Chapter 74: Morning Training

After breakfast, Master Videl, Olivia, and Kael moved to a wide, open clearing near the cabin. This area in the middle of the forest was practically a fighting arena. Videl stood with his arms crossed in front of him and turned his gaze toward Kael. First, he wanted to assess exactly what level the young man across from him was at.

"Now, let's see what we've got."

"What ring are you at right now?"

"I'm at the threshold of the fourth ring, Master Videl."

"Four rings... Not bad for your age."

Kael thought to himself, "Not bad, huh? In the Eastern Kingdom, very few people my age have reached the fourth ring." He had expected a greater compliment from the elderly commander, but he hadn't received the reaction he'd hoped for.

"Your opponent will be Olivia. No swords allowed—you'll fight using only magic and physical strength."

"Olivia, please hold back against Kael."

"Of course, Grandpa," said Olivia, a confident expression on her face.

When Olivia stepped forward and stood opposite Kael, Kael looked at Master Videl in surprise.

"Did Master Videl just tell his granddaughter to 'hold back'?" he thought to himself.

Olivia took her stance, placing one hand on her lower back and extending the other forward. Looking at the delicate girl before him, Kael turned toward Videl with his innate chivalry.

"Mr. Videl, I don't want to hurt Olivia—"

Before Kael could finish his sentence, a loud explosion rang out. As dust and smoke suddenly billowed into the air, Kael hadn't even had time to process what was happening when the tip of Olivia's hand was hovering just a millimeter from his throat. Kael's eyes widened in shock as he slowly turned his head at the cracking sound coming from behind him. The air current created by Olivia's slashing blow had literally split the dirt ground behind Kael in two, opening a deep fissure.

Cold sweat pouring down his face, Kael froze in place. He hadn't realized when Olivia had appeared right behind him.

Olivia looked at Kael with a mocking expression and asked:

"Do you always underestimate your enemies just because they're girls, Kael?"

Videl stepped in: "Olivia, that's enough—the fight is over."When Olivia fully withdrew her hand, Kael breathed a sigh of relief.

"What was that all about? What on earth is that destructive power?" he thought to himself.

"Kael, Olivia may look like an ordinary girl your age, but she's a sixth-ring physical mage," said Videl.

"Sixth ring? And a physical mage, no less..."

The physical mages Kael knew were usually burly, muscle-bound men like Ivor, the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild in the Eastern Kingdom. They channeled their mana into their fists to shatter massive boulders into dust. He hadn't expected this delicate girl standing before him to belong to that class.

When Olivia saw the look of surprise on Kael's face, she asked, "What's wrong, Kael? Have you never seen a physical mage before?"

"I... I'm just surprised... Usually, physical mages are much bigger and more muscular, but you..."

"Ha! I don't need muscles for power. If you have enough mana, you can even split a huge mountain in two."

"Split a mountain in two with mana?"

Videl walked over to Kael and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I understand why you're surprised, Kael. Olivia is a half-breed just like you... Now you must understand why she's so strong. So don't let it get you down, son."

Olivia had heard Videl. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait a minute... Kael, are you a half-breed too?!"

Videl ignored her granddaughter's question and squeezed Kael's shoulder.

"Now go over to that corner and watch us very carefully, Kael. Imprint how we fight in your mind. The most important part of training is learning by watching."

Kael, still reeling from the shock of Olivia being the sixth ring, quietly retreated to the corner. He had thought of himself as somewhat strong, but what he had just witnessed made him feel like an ant.

In the center of the arena, Olivia and Videl faced off.

"Alright, Olivia, don't hold back—give it your all!"

"Alright, Grandpa! You'd better defend yourself!"

Videl let out a loud laugh.

"Ha ha! Alright, bring it on!"

As Olivia moved, the ground beneath her feet shattered. Every time her fists and kicks struck the seasoned Videl's guard, shockwaves spread out, creating deep cracks in the ground they stood on. Kael watched the clash from the corner without even blinking. It was as if two giants, not two humans, were fighting each other. Olivia's full-power punches were so heavy that every move caused small-scale earthquakes throughout the area.

Videl caught Olivia's incoming hard punch in midair and spun her, flinging her toward the sky. Olivia regained her balance with a somersault in the air and delivered a powerful kick from above, aiming for Master Videl's head.

The moment the blow struck Master Videl's arms, the ground beneath the old man collapsed, creating a massive sinkhole. A wisp of smoke rose from Videl's arm due to the friction caused by the impact. Just as Olivia was about to land, Videl, with incredible reflexes, grabbed her by the leg and began swinging her upside down in the air.

"Grandpa! Let go!"

"Ha ha ha! My granddaughter has gotten so much stronger!"

Videl smiled as he gently set Olivia down on the ground.

Olivia smoothed out her clothes, respectfully greeted her grandfather, and the intense confrontation between the two came to an end.

When Videl turned toward Kael, he saw the young man staring wide-eyed at the massive crater. Kael was completely spellbound and horrified.

"Olivia has been training under me for years. Sometimes I think I've trained her like a boy—very harshly."

Olivia shot her grandfather a sidelong glance from behind.

"Not at all! Please keep training me the same way."

Videl smiled, reached out her hand, and gently ruffled Olivia's blonde hair.Then Videl walked over to Kael.

"We need to strengthen your body a bit before you remove the seal ring from your finger. If we can get you to the fifth ring, we can help you control the demonic energy within you."

"The fifth ring? Master Zephyros told me I must never remove the ring until I reach at least the sixth ring."

"Who is Zephyros?"

"He's my mother's brother. He's like a spiritual father to me."

"A spiritual father?" Videl's expression grew serious.

"Did something happen to Abaddon?"

"Ah, no, Master Videl, my father is in the demon realm..."

Kael recounted the painful events his mother had told him about, one by one.As Videl listened to the story, his face contorted with anger. Finally, unable to contain herself, she slammed her hand so hard against the wooden railing beside her that the entire floor shook violently. Kael jumped a few inches into the air from the ground's tremor.

"M-Master Videl, please calm down..."

"Damn light mages!"

Videl's eyes glowed a wild, purple color with rage

"Do they even know what it means to tear a child away from their family, to leave a father helpless?!"

"Master Videl, I..."

Videl took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

"I know, Kael. It's all right, son. I'll send you out of here in such a state that no one will dare lay a finger on you or your family once you're out there!"

Kael was moved by the old man's protective words. He bowed his head respectfully.

"I'll do whatever it takes, Master Videl.". I'm ready to endure any pain."

Olivia had been waiting quietly on the sidelines while Kael recounted his past. Her heart ached when she learned that he, like herself, had suffered great pain and been separated from his family. She approached Kael with slow steps.

"This morning... I'm sorry I was hard on you, Kael. I didn't know what you'd been through..." she said in a sheepish voice.

Kael looked at the girl's remorseful expression and smiled slightly.

"It's okay, Olivia. Actually, I had a lot of fun chasing that bull too—it was an unforgettable, wonderful memory for me as well."

Seeing Kael's sincere smile, Olivia relaxed and smiled back. She extended her hand in a friendly gesture.

"We're friends from now on—no more pranks, okay?"

Kael reached out his hand without hesitation.

"Deal. We're friends..."

Videl felt a warm sensation in her chest as she watched her granddaughter form such a genuine bond with someone her own age for the first time in years—and saw a smile on her face.

"Perhaps," the old commander thought,

"Kael's arrival in this dimension has been good for Olivia."

However, Videl didn't want to linger on this emotional moment. He clapped his hands together firmly.

"ALRIGHT, LET'S GET MOVING!"

Videl pointed with his hand toward a massive mountain barely visible in the distance, shrouded in mist

"We're starting with a morning run. You'll circle that mountain and come back."

When Kael looked at the mountain, he swallowed hard; it was so far away it was barely visible.

"Also, it is strictly forbidden to enchant your body with magic while running! You will use only physical strength!"

Before Kael could even process what was happening, Olivia darted forward. As she ran, she turned around and called out:

"Kael, let's race! Whoever comes in last has to milk the cows all by themselves tomorrow morning!"

Kael stood there staring after Olivia. He shuddered at the thought, as he didn't have fond memories of cows.

"That's not fair—you started early!" he shouted, and Kael began running after the girl with all his might.