Huff! Huff! Huff!
The sound of Azrael's labored breaths echoed in the stillness of the forest as he sprinted down a jagged path.
Sweat dripped from his brow, glistening on his toned muscles, while his black pants clung to him like a second skin.
Topless and determined, he pushed forward, crimson pupils blazing with resolve despite the fatigue that weighed heavily on him.
Today's training wasn't over yet; he had a mission to complete.
It had been more than seven days since Azrael embarked on this grueling training regimen under Master Arcturus's watchful eye.
He was deep into the first stage of the Titan Method, a relentless routine that demanded:
- 100 push-ups
- 100 sit-ups
- 100 squats
- 100 pull-ups
- A staggering 100 kilometers run.
For five straight days, Azrael had thrown himself into this challenge without much rest.
Rising before dawn, he would tackle each exercise with unwavering determination.
Initially daunting due to their increased intensity, these workouts had become slightly less punishing as his body adapted.
Yet every time he finished, exhaustion washed over him like a tidal wave, he felt as if he'd just emerged from the depths of an ocean.
But there was one thing that made it all worthwhile: soaking in the hot spring after each session to soothe his weary muscles and savoring delicious meals prepared by Master Arcturus.
With each passing day of intense training, Azrael's physique transformed dramatically.
His chubby body was now starting to get thin back to when he was in Wind Moon Village was fading away; faint muscles began to emerge where softness once reigned.
A hint of abs peeked through on his abdomen, and his biceps and triceps were starting to take shape.
His mental state also saw improvement,though nightmares still haunted him from time to time,reminders of a trauma that refused to fade completely.
The anger and hatred toward demons simmered within him, growing stronger each day; he longed for an opportunity to unleash it upon them.
Training consumed nearly every waking hour of Azrael's life now: mornings filled with sweat-drenched exertion followed by afternoons spent honing his skills until nightfall brought relaxation in the hot springs and hearty meals before collapsing into bed for less than five hours' sleep.
While some might find such a routine monotonous, for Azrael, each completed set ignited a sense of accomplishment that fueled him further, the pain became a catalyst for growth.
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"Huff! Huff! Huff! Finally done for today!" Azrael sighed heavily as he reached home at last.
As usual, Master Arcturus sat cross-legged on the tatami floor surrounded by an impressive pile of books, engrossed in one particular volume.
Azrael wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel, feeling the weight of the day settle on him. "Old geezer, I'm done for today! You said you were going to add a new routine to my training," he called out as he stepped onto the veranda and settled onto the tatami floor.
With a snap of his book, Master Arcturus looked up, a smile breaking across his weathered face. "Good! You've been doing exceptionally well lately. You've completed every exercise on time, that's impressive! As I mentioned before, I'm adding something new to your daily regimen: reading!" He gestured toward a stack of books beside him.
"Reading?!" Azrael blinked in surprise, confusion washing over him.
"Yes," Master Arcturus replied with a nod. "You do know how to read and write, right?"
"Of course! My grandfather taught me," Azrael affirmed, though he still wore a puzzled expression. "But what does reading have to do with my training to become a Demon Executioner?"
"It plays a huge role in your development!" Master Arcturus exclaimed. "Do you think all Demon Executioners are just muscle and no brains? You need knowledge just as much as strength."
"Why? Is it part of the examination?" Azrael asked, curiosity piqued.
"No," Master Arcturus shook his head firmly. "But having knowledge about this world, and about demons, can be invaluable. It often makes all the difference."
Master Arcturus leaned forward slightly and smiled at Azrael. "Let me ask you this: How much do you really know about our world? Can you name it? Do you know its history? When did demons first attack? What divisions exist within it? What about power dynamics?"
As each question tumbled out, Azrael felt increasingly overwhelmed; he stared blankly at Master Arcturus, speechless and stunned.
His entire life had revolved around Wind Moon Valley and Wind Moon Village,he had never ventured beyond those familiar borders until now.
"You see?" Master Arcturus continued gently but firmly. "You know next to nothing! Your entire life has been spent in Wind Moon Village; you've been completely oblivious to your surroundings. If you step outside without any knowledge of the world you're living in, you'll be looked down upon or worse, taken advantage of."
He paused for emphasis before adding, "So from now on, alongside your training sessions, you'll dedicate three hours each day to reading."
"Okay," Azrael sighed reluctantly as he accepted his fate.
Reading was never his favorite pastime; back in Wind Moon Village, his grandfather had practically forced him into it!
Now being told that he had to dive back into books made his eyes twitch with annoyance.
"That's good!" Master Arcturus chuckled playfully as he returned to his reading. "Now go take a bath, you stink!"
Azrael shook his head and sighed as he stood up, making his way to the back of the house for a soothing hot bath to relieve his muscles.
As the days passed, Azrael continued his daily training regimen.
He had become accustomed to the routine, completing all exercises with ease.
His muscles had adapted to the intense training, leaving him less fatigued after workouts.
Though he still perspired profusely, his breathing was no longer labored.
A new addition to his daily routine was reading.
Following Master Arcturus' advice, Azrael dedicated three hours each day after training to expanding his knowledge.
It was during this time that he discovered the name of the world he lives in is called Bastonia.
The sheer size of the world left him astonished, as he had not anticipated its vastness.
Through his reading, Azrael learned more about Bastonia - a once beautiful realm of peace and harmony now plagued by relentless demons, killing people left and right.