The first ten days of training were hell, but I had survived. Barely. Just when I thought Reina would finally give me a break, she handed me a new task.
"Go into the forest and chop some wood."
I stared at her. "You're serious?"
Reina's expression didn't change. "You need to improve your control and stamina. Chopping wood will help."
I sighed. Fine. At least this wasn't as bad as getting blasted by fireballs. I picked up my axe and started walking into the forest.
Eris crossed her arms. "Want me to come with you?"
I smirked. "Afraid I'll get lost?"
"No, afraid you'll chop your own leg off."
I rolled my eyes. "I'll be fine."
She hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright, just don't do anything stupid."
With that, I headed into the trees, ready for what I thought would be a simple, peaceful task.
I was very, very wrong.
The forest was quiet. Too quiet.
I had found a good tree and raised my axe when I felt it—an unnatural shift in the air. The hairs on my neck stood on end. Something was watching me.
I slowly turned my head.
A monster stood between the trees.
A level 3 beast, covered in black fur, its red eyes glowing in the dim light. A low growl rumbled from its throat as it stepped forward, claws digging into the dirt.
My breath caught in my throat.
This was bad. I wasn't ready for this. Reina had trained me, yes, but I had never fought a real monster before.
I took a slow step back. Maybe I could escape—
The beast lunged.
I barely had time to react. I threw myself to the side, rolling across the forest floor as its claws slashed through the air where I had just been.
I scrambled to my feet, heart pounding. I needed to fight. Running wasn't an option anymore.
"Alright, Lorien," I muttered to myself. "Time to see if all that training actually worked."
I raised my hands, summoning my mana. A flame flickered to life in my palm, steady and controlled—just like Reina had taught me.
The beast charged again.
I threw the fireball.
It hit the monster's side, but instead of stopping it, the flames only seemed to make it angrier. It roared and swiped at me with terrifying speed.
I wasn't fast enough to dodge completely.
Pain exploded in my side as its claws raked across my ribs. I stumbled back, gasping.
I had to end this quickly.
Summoning all my strength, I focused my mana and shot another fireball—this time, aiming for its face.
The flames hit, and the beast howled in rage. It staggered back, shaking its head violently.
This was my chance.
I gathered my remaining mana and shaped it into a spear of ice. With a deep breath, I hurled it forward.
The ice spear struck true, piercing the beast's chest.
The monster let out one last, ear-splitting roar before collapsing onto the ground.
Silence.
I stood there, panting, barely able to believe it.
I had won.
"Lorien!"
I turned to see Eris running toward me, sword in hand, her eyes filled with worry.
"Are you okay?!"
I managed a weak grin. "Yeah. Just… give me a second to breathe."
She glanced at the dead monster, then back at me. "You fought this alone?"
"Yep."
Her expression softened. "Idiot."
I laughed, then immediately regretted it as pain shot through my ribs. "Ow."
Eris sighed. "Come on, let's get you back before you pass out."
She moved closer, letting me lean on her shoulder as we walked.
For once, she didn't tease me. She just stayed by my side.
And somehow, that made the pain a little easier to bear.
When we got back, Reina took one look at me and nodded.
"You survived. Good."
That was all she said before turning away.
I stared after her. "That's it? No 'well done,' no 'I'm proud of you?'"
"You did what you were supposed to do. That doesn't deserve praise."
I groaned. "You're impossible."
Eris rolled her eyes. "You should just accept that she's a lost cause."
But even as Reina walked away, I caught a small, almost imperceptible smile on her lips.
Maybe—just maybe—I had impressed her after all.
And that thought made all the pain worth it.