SPECIAL EP - 3 - MASTER'S TRIAL

Special Episode 3 – Master’s Trial

The sun rose slowly over the distant mountains. Master sat cross-legged, back straight, aura flowing steadily into his body as he focused on converting and directing every particle of energy within him. The morning breeze stirred the leaves, whispering faintly across the quiet forest clearing.

A loud voice suddenly pierced the calm.

“Heyyy, messy-haired boy! Where are you?!”

Master exhaled, opening his eyes.

In front of him, Pity and Strength were locked in a wrestling match. Pity was straining with every ounce of his energy, clearly giving it his all—and losing—while Strength wasn’t even trying to fight back yet still overpowered him effortlessly.

“Excuse me, Strength and Pity… where is everyone?” Master called.

“They went to make some money,” Strength shouted, grinning. “And I have no clue how.”

Just then, July came jogging slowly toward Master.

“Hey! What are you doing? You need to train!” she said, grabbing his hand.

“I guess… okay,” Master replied quietly.

“Come on! Let’s start with a warm-up,” July said firmly. She held Master’s hand and started running with him.

After completing one lap around the clearing, July let go of his hand.

“Alright. Now you continue. I want at least twenty more laps,” she said.

“Twenty laps? You mean… like ten kilometers?” Master asked, eyebrows raised.

“Yes! No excuses. Start running!” July commanded.

Master began running, his aura flowing in steady waves, legs pounding rhythmically against the earth. He ran continuously, hour after hour, sweat soaking his clothes, muscles screaming—but he didn’t stop.

Finally, as the afternoon sun dipped lower, he slowed to a stop.

“I did it,” he panted, taking off his T-shirt and laying it on the ground, revealing his toned, sweat-slicked body.

“Well done,” July said. “Now for something tougher. 5,000 push-ups. Perfect form. If you fail, you won’t train today.”

Despite exhaustion, Master began. His arms trembled with each repetition, but he pushed through. Hours passed; the earth beneath him bore the imprint of relentless effort. After completing all 5,000, he collapsed briefly, then shakily rose.

“July… I did it,” he said, breathless.

“Good. Now 1,500 squats. Focus on control and leg power,” she commanded.

Master wiped the sweat from his brow and started. Pity watched worriedly from the sidelines.

“Poor Master…” he murmured. “Strength, shouldn’t we give him some water?”

“He won’t stop, Pity. We can’t let him slack!” Strength said, mimicking Master’s movements and grinning. “I won’t be left behind!”

After finishing the squats, Master staggered to July again.

“Hmm… your stamina is impressive,” she said. “But not as strong as Kai.”

“Who… is Kai?” Master asked, his voice trembling. He collapsed onto the ground, legs unable to support him, body shaking violently.

“Leave it for now,” July said. “Next: 800 high jumps. Focus your aura in your legs for extra force.”

Master jumped, rising high into the air, but his legs buckled on landing.

“Why is he falling like that?” Strength asked Pity, tilting his head.

“Oh god… save him!” Pity groaned. “It’s because his legs aren’t used to controlling all that aura force at once! This is… dangerous!”

Master lay on the ground, utterly drained. July picked up a stick and lightly tapped him.

“Stand up! Are you done already?” she scolded.

Master shakily rose.

“Now… 1,000 crunches. Perfect form. Focus on your core aura while moving,” July ordered.

His jaw dropped at the sheer intensity, but he started immediately, every motion precise. Nearby, Strength fainted mid-rep, murmuring in delirium:

“I… have to train… I have to train…”

A rustle in the trees drew their attention. Uncle Hatoko appeared, leaning casually on his cane, observing Master with a small smile.

“I see someone’s taking training to… a whole new level,” he said quietly, chuckling.

“Uncle Hatoko?” Master panted.

“Don’t stop. Even the strongest need to push beyond themselves,” Hatoko advised, then disappeared into the forest as quickly as he had appeared.

Master continued, muscles trembling, sweat pouring, yet he refused to stop. Squats, push-ups, high jumps, crunches—he moved like a force of nature.

Finally, after hours of relentless training, he collapsed, utterly exhausted, face down in the dirt.

Suddenly, a blur of movement approached. All the demons who had gone to make money came running, faces serious.

“Master! Master!” they shouted in unison. “The King of Slovara Kingdom has called for you!”

Master slowly sat up, wiping sweat from his brow, aura still pulsing faintly around him.

“Ohh… now I know,” he said, voice steady despite exhaustion. “We are in Slovara Kingdom. We reached here when we left Solaris.”

He rose fully to his feet, demons flanking him on all sides, and took a deep breath. The air was calm, but heavy with anticipation—the quiet before the next storm.