"Hufff..! Huff..!"
I gasped for breath, the beads of sweat trickling down my forehead, as I continued running in the darkness.
3:00 Am in the morning.
The ti when the world was enveloped in the sweetest dreams. But here I was, pushing myself to the limit, my gaze fixed upon the towering mountain that lood before , seemingly radiating an aura of despair.
'He is a monster no matter how I look into it.'
I thought, seeing the back of the new companion who is accompanying in Professor's Joshua's hellish training.
It was none other than Zephyr.
We had both been subjected to Professor Joshua's hellish training as an unofficial punishnt for the incident that had occurred.
As I strained to keep up with Zephyr, on the verge of breaking down from exhaustion, he turned back and admonished , "Hey Eren, we won't complete the training if you're that slow."
'Who the hell considers this as training?'
I glared at him, my mind swirling with frustration and fatigue. The weights tied around my arms and legs were making every step feel like a herculean task. I couldn't help but question the true nature of this so-called training.
'Isn't it just a torture at this point?'
It seed more like torture than anything else, a punishnt inflicted upon us for trespassing into the forbidden black forest. Professor Joshua's anger was evident, and he unleashed his fury upon us without rcy.
'Damn it!'
I gritted my teeth and pushed myself to the brink, desperately trying to keep pace with the monster-like figure leading the way.
My daily life had beco much harsher due to a single incident.
Doing the training with Zephyr 3:00 in the morning, attending the classes during the day, training my swordsmanship and spearman ship in the evening and finally the aim training with the gun before bed.
There was barely any ti for to rest. And even in the middle of all this, I am formulating the plan for receiving the help of the emperor and so potential helpers, who I should seek out to.
Getting closer to the princess has now beco a difficult task as we were both in different classes now but I made sure to appear before the princess and give a smile at least once a day.
These small things are going to create a bigger effect soday.
Anyway, coming back to the training, we barely completed professor Joshua's morning training which included running up and down the mountains three tis along with the weights tied around our arms and legs, 100 squats with two barrels of water hanging down on the shoulders, and ditating for an hour under the pressure created using the magic device.
The difficulty of the training had gone up in bars after the incident in exile, it was to the point that I missed my days in the academy's infirmary.
By the ti I parted with Zephyr and ca in front of Professor Joshua, every fiber of my being was screaming with pain.
"Instructor, this is incredibly exhausting. I also need to attend the classes..." I mustered the courage to express my weariness and pleaded for so respite, albeit with a hint of apology for the previous transgression.
"If you are angry because of the exile incident, I am very sorry, I will assure you that will not happen in the future-"
Unless another exile appears on this Island that is. I swallowed those words as I apologized to professor Joshua.
Professor Joshua turned his gaze towards , his eyes fixated on my face. There was a solemn expression etched upon his features as he spoke. "You know, Eren," he began, his voice laced with a mix of disappointnt and understanding. "I wasn't angered by the fact that you entered the exile."
There was a serious expression on his face as he said that.
"I was just disappointed that you weren't able to clear the exile on your own."
His words struck like a bolt of lightning, leaving montarily speechless. Disappointed? Was he actually disappointed that I couldn't overco the exile on my own, instead relying on the aid of the sword saint? Was the professor out of his mind? The creature we encountered in the exile was a demon with the title of king. It was a miracle that we survived, let alone defeating it single-handedly. This expectation seed ludicrous, but I dared not voice my thoughts.
Attempting to conceal my bewildernt, I mustered a hesitant laugh and said, "Professor, perhaps you're not fully aware of the strength of the demon we faced in the exile..."
"Eren Pendragon!" Professor Joshua interrupted abruptly, his tone filled with seriousness.
He held my gaze firmly, as if trying to convey sothing important I think you should take a look at
"In this world, there are only two things: what a man can do and what he can't. There is nothing more or less."
His words struck leaving stunned, resonating deep within , shattering my preconceptions.
"And if sothing seems impossible to accomplish," he continued, "it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to attempt it or not."
Anger and frustration surged within him, giving his voice an edge. "You chose to enter the exile, didn't you? By making that choice, you should have steeled yourself for whatever lay within."
He seed very angry for so reason.
"This ti, you were able to escape because of the sword saint but what about the next ti? Do you intend to depend on others for all your life? Wake up, Eren Pendragon! Don't be a weakling who relies on others for everything."
His words were like a spear that stabbed to the core.
"Hear this, Eren," he asserted firmly. "Resting during peace and unleashing chaos during war is nothing short of a suicidal act. Work hard during tis of tranquility, and victory shall be yours in tis of conflict."
A sudden realization washed over , piercing through the fog of confusion. What had I been doing all this ti? Relying on others to halt the dragon's rampage, seeking help without taking substantial action myself? Would I be dood to repeat the cycle of regret? The mories of the exile resurfaced, and I wondered if I could have made a difference if only I had been stronger, capable of withstanding the power of the death god. Could I have slain the demon? Regret seeped into my core, and I questioned the truth in Professor Joshua's words.
Though I didn't fully comprehend his intentions, the aning behind his words was clear. I pondered on those words and found truth in them. The questions surfaced once again as I tried to realize the truth.
What was I doing all this ti?
I am trying to find a way to receive soone's help to stop the rampage of the dragon but what have I done myself in order to stop it?
Just depending on others? Finding ways to relay on others?
If it went like this then, wouldn't I once again return to doing nothing but regret the past?
What would be the difference between my past life and now? Wouldn't I be just a coward who hide behind others?
It also happened in exile.
I left most of the fights to Zephyr and comforted myself in safety, only to regret the things like, If I was just a little stronger, strong enough to withstand the power of the forgotten god, then wouldn't I, maybe be able to kill the demon?
Was what the professor said true?
I felt ashad of myself as I realized it.
Various thoughts surfaced inside as chaos encroaching the already conflicted mind.
"I will not force you to co here tomorrow."
He turned his back to .
"You can co on your own if you want to get stronger, but if your resolve is not strong just sleep tight in your bed. I have no intention to teach sothing to cowards to hide behind others."
He said those words before going off on his way.
Professor Joshua had no intention of forcing to continue this grueling training. If I desired strength, it was up to to seek it.
His parting words lingered in the air, their weight settling upon my shoulders, and I stood there for a long ti, trying to grasp the implications of his ssage.
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