In the following days, Kael kept facing numerous gnolls, steadily refining his combat style. But his training wasn't limited to duels. Mornings were dedicated to mana control, learning to channel it with greater efficiency and precision, while evenings were spent perfecting his technical skills and deepening his martial arts. His days were full, exhausting, yet incredibly productive and rewarding.
"So, when you said something different… this is what you meant?"
"Yes."
Hidden in the undergrowth, the two spoke quietly as they watched a pair of gnolls patrolling the area.
Ronald's new challenge was for Kael to fight multiple enemies at once.
Just a few days earlier, the thought would have overwhelmed him. But now, after having slain at least a dozen of those creatures, Kael was starting to understand their movements.
"Remember what I told you," Ronald whispered. "In a fight against multiple opponents, never focus only on the one in front of you."
Kael gave Ronald a silent nod, and Ronald responded with a slight tilt of his head, the signal to proceed.
Kael didn't hesitate.
With a sudden burst of energy from his legs, he activated Fiery Steps. His body shot forward like a flash of lightning, leaving only the rustling of bent bushes behind.
The first gnoll didn't have time to react. Kael struck it with a sudden thrust to its side, followed by a diagonal slash that forced it to retreat with a growl. But Kael didn't pursue it.
The second gnoll was already charging. Armed with a crude spear, it lunged to stab him.
Kael twisted his torso swiftly to dodge the thrust, lowered his stance, and slashed diagonally toward the creature's thigh. The cut wasn't deep, but enough to make it stagger.
The first gnoll, still wounded, attacked again with its stone axe.
Kael triggered another burst beneath his left foot, dodging sideways in a flash. The axe missed and smashed into the ground, throwing up clumps of dirt.
Spinning with the momentum, Kael launched a horizontal slash. The gnoll blocked it with a bony guard on its forearm and roared, trying to grab his sword.
Just then, the second gnoll tried to strike. Realizing the danger, Kael used Fiery Steps to kick the first monster away, just like he had done to Ronald a few days earlier. He escaped the danger zone but still took a cut to the arm.
Squinting, Kael tried to ignore the sharp pain shooting through his arm. He couldn't afford to lose focus for even a moment.
Gritting his teeth, he returned to the offensive.
He feinted an attack toward the spear-wielding gnoll, then at the last second dashed toward the other, just as it raised its axe. A quick and precise thrust pierced its shoulder. The creature howled in pain, but before it could counterattack, Kael drove his knee into its ribs.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bones echoed as the creature dropped to its knees, blood foaming from its mouth.
The other gnoll charged from behind but Kael had anticipated it.
He pulled his sword free and met the beast's strike head-on.
BAM!
The impact echoed through the forest, scattering birds into the sky.
Kael could feel the gnoll's strength in the tremble it sent through his body but he refused to stop. The Crimson Flame Sun style was purely offensive, meaning he had to keep attacking.
With a burst of mana, he pushed the monster back and struck again. The gnoll barely blocked the first blow but that was only the beginning.
Kael unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes, forcing the creature on the defensive. Blow after blow rained down until the crude weapon in its hands finally gave out.
Left defenseless, the gnoll couldn't block Kael's final slash. The blade tore through its chest, ending its life.
Breathing heavily, Kael walked over to the last gnoll and collapsed on the ground. Though it was gravely injured, it was still breathing. After a long sigh, Kael raised his sword and drove it into the monster's heart.
"I-I did it…"
He dropped to the ground, exhausted, his breath short and body aching. Fighting two monsters at once had been much harder than expected. He had to stay alert for both, even while dodging one's blows. Easier said than done.
Ronald approached silently and knelt beside him to treat his wound.
Fortunately, the cut wasn't too deep but it would leave a noticeable scar.
From time to time, Kael flinched from the pain. Even though he tried to hide it, the tension in his face gave him away.
"There's nothing wrong with admitting it hurts," Ronald said calmly. "It's a natural reaction. Still… you did well to hold back earlier. It was a good fight."
'Maybe too good...' Ronald thought to himself.
Kael's growth and adaptability were exponential. If one day he managed to do just one thing, the next he could do twice as much and even more the day after. Ronald thought nothing could surprise him anymore after all he had seen, yet that boy still managed to leave him speechless.
He had always known Kael was special. But… damn, he was growing too fast. Even in Ronald's experienced hands, that talent felt uncontainable.
He could already see it: Grandmaster… then Saint… and him…
And him?
'Ptff! Hah… I'm really getting old.'
A faint, bittersweet smile curved his lips. 'A few more years, if I'm lucky. How much longer will I be around to witness his path?'
He ruffled Kael's hair affectionately, only then realizing how much the boy had grown, he almost reached his shoulders now.
"Ronald?" Kael looked up at him, confused.
"Nothing," Ronald replied with a soft smile. "I was just thinking that one day, you might become the youngest Saint in history. It was one of your goals, remember?" He extended a hand to help him up.
"Hah…"
Kael chuckled awkwardly, remembering what he had said that day while chopping wood.
"What do we do now?" he asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.
"We're heading home. We've been gone a week, and we achieved more than expected. Plus, if I don't bring you back by tonight, Betty will come looking for me furious."
Kael burst into laughter, and Ronald soon joined in.
It was time to go home.
****
The journey back took most of the day, but fortunately, nothing unusual happened along the way. When they finally reached the outskirts of the village, the soft torchlight dotting the night landscape made Kael exhale in relief. He had only been away from civilization for a week, yet it felt like an eternity. The familiar surroundings comforted him. He no longer had to watch for monster tracks in every shadow.
The two hurried home, eager to rest. Once inside, Kael stretched with exhaustion. All he wanted was a proper bath and a long sleep. But just as he was about to head for the bathroom, Ronald called out to him.
"Come with me to my room for a moment, I've got something to give you."
Curious, Kael followed. Ronald's room was slightly smaller than his own but neat and practical, with everything needed for a simple life. What immediately caught Kael's eye, though, was Ronald's odd movement. He lifted a floorboard and pulled something out, then handed it to Kael.
"Here. This will help you."
In Ronald's hand was a plain black ring, and Kael couldn't help himself.
"Sorry, Ronald… but I only see you as a friend. I don't think anything more could ever happen between us…"
"..."
"..."
A frozen silence followed Kael's joke. Ronald didn't move a muscle, his expression completely unreadable. Kael could swear he saw his eye twitch, just barely.
For a long moment, Kael stared at the floor, a wave of awkward heat rising in his face.
"I-It was just a joke…"
"...This ring will make it harder for others to sense your level. At most, only a Saint would be able to accurately tell how strong you are."
Ronald ignored the awkward moment and explained how the ring worked. Kael was more than happy to move on.
"Wait, how do you know it doesn't work on Saints?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow. "Have you ever met one?"
Ronald looked away. "Just a figure of speech. Anyway, it's highly unlikely you'll ever meet a Saint. And even if you did, the ring wouldn't matter anymore by then."
"Oh, I see. But there's still one problem, how do I explain what happened to me?" Kael said, gesturing toward his changed appearance.
"This is my idea."
Ronald quickly explained the excuse he planned to use. It was… creative, and while Kael wasn't entirely convinced, it wasn't the worst.
"You think people will buy that?"
"Honestly?" Ronald replied. "No. But at least they won't think you popped out of a glowing cocoon and turned into some kind of butterfly, right?"
Kael rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He had to admit, Ronald had a point. In the end, he agreed without further protest.
"Well, it's getting late. Goodnight."
Ronald shoved him out of the room and slammed the door shut. Kael stared at the door for a moment, speechless, then sighed and walked off. But before he could take more than a few steps, he heard a muffled laugh from Ronald's room.
"Hah! I knew that would make you laugh!"
"S-Shut up and go to sleep!"
Ronald's shout only widened Kael's satisfied grin. That night, he knew he'd sleep well.