Dung sighed with emotion and replied

- What do you think about those rookies, master Yulin?

She frowned, but still answered

- Pretty good, they are working hard and perfecting their skills. Fundamentals are important. Good skills are wasted in lazy people's hands. Though bit lackluster, they are at least trying their best

Dung shook his head and said

- As I see it, they are slacking, not giving their best. Those who live in peace forget the price of it was war. Master Yulin, don't you think people would try their best when they are in peril? This is the human nature. This is why there are rising heroes in wars, but mediocre people in times of peace.

Yulin gave Dung contemptuous glance

- What about you, little hypocrite? You read lectures to this old one, while you haven't even defeated a single monster. Scram, training center doesn't welcome people like you

[ Your favorability with Yulin decreased by 150

You no longer receive 2x skill proficiency gain in training center ]

Dung didn't flinch, expecting this, but smiled

- Master Yulin, how about we make a bet?

- What kind of bet do you want?

Yulin asked impatiently

Dung smiled

- Let me prove myself, I can increase my skill level from 1 to 2 in an hour and half, how about that?

- Impossible, you can't handle the exhaustion of MP more than 5 times in a row. It's too staining on mind, besides, your recovery won't keep up

Yulin shook her head

- Master Yulin, please give this one a chance to prove my worth, you won't be losing anything

Yulin looked at him in the eyes, hesitating, but finally nodded her head

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

- Fine. Do whatever you want, I'll give you 2 hours. You practice shamanism right? If you increase your dark bolt's level to 2 in two hours, I'll acknowledge you. Oh, and Don't go cheating and use SP, understood?

- Yes, master Yulin

[ Hidden quest: Race against time

Content: Prove Training master Yulin wrong by improving your skill level to 2 in 120 minutes

Upon failure: Your favorability with Yulin will reach 0, your reputation will drop by 50 in beginner village

Upon completion: Reward unknown ]

[ Dark bolt skill proficiency reset to 0 ]

Dung nodded and confidently stood in front of practice dummy

- Dark bolt!

Black line flew at wooden dummy's direction and entered it. The dummy was unharmed

- 0

[ Dark bolt skill proficiency +1 ]

Dark bolt had cool down time of 5 seconds, cost 1 MP and each cast increased proficiency by 1. To get it to level 2 the requirement was 1000 proficiency points. Upon MP depletion, his MP would recover slowly and he would fail the quest, so he prepared MP potions. He had to concentrate for a whole hour and half and not waste a single second to get better result and reward. The real problem was depleting MP pool many times would cause splitting headache as willpower wouldn't keep up, so he might start missing his attacks from needed distance.

The quest tested one's willpower and perseverance. Dung had gone through many troubles to get this quest and it wouldn't appear second time in the same beginner village. He had only a single chance

Dung did his best and practiced non-stop, not letting single second go to waste

After third depletion of MP and consumption of potion he started getting dizzy, but still kept focusing with all he's got. After 4th potion he started having headache. After 6th potion his hands started hurting and trembling. After 9th potion he had hard time keeping balance and aiming. He started missing some attacks

Yulin looked at monstrous young man she thought was a mere hypocrite performing better than anyone else she'd seen and was astonished. She wanted to stop him, say it was enough and he passed the test, but looking at young man, whose eyes were squinted, hands were trembling and sweat poured on his face, yet kept being determined, she stopped herself. She wanted to know where his limit was at. She started admiring the young man from the bottom of her heart

Finally, after a long time sweet ding sound of system rang in Dung's head. He merely smiled as he read the content and collapsed on the field, panting heavily. He felt his muscles hurting and head splitting from pain, but was happy

[ HIidden quest ''Race against time'' completed

Time used: 1 hour 29 minutes, 37 seconds

Evaluation: Excellent

Talk to instructor Yulin to get your reward ]

,, That was close, if I was 24 seconds late, I wouldn't have excellent evaluation and get less rewards. I wonder what's the reward for hidden quest completed excellently ''

After resting for a while, he felt he could walk again and approached master Yulin under her admiring gaze with a grin

- How was I, master Yulin?

The middle aged woman, who looked rough and strict shed her tough side and sincerely said

- I apologize for evaluating you wrongly, young man, your determination astonishes this old one

,, If you are so amazed by this almighty Dung show some sincerity with the rewards ''

Dung shamelessly thought, but kept composed outer appearance

Then, system notice rang, informing him of  quest rewards. He grew elated upon seeing the unexpectedly generous reward. He even turned speechless for a second