Chapter 16: Real Training From Five Dragon Hunters

Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Real Training From Five Dragon Hunters

The next day, when the sun had barely risen, Aurora took Krono to the local mountains.

​He wasn’t told what he was going to do there, so he was curious all the way.

​And when they finally arrived at a mountain peak, a surprising scene greeted him.

​Spear Master Sirius, Tempest Queen Wendy, and two other people he didn’t recognize were there, talking jovially with each other.

​Upon noticing Aurora and the little boy’s presence, they all turned around, their gazes scrutinizing Krono from head to toe.

​At first, they were skeptical, but soon, astonishment flashed across their faces.

​"Wow! You really weren’t joking when you said you found a jewel of a student, Aurora," said Sirius with his signature smile on his face.

​Wendy chimed in, "Yes, it truly surprises me too, Vice Captain. When I saw him yesterday, the boy wasn’t like this. I mean, he looks significantly stronger and more refined than yesterday."

​The muscular man with the facial features of a lion couldn’t stay silent.

​"His body looks like hot iron. It can be molded into anything he wants. Even I am impressed."

​But the beautiful woman with saintly grace and a radiant white staff sighed a little.

​"It’s a pity his magical energy is very low. He will need to work very hard to increase it, since most of it comes from the day we are born."

​The others agreed as well. "Solana is not wrong, Captain. You know us Dragon Hunters rely heavily on magical powers to take down our targets."

​Aurora raised a brow, saying, "I noticed that shortcoming long ago. But I think that is not a problem. If his will remains as firm as iron, nothing will stop him. Aren’t I right, Krono?"

​She turned to Krono and asked.

Krono replied, "Yes, Teacher. My magic reserves might be low right now, but I won’t let that stop me. I will push my physical body to its absolute limits."

​Slapping his knee, Sirius laughed heartily, "Good answer, kid! A strong physical foundation can overcome a weak mana pool any day."

​The muscular lion-beastman crossed his massive arms.

"Words are easy. Let’s see if your bones are as hard as your resolve. I am Garrick, the party’s Vanguard. I’ll be the judge of your physical limits."

​"And I am Solana, the Healer. Don’t worry too much, Krono. I will make sure you don’t sustain any permanent injuries."

​"Permanent being the key word that is," Wendy teased, floating slightly off the ground on a cushion of green wind.

​Aurora clapped her hands.

​"Alright, enough introductions. We didn’t bring you all the way up this mountain just to chat, Krono. If you are going to master the [Tremor Step] and the rest of the Earth Element Dragon Slaying Art, your body needs to withstand immense elemental pressure. I am not enough to simulate a real battlefield."

​Krono swallowed hard, "So... you’re all going to train me?"

"Exactly! Starting today, your training plan is split into four phases. I will continue teaching you weapon foundations and technique. Wendy will use her wind magic to simulate high-pressure gravity zones to train your agility and evasion."

Garrick went forward, grinning: "And I will personally handle your physical conditioning. Since our element is the same, we will spar until your muscles learn to react on pure survival instinct."

​"And what about him?" Krono asked, pointing at the Spear Master.

Sirius chuckled, his handsome jawline shinning under the morning sun.

​"Oh, I’m just here to throw high-speed rocks at you whenever you drop your guard. Battlefield awareness, kid. A dragon’s tail doesn’t announce when it’s going to hit you."

​Solana sighed, shaking her head, "And I will be on standby to heal your fractures, Krono. Because knowing this team’s training methods, there will be many."

​After that, Aurora tossed him a heavy metal sword. Krono caught it effortlessly with his newly enhanced Strength.

​"Your body has changed since yesterday, Krono. Now it’s time to test just how much it can take. Are you ready?"

Krono grinned, "Of course I am. I am ready to become the strongest Dragon Hunter there is."

"Haha, the strongest Dragon Hunter? You’re too ambitious, boy. Still, ambitions like this are exactly needed to become a Hunter." Garrick added.

With that, hell had officially begun.

​Garrick took charge with a grin.

​"Boy, for your first training, I give you this task. See the mountain over there? You must run there and come back 10 times." ℯ

​Krono looked at the directed mountain. The distance was about 3 kilometers away. So, in total, he needed to run around 60 kilometers.

​For an ordinary human, it would be an impossible death march. But for Krono, it was hard yet manageable. Thanks to his newly upgraded Vitality and Agility, his stamina was good, and he could already run twice as fast as a healthy adult without breaking a sweat..

​Just as Krono pumped himself up to start the marathon, Garrick’s grin morphed into a cruel smirk.

​"But of course, you will have to carry a 50 kg boulder on your shoulder."

After hearing that, Krono’s stomach dropped. Carry a 50 kg rock and run 120 kilometers?

​This was nothing but hell.

​"What? Got scared already? And here I thought so highly of you, boy," Garrick provoked, his lion-like face twisting into a mocking grin.

"That is too cruel! Isn’t that far too hard for a seven-year-old boy, Garrick?" Solana interjected, her kind eyes filling with genuine pity.

​"Shut up, Solana. This is my phase. Let me train him however I like. If any of you interfere, I swear I will ruin your turns as well."

​"Still, you could be a little kinder, brother," Sirius added with a weary sigh.

​"Quiet, Sirius!" Garrick barked.

​Just as Aurora was also about to speak up for Krono, a small hand was raised.

​"I will do it!"

​Krono’s answer shocked everyone, including Garrick.

​Garrick was just trying to test his willpower, not exactly hoping to make him do the drill for real.

​"Are you sure?"