Malakai arrived just in time to see Renlo wobbling unsteadily from foothold to foothold, having barely dodged a projectile.
However, another one shot out and struck him directly, sending him crashing toward the ground.
"Urgh!" Renlo groaned loudly. "Not again!" he cursed.
He had never once gotten past the middle of the course. The projectiles were endless and merciless.
Then, the sound of footsteps reached him. He forced himself to look up… and saw Malakai approaching.
The source of all this suffering.
"You still haven't made it past the middle point," Malakai remarked calmly.
Renlo frowned, trudging out from between the wooden pillars to meet him.
"I've been trying my best…" he muttered, looking every bit like a kicked puppy. His gaze drifted back toward the course. "But… are you sure it's passable? I've been at it for four days straight. It doesn't even look possible to get past the middle."
Malakai gave him a look, and Renlo instantly cleared his throat.
"Watch me carefully."
Malakai took Renlo's weapon and calmly walked toward the start of the course.
Renlo focused hard as Malakai stepped onto the first foothold. Not even the slightest shake. His body stood firm, like he was walking on solid ground.
Another step. Then another. Then another.
He moved slowly at first, then faster, and soon, he was sprinting across the wooden pillars, barely even touching them as he went.
A sharp whistling tore through the air as projectiles were launched from every angle, screaming toward him.
But before they could hit, Malakai shifted his weight, darting side to side, his movements fluid. Not a single projectile touched him, not even his clothes.
In seconds, he reached the end of the course.
Renlo's mouth opened wide. He could only stare, trying to process what he'd just witnessed.
Before he could say a word, Malakai sprinted across the course again, this time even faster, reaching the starting point within seconds.
He approached the still stunned Renlo, voice steady.
"When you don't reach for the goal, you can never reach it. You already decided this course was impossible. You failed before you even started."
Renlo's fists clenched, and a serious look appeared on his face. He could hear the disappointment in Malakai's voice.
"I'll do better!" he said, bowing his head.
It was normal to struggle when first attempting the course. Malakai had also failed countless times when he began training at twelve.
But the most important thing was to never give up, and Renlo clearly hadn't.
Malakai nodded and was about to step aside when Renlo asked,
"How did you get so good at it?"
Renlo looked at him, genuinely curious.
"Try going on it every single day for two years."
Renlo gulped. He tried to imagine the pain… the sheer suffering of two years of this.
'It's not just talent.'
Everyone always said Malakai's strength came from talent, but standing here now, Renlo could see that wasn't the whole truth. This wasn't just talent, it was grit. Dedication. Work. Years of it.
Malakai had clawed his way up with effort most wouldn't even consider attempting.
For the first time, Renlo felt something different when he looked at Malakai.
And at the same time, the fire within him blazed hotter.
"Thank you, Malakai!" he said, and before Malakai could respond, Renlo had already turned and rushed back to the course.
Malakai blinked, caught off guard. He watched as Renlo failed again. And again. And again.
But the boy never stayed down.
Malakai didn't even notice the smile creeping onto his face.
And just before Valentine could appear to make a comment, he wiped the smile off and turned, heading for a more secluded part of the forest.
He still had to test his weapon properly.
Alongside Renlo's groans of pain, the sounds of falling trees echoed through the forest as Malakai rampaged, blades whistling through the air.
They both trained long into the night.
Eventually, they stopped and made their way inside to rest.
Despite being dead tired, Renlo somehow still had enough energy to cook. A few minutes later, Malakai was enjoying yet another one of his meals, though, as usual, he kept his textbook neutral expression.
Afterwards, they both retired to their rooms.
They had to be ready for tomorrow.
After freshening up, Malakai sat cross legged on his bed, deep in thought.
The Sovereign had given them five days to prepare. Four days had passed, and now, only a few hours remained.
Malakai's mind raced, replaying everything he had ever learned about the Blood Knights. He needed to be sure. He needed to be ready.
'My life will be in even more danger now.'
From this point forward, he would be out in the field. Away from the Sovereign's gaze. No safety net. Anything could happen, battles, ambushes, conspiracies. Bloom against bloom.
There would be no rules.
He couldn't afford to trust anyone. Couldn't afford to relax, not even for a second.
'I have to stay alert at all times.'
He repeated the thought like a mantra. A warning.
But aside from the wariness, there was also something else.
Where he was going, Sylvastein, was a great place for him to grow his power. One of the greatest territories under the West.
His apprenticeship under Rhett would only last twelve months. After that, he'd officially be recognized as a Blood Knight. And once that happened, he would be given the right to form a faction of his own.
One year. That was all he needed.
'I'll make the best use of it.'
His thoughts suddenly turned inward, focusing on something far more dangerous.
Its power was beyond anything he had ever used. But so were its risks.
When he used it in the dark forest, the effect had spanned hundreds of kilometers. He had attracted every single darkness creature in the area. Fortunately, they had all been grade ones, but that was just luck.
And he wasn't foolish enough to count on luck again.
If that ever happened a second time… the outcome might be very different.
'For now… I'll just become as powerful as I can be.'
That was the only way.
Malakai reached into his belt and retrieved the grade three vial of Vitaeon. He stared at the dark green liquid swirling inside.
Then, without hesitation, he popped the cork. A powerful wave of vita surged out, flooding the room.
Without a second thought, he raised the vial and drowned the contents in one gulp.