"I… I can't anymore. I'm exhausted," Julius said with a heavy voice.
"Okay, let's stop here," Marcus replied, disappointed.
It was noon, and the heat hung heavily in the air. The wind was growing warmer by the minute, brushing against the trees, which stood still and silent. Not a soul could be seen in the training grounds—only the drifting clouds above, and Julius, collapsed on the ground.
The dirt beneath was scarred with deep impressions, cracks, and impact marks—evidence of an intense training session between Julius and Zhou Rui. Or rather, a one-sided battle.
From the massive palace nearby, a figure stepped out—Vermillion IV himself.
He strode toward the field, his crimson robes catching the wind slightly. His tone was calm but observant.
"How's it going, Marcus?" he asked as he walked closer.
"No progress, my lord," Marcus responded with a sigh. "Airu hasn't landed a single hit yet. It's already the fourth day, and he still can't even see Zhou Rui's weapon."
"Why do you think that is?" Vermillion IV asked.
"Arrogance," Marcus answered bluntly.
"Unfortunately… yes," Vermillion IV agreed.
Julius lay flat on the ground, gasping for air. His white shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to his skin. His messy hair was spread around his face as he struggled to recover from the brutal training.
Opposite him stood Zhou Rui, his hands calmly folded behind his back, watching Julius in silence.
Then, Zhou Rui's gaze shifted toward Vermillion IV and Marcus, noticing the king's presence. He gave a respectful nod and said,
"Good afternoon, Lord Vermillion IV."
Vermillion IV turned toward him, smiled slightly, and nodded back.
"Good afternoon, Zhou Rui."
After that, he resumed his conversation with Marcus.
Meanwhile, Zhou Rui walked slowly toward Julius, his footsteps echoing lightly across the cracked earth.
"You're not weak, Airu," he said, his voice calm and clear.
Julius looked up, surprised—not just him, but even Marcus and Vermillion IV were caught off guard. They hadn't expected Zhou Rui, known for his stoicism, to speak so kindly.
"What did you say?" Julius asked, breathing heavily, still lying on the ground.
"I said you're not weak. It's your ego that's holding back your real power."
"Ego? That's rich coming from you, Zhou Rui," Julius snapped, anger flaring in his voice. "You're the one who's full of it, not me!"
Zhou Rui sighed.
"Why don't you take a walk with me?"
"What? Are you insane? You sound like a creep," Julius retorted.
At that moment, Vermillion IV interjected from behind,
"No, I actually think it's a good idea. Why don't you go for a walk with Zhou Rui, Mr. Airu?"
"That's fine and all," Julius groaned, "but I don't even have the energy to stand up."
Marcus took a step forward.
"Leave that to me."
He began walking toward Julius, slow and steady, his armored boots clanking softly on the stone-strewn earth.
"Wait, what are you going to do to me?" Julius asked warily.
Marcus said nothing. His right hand was on his helmet, the left resting over the hilt of his sword.
"Don't you dare play any tricks on me! My maidens will kill you, Marcus!"
"It's Commander Marcus," he corrected, now kneeling beside Julius.
His armor groaned slightly as he went down on one knee. Gently, he placed his helmet beside him on the ground.
"What are you going to do to me, huh?" Julius repeated, still on guard.
Marcus stretched out his right hand, palm open. A green magic circle formed in the air just above it. Soft waves of magic pulsed from it, and within seconds, Julius felt energy flowing back into his body—his strength returning, and the weight of exhaustion lifting.
Fifteen seconds later, his stamina and mana were fully restored.
"How do you know magic? I thought you were a warrior class," Julius asked, astonished.
Marcus gave a rare smile.
"I am. But for emergencies like this, I've also learned healing magic."
He retrieved his helmet and stood back up. Julius pushed himself to his feet as well, brushing dust and dirt off his now filthy shirt and trousers.
"Um… thanks… Commander Marcus."
Marcus gave him a friendly nod.
"No problem."
Then he added,
"But I do think you should really go for that walk with Zhou Rui."
Julius sighed, clearly still annoyed.
"Okay, okay…"
"Well then," Zhou Rui said, "let's go."
They began walking, leaving behind the Marcus Valley. Surrounded on both sides by steep, rocky hills, the valley had only two paths—one forward and one behind. Stones of various sizes were scattered across the ground, crunching under their footsteps.
Zhou Rui walked with his hands calmly folded behind his back, right above his hips. Julius, meanwhile, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, feeling awkward beside his silent training partner.
After a while, Julius broke the silence.
"Why did you ask me for a walk?" he said in a hesitant, slightly uncomfortable tone.
Zhou Rui replied in a calm, measured voice,
"Can you feel it? The energy of nature?"
Julius turned to look at him, utterly confused.
"Huh?" he muttered, brows furrowing.