5:47 AM – The outskirts of Vaelmont.
Vergil’s breath ca out ragged, each inhale deeper than the last as his boots treaded along the uneven trail surrounding Vaelmont.
The sweat that poured from his skin began to soak his clothes, clinging to him like perfu.
His lungs begged for a rest and his heart thudded like a drumbeat. He had been running since sunrise. For over an hour, not from danger but to surpass his limits.
"Co on, let’s keep this pace." Vergil repeated in his head as he gritted his teeth, forcing his legs to move just a step further as his vision began to blur.
There was only one hill that was on the trail and every ti he climbed it, his legs scread in agony. His mind told him to rest for a minute.
Long enough to breath.
Yet he refused.
That was how people died, they were unwilling to push past their limits when they should have.
Vergil could still vividly picture the bastard in his mind. Cruel and smiling. They both anticipated each other.
And he would see a new Vergil in three days.
And this ti, Vergil intended to be ready.
After finally reaching the village gates once more, he stumbled onto the ground. His back leaning against the wooden fence that encased the village.
He Heathed as his hand dug into the dirt. ’Not enough... I can do better,’ he pushed himself upward. If he couldnt even do this much, then what would happen when they face once more.
But his body disagreed, managing to flip himself over instead of getting back over. Head banging into the fence with a loud thud.
"Ugh." Vergil dazed as his rested his head on the ground, staring at the light blue pastles painted in the vast sky above along with the faint gold signalling a new day.
"System," he whispered under his heavy breath. "Why did you wake up so damn early."
A soft ding echoed in his head. [You told to wake you up so you can train your stickman body.]
Vergil groaned, wiping his sweat dripping face with the sleeve of hand. "Did I?"
[You said and I am quoting you. If I try to sleep in, wake up at any cost.]
He winced. "Oh right, I rember now," he chuckled. "I did say that."
[Would you like to stop?]
"No, keep going" he muttered as he rolled to the side. "But let rest for five minutes."
[Tch, fine. Your granted a break.]
Vergil let his eyes close, letting the brief mont of stillness remain as the wind that brushed fluttered his hair.
He was tired.
But he was growing. Stronger. Sharper.
After a long pause, he opened his left eye. ’System, remind to stretch on my next run.’
[Noted, stretch or suffer.]
"Yeah, yeah," Vergil chuckled in amusent.
[You should also practise the martial arts you’ve acquired. It improves muscles mory]
"Okay, okay, I get it," Vergil sighed. "Your being overbearing."
[Okay lil bro.]
’Now your back to normal.’ Vergil slowly stood hinself up using the fence as support. There was still two more hours till breakfast and three more days till their departure.
8:47 AM. Vaelmont Training ground.
The scent of sweat followed Vergil as he headed to the training ground created by the mayor of Vaelmont.
Vergil perford many different exercise including pushups, squats, sit-ups to the point his body had given out once more.
Vergil leaned against the small fence surrounding the grounds, hearing a faint echo that put a tired smirk on his face.
[Minor Physical Improvents Detected.
Strength: 0.03
Dexterity: 0.04
Constitution: 0.06]
Vergil let out a deep breath. "My current growth rate isn’t too bad." His legs still throbbed but a faint tightness was present in his core.
It was proof his posture and form were improving with each exercise. His balance, pacing, and even how he controlled his breath were beginning to co together.
Slowly. Yes, but it was coming. The kind of slow that couldn’t be rushed like predation or faked with illusions.
Vergil cracked his fingers. "Ti to visit Elvira." And this ti he wasn’t going to be asking questions.
Before heading out, Vergil headed back to the inn, opening the door. "Eleanor, get up," his voice rang across the room, loud yet hoarse.
A muffled groan was the only response, as Eleanor rolled over on the bed, burying her face deeper into the pillow.
Vergil only shook his head, moving closer to shake her shoulders. "Co on, wake up Eleanor."
This ti she stirred, peeking at him with her half-lidded blue. "I’m —up," she whispered.
"Good." Vergil stretched his arms. "Lets eat breakfast and head to Elvira after."
He paused briefly. Reaching into his pocket before taking out the orc mage’s crystal. "Take this."
Eleanor eyes widened. She blinked twice, staring at the crystal in his hands. The thought of taking sothing he earned made her hesitant.
Her eyes flickered to his, seeing no doubt in his gaze. "I understand," she spoke quietly, reaching out for the crystal.
As her fingers enclosed around it, the faint hum of residual energy echoed softly. She bit her lips before giving a small nod. "Thanks."
Vergil yawned before faintly smirking. "If you really want to thank , get stronger."
She looked down once more at the crystal before watching him leave the room. ’He pushed forward like a relentless storm, yet makes sure to not leave behind.’
Eleanor clenched the crystal. "Then I’ll make sure to aid him throughly."
--------
Vergil made his way down the stairs, as the wooden floor creaked beneath his boots. ’I need Eleanor to grow stronger.’ If she improved, they would both benefit. He knew he wouldn’t be able to cover her forever.
And she had potential. It would be a waste to let it rot afterall.
Reaching the common room, Vergil made his way to the counter. A few travellers carried the scent of bread. "Breakfast for two please."
The innkeeper nodded. "Right away."
By the ti Eleanor had reached the bottom of the stairway, Vergil had already dug into his al. Eggs, warmbread and a steaming broth to boot.
Eleanor sat opposite him. "Your really the type to torture yourself in the morning."
Vergil swallowed before glancing up at her. "You would be eating like , if you did what I do."
She didnt respond, only taking a sip of her broth, eating in silence after — save for the clinks of cluttery and the murmur of travellers.
After finishing, Vergil stood up, putting on his charcoal-grey coat that had been cleaned. "Let’s he’d out, and make sure to refine that crystal."
"I’m not scared of hardwork," she said sharply.
"No, but your scared of being a burden to and you need to face it."
Eleanor looked away, the grip on the crystal tightening. "Then I’ll prove you wrong."
"Then I’ll be looking forward to it."
-------
They followed the trail to Elviras cottage, as the morning chill brushed against their faces.
Vergil stepped forward when they reached the cottage, knocking on the door three tis with a small thud. "Elvira, it’s Vergil."
The door creaked open, monts laters, revealing a won with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders.
She looked at both of them before nodding. "Co in."
Inside, the scent of herbs and parchnt still lingered but Elvira led them outside instead. Revealing a small clearing in her house. On the wooden floor a circular formation was carved, pulsing faintly.
Vergil looked at it with curiosity, a sight that piqued his interest.
Elvira saw Vergil’s puzzled and curious face
"This rune formation is used when soone breaks through to the next circle. Of course, the formation gets more advanced the higher the circle." She spoke solemnly.
"It it really needed?" Vergil asked.
"If your a genius at energy control, then maybe."
"Do I count as one?" Vergil asked calmly with a smile.
’Hah, I’ll think about it." Elvira laughed it off, not giving an answer.
Then she continued. "It helps stabilise the mana flow and amplify the resonance between the mana heart and the crystals used, making it easier to form the second circle and reduces the failure rate."
"Now have her sit there," she pointed to the middle. "And start the process, I know you gave her a Astralyth Crystal."
As Eleanor sat within the glowing ruin circle, Vergil remained a short distance away, arms crossed as he quietly observed the process.
The circular formation humd softly, the air around it shimred with blue particles as the crystal in Eleanors hand began to lose its glow — fading away.
He could feel it.
The Astralyth energy was being drawn into her, gradually being refined through her inner pathways.
Her breathing slowed, deep and rhythmic, as she guided the mana to her core with practised precision. Minute by minute, the fading light of the crystal mirrored the progress of her internal transformation.
Finally, as the last flicker of light left the crystal before disappearing, a subtle pulse escaped from Eleanor’s body. Elvira’s eyes narrowed in quiet observation.
"...It’s done," the old woman muttered. "She’s ford her second circle."
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