“It’s a problem,” the Master said firmly.

“Which?”

“You’ll need some things for training. While the physical requirements can be compensated for, you’ll still need a bow, arrows, and targets for archery practice. Also, from what I’ve seen, you don’t have many clothes with you, and winter is approaching.”

Indeed, it was a problem, but I had a solution.

“The person who brought me to the forest said he’d return in three days, not two. I could go back with him, leave the city, buy everything necessary, and then return.”

“That’s good.”

The Master went to the bookshelf, pulled out a notebook and pencil, and began writing a list that seemed excessively long.

“I thought you only mentioned a bow, arrows, and targets. Why is there so much more here?”

“Where were you planning on sleeping? Making a second bed would take at least half a year. Plus, if you intend to practice martial arts, sweating is a major issue in the forest. There are only two sources of water here—rain and the river. You know the river is 20 kilometers from here, and it’s frequented by predatory animals.”

The explanation continued, covering why much more was needed.

“But I’m not sure if I’ll have enough money for all this.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Evans took out a second sheet, this time using a pen from his jacket pocket.

“You’ll give this one to the driver to pass along to Old Fox. You don’t need to go anywhere—just hand over these two sheets.” Evans pointed to two pieces of paper, one of which was already folded to conceal its contents.

From today onwards:

* You will run a designated route at your maximum speed. For the first week, I’ll run alongside you so you can memorize it. After that, you’ll run it alone. Be aware that there are various traps around the house, so straying from the path could be fatal.

* You will practice jumping with weights in four directions—for height and distance.

* I will teach you how to hunt and prepare your prey.

* Once we receive the bow, you must achieve 100 successful shots at a target from 20 meters. Until then, you will dig a hole 1 meter in diameter near the house.

* At the end of the day, you’ll run the route again. The end of the day is when you have fulfilled all the requirements.

* Breathing practice will be done under my supervision after you finish all prior exercises. Each session will last as long as you can maintain uninterrupted breathing.

* Once a month, we’ll have an impromptu hunt after sunset. I’ll be the prey, and you’ll be the hunter. If you find and successfully shoot me with the bow, we’ll switch roles. The one who remains the prey at sunrise wins. If you win, you get one day off training.

* I’ll sometimes quiz you on medicinal and poisonous plants. A single mistake means an additional lap around the route, though I’ll only start testing you after some time.

It doesn’t seem complicated.

Back in the Cindercrest clan, I was required to undergo about 15 different training routines. Now, I only have to do six—one monthly and one for punishments.

Sounds manageable.

"Today you’re free. You can read some books from the shelf, but don’t open the closet. If you want, you can explore the surroundings, but don’t go farther than 1 km from the house. I’m going to hunt."

"I understand," I replied with a nod.

Evans left the house, disappearing in an instant.

I began browsing through the numerous books on the shelves, covering a variety of subjects, including botany—probably where I’d need to start learning. As I flipped through them, I came across an unusual book. It wasn’t a typical volume but resembled a diary. The temptation to open it was strong, but then I thought:

"This isn’t right."

I put it back on the shelf.

Unbeknownst to me, Evans was watching from a nearby tree, his face concealed by armor.

"Is this luck, or is someone trying to take the last thing I have left? Ah, only time will tell."

The door opened as Evans returned with a hare.

"The wood and water bucket are behind the house. Could you bring them in?"

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Sure," I replied, returning the book I was reading to the shelf.

I went outside, gathered the wood in both hands, and came back in.

"Where should I put it?"

"Just set it down near the stove."

I went out again, filled the bucket with water from the barrel, and returned.

"Leave the bucket near the table."

I followed his instructions, then watched as Mr. Evans began preparing the food. He took out a cauldron from the cupboard, placed some minced meat inside, and added a bit of water from the bucket before setting it on the stove.

He opened the stove, revealing some leftover embers from the previous fire. With a quick gesture of his hand, the embers reignited into flames, and then he added fresh wood from a new batch.

Evans left the house and returned a couple of minutes later, holding some vegetables. He peeled them in the air before chopping them and adding them to the cauldron.

For the next two hours, the food was prepared while Mr. Evans asked me various questions about the outside world, and I answered to the best of my ability.

I wouldn’t call the food wonderful—it lacked spices, and the rabbit meat was tough—but it was still quite edible.

As the day ended, Evans offered me the bed while he slept on the floor. At first, I tried to refuse, but it ended with me conceding.

----------------------------------------

October 25, 3104

The next morning, I was woken at sunrise by the master, who told me it was time to run.

And so, we ran. There was no road or path, just a forest that seemed endless. The only change was the increasing number of trees and some colors shifting with autumn. We kept running, and I lost track of time. My body screamed in pain, my breath was ragged, and my pulse was racing, but the Master never stopped. This left me with no choice but to keep going until I tripped over a branch.

"Get up!" he commanded.

With no choice, I rose. Could I continue? Of course not.

"Sorry, can we take a break?"

The answer was…

"No. Run!"

At least that was a clear answer, I thought.

Reluctantly, I continued, pushing myself until I collapsed again, this time from muscle fatigue.

"Get up!"

I heard the same response, but this time with more intensity. Struggling, I got back on my feet and continued. The speed at which I was running meant that my teacher wasn’t running anymore—he was walking at a quick pace to keep up with me.

Third time lucky? I wouldn’t say so. I tripped on a stone, causing myself to fall onto another one, and now my forehead was in pain and bleeding.

"Get up!"

I tried to pretend I’d lost consciousness, but the result was…

"I said get up, now!"

Along with the overwhelming murderous intent, I had no choice but to rise, my limbs trembling with the effort.

The moment I stood and took a step, I collapsed, this time for real, slipping into unconsciousness.

I was jolted awake by water splashing in my face.

"AHHH!" I exclaimed in a slurred voice.

"30 minutes, you rest. Then we will practice jumping."

The sun was already fully risen above the horizon, and I was slumped against the wall behind the house.

Never had 30 minutes passed so quickly. My entire body ached, and it continued to strain as the first 15 minutes passed. The muscles in my legs involuntarily contracted.

"Come here."

I heard Evans' voice and staggered toward it. In front of me was a circle with a radius of 2 meters, and at the center was a tree log, about 30 cm high.

"Take that in your hands and jump forward."

I did as instructed but only reached half the circle.

"Repeat until you reach the edge."

I repeated it over and over, then I fell.

"Get up!"

I’m seriously going to develop a new phobia, along with the one I already have for capsules. The only difference is that this new one will be related to a word.

Having no choice, I kept jumping, but the distance I covered didn’t increase. On the contrary, it seemed to decrease.

On another attempt, I fell again, and this time the log aggravated the fall. Hitting it with my chest forced the air out of my lungs, and I started to choke. With a simple gesture of his hand in my direction, I felt a greater-than-normal concentration of air rushing into my lungs, and my breathing was restored.

"Get up!"

I was wrong. The issue was not resolved, but my escape from it was temporary.

At one point, I heard…

"Stop, 30-minute break."

There’s such a thing?" The constant repetition made me believe I was trapped in a cycle that would continue until I died.

"Come!"

No, seriously, maybe we have a different perception of 30 minutes. I don’t agree that they’re finished.

But I didn’t find the courage to say that.

"Take the spade and dig here. Don’t use your legs, just your upper body."

I began digging, but I didn’t get far before I heard,

"Incorrect, repeat."

With the repetition of another phrase in case of incorrectness, the sunset arrived. When I saw the appearance of darkness, it’s impossible to explain the euphoria I felt, as if I were being spoiled by it.

"Stop, we’re going for a run."

Hell no.

"Now."

He seriously reads minds. Putting on the most fake smile I could manage, I said,

"Good."

Of course, I didn’t even manage to cover a quarter of the distance I had run in the morning before I lost consciousness.

I woke up to water splashed in my face once again.

"Eat," Evans said, handing me a bowl of food similar to yesterday’s.

I didn’t have the strength to speak, let alone get up to eat at the table. As soon as I finished eating, I went straight back to sleep.