At Jena's inn, Joel heard the words echoing in his mind like a constant ringtone.
One hour to live…
He was half-dead when Jena suddenly came out and saw him in such a pitiful state.
"What happened?" she asked, rushing toward him.
Eliane stood nearby, arms folded, watching silently.
Joel barely moved his lips.
"It… is training…"
Then he collapsed to the ground.
Jena quickly held his head, shocked.
Training…?
"What kind of training is this? He's still just a child!"
But when her gaze met Eliane's, everything became clear.
Silence fell.
A cold breeze passed through the inn.
Jena froze.
She's… terrifying.
Without saying a word, Eliane used her magic. A soft glow surrounded Joel's body, healing his wounds just enough to keep him alive.
Then, without wasting time—
They returned to the forest.
A heavy rock was attached to Joel's back.
"Run."
He didn't hesitate.
Joel started running, step after step, his legs shaking under the weight. The pressure was overwhelming, but he didn't stop.
He couldn't stop.
Not if he wanted to live.
Hours passed.
Four hours later, Eliane removed the rock.
Joel dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.
"Push-ups."
He obeyed immediately.
At first, Joel was doing them with relative ease. His breathing was controlled, his movements steady.
Then—
Eliane placed a small rock on his back.
His fingers trembled instantly.
His body screamed in pain.
His muscles stretched to their limit.
He forced himself down—
And up.
One push-up.
Then he collapsed.
Maybe it's too much for him…
Eliane smiled.
Then increased the weight with magic, pressing him down like an insect.
"Haarr…!"
Joel gritted his teeth, his body shaking violently.
I have to…
His back cracked under the pressure, and he fell again.
Immediately, Eliane healed his broken bones.
"Wake up. Continue."
Joel forced himself up again.
This time, there was no weight.
Only pain.
Twenty minutes passed.
Joel was sweating heavily, his breath uneven. Sweat dripped like rain from his body.
But he didn't stop.
After that, Eliane handed him a sword.
"As yesterday… hit the rock."
Joel didn't hesitate.
He jumped toward the rock like a beast.
I must cut you… no matter what.
He began striking it repeatedly—fast, precise, relentless.
He targeted different points, adjusting his strikes.
Again.
And again.
And again.
His arms trembled.
His legs were barely holding him up.
Still—
He continued.
Suddenly, Eliane spread her arms wide.
"Try to touch me. I won't move. No magic."
She drew a line on the ground.
"Cross it."
Joel swallowed his saliva.
Then rushed toward her with everything he had.
In the next second—
He was sent flying.
Blood burst from his mouth as he was thrown backward, crashing into a tree.
He dropped to the ground.
Then slowly stood up again.
And attacked once more.
I like his determination…
Eliane watched him calmly.
If he survives, I'll break him completely.
But Joel couldn't reach her.
His power… his technique…
Were nothing.
Like a grain of sand in a desert.
After a while, they stopped.
Eliane folded her arms again.
"Continue."
Joel turned back to the rock.
With everything left in him, he struck it again.
But the rock didn't break.
His sword slipped from his hand.
His palms were torn open.
Blood dripped to the ground.
Still—
He picked up the sword again.
And continued.
His eyes sharpened.
His focus deepened.
Like a true swordsman.
MORE… AGAIN!
Crack—
The rock finally split.
A faint smile appeared on Joel's face.
Then—
He collapsed.
No strength left.
No energy.
Nothing.
But it wasn't over.
Eliane walked toward him and tapped him lightly with magic.
Joel's eyes snapped open.
His body was still broken.
Not fully healed.
Then—
She flicked him with a finger.
He was thrown away like a rag, crashing through the ground.
Joel slowly got up…
Then suddenly dropped to his knees.
"Please… mother… let's stop for today…"
The word mother echoed in Eliane's mind.
She froze for a brief moment.
Then—
A warm smile appeared on her face.
How adorable… this child…
Joel thought he had won.
That was his mistake.
Eliane tilted her head, smiling brightly.
"Yes… I accept to be your mother."
Her smile turned darker.
"Then you must become stronger… faster… even if you die."
She stepped closer.
Joel instinctively moved backward.
"Stand up… don't shake."
Their gazes met.
She punched him in the stomach.
Joel dropped to his knees, vomiting blood.
She leaned close to his ear.
"I'm proud that you called me your mother."
A terrifying pressure filled the air.
"I will train you to become one of the strongest."
Joel forced himself to stand.
His body trembling.
"I'm ready… Mom…"
The second punch came.
Straight to his face.
He was thrown like a stone, crashing into a tree and breaking it apart.
Bones shattered.
Pain exploded through his body.
Eliane rested her hand on her jaw.
"Oh… I forgot you're allowed to dodge."
She smiled slightly.
"This… is what we call…"
On the other side—
Joel lay on the ground, broken.
His bones shattered.
His vision fading.
Infernal training..