Re:Incarnation System
Chapter 86: In the Silence of the Forest (Part 1)
William gritted his teeth as he completed another push up. Theo was sitting on his back as the sun slowly rose from the East. It had been two months since William began his training under Owen's supervision and the desired changes in his body began to occur.
The red-haired boy looked at the sunrise for a moment before continuing his morning practice.
____
"Two hundred and fifty." Theo smiled. “Morning quota reached. Good work, Will.”
"Theo, is it just me or have you become heavier lately?" William asked as his friend got off his back.
"Just you," Theo replied as he stretched his arms and waist. "Go now. Don't let Owen wait.”
William shook his head helplessly as he waved at his friend.
“Ma, let's go.”
“Meeeeh!”
Ella, who was lying not far from William, stood up and ran beside him. The two of them ran towards Ourobro who was guarding the main gate of Lont.
Currently, the bracelet on his wrist weighs 70 kg (154 lbs) each, but that did not stop William from running to his destination at full speed. Owen has taught him a lot over the past two months and that includes some breathing exercises that help him maintain his strength.
As he approached Ourobro, he found Owen drinking a cup of coffee while sitting waiting for William.
“It's done with your routine?” ask Owen.
"Yes" replied William, sitting opposite him.
The boy then piled some sausages and eggs on his plate and started eating his breakfast. Owen continued to drink his coffee while gazing towards the East. “New two months, but you've managed to familiarize yourself with the exercise bracelet on your wrist.”
William listened to Owen's words and felt proud of his achievements. It wasn't easy. Every day he felt like he was carrying a full-grown bull on his shoulders. Owen had seen his progress and was quite satisfied with his appearance.
“Because you have passed the basic requirements of a fighter, it is time for you to continue your training to the next stage,” Owen said as he placed an empty coffee cup on the table. “After you finish your breakfast, go to the center of the Silent Forest. Your next Instructor is waiting for you there. ”
“Um?” William raised his head to look at Owen. "Aren't you going to train me?"
Owen smiled. “I don't have much free time to train a brat like you. Your grandfather only asked me to help build your stamina and prepare your body for the upcoming workout.”
William frowned, but he still nodded his head. “Who will be my new instructor?”
“Someone who is tighter than me,” replied Owen. “He's a guy who doesn't talk much, but his skills are the truth. You better be careful, William. That person doesn't know the meaning of restraint.”
William nodded his head. “Thank you, Owen, for everything.”
“You can thank me by being stronger,” Owen smiled. “I'm getting old. It's time for a new generation to step up and shoulder our burdens.”
“What kind of load?” William asked curiously.
“Load to satisfy a beautiful young woman of course.” Owen looked at William as if he were looking at someone stupid. “Why do you think I trained you to improve your stamina? It would be a shame if you were one of those quick shots that couldn't even hold it for five seconds.”
William spewed out the milk he drank and began coughing. The red-haired boy completely forgot that Owen was a person who liked to boast about his prowess in making love. He felt bitter at the thought that the old man was just training him so as not to become a quick person.
"It was just a joke," Owen chuckled. “But, I'm not kidding about your next instructor. Careful, William. You may die accidentally if you do not pay attention to your environment. ”
William wiped his mouth with a handkerchief before standing up from his chair. "I'm leaving. Again, thanks for everything.”
William bowed to show his respect to the Life Magus who had trained him for two months. Although short, Owen did a good job in strengthening his body through rigorous training.
"Go." Owen threw him out with one hand. “Don't let him wait. Also, Ella, stay here. You are not allowed to accompany William. ”
“Meeeeh?”
“You should also start your training. Don't you want to protect William?”
“Meeeeh!”
Ella kisses William, and the latter gives him a brief hug before the two of them part. There was no need to exchange words between the two of them. Both want to be strong, and this is the perfect opportunity to do that.
—–
The Silent Forest was located two miles away from South Lont. As the name suggests, the forest is silent. You cannot hear the sounds of birds, beasts, or even insects from within this forest. It was a forest with no living creatures except plants and trees.
William had been here once in the past when James took him in search of a special potion. Although this forest has no animals and insects living in it, it is rich in flora and is a good place to look for rare plants that grow in the wild.
Owen had told him that his instructor was waiting for him in the middle of the forest, so William thought that he only needed to go to the open that the Lont residents referred to as "Hoia".
Along the way, the only voice William heard was his own footsteps. For some reason, it confused him.
Then happened…
The whistling wind whispered in William's ear. A few seconds later he felt a burning pain in his back. He staggered forward and nearly fell to the ground when another whistling sound reached his ears.
William had no idea what was happening, but his body moved reflexively and dodged to the side. It was at that moment that he saw the arrow pass just a few inches from his left shoulder. The arrow hit the tree trunk before bouncing a few meters away from it.
At first glance and William recognized it as a blunt arrow commonly used to hunt small game animals such as rabbits and squirrels.
Even before William could understand what was happening, more whistling sounds echoed in the forest.
The red-haired boy immediately hid behind a tree as several blunt arrows bounced off his skin.
"Who are you?!" William roaring. “Why did you attack me?! Are you my new instructor? ”
William sharpened his ears to listen for answers, however, no one came. Instead, he heard another whistle, but this time it sounded different.
The shepherd did not dare to move from his hiding place because he thought it was safe as long as he remained in his place.
What happened next proved him wrong.
A loud applause rang out as the tree that William used as a shield exploded before his eyes. A shock wave formed and made the boy crash into another tree without knowing what was happening.
William felt his entire body ache, but his instincts yelled at him to run. He immediately activated his movement technique, Heavenly Phantasm, which he learned from the Thunder Disciple.
The shepherd plans to leave the forest to escape from whoever attacked him. However, the attacker, hidden in the shadows, did not allow him to do what he wanted.
A few explosions that nearly tore William in two prevented him from realizing his goal. Having no other choice, William changed course and ran into the middle of the forest where his “instructor” would be waiting for him.
On that day, the Forest Silence broke out as William ran to save his life. Whenever he heard any sound—be it a whistle or a subtle hiss—he would immediately zigzag among the trees in an attempt to use it as a shield.
As William got closer to his goal, his fear grew stronger. It was as if he was still inside the Trial of Courage and he was fighting the Cyclops alone. Only this time, without his strength.
The young man did not understand why he felt this way. He clearly knew that his opponent was a human, however, it felt as if he was dealing with a Thousand Year Beast that specialized in long-range attacks.
Usually, it only takes two hours on foot to reach the center of the forest. However, several hours had passed, yet William still had not achieved his goal. More precisely, he lost his way due to the successive attacks that forced him to dodge repeatedly.
_____
Without knowing which way to go, William is forced into a battle of attrition against his unknown assailant. However, in this battle, the shepherd was on the losing side.
Due to his current situation, he was forced to use his physical abilities to the limit. He ran, he jumped, he dodged, he rolled, he did everything in his power to prevent himself from being hit by an arrow that seemed to have a life of its own.
Eventually, everything darkened as the sun set in the West. William was very tired, and hungry. The sound of her rumbling stomach resounded in the forest. He had no time off to eat anything.The only thing he managed to do was drink water from a water bottle inside his storage ring.
In order to avoid being hit, William focused all his concentration on his sense of hearing, and paid no attention to anything other than avoiding merciless attacks coming from various directions.
Before he knew it, he fainted on the ground gasping for air. His body finally reached its limit. He tried to prop himself up from the ground, but his body refused to move. It was then that William heard the familiar whistling sound of the wind and then ..darkness descended upon him as he lost consciousness.
