The next morning, Joel woke up in his bed.
His body was in pain.
"What happened to me?" he whispered.
Then a flashback hit him, and suddenly he looked to his right.
Eliane was silently watching him.
She gave a warm smile.
"Hello, Joel. Are you feeling alright?"
Joel nodded.
Then, resting her chin on her hand, she said,
"Did you know that when your bones break, they become stronger?"
He replied,
"No."
Her smile darkened.
"I will break your bones until they become as solid as diamond… understood?"
Then she stood up.
"It's time for dinner, my child."
They left the room and went downstairs.
The inn was full of lively people, drinking and eating.
The two sat on chairs near a table.
Behind them, a drunk man, who looked like a mercenary, was watching them.
Oh… this is my type.
Suddenly, he approached them.
"Oh, you're as beautiful as the moon… I want you to marry me… I'm the strongest here."
His breath smelled strongly of alcohol.
Eliane simply smiled and said,
"If you want to marry me, defeat my child in a spar."
He nodded confidently.
Eliane's eyes shifted toward Joel.
Joel understood the message.
He swallowed his saliva.
Meanwhile, Jena was observing them.
I pity you… poor man.
They left the inn and went to the forest.
The mercenary was accompanied by three friends.
Eliane sat on a rock while the two opponents prepared themselves.
Suddenly, the wind blew around them as they moved toward each other.
The mercenary struck first.
Joel dodged easily.
He counterattacked, but the mercenary blocked with his sword.
How can a kid have such strength?
Then Eliane's voice echoed in Joel's mind.
Make him regret what he said.
Joel's expression sharpened.
He attacked again.
And again.
And again.
Without stopping.
Focused entirely on his opponent.
The mercenary grew angry and used all his strength.
He gritted his teeth and struck Joel's sword, pushing him backward.
The mercenary exhaled, his face filled with killing intent.
Die!!
Joel dodged the next attack and slightly cut the man's leg.
Immediately, the man fell to his knees.
His friends were shocked.
One of them burst into laughter.
"You were defeated by a kid? What a joke."
The man, humiliated, stood up in rage and rushed toward Joel.
His sword raised to strike—
But his leg gave out, and he fell again.
What happened?
Eliane's voice echoed in Joel's mind.
Kill them all.
Joel was confused. He didn't want that.
But the other mercenaries stared at Eliane with perverted intentions.
Suddenly, they attacked her from behind.
She smiled and pretended to be hit.
"You two, kill the child," one of them said, licking his lips.
Let me enjoy this.
In the next instant—
His hands were no longer attached to his body.
Eliane was still standing on the rock.
She stepped forward.
The area was filled with her magic.
The man trembled in fear and stepped back.
"Don't come closer, monster!" he shouted.
When she reached him, she whispered in his ear,
"Your life ends here."
She drew a line in the air.
He was beheaded instantly.
Meanwhile, Joel opened his eyes.
They glowed with a purple-blue color.
He looked at the remaining enemies.
Suddenly—
They burst into blood.
Their internal organs spilled out.
Death followed.
Then Eliane summoned a monster.
It was terrifying and enormous, with six arms, four wings, and four eyes.
Black as darkness.
Joel froze.
What is this…?
The creature devoured the corpses.
Moments later, nothing remained.
No blood.
No bodies.
As if nothing had happened.
Then it disappeared.
"Eliane said, "Joel, it's time for training."
He nodded.
She spread her arms wide.
"Come and carry me."
Joel obeyed and started running.
The more he ran, the heavier Eliane became.
One hour later—
Joel's legs trembled.
His body shook violently.
What is this? She weighs more than rocks…
Still, he kept running.
Eventually, Eliane got off his back.
She folded her arms.
"You are allowed to dodge now… be ready."
Joel's heart beat faster.
He focused completely.
She threw a punch toward his face.
He barely avoided it, but his jaw was cut.
"Not bad. Let's increase the speed."
She punched his stomach.
He was thrown away violently.
His bones cracked.
His vision blurred.
Then—
He fainted.
And fell to the ground.