-Ruffle!

I brush aside branches as I descend the densely wooded mountainside. Each breath becomes more laborious than the last as the high altitude thins the air and makes breathing challenging.

NEW QUEST! Quest: Survive Maurice's second part of his training.

Reward: 100 Stat Points

Wait, survive?!

I glance around warily, half-expecting to find hidden traps among the trees.

But the forest seems calm, untouched.

I resume my descent, cautious with each step.

-Click!

My heart skips a beat as the ground beneath me gives way slightly.

Did I trigger something?

Looking down, I see my foot has depressed a hidden switch.

!

Instantly, I sense danger closing in from all sides.

"Activate!"

Without a second thought, I activated the 'Chrono Pendant,' time slowing to a crawl around me.

Peering through the sluggish world, I spot dozens of ice arrows inching towards me, a deadly volley that would have skewered me had I not reacted in time.

Navigating through the frozen barrage, I gently nudge an arrow off course, using the moment to slip past the icy projectiles.

WARNING! Overusing 'Chrono Pendant' will result in self-destruction!

The System displayed its warning, and I hadn't realized the Chrono Pendant carried such a risk. But how is this possible? Did I already use up a lot of its mana? Why did it only appear now?

Master, you're correct.

The System's response didn't make sense considering this artifact is rated [B+] in both mana capacity and rarity. [B+] Magicians and Magic Artifacts typically possess mana reserves at a large regional level. I'm confident I didn't use that much.

Master, the Chrono Pendant clashed with Maurice's time spell earlier. It consumed a significant amount of mana to counteract the spell.

Ah, I see. That makes sense.

I should deactivate the Chrono Pendant; I don't want it to self-destruct and lose it.

"Deactivate."

-Chime!

With time flowing normally again, the arrows clash in midair, canceling each other out.

Realizing this is just one trap among potentially many, I prepare myself for more surprises during this unexpected part of my training with Maurice.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

"Hah... Hah."

I barely manage to sidestep another set of hidden spikes jutting out from the ground, each narrowly avoiding becoming a permanent fixture in my leg.

As the spikes recede into their concealed traps, I resume my cautious trek through the treacherous forest.

-Click!

My foot presses down unwittingly on another trigger.

-Creak!

Looking around, I find myself encircled by turrets emerging from the underbrush and tree trunks—great.

With no time to waste, I draw both of my guns, adopting a defensive stance with my feet shoulder-width apart, guns raised, and elbows slightly bent for quick aiming and mobility.

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-Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!

Arrows, both wreathed in flames and sheathed in ice, hurtle toward me from every direction.

[Centurion's Guard]

I use my guns to deflect the incoming projectiles, the metal of the firearms ringing out as they make contact.

-Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

My shots target the turrets, destroying several and reducing the onslaught of arrows.

Despite my efforts, an arrow manages to pierce my right shoulder.

"Agh!"

The pain is sharp, but I force myself to keep focused, continuing to deflect and shoot down the barrage of arrows.

After a relentless exchange, the turrets finally fall silent, reduced to smoldering wrecks.

"Hah...hah..."

I pant heavily, the adrenaline slowly ebbing as I clutch my injured shoulder.

With no healing potions, caution is more crucial than ever.

Endurance (+3)

Agility (+3)

Speed (+3)

Though painful, the ordeal has honed my resilience and agility.

Grimacing, I grip the arrow lodged in my shoulder, bracing myself for the extraction.

"Ngh!"

The initial tug sends a wave of pain through my arm, but I persist.

"GAH!"

With a final pull, the arrow comes free, a fresh flow of blood following in its wake.

I tear a piece from my shirt, fashioning a makeshift bandage around my shoulder to stem the bleeding.

"I thought Maurice didn't want André to find out I got stabbed today."

The irony of the situation isn't lost on me as I secure the bandage, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips despite the pain.

Securing the bandage, I prepare to continue my journey through the forest, albeit more slowly and cautiously than before, ever aware of the potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

"Hah…hah…"

Each step forward blurs my vision a little more, a testament to my exhaustion and the pain throbbing through my shoulder. Surprisingly, I encounter no more traps, a small mercy in this relentless training exercise.

Seeking a brief respite, I lean against a nearby tree, sliding down to a seated position with a weary sigh.

"This is…tiring."

I understand that Maurice has thrown me into this intense training for my benefit, preparing me for the duel. However, with my right shoulder severely injured, my ability to defend myself is significantly compromised.

"Grrr!"

A sudden growl snaps me out of my reverie. I turn toward the source, spotting three pairs of red eyes glowing ominously from within the bushes.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I push myself to stand, aiming my gun with my left hand, the only one I can reliably use now.

Guessing by their sounds, they're wolves.

-Bang!

Without hesitation, I fire. A wolf's body tumbles out from the bush, lifeless. The other two wolves enter the open, gazes fixed on their fallen pack member.

"Awooo!"

Their mournful howls fill the air, and guilt washes over me. I am in their territory, after all. It is them or me, but the choice doesn't suit me.

"Grr!"

Their eyes, filled with rage, turn back to me. I can barely move my right arm, let alone fight off an attack.

-Bang!

I fire again, but to my surprise, the targeted wolf dodges and charges.

I see another leap toward me out of the corner of my eye. I duck just in time.

[Tactical Tumble]

Rolling to the side, I aim and fire once more.

-Bang!

The shot hits its mark, and the wolf falls to the ground with a pained yelp.

"Grr!"

The last wolf lunges at me. I aim and fire directly at its head.

-Bang!

It collapses, joining its companions in stillness. A wave of guilt sweeps over me once more.

"Yelp!"

A soft cry draws my attention to a bush nearby. I approach cautiously, parting the foliage to reveal a sleeping wolf cub.

"Poor thing."

This emotionally hits hard.

I have just killed its protectors, and here it is, innocent and unaware. The guilt is overwhelming, but survival in the forest leaves me with harsh choices.

Carefully, I scoop up the cub with my left arm.

"Don't worry, little one, I'll take you to an animal conservatory."

Today's training has taken an unexpected turn. Not only am I navigating Maurice's training, but fate seems to have its plans, intertwining our paths.

My vision blurs again, a sign of my body's limits approaching.

"Ugh."

I seriously need to leave the forest, especially now with the new responsibility of the cub in my care.

With renewed determination, I start down the path again, hoping to avoid further traps or surprises.

"I hope I don't encounter more traps."

I whisper, not just for my sake but for the tiny life cradled in my arm.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

I'm not sure how long I keep going, but I keep putting one foot in front of the other, growing more exhausted with each step.

Thankfully, I managed to avoid more traps, and breathing became easier.

Could I be getting closer to the forest's edge?

Eventually, a field of lavender appears in the distance—a sign that I am finally about to leave this relentless forest behind.

Glancing at the wolf cub cradled in my left arm, I notice it is still fast asleep, unaffected by the journey's challenges.

Step by step, I make my way into the lavender field, its purple expanse a soothing sight after the forest's dangers.

QUEST COMPLETED! You've made it through Maurice's additional training challenge.

Here are your 100 Stat Points.

Relief washes over me as I realize I've completed Maurice's training.

Exiting the field, a familiar road stretches before me, leading back to school.

"Hah...hah..."

Fatigue is taking its toll, but I can't afford to stop, not with the cub's future depending on me.

The idea of collapsing on the roadside is out of the question.

Pushing forward, figures begin to take shape at the school gate, though my vision is too blurred to make them out clearly.

"Hah...hah..."

My steps grow unsteady, and my surroundings blur.

Am I even getting closer?

"Doms!" Arthur's voice, laced with concern, reaches me through the haze.

Squinting, I make out a figure approaching.

Is that Arthur?

Relief briefly pierces the fog of my exhaustion.

No longer able to stand, I gently place the cub on the ground and succumb to the darkness.

"Doms, what the hell happened!?"

"I'll... tell you when I wake up," are my last words before everything goes black.