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Chapter 27: Traning Grounds of the Dawn (3)

However, it was finally the last day of enduring that pain!

Perhaps because it was the last day, the training was twice as hard as before. He had to do 2,000 push-ups and swing the sword 20,000 times for each type, but Kai silently and dutifully continued his training for a simple reason.

[The Importance of Basics 7]

Difficulty: C

The last day at the training ground, which seemed like it would never come, has arrived.

Complete the training, which is twice as hard as usual, to achieve a perfect ending.

Quest Reward: +3 Strength, +3 Agility, +3 Stamina.

A quest that gives a total of nine stats!

The rewards were better than usual because it was the last day.

Of course, the number of repetitions required has also doubled.

But Kai, thirsty for strength, smiled through the pain of his muscles tearing.

This appearance astonished even Huey, the swordmaster of the training ground.

Crazy kid....

He had easily taught swordsmanship here for decades, but he had never seen anyone like Kai. Although he never said it out loud, Huey regarded Kai highly.

The kid doesn’t know it himself, but his talent is considerable. If he can show this much growth in just a week... as time goes on, his skills will only soar. He has exceptional potential and physical coordination.

It was unfortunate that with such physical capabilities, he had been nothing more than a support Cleric until now. Moreover, except for the first few times, he rarely made mistakes which indicated that not only did he have focus, but intelligence as well.

But being talented is not enough. Half of those who visited here were like that.

Just as beautiful roses had thorns, the sweetest fruits grew on the highest trees, and Kai had all the conditions necessary to pick those fruits.

It\'s rare to find someone like him who doesn\'t give up and keeps trying like this.

The training Kai was undergoing was something even skilled Knights would struggle to endure to the end. This was because once one started training here, all stats were fixed at 10, and skills couldn’t be used. That which falls has wings, and the higher one falls from, the greater the damage.

In other words, the higher their skill, the harder the training becomes here.

The only way to complete this training was by enduring the extreme deprivation felt from the loss of strength. Basic exercises like push-ups or sword swinging weren\'t even the main part of the training. It was about whether one could endure the loss of all their strength and that sense of loss. That was the true trial offered by the Training Grounds of the Dawn.

...This kid certainly isn’t weak, but it\'s strange how well he\'s adapted.

Kai was currently in a state where all his stats had increased due to his Benevolence stat. Simply considering the sum of stats, it totaled to a level over 100.

Naturally, from Huey\'s perspective, Kai appeared to be a Knight-level powerhouse, but that was a huge misunderstanding. Kai had been a frail Cleric until just a few days ago, so he was more accustomed to being in this downgraded state. But of course, Swordmaster Huey had no way of knowing that.

This kid has remarkable mental strength!

At the same time, his eyes ignited a passion that had cooled long ago.

In order to inherit the legacy left by Sir Patrick, one must pass three tests.

Firstly, one\'s nature must not be evil. If someone with an evil nature entered the training ground, they would immediately faint, eyes rolling back.

...Because of that, rumors spread about this place being a haunted training ground, reducing the number of visitors even more.

Recalling the sad history of the training ground, Huey paused for a moment to pay a silent tribute with a gloomy face.

And the second is to complete all training without any laziness.

The person Sir Patrick was looking for was one who could overcome the deprivation of losing all their strength and endure the physical pain! If there were any lazy individuals, they were merely taught basic swordsmanship and sent away.

Of course, there were quite a few who satisfied these two conditions.

If these were the only conditions, Patrick could have found his successor within years as he expected. However, Patrick\'s last whim twisted everything.

“Wait, I want to pass on my entire legacy to a successor who walks the same path as me.”

Common nepotism that existed anywhere!

Ultimately, he added a third condition.

“Pass my legacy on to a Solaris Cleric who has passed the first and second tests.”

If only it weren\'t for this damned condition!

Normally, if a Solaris Cleric wanted to learn swordsmanship, they would take Paladin classes at the main church. Typically, those who attended training grounds aimed to become Warriors or Knights because they worshiped Kazan, the god of swords and battle.

So how could there be anyone who fits this condition!

Due to this condition, the Training Grounds of the Dawn had not found anyone to pass on Patrick\'s legacy to for hundreds of years. An heir couldn\'t be found despite the passing of generations! Huey, who had no children, found it unfortunate that Patrick\'s legacy could disappear without being passed on to anyone. Then, a few days ago, he spotted Kai hanging around in front of the training ground.

This kid, he\'s a Cleric!

From Huey\'s perspective, he had to teach this kid swordsmanship at all costs, but after actually teaching him, he realized this kid was quite the find.

His nature passes the test, and he has both perseverance and talent.

If this kid safely completed today\'s training, the long mission of the family would finally come to an end.

Finally...!

Thinking of the ancestors who had waited for a day like today, Huey’s eyes welled up with tears.

I can\'t just watch and do nothing.

Huey sprang to his feet and cheered for Kai, "Keep it up! You can do it! You must never give up! If you give up, I\'ll kill you!"

"....” Kai looked at the old man with a horrified expression.

Huh? Has he gone senile?

After days of scolding worse than his mother\'s, Kai couldn’t help but think this at the sudden encouragement! However, in Huey’s words and eyes was the genuine hope for Kai\'s success.

"Hmph."

Whoosh, Swooosh!

Kai had been getting tired, but at Huey\'s words, he regained strength and the sound created by his wooden sword became a bit stronger.

***

[You have completed every lesson at these training grounds.]

[You completed The Importance of Basics 7.]

[+3 Strength]

[+3 Agility]

[+3 Stamina]

"F-finally..."

The beads of sweat on Kai\'s face were the results of his effort.

Huey slowly approached and handed him a handkerchief. "Each drop of sweat you shed now will replace a drop of blood you might have shed later."

"Yes, sir!"

Huey, his voice hoarse from cheering so hard, pointed to a cushion with a tired expression. "Sit down. I have something to tell you."

"Alright."

As they both sat down on the cushions, Huey stroked his beard with a solemn expression. "Now that I think about it, it seems my introduction is a bit late."

"....”

It was far too late to say a bit. After all, his introduction was late by a whole week.

"My name is Huey Radun. My family has served Sir Patrick for generations."

"I see."

"In fact, the Training Grounds of the Dawn is a bit different from ordinary training grounds."

As expected. I can smell it.

Kai smiled as the familiar and pleasant scent of a hidden piece seemed to tickled his nose.

As Huey had mentioned on the first day, this training ground would have some connection with Patrick.

So, since this hell-like training is over, they must give me something.

Kai leaned forward, showing keen interest in Huey\'s words.

Huey, satisfied with his attentive look, continued, "I told you when we first met that this training ground was created by Sir Patrick, right?"

"Of course."

"Well, Sir Patrick was actually looking for a successor to inherit his legacy."

"That would be me!"

"No, it\'s not."

“....”

Huey chuckled at the puzzled expression on Kai\'s face.

"However, based on your abilities, you might be able to inherit it."

"What do you mean?" Kai asked back, as he furrowed his brows at the ambiguous statement, asking for clarification.

"The tests conducted in this training ground were for one\'s goodness and mental strength."

"...Indeed!" Kai candidly shared his thoughts on his experience there. "Surely, only someone as kind-hearted and mentally strong as myself could endure your harsh words."

"...."

Huey\'s lips slightly quivered. After calming himself, he explained the three virtues that the successor to Patrick\'s legacy had to uphold.

"Ah... I see."

"With this, you have completed all my teachings."

"Thank you!"

As Kai bowed his head, Huey handed him a map.

"Now then, you must go to this place."

"This is a map."

"Haha. It\'s a map marking the location of the Trial of Hanox."

"Trial of Hanox?"

"Yes. That place is a dungeon created by Sir Patrick himself with his powerful divine power."

"A dungeon! Then it must be a place filled with danger."

"It might be, or it might not be," Huey said with a meaningful smile. "There is only one thing I can tell you about it. If Training Grounds of the Dawn was a place to test one\'s mental strength, then the Trial of Hanox is a place where one must prove their extreme physical endurance and the value of being a Warrior!"

"The value of being a Warrior...." Kai gulped.

But I\'m a Cleric.

Honestly, he didn\'t quite understand why he needed to prove his value as a Warrior.

But this is a hidden quest related to the legend of the Church of Solaris, known as Patrick of the Radiance.

Just the name alone gave off the sweet scent of a hidden quest!

Kai’s eyes filled with determination and said, "So I just need to pass through this trial?"

"Exactly. That is the second test given to you! By passing through it, you will grow one step further."

[Pass the Trial of Hanox!]

Difficulty: C

Patrick of the Radiance, was considered one of the greatest paladins in the history of the Church of Solaris.

He created the trial in his later years as a place where visitors can test their skills as Warriors. Stand tall and prove that you are worthy to receive Patrick’s inheritance.

Quest Reward: +1 to all stats, +1 level.

Failure Penalty: Forever lose the opportunity to inherit Patrick\'s inheritance.

"Hehe."

Kai selectively read the words from the quest description that pleased him. The greatest Paladin in history, and the great inheritance!

Inheritance means money, doesn’t it?

Additionally, being called the greatest paladin in history, there must surely be a mountain of gold waiting.

Kai couldn\'t hide his smile and nodded, "I will surely pass through this trial."

[Quest accepted.]