, repairing the damaged cells and meridians, building them back and making them tougher.
Since his body is in desperate need of Mana, they easily absorb the Mana automatically. As for the trance, maybe it was the lack of thoughts, only his will, consciously and subconsciously trying to absorb as much Mana as he can.
He was glad when Old Man Hayato said today he did not need to undergo another Death March, but his excitement didn't last long when Old Man Hayato told him today there will be combat training. Old Man Hyato taught him briefly about human anatomical structures, and pointed to him, the deadly weak spot. After that, Old Man Hayato personally and literally beat the knowledge of unarmed fighting into him. As the night came, he was told to meditate in the forest again.
On the third day, he had to undergo another Death March. Putting on the Dark Silver attachment, Old Man Hayato increases the weight to 25kg per attachment. Smiling, Old Man Hayato told him that today he had two tasks. One, completing the same route as the first day, and two, memorizing every spirit creature he came across. Old Man Hayato smiles like an amiable old man from next door, but Ibnor knows that his master is having the time of his life, feeling ecstatic having a new challenge,which is training him.
As usual, after a near death spartan training, Old Man Hayato dragged him to meditate. His routine continues, alternating between Death March and combat training at day and meditation every night. Old Man Hayato also occasionally imparts his knowledge regarding Spirit Beast and Spirit Herbs. Due to the looming death threat every time he went for a Death March, he felt that there was no way he could run with only his two legs. Driven by the will to survive, he starts to crawl, roll, vaults, climb and jump during his Death March, unknowingly training his whole body. He even climbed a steep mountain with just his hand to avoid one of the roaming Spirit Beast powerhouses.
During combat training, he would sometimes face a Spirit Beast. To the current Ibnor, the Spirit Beast is in no way can be considered as weak, but in front of Old Man Hayato, they are no better than a house pet. After being forcefully caught several times, the Spirit Beast seems to get a general idea that Old Man Hayato wanted them to battle with Ibnor but would never allow them to kill him so they cooperated reluctantly.
Unfortunately for Ibnor, when he was seriously injured in the battle, the Spirit Beasts would stop and won't attack any further, giving him a 'what-a-weak-ass-trash-' kind of look. Among the Spirit Beast, there are two in particular that always have a smug look on their face, the Blue Eyes Wolf and the Jade Crocodile.
Pissed off, Ibnor trained harder until he could beat those two, but always 'lost' after beating them, making them unable to 'graduate' from the combat training. However, his action is quickly noticed by Old Man Hayato and he doesn't get the two poor Spirit Beasts anymore. Since then, Ibnor would purposely pay the two a 'visit' every time he went on the Death March.
After two months, he is now Level 48 Battle Master. When he is wearing his shirt, not much of a difference can be seen, only that he is not as skinny as was. He seems healthy, like an average guy but under the shirt, his body now is no longer what it used to be. His previously skinny body is now more defined. Unlike the warriors who have huge bulging muscles and big frames that emanate raw power, his muscle is lean, giving him a frame not too different from what he originally had. He now has a perfectly lean athletic body.
These two months have been hard on him, but he survived and managed to become stronger. Almost 10 levels in two months, it was an amazing feat for an ordinary person but for Old Man Hayato, with a new and improved Meditation Practice and a training that he himself designed, if Ibnor didn't manage to reach such a level, he would be truly disappointed. Now, it's nearing the Avalon Entrance test and Ibnor has to leave.
"Don't slack on your training, kid," said Old Man Yama.
"I won't, Master. Rest assured." replied Ibnor. Just as he was leaving, he suddenly stopped and asked Old Man Hayato a question.
"Master, how does it feel taking me as a disciple?"
"You? Boring. You easily reach every expectation. I only have to think on the start but you did your own for the rest of the time. Even half of the training menu was your idea. It's like having those automated coffee makers. I only have to turn on the switch. Not that I'm not proud, but you know, it feels too easy," replied Old Man Hayato. Ibnor smiled.
"Then it should be no problem for you to take a few more disciples right?" he said.
"Tch, what do you think I am? Taking you in was an exception," Old Man Hayato snorted.
"But.. "
"No but, kid. You are my last disciple. I wasn't going to in the first place but, something is telling me that I can trust you, and trust isn't something I do easily. Call it a calling, a fate, a destiny or whatever, but I've decided to give my all to you. You are my last disciple and I'm proud of you. I know what you are thinking.
Like I said, you are my last disciple and I will give you everything I can, so anything I give you is yours to decide what to do with them. Declaring or hiding the fact that I'm your master, to be a saint or a demon, to continue or cease my legacy, it's your choice," Old Man Hayato said.
His eyes are pensive, looking at Ibnor but at the same time not. It's like he is staring into the future. Snapping out of it, he cursed. "Fuck this shit! What are you trying to do, making me give a speech out of nowhere?"
Ibnor fully turns to Old Man Hayato and kneels on one knee, hands clasping in front. "Master, give me one year. After I return from Avalon Academy, I will tell you everything."
With that, he stood up and left the Sacred Sanctuary. When he steps out of the portal, he looks at his bodyguards amusingly.
"These guys actually wait here for the whole two months?" he thought. Entering the carriage, he returned to his residence.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," James greets him, together with all the servants in the residence.
"Yes, I'm home. Return to your duties," said Ibnor.
"How was your training, Your Highness? Would you like some refreshment?" asked James.
"That would be nice, thank you Uncle James. The training was hard, my body is still sore all over," replied Ibnor.
"Please have a good rest in your chamber, Your Highness. Your refreshment will be there shortly."
Ibnor went to his bedroom and lay on the bed. While it is true that he is tired, it was only a little bit. Not long after, there is a knock on his door and he hears a sweet voice.
"Your refreshment is here, Your Highness."
"Come in," he replied.
Tiffany comes in pushing a serving cart to the bedside. Meticulously preparing everything, she stands there waiting for further instruction. Ibnor is running his finger across his SD interface, reading the latest news and occasionally reaching for the refreshments. After a while, he simply lay on the bed, enjoying the first comfortable rest he had in two months.
"Do you want a massage, Your Highness?" Tiffany asked hesitantly.
"That would be great," Ibnor replied nonchalantly. Tiffany gets onto the bed and starts to massage Ibnor. She noticed that his muscle density is different from before. Ibnor is blissful due to the massage and his eyes feel heavy.
"That's enough. Come, lie down."
Tiffany lay timidly next to Ibnor with her back facing him. Silence ensures, with only Ibnor's breath can be heard. She stayed still for a while to ensure Ibnor was truly sleeping before getting out. Just as she wanted to get up, Ibnor turned and hugged Tiffany, spooning her. Tiffany didn't move and resigned herself to what would ensue after the hug.
However, what she expected to come didn't happen. Ibnor is truly sleeping. As the time ticks away, Tiffany too, falls asleep. Ibnor woke up in the middle of the night only to find himself hugging a beauty. Staring at Tiffany, he sighed.
"I owe you. I'm still not powerful enough to protect you, but I will do anything I can to prevent the tragedy from happening again." he thought. Crossing his legs, he started to meditate.
Morning came and it's time for Ibnor to depart for Avalon Academy. Ibnor gathers all the servants in the residence before leaving.
"Tiffany, come here," Ibnor called out to Tiffany. Tiffany walks out of the crowd and stands beside Ibnor.
"From today onwards, Tiffany is my personal maid. She will deal with both my personal and non-personal affairs. I expect you to treat her words as you treat mine. Uncle James, please ensure that they do. Tiffany, come with me."
"Yes, Your Highness. Have a safe journey," James replied.
Tiffany followed Ibnor into the carriage. The journey will take a few hours since Avalon Academy is located far north, near the Central Islands. During the journey, Tiffany keeps her head down, staring silently at the floor while Ibnor is enjoying the view.
"Tiffany..." Ibnor called.
"Yes, Your Highness." Tiffany was startled by the sudden call after a long silence.
"Thank you," said Ibnor.