CHAPTER 110 — TRAINING HELL II

By the time Percy left the Left Tower...

The sun was already high.

Helen's last words rang in his ears.

"Tomorrow."

"Four in the morning."

Percy nodded as he walked.

"Four."

He paused.

"Definitely four."

Then remembered Helen's face.

"Three."

Percy's eyebrow twitched.

"Clara's going to pay for this."

Blaze trembled softly beside him.

Percy looked at it.

"Stay out of it."

Blaze trembled again.

Percy narrowed his eyes.

"I think it was four seconds."

Blaze went quiet.

Percy nodded.

"Smart staff."

Then took out his Shiri.

Started a group call.

William answered first.

"Percy?"

Arthur connected right after.

"What's up?"

Charlotte's voice came through.

"Did something happen?"

Marcus joined last.

Stayed silent.

Percy kept walking.

"Come to my house."

Arthur:

"Now?"

Percy's voice hardened instantly.

"Immediately."

Silence on all four ends.

Percy continued.

"Don't make me repeat my order."

Arthur's face grew serious.

William adjusted his glasses.

Charlotte straightened.

Marcus said one word.

"Okay."

Arthur leaned toward his Shiri.

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

William:

"What did we screw up?"

Charlotte:

"Nothing yet."

Marcus:

"I think that's the problem."

Percy:

"I can hear you."

All four fell silent at once.

Arthur:

"Ten minutes."

The call ended.

Percy slipped Shiri into his pocket.

Then sighed.

"That voice still works."

Eleanor opened the door.

Percy stopped when he saw her.

Eleanor smiled.

"You're back early, son."

Percy's face...

Changed completely for a moment.

Son.

He still wasn't used to it.

And still...

It made him happy every time he heard it.

Percy cleared his throat.

"Mom."

Eleanor's smile grew.

"Yes?"

Percy stepped inside.

Clara poked her head out of the living room.

Holar sat in an armchair.

Percy closed the door.

"Grandpa."

"Hm?"

"Clara."

Clara:

"I'm here."

Percy took out his spatial ring.

"Let's talk before they arrive."

Eleanor's expression grew serious.

"What's wrong, son?"

Percy paused slightly again.

Clara noticed.

Her lips curved.

Percy quickly focused on the ring.

"First, these."

Flowers appeared in his hands.

White lilies.

Eleanor's eyes widened.

Percy held them out to her.

"For you."

Eleanor stared for several seconds.

Then took the flowers.

"Lilies."

Percy:

"Your favorite."

Eleanor looked at him.

Her eyes had grown a little misty.

"You remembered."

Percy shrugged.

"Of course I remembered."

Eleanor smelled the flowers.

Then cupped Percy's cheek.

"Thank you, little prince."

Percy's face fell.

"Mooom."

Clara laughed.

Holar chuckled too.

Percy looked at Holar.

"Don't you laugh."

Holar:

"Why?"

"Your turn's coming."

Holar immediately went quiet.

Percy reached into the ring again.

This time...

Stock flowers appeared.

Clara's eyes widened.

Percy turned to her.

"And these..."

He stepped closer.

"Are for the one who holds my heart."

Clara's cheeks reddened.

She took the flowers.

"Thank you, darling."

Percy took her hand.

Kissed the backs of her fingers.

Holar tipped his head back.

"My gift?"

Percy looked at him.

"Nothing for you."

Holar frowned.

"What?"

Percy lasted a few seconds.

Then laughed.

"Kidding, kidding."

Holar:

"That wasn't funny."

Eleanor:

"I thought it was."

Holar looked at her.

Eleanor smelled her lilies.

"I got a present."

Holar's face fell further.

Still laughing, Percy reached into the ring.

This time...

A large dark box emerged.

He set it on the floor.

THUD.

Holar's expression grew serious.

"What's this?"

Percy opened the box.

White armor rose from within.

But it wasn't the old armor.

Beneath the white...

Lay a very thin black layer.

Crystalline patterns stretched over the shoulders.

The leg guards refracted the light.

Holar stood.

Eleanor came closer too.

Clara's mouth parted slightly.

Percy looked on proudly.

"I heard..."

"You wore your old battle armor."

Holar looked at the armor.

"That's right."

Percy nodded.

"Not good enough for my grandpa."

Holar turned to him.

"It's two thousand years old."

Percy:

"Even worse."

Holar grimaced.

Percy pointed at the armor.

"This..."

"Is made from what was left of Melanos."

Clara's smile vanished.

Percy saw it.

Softened his voice a little.

"I didn't want it to go to waste."

Holar looked at the armor again.

Percy continued.

"I completely purified the material."

"Strengthened its core with crystal work."

"Brought its durability up to Emperor class."

Holar turned his head toward Percy.

Eleanor:

"You did what?"

Percy:

"Put some work into it."

Holar:

"Some?"

Percy touched the armor.

It moved at once.

Pieces flew toward Holar.

The white layer covered his body.

Then the thin black layer spread.

The crystal pieces began to glow.

Holar looked at his hands.

Took a step.

Then his eyes widened slightly.

Percy smiled.

"You noticed."

Holar closed his fist.

His aura rose very slightly.

But...

The armor didn't resist.

Didn't choke the flow of energy.

Holar's eyebrow rose.

Percy continued.

"Normal armor restricts your power output."

"This adapts to it."

"And distributes its weight as you accelerate."

Holar turned once.

The armor made almost no sound.

Eleanor and Clara spoke together.

"Woooow."

Holar slowly turned to them.

Eleanor looked at the armor.

Then at Holar.

"No doubt you're the most handsome man in the world."

Silence.

Percy's eyes widened.

Clara's widened further.

Holar...

Froze where he stood.

Eleanor realized what she'd said.

But didn't take it back.

Holar slowly turned to her.

"Eleanor."

Eleanor:

"What?"

Holar looked at her for a while.

Then smiled.

"You made a lot of mistakes in the past."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow.

Holar continued.

"So did I."

Eleanor fell silent.

"From now on..."

"Can we say things like that freely?"

Holar's voice had softened.

"At least to each other."

Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.

She was quiet for a second.

Then nodded.

"We can."

Percy looked at Clara.

Clara looked at Percy.

They grinned at the same time.

Holar saw it.

"Don't look at us like that."

Percy:

"Like what?"

Holar:

"Like that."

Clara:

"Very informative."

Holar turned to Percy.

"You."

Percy:

"Me?"

"When did you learn to do this?"

Percy looked at the armor.

"I didn't make all of it myself."

Holar frowned.

Percy continued.

"I went to the blacksmith at the mage shop."

"Explained my idea."

"He helped."

"We worked together."

Holar's face softened.

"You're a very thoughtful boy."

Percy blinked.

Holar placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Percy."

Percy smiled.

"You're welcome, Grandpa."

Then...

He stepped back.

Clapped his hands together.

"Now."

Holar's eyes narrowed slightly.

Percy smiled.

"Now that I've given you your gifts..."

"You can hear my requests."

Silence.

Clara looked at Percy.

Eleanor looked at the lilies.

Then turned to Percy.

Holar closed his eyes.

"I see."

Clara:

One source detail matters: the author publishes on NovelPhoenix, and this copy was taken without approval.

"It was a bribe."

Percy:

"It's not a bribe."

Eleanor:

"Payment."

Percy:

"Mom!"

Holar:

"Paying the strongest man in the world."

Eleanor:

"And the second strongest."

Percy:

"I gave you flowers!"

Clara:

"I got some too."

Percy:

"You're different."

Clara raised an eyebrow.

"How?"

Percy:

"You're my girlfriend."

Clara's face reddened instantly.

Percy laughed in satisfaction.

Holar:

"What do you want, brat?"

Percy grew serious.

"I..."

"Am going to develop my water element."

Holar's expression changed.

"Helen."

Percy nodded.

"I'll be there tomorrow morning."

"And from what I've heard..."

"Her students stay a long time."

"Six months."

"Sometimes a year."

Eleanor looked at Percy.

"How long are you planning to stay?"

"As long as it takes."

Clara's face fell a little.

Percy continued.

"Probably six months to a year."

Holar and Eleanor...

Straightened at the same time.

"HELEN ACCEPTED YOU?"

Percy jumped.

"Not exactly..."

They both went quiet.

Percy thought.

"She didn't say 'I've accepted you.'"

Holar's face relaxed.

Eleanor's lips curved.

Then...

They both started laughing.

Percy frowned.

"What?"

Holar:

"Still the same tactic."

Eleanor nodded through her laughter.

"She hasn't changed at all."

Percy:

"What tactic?"

Holar looked at him.

"First, she studies you."

"Checks whether you're good enough."

Eleanor continued.

"Then she doesn't tell you she's accepted you."

Holar:

"She just starts teaching."

Eleanor:

"By the time you realize, it's too late."

Percy's face fell.

Holar smiled.

"Then..."

"She throws you into the fire."

Percy:

"She's a water mage."

Holar:

"Metaphor."

Eleanor:

"A fire fiercer than Chaos Fire."

Percy grew a little more serious.

Holar continued.

"And beats you up on top of that."

"Then throws you into the fire again."

Eleanor:

"So you come out sharper."

Percy was silent for several seconds.

Then nodded.

"So that's why they were laughing."

Clara:

"Who?"

"Everyone at the tower."

Holar burst out laughing.

So did Eleanor.

Clara didn't.

Percy noticed.

Clara looked at her flowers.

Then at Percy.

"We only just got back together."

The room fell quiet.

Clara continued.

"We moved back into the same room."

Percy's smile faltered.

"Now you're leaving again."

Percy walked over to her.

Took her hand.

Brushed back her white hair.

Looked at her face.

"You're so beautiful."

Clara's eyebrow rose slightly.

Percy continued.

"Your lips..."

"Like they've been drawn by hand."

Clara blushed.

"Percy."

"Your nose..."

Clara narrowed her eyes.

"What about my nose?"

Percy smiled.

"Shows you at your most spoiled."

Clara's mouth fell open.

Holar laughed.

Percy continued.

"Your cheeks."

"The dimples when you smile."

"I love every one of them."

Clara was completely red now.

Percy looked at her hands.

"And your hands."

He laced his fingers through hers.

"Despite all your hard work..."

"Still so soft."

Clara looked away.

Percy brought her hand to his cheek.

"When you touch my face..."

"I fall in love with you all over again."

This time, Clara couldn't speak.

Percy brought his forehead close to hers.

"I have to go, Clara."

Clara's face fell again.

Percy immediately continued.

"But you won't be staying here."

Clara frowned.

Percy smiled.

"You can't fall behind."

"Remember?"

"You promised to surpass me."

Clara straightened at once.

"Of course I will!"

Percy:

"All right, then."

Clara:

"All right!"

One second.

Two seconds.

Clara's expression changed.

Percy slowly grinned.

Clara narrowed her eyes.

"Wait a minute."

Percy:

"Hm?"

"First, flowers."

Percy looked innocent.

"Then compliments."

Percy:

"They were true."

"Then a challenge."

Percy said nothing.

Clara pointed at him.

"I used to be the cheater!"

Percy laughed.

Clara pouted.

"Now this man's the cheater!"

Eleanor started laughing.

Holar leaned back in his chair.

"Son."

Percy turned to him.

"Did you make a new training plan?"

Percy smiled.

"Yes..."

"Most handsome of grandpas."

Clara answered immediately:

"He's definitely going to ask for something."

Eleanor:

"Definitely."

Percy's face fell.

"Come on."

"Am I that kind of person?"

All three shouted together.

"YES!"

Percy stared for several seconds.

"I'm deeply hurt."

Clara:

"You'll get over it."

Percy:

"You're becoming just like my mom."

Eleanor:

"She's getting smarter."

The doorbell rang.

Percy turned his head.

"Right on time."

Holar frowned.

"What's arriving?"

Percy walked to the door.

"Debt."

Holar's expression changed.

"What?"

Percy turned.

"Grandpa."

"I'm going to ask you for money."

Holar slowly straightened.

"As a loan."

Holar's frown deepened.

"How much?"

The door opened.

Two attendants stood outside.

Five large boxes behind them.

An attendant checked a tablet.

"Percy Grant?"

Percy:

"That's me."

"Total payment..."

"Two million three hundred and fifty thousand."

Silence.

The attendant continued.

"Team contribution points."

Holar turned his head toward Percy.

So did Eleanor.

Clara slowly lowered her flowers.

Percy smiled innocently.

Holar:

"Two million..."

Eleanor:

"Three hundred and fifty thousand."

Percy:

"Yes."

Holar stood.

Percy immediately raised his hands.

"I'll pay back double!"

Holar:

"Percy."

"I promise."

"Percy."

"I'm not asking for special treatment."

Holar went quiet.

Percy's voice grew serious.

"I'm asking for your help."

"This matters."

Holar looked at him.

After a while...

He took out his black card.

Handed it to the attendant.

"Pay it."

Percy's face lit up.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Holar:

"I'm going to find out what this is."

Percy:

"In a moment."

Payment went through.

The boxes were carried inside.

The attendants left.

Holar looked at the boxes.

"Double."

Percy:

"I promise."

Holar:

"Interest?"

Percy froze.

Eleanor:

"Holar."

Holar:

"I was joking."

Percy:

"That wasn't funny at all."

Holar smiled.

"Now we're even."

Percy turned to Eleanor.

"Dearest Mom."

Eleanor startled.

Clara turned her head.

Holar narrowed his eyes.

Eleanor:

"Yes, spoiled prince?"

Percy laughed.

"I need your help."

"Let's hear it."

"Will you train someone on my team?"

Eleanor's expression grew serious.

"Who?"

"It'll have to be very harsh."

Eleanor:

"Percy."

"Really harsh."

"You can push him to the brink of death."

Clara's eyes widened.

Percy continued.

"Six months."

"A year if necessary."

Eleanor folded her arms.

"The goal?"

Percy didn't hesitate.

"Advanced Nine."

"All previous layers at fifty percent."

"One hundred percent elemental affinity."

Eleanor stared for several seconds.

"You're asking a lot."

Percy nodded.

"I know."

Then softened a little.

"Mom..."

"He's like you too."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow.

"How?"

"He doesn't know how to stop."

"He never thinks he's good enough."

Clara understood at once.

"Arthur."

Percy looked at her.

"Yes."

Holar's eyebrow rose slightly.

Percy continued.

"He's my shield."

"But he can't only be a shield."

Eleanor listened closely.

"When the team attacks..."

"Arthur gets buried in defense."

"It keeps us standing."

"But at the same time..."

"It leaves our attack one person short."

Clara's eyes lit up.

Percy continued.

"If he could generate an attack..."

"The moment his shield blocks a hit..."

Clara finished the sentence.

"Battles would become incredibly easier."

Percy nodded.

"Exactly."

Holar looked at Percy.

"Did you work this out yourself?"

Percy:

"Most of it."

He paused.

"Big brother Galahad helped too."

Elsewhere in the city...

Galahad was wrapped in a blanket.

His nose was bright red.

He held a cup of tea.

"Achoo!"

The chair slid backward.

Galahad fell with it.

THUD.

"DAMMIT!"

He tried to get up off the floor.

"I'm already sick!"

He sniffled.

"Who's talking about me?!"

Percy turned to Holar.

"Grandpa."

Holar narrowed his eyes.

"I've got a job too?"

Percy smiled.

"I'm asking the same of you."

Holar:

"For whom?"

Percy thought a little.

"He's not like you."

"But there's something you can show him."

Holar listened.

"No matter how hard I looked..."

"I couldn't find anyone powerful who uses Shadow."

Before Marcus's name was spoken...

Holar had understood.

Percy continued.

"But you..."

"Are good at developing new things."

"And improving what already exists."

Percy paused.

Really thought about it.

His grandpa...

Was still the best at so many things.

Percy muttered without meaning to.

"Wow."

Holar:

"What?"

Percy smiled.

"My grandpa's got some serious ball—"

Eleanor:

"PERCYYYYYYY!"

Percy covered his mouth.

Clara started laughing.

Holar nodded.

"He's telling the truth."

Eleanor answered instantly.

"I know it's true."

Silence.

Percy's eyes widened.

Clara's too.

Holar's widened more.

Eleanor...

Realized what she'd said.

The room froze.

Eleanor pointed at all three.

"If you tell anyone..."

She paused for a second.

"I'll disown you both."

Percy and Clara straightened together.

"UNDERSTOOD!"

Holar:

"Me?"

Eleanor looked at him.

"You too."

Holar:

"But I'm your husb—"

Eleanor's eyes narrowed.

Holar:

"Understood."

Percy laughed behind his hand.

Holar turned to him.

"Marcus, right?"

"Yes."

"All right."

"I'll take him."

Percy's expression grew serious.

"Same requirements."

"Advanced Nine."

"Fifty percent foundation."

"One hundred percent Shadow affinity."

Holar looked at him for a long time.

"Son."

"Hm?"

"Are you sure you love your grandpa?"

Percy's eyebrow rose.

"Why?"

"You're giving me a harder job than your mother."

Eleanor:

"Because you're the strongest in the world."

Holar looked at her.

Suddenly went quiet.

Eleanor:

"What?"

Holar:

"Say it again."

Eleanor:

"No."

Holar:

"Please."

Eleanor:

"Stop it."

Percy made a strange gesture with both hands.

Holar laughed when he saw it.

Eleanor:

"PERCY!"

Percy lowered his hands.

"I didn't do anything."

"Your face did."

He remembered Sylvia's words.

Percy laughed.

Holar sighed.

"All right."

"Marcus is with me."

Percy turned to Clara.

"That leaves..."

"You."

"William."

"Charlotte."

Clara:

"Of course you've thought about it."

Percy:

"Of course."

Clara folded her arms.

"Where am I going?"

On Percy's face...

An excessively innocent smile appeared.

"Hehe."

Clara narrowed her eyes.

"Percy."

"The Middle Tower."

Clara's eyebrow rose.

"Amelia?"

"Yes."

Eleanor nodded slightly.

"Good choice."

Percy approached Clara.

"But I want something different from you."

Clara:

"I'm listening."

"Fifty percent foundation..."

"Same."

"Advanced Nine..."

"Same."

"Light affinity..."

"One hundred percent."

Clara nodded.

Percy's expression grew serious.

"Darkness..."

Clara waited.

"Won't go past seventy-five percent."

Clara frowned.

"Why?"

Holar suddenly looked at Percy.

Then turned to Clara.

"Because he's right."

Percy looked at him too.

Holar continued.

"Seventy-five percent..."

"Isn't a magical barrier."

"It's a training brake Percy's put in place."

Clara listened closely.

Holar touched his temple.

"Your darkness..."

"Doesn't see emotion only as fuel."

"It interprets it as a command."

Clara's expression changed.

Percy nodded.

Holar continued.

"If you raise your affinity too quickly..."

"The delay between thought and magic disappears."

Clara:

"Meaning?"

Percy answered.

"It acts before you think."

Clara's eyes widened slightly.

The attack in 109...

Came back to her.

Percy hitting the wall.

Percy took her hand.

Holar continued.

"First, your mind gains control."

"When anger comes, the darkness may emerge."

"But when you say 'stop'..."

"It stops too."

"Then you go past seventy-five percent."

Clara nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Percy:

"Develop your light all the way."

"And..."

Clara:

"And?"

Percy smiled.

"Your abilities."

Holar leaned back in his chair.

"Everyone who reaches Advanced..."

"Creates their own characteristic abilities."

"Most of us have done it."

Percy continued.

"But I don't want individual abilities."

Clara's eyebrow rose.

"What do you want?"

"Combine your entire toolkit."

"Light."

"Darkness."

"Speed."

"Defense."

"Attack."

Percy raised two fingers.

"Two distinct combined abilities."

"Yours alone."

Holar nodded.

"The number can vary by mage."

"But the reasoning is sound."

Percy squeezed Clara's hand.

"Amelia will accept you."

Eleanor:

"I'll talk to her."

Percy shook his head immediately.

"No."

Eleanor looked at him.

Percy turned to Clara.

"You'll go there yourself."

"You'll prove yourself on your own."

Clara's eyes changed.

Percy smiled.

"You don't need your mother."

He paused for a second.

"You're even better than me."

A small smile formed on Clara's face.

Then she narrowed her eyes.

"You're going to ask for something."

Percy:

"Yes."

Clara:

"I knew it."

Percy pulled her close.

Stole a brief kiss from her lips.

Holar:

"Ahem."

Eleanor:

"AHEM."

Percy drew back.

Clara looked at him.

Then smiled.

"These requests have gotten expensive..."

"Mr. Grant."

Percy's eyebrow rose.

Clara:

"I'm waiting for payment."

Percy was about to lean in again.

The doorbell rang.

Percy's face fell.

Clara laughed.

"Timing."

The door opened.

Arthur stood at the front.

William behind him.

Charlotte came inside.

Marcus was already inside.

Arthur looked at him.

"When did you get in?"

Marcus:

"Just now."

Arthur:

"I didn't see you at the door."

Marcus:

"I didn't use it."

Arthur closed his eyes.

"One day..."

Marcus:

"No."

Percy clapped his hands.

"Welcome, gentlemen."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

Percy quickly added.

"And Charlotte."

Charlotte:

"How kind."

Percy:

"I could've said the opposite."

Charlotte:

"Don't."

Percy led them into the living room.

Five gathered in front of him.

Clara moved to Percy's side too.

William looked around.

Saw the boxes.

Saw Holar's new armor.

Saw Eleanor's flowers.

Then looked at Percy.

"Things have happened."

Arthur:

"That's a very broad statement."

William:

"It needs to be when Percy's involved."

Percy:

"I can hear you."

William:

"I know."

Percy took a deep breath.

Summarized the last half hour.

Helen.

The Left Tower.

His own training.

Arthur going to Eleanor.

Marcus going to Holar.

Clara going to Amelia.

William's face fell further and further.

Percy finally looked at him.

"William."

William closed his eyes.

"Here it comes."

"You and Charlotte..."

"Are going to Sylvia."

William opened his eyes.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

"Pillar Sylvia?"

Percy:

"Yes."

"Half-Step Interplanetary Two."

William was quiet for several seconds.

Then tipped his head back.

"Is Training Hell Two starting?"

Percy:

"No."

William relaxed.

Percy:

"I'm not there this time."

William's face fell again.

"That's worse."

Charlotte laughed.

Holar turned to Percy.

"Wait a minute."

"Sylvia agreed?"

Eleanor was surprised too.

"Really?"

Percy shrugged.

"I just called her."

Holar:

"What did she say?"

Percy imitated Sylvia.

"'If they prove themselves, let them come, dear.'"

Silence.

Holar's face froze.

So did Eleanor's.

They shouted at the same time.

"SHE CALLED YOU DEAR?!"

William jumped.

Charlotte took two steps back.

Arthur:

"What happened?"

Holar approached Percy.

"She really called you dear?"

"Yes."

Eleanor looked astonished.

"That word..."

"I've heard it four times at most."

Holar nodded.

"In two thousand years."

Charlotte:

"Is that good?"

Holar:

"Very."

Eleanor:

"Extremely."

Clara grimaced.

"So she cares about him."

Percy looked at Clara.

"I doubt it's more than you do."

Clara smiled immediately.

So did Percy.

William looked at them.

"Why am I being sent to a Half-Step teacher..."

"In the middle of romantic reassurance?"

Charlotte:

"Because you're lucky."

William:

"The definition of luck has changed."

Percy opened the large boxes.

"Now..."

"The money part."

Holar answered at once:

"Two million three hundred and fifty thousand."

Percy:

"Haven't forgotten?"

Holar:

"No."

William approached the boxes.

Percy took out the first item.

A triangular crystal.

Small marks covered its six corners.

William's eyes widened.

Percy:

"This is one million."

Arthur coughed.

"WHAT?"

Percy raised the crystal.

"Team's Fate."

Marcus leaned forward for the first time.

Percy continued.

"I'll explain in a moment."

He opened the second box.

Took out five thick books.

Orin lines ran across their covers.

"Mission Echo Journals."

William took one.

Percy:

"A hundred and ten thousand each."

William calculated quickly.

"Five hundred and fifty thousand."

"Correct."

The third box opened.

Five slim bracelets came out.

"Orin Measurement Bracelets."

"Ninety thousand each."

William:

"Four hundred and fifty thousand."

Percy nodded.

"They record Core pressure."

"Element use too."

"Leave you no room to lie."

Arthur:

"Why are we reporting to you?"

Percy:

"Because I'm the leader."

Arthur:

"You resigned."

Percy:

"Don't change the subject."

Charlotte laughed.

Rings came out of the last box.

Five metal rings.

"Variable Load Rings."

"Seventy thousand each."

William:

"Three hundred and fifty thousand."

He paused.

Then calculated.

"Total..."

"Two million three hundred and fifty thousand."

Holar looked at Percy.

"At least the math is right."

Percy:

"We have William."

William:

"I didn't place the order."

Percy:

"But you verified it."

William sighed.

Percy assembled six people before him.

This time, his face was completely serious.

"Gather in front of me."

The joking stopped instantly.

Clara stood to Percy's left.

Arthur moved in front of him.

Charlotte beside Arthur.

William adjusted his glasses.

Marcus waited quietly.

Percy looked at them all.

"You're going to those places."

"Arthur and Marcus..."

"You already know."

"But listen again anyway."

Percy raised a hand.

"One."

"Advanced Nine."

"Two."

"All previous levels at fifty percent."

"Three."

"Elemental affinities at one hundred percent."

He looked at Clara.

"Except your darkness."

Clara nodded.

Percy turned back to the team.

"Anyone who can't do it..."

"Gets kicked off the team."

Silence.

Arthur's eyebrow rose.

Charlotte looked at Percy.

William's pen stopped.

Marcus didn't move.

Percy's gaze...

Drifted to the food on the table.

For a moment.

Nathaniel.

No one said his name.

But everyone understood.

Percy's words slowed.

"We don't want the same thing to happen again."

Clara's hand clenched into a fist.

Arthur's face hardened.

Charlotte lowered her eyes.

William took off his glasses.

Marcus bowed his head slightly.

Then...

All five straightened at once.

"YES, PATHFINDER!"

Percy said nothing for several seconds.

His eyes grew a little misty.

Then he nodded.

"Not yet."

Arthur:

"You will be."

Percy's lips curved.

"Yes."

"I will."

Percy clasped his hands behind his back.

"Those are your goals."

"Now, your assignments."

Arthur's expression changed.

"There are assignments too?"

Percy looked at him.

"Of course."

William spoke very quietly.

"We should run."

Marcus:

"Too late."

Percy raised his first finger.

"First assignment."

Arthur took a deep breath.

Percy continued.

"Each of you..."

"A thousand Normal-level monsters."

Arthur:

"Okay."

"Three thousand five hundred..."

"Initial Stage monsters."

Arthur's expression changed.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

Percy continued.

"Two thousand..."

"Mid-level Advanced Stage monsters."

Silence.

Arthur looked at Percy.

William looked at Percy.

Charlotte looked at Percy.

Even Marcus blinked.

But Clara knew Percy.

She wasn't surprised at all.

Arthur:

"One second."

Percy:

"Hm?"

"This..."

"Is the first assignment?"

Percy:

"Yes."

William calculated at once.

"Six thousand five hundred."

Percy:

"Per person."

William took off his glasses.

"You didn't need to add that."

Charlotte:

"I'm a healer."

Percy:

"You're also a mage."

Charlotte:

"Six thousand five hundred, Percy."

Percy:

"I can count."

Charlotte pointed at Arthur.

"Give Stone Man more."

Arthur:

"WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ME?"

Charlotte:

"You're tougher."

Arthur:

"Why are you selling me out?!"

Marcus spoke quietly.

"I accept."

Everyone turned to Marcus.

Arthur:

"You're genuinely creepy."

Marcus:

"I know."

Percy raised his second finger.

"Second assignment."

William:

"We haven't processed the first one yet."

Percy:

"Two million contribution points."

William's face went completely blank.

"Within a year."

Arthur:

"TWO MILLION?"

Percy:

"Yes."

Charlotte:

"You borrowed from your grandpa."

Percy:

"Details."

Charlotte:

"Two million three hundred and fifty thousand."

Percy:

"Charlotte."

Charlotte:

"Shutting up."

Percy raised his third finger.

"Third assignment."

"Five Halmea."

Arthur's face fell.

Percy continued.

"On your own."

William:

"Of course."

Percy looked at him.

William:

"I'm not surprised anymore."

Marcus:

"Lie."

William:

"I'm a little surprised."

Percy raised his fourth finger.

"Fourth assignment."

"The first six months..."

"Won't count toward any of these assignments."

Silence.

This time...

Even Clara turned to Percy.

Arthur opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

"What?"

Percy:

"The first six months are training."

William took off his glasses.

"So..."

"Six thousand five hundred kills."

"Two million points."

"Five Halmea."

Percy:

"Yes."

William:

"In six months."

Percy:

"Essentially."

William:

"Essentially?"

Percy:

"In the second half of the year."

William looked at the ceiling.

"Mathematics has abandoned me."

Charlotte:

"Can I abandon you too?"

Percy:

"No."

Arthur:

"Me?"

"No."

Marcus:

"I'm not asking."

Percy:

"Smart man."

Percy continued.

"When killing monsters..."

"You can't get help from anyone."

"For contribution points..."

"You can join temporary teams."

William relaxed a little.

Percy immediately added.

"But."

William's face fell.

Arthur:

"There's always a but."

Percy:

"Unless you make an MVP contribution..."

"Those points won't count."

William:

"Of course."

Charlotte:

"So no getting carried."

Percy:

"None."

Marcus:

"Good."

Arthur turned to Marcus.

"Say bad for once."

Marcus:

"Bad."

Arthur:

"That wasn't sincere."

Percy raised his fifth finger.

"Fifth assignment."

"You'll complete at least ten..."

"Solo missions."

Arthur didn't react anymore.

Percy looked at him.

"Arthur?"

Arthur:

"My soul's left my body."

Charlotte touched his cheek.

"Does stone have a soul?"

Arthur slowly turned to her.

"Charlotte."

Charlotte:

"Yes, Stone Man?"

Arthur:

"I'm not fighting right now."

Charlotte:

"You're improving."

Percy raised his last finger.

"Sixth assignment."

William:

"Last one?"

Percy:

"Last one."

William closed his eyes.

"Thank goodness."

Percy lifted the books.

"After every mission..."

"You'll write everything down."

He handed out the books one by one.

Clara.

Arthur.

Charlotte.

William.

Marcus.

"The mission."

"The opponent."

"Mistakes."

"Successes."

"When you were afraid."

"When you ran."

"When you didn't."

"Everything."

Marcus opened his book.

The pages were blank.

But Orin glowed faintly.

Percy continued.

"These books report to me."

"Don't fill them with pointless stuff."

Arthur:

"Can I write 'I hate Percy'?"

Percy:

"Once."

Arthur:

"Not enough pages."

Charlotte laughed.

Percy raised the triangular crystal.

"Now, the main item."

Everyone looked at him.

"Team's Fate."

He placed it in the middle of the table.

Six corners glowed faintly.

"One million contribution points."

William:

"That still hurts."

Percy:

"I paid."

Holar coughed from across the room.

Percy:

"I will pay."

Holar:

"Double."

Percy:

"I know."

Then he turned to the team.

"The six people who touch this crystal..."

"Are linked together."

Charlotte's expression grew serious.

Percy continued.

"When activated..."

"The damage one of us takes..."

"Is shared among the others."

Silence.

Arthur:

"How much?"

Percy:

"Equal distribution."

William calculated at once.

"So a fatal blow..."

"Can be divided among six bodies."

Percy:

"Yes."

Charlotte:

"But six people get hurt."

Percy:

"Yes."

Marcus:

"Double-edged."

Percy looked at him.

"Exactly."

"It's off right now."

"Anyone who agrees to the link..."

"Touch the cryst—"

Six hands landed on the crystal at once.

Percy stopped.

The crystal flashed.

BOOOOOOM!

Six thin lines appeared.

Reached each of their wrists.

Then vanished.

Percy stared for several seconds.

"You could've waited for me to finish."

Arthur:

"No."

Clara:

"No need."

William:

"The decision was simple."

Charlotte:

"We're a team."

Marcus:

"We're one."

Percy's face softened.

"Okay."

He touched the crystal.

"Activate."

On the six of them...

A small mark appeared on each chest.

Percy looked at Arthur.

"Come here."

Arthur's face fell instantly.

"No."

Percy:

"Come."

Arthur:

"You're joking, right?"

Percy:

"No."

Arthur slowly approached.

"I hate you."

Percy:

"I know."

"Hold out your arm."

Arthur did.

Percy drew back his fist.

Arthur:

"Gently."

Percy:

"Gently."

Percy struck lightly.

Tap.

Arthur blinked.

At the same moment...

The other five held their arms.

Charlotte:

"Huh."

William:

"I felt it."

Clara:

"Me too."

Marcus nodded.

Arthur looked at Percy.

"Didn't hurt, dude."

Percy's expression grew serious.

"You can't even imagine..."

"How much it could hurt."

Arthur's smile disappeared.

Percy pointed at the crystal.

"This isn't defense."

"It's sharing the sacrifice."

"Turn it on at the wrong time..."

"And one person's mistake..."

"Puts six people on the ground."

Charlotte looked at Arthur.

"Stone Man."

Arthur:

"What?"

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Whoa."

Arthur:

"What did you figure out?"

"Now, when you're a wall..."

"We're a little bit of a wall too."

Arthur's face froze.

"No."

Charlotte:

"Six Stone Men."

Arthur:

"No."

William:

"Technically correct."

Arthur:

"WILLIAM!"

Percy laughed.

Turned off the crystal.

"Deactivated for now."

"We'll decide when to turn it on..."

"Together."

Percy stepped back.

"As for me..."

Arthur:

"You're going to Helen."

Percy:

"Yes."

"But I'll have assignments too."

William raised an eyebrow.

"Who'll give them?"

Percy looked at Holar.

Then at Eleanor.

"My grandpa."

"And my mom."

Holar's eyebrow rose.

Eleanor slowly smiled.

Percy continued.

"I expect assignments..."

"Three times as hard as yours."

Silence.

Clara:

"Percy."

Percy:

"What?"

Clara:

"Sometimes you should stop talking."

Holar stood.

"Three times?"

Percy looked at him.

"Yes."

Holar thought.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then smiled.

"All right."

Percy's smile grew.

Holar raised a finger.

"Ten thousand..."

"Late Advanced Stage monsters."

Everyone in the room fell silent.

Percy's smile shrank a little.

Holar raised a second finger.

"Twenty-five..."

He paused.

"SENIOR Monsters."

Complete silence.

Arthur slowly looked at Percy.

William took off his glasses.

Charlotte's mouth opened.

Even Marcus turned his head.

Clara:

"What?"

Percy:

"One second."

Holar:

"Didn't you ask for three times?"

Percy:

"Your math is strange."

Holar:

"My math."

Arthur suddenly burst out laughing.

Percy turned to him.

Arthur:

"Six thousand five hundred, huh?"

Percy:

"Shut up."

Arthur:

"The first assignment, apparently."

Percy:

"Arthur."

Charlotte:

"Karma came fast."

Percy:

"You're my team."

William:

"Not right now."

Marcus:

"Right now, I'm on Holar's side."

Percy looked betrayed.

Clara touched his shoulder.

"I'm with you."

Percy relaxed.

Clara continued.

"But you asked for this."

Percy:

"Traitor."

Clara:

"Your girlfriend."

Percy went quiet.

Holar laughed.

Eleanor stood.

"And I..."

"Will give you a harder assignment."

Percy slowly turned to her.

"Mom?"

Eleanor's gaze was very calm.

"When you face Awakened monsters..."

Percy listened intently.

"If there's a chance you'll get so much as a scratch..."

"You'll retreat."

Silence.

Percy's mouth opened.

Arthur's laughter stopped.

Even Clara looked surprised.

Percy:

"What?"

Eleanor:

"You heard me."

"A chance of a scratch."

"Retreat."

"Prepare again."

"Try again."

Percy:

"Mom..."

"Only against Awakened monsters."

Percy's shoulders loosened a little.

"Oh."

Then he stopped.

"Wait a minute."

"What am I supposed to do against them?"

Eleanor:

"You'll learn."

Percy frowned.

"This..."

"Is really hard."

Eleanor:

"I know."

Percy thought.

Then his expression changed.

"When I should run?"

Eleanor shook her head.

"No."

Percy looked at her.

Eleanor came closer.

"When you shouldn't run."

Percy frowned.

"Isn't that backward?"

Eleanor:

"It seems that way for now."

She placed a hand on Percy's chest.

"You don't run when you see risk."

"You move closer instead."

Percy didn't answer.

Eleanor continued.

"Because you think you can endure it."

"Or you accept death."

Clara's expression grew serious.

Eleanor:

"I don't want that."

"First, you'll read the danger."

"Then you'll retreat."

"Then you'll go back in."

"Until you understand the difference."

Percy:

"What difference?"

Eleanor's answer came instantly.

"The difference between courage and suicide."

The room fell silent.

Percy lowered his eyes.

Eleanor continued.

"One day..."

"When the moment comes when you shouldn't run..."

"You'll finally know why you're staying."

Percy was silent for a long time.

Then nodded.

"Okay."

Eleanor smiled.

"I'm not finished."

Percy's head lifted again.

"What?"

Arthur started laughing again.

Percy looked at him.

Arthur went quiet at once.

Eleanor laced her fingers together.

"If everyone is going to reach Advanced..."

"You won't stay there."

Percy listened closely.

Eleanor's voice was clear.

"You..."

"Will reach Awakened Level Two."

Silence.

This time...

Even Holar turned to Eleanor.

Percy blinked.

"What?"

Eleanor continued.

"You'll use Awakening crystals."

"All your previous layers..."

"Will reach seventy-five percent."

William's pen fell from his hand.

Tap.

Arthur's mouth opened.

Charlotte looked at Percy.

Marcus's eyes widened slightly.

Clara:

"Mom."

Eleanor continued.

"Your fire affinity at one hundred percent."

"Your water affinity at one hundred percent."

Percy's breathing slowed.

Eleanor raised her last finger.

"And..."

"You'll unlock your third element."

Complete silence.

Percy couldn't speak for several seconds.

Then turned to Holar.

"Grandpa."

Holar:

"I'm staying out of it."

Percy looked at Eleanor again.

"Mom."

Eleanor:

"Yes, son?"

Percy grimaced.

"Do you love me?"

Eleanor smiled.

"Very much."

Percy:

"It doesn't show."

Holar burst out laughing.

So did Arthur.

Charlotte covered her face.

William put his glasses back on.

Marcus's lips curved.

Clara took Percy's hand.

Percy looked at her.

Clara smiled.

"Awakened Two."

Percy:

"You too?"

Clara:

"You can't fall behind."

Percy was quiet for several seconds.

Then...

Slowly smiled.

Eleanor saw it.

So did Holar.

Percy closed his fist.

Advanced Seven.

Ahead of him was Helen.

Water.

Six months.

Maybe a year.

Thousands of monsters.

A seventy-five percent foundation.

Awakened Two.

And something he didn't yet know...

A third element.

Percy lifted his head.

"Hehehehe."

Arthur's face fell.

William sighed.

Charlotte:

"It's started."

Marcus:

"Yes."

Clara smiled.

Percy looked at them.

Then at Eleanor.

Then at Holar.

"Okay."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow.

Percy's eyes shone.

"Let's do it."

CHAPTER 110 — TRAINING HELL II

END