Then they returned to the city and went to the inn.
They sat on chairs, and Eliane ordered food for Joel.
"Please, with some beers," Joel said to the innkeeper.
Eliane rested her chin on her hand, leaning on the table.
"So, you drink beer?"
Joel nodded.
She smiled.
Enjoy it… because the training will be like hell.
The innkeeper came back with the ordered food and drinks.
Joel immediately started eating.
The innkeeper stared at him for a moment.
"You're the kid from last time?"
Joel nodded.
"The food is good, but the drink is excellent," he said with a joyful smile.
The innkeeper smiled, then shouted:
"Everyone! This is our champion! Who can defeat him? Who wants a price reduction? Who wants free beer?"
Silence fell for a moment, then two men looked at each other suspiciously.
She looked around, and suddenly everyone shouted.
Around twenty people wanted to participate.
They arranged the place for the challenge.
Everyone prepared, looking at Joel, who was confident in his victory. Many of them smiled with excitement.
The innkeeper shouted:
"Start!"
Each of them drank a full glass of beer in a few seconds.
Within three minutes, ten people collapsed to the floor.
A man stared at Joel.
How can this kid drink beer like it's water?
Meanwhile, Joel was enjoying the drinks and even increased his speed.
Soon, five more people collapsed, and three fainted from the alcohol.
The remaining participants froze in shock as Joel sped up again.
In my whole life as a drinker, I've never seen anything like this…
One man stepped back and gave up.
The last participant collapsed.
Suddenly, the innkeeper raised Joel's hand.
This kid is terrifying… thirty glasses of beer and he's not even drunk. Maybe I should set a limit… but this means more money.
The innkeeper smiled warmly.
"My name is Jena. It would be nice if you came here every day."
Joel nodded.
After that, they were about to leave.
Jena said,
"Joel, you can stay here tonight. There are free rooms."
Silence settled between them.
Joel turned to Eliane, waiting for her response.
She nodded, and Joel jumped joyfully.
Then they went to the Adventurers' Guild and took their reward.
After leaving the guild, they headed to a nearby forest.
"Joel, I let you enjoy your day. Now, it's time for tomorrow's training. If you surrender… I will put an end to your life."
Joel froze for a second, swallowed his saliva, and opened his eyes.
"So now, carry me. I'm too old to run."
Joel nodded and began running around the forest again and again without stopping.
After five hours of running, he collapsed as Eliane got off his back.
She folded her arms.
"Even with your condition, I will turn you into a monster… a hunter. Now, start push-ups."
Joel began doing push-ups.
At twenty, he was exhausted and fell to the ground.
Suddenly, Eliane removed his eyes.
He screamed in pain and rolled on the ground.
"Why did you stop?" she whispered in his ear.
Immediately, he forced himself to continue, falling and rising again.
His muscles could no longer hold his body. He was trembling.
"It is when we are at death's door that we discover our true abilities."
She said and gave him a sword.
"Hit that until it breaks."
She pointed at a rock, reinforcing it with magic.
Joel had no choice but to obey. His entire body was in pain.
He gritted his teeth and struck the rock until his palms tore open. Blood flowed from his hands.
Then he smiled, almost crazed.
She really wants me to die… so this is what they call hell training.
Eliane was about to speak, but he continued.
After a moment, his arms stopped moving.
He felt death approaching.
Move… move… MOVE!
He raised the sword again—then collapsed.
Eliane smiled.
"Perfect. Now carry me. Run back to the inn."
Joel obeyed.
When they entered Jena's inn, he collapsed to the floor from exhaustion.