Chapter 40 - One Strength Point
Two hours! Another run. It sounded simple enough, except this time, Atlas had to climb up and down hills over rough, uneven terrain. To make it even harder, he had to carry his spear the entire time. No matter what, he couldn’t let go of it.
Taking a slow, deep breath, he steadied himself, feeling the weight in his chest, and then grinned.
"Alright!" he muttered, clenching his teeth as he began his run, with Kurogasa following close behind.
How should he carry the spear? Across his shoulder? That seemed manageable at first. He jumped and maneuvered over rocks, his grip firm. But the uphill stretches were brutal, making everything twice as difficult. He felt the strain quickly, but he pressed on, conquering the first steep incline.
Now, it was time for the descent. Let’s go!
The two hours felt like four, or even five. But finally, the time passed, and Atlas completed the training. Exhausted, he trudged back to camp and collapsed onto the nearest chair, utterly spent.
Two cooks approached, offering him water and a meal, but he shook his head, deciding to wait for the others to join him. He leaned back, catching his breath. The training wasn’t over yet, he still had another four-hour session ahead, after a one-hour break.
A few minutes later, he heard the faint sounds of others returning, but he paid no mind. Instead, he focused on restoring his stamina, closing his eyes to rest.
Until... What is this?
An unexpected sensation washed over him, not an alarm of danger, but a sudden warmth and comfort that seemed to seep into him. It brushed against his cheek, refreshing him in an instant and stirring him awake.
He opened his eyes and felt a soft hand on his cheek. Turning to his left, he saw Lyrassa sitting beside him, smiling warmly.