CHAPTER 44: RISING STRENGTH:

"Oh... oh, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to shoot you. I didn’t mean to harm you," Linda said.

"Well, it’s fine. You’re just starting training. And here you are, testing someone who once fought the Demon Lord. You have a lot of potential, even if it was just a feint," Lucan said, as he carefully removed the arrow from his waist.

"Ouch," he muttered, then stood up and left the room to call Ella.

She arrived quickly. "What’s going on? How did you get injured?" Ella asked.

"Well... I didn’t expect the girl to be this tricky," Lucan said, shaking his head.

Ella bent down, placing both hands on the injury. "Heal," she said, and the wound vanished as if there had never been a scratch. She stood up. "There are a lot of adventurers in the guild today, so please try not to get injured. I won’t be able to help you if I’m busy," Ella added, then turned and walked out of the room.

Lucan turned back. "But... tell me, how did you do it? Even if it was a feint, I should have sensed it. You shot an arrow, but why didn’t I even... notice it?" he said as he approached Linda.

"I pushed it with wind," Linda explained. "And at that very moment, I tried my best to remove the mana in the wind I pushed. I don’t know why, but it worked."

"That’s genius. Don’t hold back—you can even cut me if you want. Now all you need to do is increase your physical strength and ability. You’re not strong enough yet. That’s what you need to work on. But you’re really good with the arrow. Go take that crit and put it on your arm," Lucan said.

Linda didn’t question him. She just wanted to be strong. She took the crit, carried it up, and stayed in position.

"Celia, your turn. You are really strong. I can tell. I know everything about you—your ability to adapt in a fight. You need more strength to add to your strike. Your blade might be sharp, but it’s the wielder who makes it dangerous. That means you don’t only need strength; you need to know how to use your sword. What part should you strike?" Lucan explained.

He picked up a sword. "Now, let’s do this," he said.

"Here I come," Celia said, determination in her eyes. "I’ll run as fast as I can, striking until I succeed."

She moved with precision, each attack measured. "She’s good... she’s aiming carefully," Lucan thought. "I just need to find an opening. Let me strike her opening."

As he moved to exploit it, he realized—she had played him. Celia had feigned a gap, creating an opening of her own. If he wasn’t careful, he would have been caught. But he reacted just in time, dodging her strike.

Celia saw his movement and adjusted instantly. Brilliant. She’s getting better, he thought.

She pressed forward relentlessly, striking as fast as she could, precise and unyielding. She left no space for him. She was smart—adapting in real-time, improving with every motion.

"In just two days... see how good they’ve become," Lucan thought, impressed. "All they needed was someone powerful to train them."

The clash between them continued, fierce and focused. "Enough," he said finally.

"I think that’s enough for now. We can continue later. Okay, how was I?" Celia asked, eyes shining with determination.

"You’ve improved so much," Lucan said, studying her movements. "Just a few minutes ago, it felt like you weren’t even the same person I fought."

"Go join Celia. You also need to increase your strength," Lucan added, then turned and walked toward his office.

These girls are getting strong, he thought. Who are they? What family are they from?

When he saved them from being used as slaves or trafficked, did he know they had this much potential? No, he wouldn’t. He saved them simply because he wanted to.

But they might be from a different species—physically strong with incredible stamina. Celia was different; she adapted quickly, learning from every move. Linda, an elf, was already fast, already mastering her arrows and wind magic.

The person who could truly train them to reach another level would need to be someone who had fought the Demon Lord. Someone like Malric, fully demi-human, still a beast in form, yet capable of molding warriors.

If he could train them, Lucan realized, they might even surpass me... even in my werewolf form.

While in the training room, Celia and Linda carried heavy crates in their hands, standing tall before squatting to strengthen their legs and core. Sweat dripped down their faces, evidence of the effort they were putting in.

Celia glanced at Linda. "Do you think Master is okay?"

Linda nodded slightly. "I know he’s fine. Master is strong... but I don’t know why he’s taking so long."

"That’s the only thing that worries me," Celia admitted. "What if he got stuck in the Blade Dungeon? If he doesn’t come back today or tomorrow, I’m going to have to go in."

Linda’s eyes widened. "And I’ll have to go with you if you’re going."

Celia exhaled. "Yes, it’s better if we go together."

Pausing for a moment, Celia shifted the crate in her hands. "You’ve improved. You’re stronger than before."

Linda smiled, trying to catch her breath. "Yeah, same for you. We’re no longer helpless. Just yesterday we started training, and look at us now—we’ve improved so much."

Celia grinned, determination bright in her eyes. "I can’t wait to see Master’s reaction when he realizes how strong I’ve gotten. Even if it’s just a little, I know he’ll be happy."

Linda nodded, "Same here. I can’t wait to see his warm smile."

"Same as I," Celia said, blushing. "But... if I said I was going to give him a hug, when his back.

They continued their squats, crates heavy in their hands, pushing themselves further with every repetition, feeling their strength grow with each passing moment.