School had ended, and Taarush walked out with one thought in mind—
to prepare for the duel against Sam.
He headed straight to the veterinary hospital.
The door creaked open. Dr. Robert sat on a chair, sipping his coffee calmly.
The moment he saw the determination in Taarush's eyes, he knew exactly why he had come.
"There are other people who can help you," the doctor said, "but not me."
Taarush didn't leave. He didn't speak.
He simply sat down on the floor outside the door.
"Train me," he said, voice firm. "I don't want to suffer anymore. I want to fight back."
Robert smirked.
"Let's see… I've got work."
Hours passed.
Taarush didn't move an inch.
When the nurses prepared to leave, one of them pointed at the boy sitting outside.
"Doctor, he's still there."
"He'll leave soon," Robert replied calmly.
But when closing time arrived, Taarush was still sitting.
Still determined.
Still waiting.
Robert sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"…Alright. Follow me. But the training will be hell. You can still turn back."
Taarush stood immediately.
"I've already lived hell. I'm ready."
---
They reached the doctor's home.
As Robert removed his coat—
SWOOSH!
He suddenly swung a punch toward Taarush's face.
Taarush dodged on instinct.
He raised his hand to counter—but Robert caught his wrist effortlessly.
"Good eyes," Robert said, impressed. "Most can't even see that punch."
He stepped back into a karate stance, inhaling sharply.
Muscles tightened.
With a powerful exhale—
BAM!
A full-force punch to Taarush's stomach.
Taarush didn't dodge.
He took the hit head-on—enduring until his knees shook.
Robert's eyes widened.
"Hah! Good boy. I'm Dr. Robert… your new master."
Taarush stayed on his feet for a moment—
then collapsed, unconscious.
---
Robert took a sip of coffee and waited for him to wake up.
His grandfather's words echoed in his mind:
"Train only the one who has already walked through hell…
and still chooses to stand."
CRACK.
Taarush woke up slowly.
Robert looked at him.
"Go home. Come back tomorrow.
4 AM sharp."
Taarush stood, wobbling slightly.
Before leaving, he turned back with confidence.
"I'm Taarush, Master."
Then he fainted again—right at the doorstep.
Robert groaned.
"I shouldn't have hit him that hard…"
He picked the boy up and carried him home.
Taarush's mother gasped when she opened the door.
"H-He's fine! He'll be fine! I'm a doctor!" Robert said, his voice cracking nervously.
She stared at his business card.
"…Veterinary doctor?"
The atmosphere became awkwardly funny.
Her thoughts screamed, My son is not an animal, though…
Robert hurried away, muttering to himself,
"This is why I hate talking to parents…"
---
Meanwhile, Sam waited eagerly for the upcoming duel.
Lord appeared beside him quietly.
"I heard you're fighting soon," he said.
His voice alone made Sam's bones tremble.
But Sam forced a smirk.
"I got this."
---
As Robert returned home, he turned on the lights—
Then froze.
"I never turned these on earlier…"
Realization hit him.
Taarush dodged a punch… in complete darkness.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"I've finally found someone worth training."