Religias Castle, Inner Training Grounds…
Inside the large training ground on a large platform, soldiers adorning the Religias emblem on their chest and back were walking. There was more people than usual walking through the place, and if you look carefully, the same group of people would walk by again after 10 or so minutes.
All of them were looking at the center of the ground where Henry was.
"Ho- How long has he been doing that?" A soldier mumbled to his friend's ear discreetly.
"The first I've seen him was an hour ago… he's still there at that same place." His friend replied back.
"That's nothing." They looked to the side as someone barged in, "I first saw him two hours ago and he's still doing it with the same pace… there isn't even much sweat on him."
"How's that possible?" The guy looked up, wiping his own sweat, "It's noon and the sun is directly above us."
"And what about those two things… How can he lift them?"
"Forget about how he can, tell me how much those things weigh."
"Shh… don't speak so loudly. He might hear you." The soldier closed his friends mouth and looked at Henry, "From where I'm standing, maybe 100 or 200 KG-"
The guy who barged in answered, "Each one is 500… that guy is simply a monster."
Oblivious to those morons, I heard them very clearly and I have to say… getting fame in this way was working greatly.
Right now, I was lying on the center of the training grounds with the fucking sun beaming over me and two huge dumbbells on my hands. As they said, it was 500 KG indeed and I was lifting for not 1 or 2 hours… but 5 bleaching hours!!!
It would have been fine if some women were to watch me do this, but I forgot. This is the training ground, a place filled with guys and guys only… even female clerks that came here behaved like guys, just look at Margaret.
Even Samantha is also kind of tied up. But at least she tries to make herself a girl and impress me, only to fail numerously.
Like they say, Fail, Fail and Fail until you are only destined to fail… and finally some demon god or goddess gets your soul and puts you in the wrong body for the unkempt time…
But let's not get much into that.
The reason I was training right now after what… 400 or so chapters is because I realized that I've gone soft.
I NEED TO MAN UP AGAIN! Latest content published on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
And so starts the grind once more until everyone calls me the great mistake that came out of my long lost mother-… you get it.
"6 thousand two hundred and fifty-two."
"6 thousand two hundred and fifty-three."
"8 thousand two hundred and fifty-nine."
"A decade, thousand three hundred and thre-… damn, I forgot what number I was after thinking too much." I look at a passer by walking and call him, "Hey! Do you remember what count I was at?"
"Ah… I don't know, somewhere around 6 to 15 thousand maybe."
"yeah, you're probably right." I nod and start lifting again, "I'll just continue on until I see a womanly figure go by."
"Don't count your luck." The guy said as he left.
I only blink for a while before counting a bit too much too look more cool. But that too was only for a moment.
I hear a loud yell at my direction and see its Lucian. I look at him for a moment and he thought I was going to respond back in kind, I did.
I turn around and start lifting the dumbbells again.
"Are you ignoring me?!"
"Really? Are you ignoring me?"
I look at him and nod before continuing, "Well, stop! I have something important to say."
"Just say it, can't you see I'm extremely importantly busy here!"
Lucian grind his teethes before pointing his hand accusatory at me as everyone looked at him, "I challenge you to a duel!"
"With you, of course!"
"You sure about that?" I lift the left one and lower it before doing the right, "You couldn't even stop yourself when you tried to defend Margaret. Fighting me… that's too far for your level right now." I didn't take his words to heart.
The guy was clearly hurt, having his crush being taken away by the big bad guy.
"Don't ignore me! I'm giving you a challenge. Honor the warriors path and fight me!"
"Huh, well don't blame me for when you get sent to the underworld." I let the dumbbells go.
They fall on the ground and break it as a small pit forms under me. I carelessly get up and stand before Lucian, my height deafening the guy too much for the referee to give me a red card already.
"Well, you are ready, I am ready and we have a crowd to witness your quick breakdown so what are we still waiting for?"
"We need a mediator."
"…oh" I look around at the crowd, "Anyone willing to-"
They all turn around and act as if we were never here.
"I'll do it." I hear a voice and we both turn to see Nance.
I smile and turn to Lucian, "Let's do this."
Nance came between us and instructed, "Both of you, take your steps."
We walk back and bring a distance between us.
"Bring out your weapon and no hidden ones or I will immediately cut this battle. Finally, no killing."
"Really?" I ask, "You want to give me such a big handicap?"
Nance nodded, "The rule goes for both of you…"
Lucian unsheathed his silver sword and looked curiously at me, "Where's your weapon?"
I show him my fists, "These are my weapons."
Lucian groaned, "Don't you dare humiliate me!"
"Oh, don't worry… that comes after." I smile and it lifts up suddenly, "You know, this happened before too."
Lucian quietly raised a brow.
I point to Nance, "Just like now, I was challenged and you were the mediator back then too… It was another Religias lover boy who challenged m as well, how nostalgic."
"What is he talking about, Sir Nance?" Lucian asked, confused about it.
"Hah… Do you remember Jacob?" Nance asked.
"Yes, he left our services a few months ago for personal reasons."
"Well… those reasons had something to do with Henry here." Nance said and explained, "Though it wasn't Henry's fault."
"What?!" Lucian looked at me, "It's because of you. I looked after Jacob like a younger brother."
"No wonder he was a sissy."
"Damn you, Tax!" Lucian prepared for a fight, "I will make you pay!"
Nance looked at both of them, 'It really is like back then. Henry being challenged and the other party losing horribly. Though I don't believe Henry is completely faultless.'
"Ready… GO!" Nance said and immediately Lucian burst towards me.
His posture sharp and going for a low upwards stomach cut. He ran fast towards me, thinking a sharp attack would be in his favor.
Lucian smiled, just moments away from his range, 'I got him!'
Too bad… I am faster.
I just pull back my right arm and before he could swing his blade, smash it on his face.
With Lucian's body facing forward and mine hitting only his face, his body didn't stop. Instead, it went up and did a few circles before he fell down over the floor.
Nance looked at the fight and sighed, 'Thank goodness it didn't end like last time.'