CHAPTER 33: TRAINING BEGINS

The following day, Nolan woke as usual, restless. He still couldn’t get used to sleeping in the same room as beautiful ladies like Celia and Linda. The three of them quickly dressed and headed to the Adventurer’s Guild.

"Welcome!" Ella greeted as they arrived.

"How may I help you?" she added.

"I need you to arrange someone to train these two," Nolan said, glancing at Celia and Linda. "They need to be able to fight alongside me."

"The both of them?" Ella asked, surprised.

"Yes. Is there an available teacher who can train them?" Nolan inquired.

"There is—the Guild Master," Ella said.

At that moment, Lucan stepped out of his office.

"Speak of the devil," Nolan muttered.

"Why are you all staring at me as if I’m a spectacle?" Lucan asked, narrowing his eyes.

"So... you’re going to be our teacher?" Celia and Linda asked in unison.

"Yes," Lucan replied.

"They will train under the Guild Master," Ella added.

"Oh... that’s fine," Lucan nodded.

"So... when does the training begin?" Nolan asked.

"This instant," Lucan said firmly.

"Then follow me," he instructed, motioning to the three of them. Celia and Linda followed immediately, but Nolan lingered for a moment before trailing behind.

They entered a spacious training hall. Swords, spears, and arrows were neatly arranged across the room. Nolan walked up to one of the swords, gripping it tightly. He swung it through the air—and the sword snapped in two. He tossed the broken weapon aside.

"That’s impressive," Lucan remarked, surprised.

"You call that impressive? I can’t even use it properly," Nolan replied with a chuckle.

"Well, let me see what you’re capable of," Nolan said.

Lucan’s expression hardened. "If you want to see, I’ll show you."

With a sudden shout, Lucan’s body began to change. "Beast mode!"

In an instant, he transformed into a massive, imposing werewolf. His clothes stretched to fit his larger form, towering over the room. Celia and Linda gasped, shocked by the sheer size and power radiating from him.

"Wow... he transformed," they whispered.

Lucan growled, eyes gleaming. "This is my skill. I can transform into a werewolf at will."

Nolan nodded, impressed. "Alright... come at me," he said, stepping forward, ready to face Lucan.

Lucan bent low, still in his towering werewolf form, one clawed hand pressing against the ground. With a burst of speed, he dashed forward, his claws slicing through the air. From afar, a burning shockwave tore out from his strike, racing toward Nolan.

Nolan lifted his hand casually and dissolved the attack as though it were smoke. "Why are you crawling around like that? Stand and fight me properly."

Lucan growled, charging again. Nolan stepped into him, driving a controlled punch into his stomach. Though he held back, the force still sent Lucan flying across the training hall, his back smashing against the stone wall.

Lucan gritted his teeth, stunned but smiling. "I underestimated you. You’re far stronger than I imagined... but don’t think I’ll lose instantly. I won’t back down so easily."

His body swelled larger, muscles bulging as his wolfish form grew more feral. His fangs lengthened, his claws gleamed like blades. "I won’t hold back anymore. If my fangs rip into you—don’t blame me."

Nolan smirked. "You said you won’t lose instantly? I’ll show you what losing instantly really means."

Lucan crouched low again, bracing his legs against the wall for momentum before launching himself forward like a beastly spear. His jaws opened wide, ready to tear into Nolan—

But Nolan didn’t move. His smile only grew sharper.

"Time Disruptor!"

The world froze. Lucan hung in mid-air, teeth bared inches from Nolan’s throat, body suspended as if locked by invisible chains.

Calmly, Nolan dragged him down, slamming him onto the ground and pinning him with a boot on his back.

"Time Resume!"

The world snapped back into motion.

Gasps filled the room. Celia and Linda cheered, clapping wildly.

"Master is the greatest!"

"Master is the strongest!"

Lucan’s eyes widened in shock. What...? Just a moment ago I was about to sink my fangs into him. How am I already on the ground?

"Hey, old man," Nolan said coldly. "See for yourself—you’ve already lost, and I didn’t even need to try."

Lucan’s body shuddered. Slowly, he let out a defeated sigh as his wolf form shrank back into his human body. "I knew you’d be strong... but not this overwhelming. I surrender."

Only then did Nolan remove his boot, leaving Lucan lying on the floor, utterly humbled.

Lucan staggered back to his feet, brushing dust from his shoulders. His chest rose and fell, but there was no anger in his eyes—only awe. He gave Nolan a crooked grin and smacked him lightly on the arm.

"I didn’t expect you to defeat me that easily," Lucan admitted. "Not only that... I can tell. You were holding back—way back. You weren’t even using your full strength."

Nolan raised an eyebrow, his tone calm, almost playful. "You guessed right. If I wanted, I could’ve ended the fight the moment it began."

Lucan’s eyes widened slightly, but his smile didn’t falter. "Then answer me this—how? How did you stop my attack so suddenly? How were you in front of me one second, and the next, I was pinned beneath your leg? Tell me."

Nolan smirked faintly. "That’s a secret."

Lucan chuckled, shaking his head. "Even in my prime—even back when I fought the Demon Lord himself—I wouldn’t have stood a chance against you. To think such a monster exists in human form..." His voice trailed off in wonder.

At that moment, Celia and Linda ran up to Nolan, their faces glowing with excitement.

"Master, I knew you were amazing! You were so incredible—and cool!" Linda said, almost bouncing with joy.

"Yes, Master, you’re the greatest!" Celia chimed in, her ears twitching with admiration.

Nolan’s expression softened, but he quickly waved a hand. "Enough of that. You two still have training ahead. Don’t just stand there worshipping me."

Then he turned his gaze back to Lucan, who was still catching his breath. "Train them well. I’ll trust them to you when I’m not around."

Lucan nodded, his expression serious now. "Don’t worry—they’re in good hands. Linda especially... I’ve already tested her. She has an affinity for wind. I’ll make sure she learns how to control it properly. She has real potential."