Just like that, while training every day, I didn't even realize when two months passed.
Now I was able to see Steven's fast moves.
And I was able to dodge them too.
The next morning when I woke up, the air felt slightly cold.
Winter was coming.
I woke up early, washed my face, and went to sit under a tree for meditation.
By the time my meditation ended, Steven was already awake.
He gave me my clothes without saying much.
I wore them silently.
"You have become stronger in these two months," he said in a calm voice.
I looked at my fists.
Because of the cold air, they had become dry and rough.
Then we started training.
Steven looked at me.
"Today, I will attack first." He said
I took my fighting stance.
He rushed toward me at high speed, twisting his body as if he was going to throw a round kick—
But it was just a fake.
In the next second, his elbow hit hard on my obliques.
I stepped back,
but before I could even think, he was already behind me.
Another elbow struck my back.
I fell far on the ground.
When I stood up, his eyes were cold.
"Kid… I've been holding back my aura," he said slowly.
"After two month, I will fight you with my full power."
He took a deep breath.
Then he released eighty percent of his power.
I could feel it instantly.
His aura spread in the atmosphere.
The air itself felt heavy.
At that moment, I realized how foolish I was.
I really thought I could defeat this man in just two months.
The difference between our power levels…
was too big.
Still, he smiled slightly.
And in the next moment, he disappeared.
I couldn't even see him.
A kick hit my leg to make me lose balance.
I almost fell, but I fixed my balance in time.
He was not in front of me.
Not behind me either.
He was above me.
His left kick hit my face directly.
Blood came out from my mouth.
But I was not someone who would give up now.
I increased my aura and rushed toward him.
I tried to kick his obliques.
He dodged it like it was nothing.
Then, with just one finger, he struck my forehead.
I was about to fall back,
but I balanced myself in mid-air.
Using the ground for support, I tried to kick him again.
I couldn't even touch him.
"Tsk…" I muttered.
The next second—
His right kick landed on my forehead.
My vision started to blur.
I was about to lose consciousness…
But he came near and slapped me to bring me back.
At that moment, I felt like prey.
A weak prey.
I couldn't even stand properly on my legs.
"This is how we will train from now on," Steven said in a cold voice.
"You are getting stronger… but your endurance is still low."
He was about to say something else—
But I gathered all my remaining strength into one fist and charged at him.
My body was already exhausted from using too much aura.
I had taken too many hits.
Before I could even reach him—
My knees gave up.
Everything went dark.
And I collapsed unconscious.