Dragon's Wrath: The Cursed Returnee

Somehow, Ethan survived the training without collapsing. However, he felt like he should at least pretend to collapse once in a while since every time he surpassed his limits, Hugo got enthusiastic and forced him to do other harsh exercises. In Hugo's eyes, Ethan was a weird kid who looked unreliable but had a hidden potential. However, Ethan knew that everything he could do was thanks to his powers as a hero. Unlike ordinary people, even while he was extremely weak, he could recover his energy extremely fast. Although the exercises Hugo forced him to perform would make most people feel muscle pain for three days, Ethan could recover from them in less than one hour.

"Who are you, kid?" Catty asked when she arrived in the garden. "Your presence is a bit stronger compared to yesterday, and I don't think even Hugo's training can perform such miracles."

"Hahaha," Ethan laughed while scratching the back of his head. "Hugo asked me the same thing yesterday."

"You don't have the looks to be the sole heir of another royal family, which His Majesty is planning to marry one of his daughters with," Catty said. "So, I can't understand why he would go to such lengths to help someone like you."

Apparently, members of noble families in that world inherit the good looks from their parents. That was why royalty and nobles were so easy to spot on. Despite that, Ethan didn't feel offended. After all, he, more than anyone else, knew that he had average looks. Still, if he could become as cool as his father, he would be more than satisfied.

"Today, we will repeat the same training of yesterday," Catty declared. "However, you will have to hit the target in several different positions and situations. While running, walking, crouching, and so on. Again, you won't leave this place until you finish your training."

It was a bit late to notice that, but Ethan definitely inherited his spartan attitude from Catty and Hugo. Regardless, Ethan hurried to finish the training since he was fully aware that it would become much more difficult to hit the target after sunset. Thanks to that, Ethan finished the training before it. Unfortunately, Catty didn't let him have any free time, so she began to teach him how to use knives.

Congratulations! You learned the skill Knife Mastery!

Effects: Increases the power of your when attacks knives by five percent per level.

Lv 01 – 00/100

Congratulations! You learned the skill Dual Dagger!

Effects: Increases the power of your attacks when using knives on both hands by ten percent per level.

Lv 01 – 00/100

"Ah, I forgot to learn that… not that I would have any use for it right now."

Although Ethan could think in that kind of situation, he couldn't do anything else. It was like his old body was a prison. Although that was kind of scary, it wasn't a real problem since Ethan could cancel Zen at any time. Regardless, eventually, another day of training ended, and Ethan headed toward his room. Although his body could recover fast, his mind wasn't that convenient. Just like the previous day, Ethan skipped dinner. Fortunately, he found some fruits in his room when he woke up. The maids of the castle probably left that to him… it was weird, but Ethan decided to treat that like a room service.

That routine continued for a few days. Although they stick to the basics, Ethan could tell that in their own way, Hugo and Catty were rushing his training, and, in the end, they left the capital just like Lucius when they heard that their hometowns were probably the next targets of the demonic army. Fortunately, they didn't leave any mean letters blaming him for anything.

"… This is what happened," Alexander said with a complicated expression on his face. "I am truly sorry for making you endure this. I apologize on their behalf, and I never thought they could be so undisciplined."

"That is unnecessary," Ethan said, a bit flustered by seeing the king lowering his head. "They went to fight for their hometowns, right? I think that is understandable, and I would find it difficult to follow the instructions of someone who can just sit and watch their homes being burned down by monsters. Anyway, I think they did a pretty good job teaching me the basics, and I can keep improving by myself until the moment comes when I can be of some use."

Ethan's confidence increased quite a bit after training with those two for several days. Now he could finish several sentences without saying weird things and while maintaining eye contact.

"I am glad to hear that," king Alexander said. "However, I think it is time to start the second phase of your training. We called some summoners who are in the capital, and they will help gain some real-life battle experience."

Monsters! It looked like Ethan would finally obtain some experience points, then he would level up and thus get stronger without any logical explanation whatsoever! Still, knowing the spartan training he had to endure in the last few days, Ethan didn't drop his guard. Based on his experience, it wouldn't be weird if the summoners called a demon or two for Ethan to fight against. However, the next day when he met the summoners in a secret training ground below the castle, much to his surprise, only one stepped forward and summoned a plain slime to face Ethan.

Ethan frowned when he saw that creature. However, he still had his longsword ready to be used. When the monster fired a Water Ball, Ethan blocked the projectile with his weapon completely and he didn't feel much weight behind the attack. Thanks to all that training, Ethan could fight slimes that could use magic just fine.

In the end, the monster tried to attack Ethan several times, but he blocked the magic projectiles. At the same time, he approached, and eventually, he easily split the monster in two.

You received ten experience points.

You received two coins.

"… Things will start seriously from here on out. It is time to brace myself."