Chapter 46: Limit? (1/2)

Two hours later, Theo dropped to the ground, panted continuously, and looked at the sky. ”I'm tired.”

”…” He had finished four laps in this course, so he thought this was enough.

Crack.

Dried leaves were crushed when Major Sam appeared next to him. ”How are you feeling?”

Theo tried to get up since it was rude talking to him like this, but Major Sam patted his shoulder, telling him it was fine.

”I don't think I can do another lap.” Theo shook his head in disappointment.

”I see.” Major Sam smiled and looked at his document before asking. ”How about one more lap?”

”Eh, but…”

”Just one more lap. I will be waiting for you here… Right at this position. In other words, until you finish this lap, I won't move from this place. Can you do one more lap for me?”

”…” Theo furrowed his eyebrows, not knowing why this Major Sam did something like this for him. He thought for a moment, took a few deep breaths according to the rhythm that his master taught him, and calmed his heart.

After that, he rose from the ground with a serious expression. ”I understand. One more lap. But I feel like this is going to take a while and there is no guarantee that I will reach this place.”

Major Sam didn't say anything and waved his hand.

Theo let out a sigh as he started running again, thinking that he would get into trouble if he disobeyed this command.

He knew that almost every single first-year student had given up, while it was only a portion of the second-year that did the same. It just showed their endurance and high level, so Theo thought no more and tried his best to finish the last lap.

Although his pace dropped, he should be able to finish one lap within an hour. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as he imagined. When he descended the gentle slope, it put a huge burden on his knees, making him unable to sprint in the grassland.

He was soon forced to walk through the muddy swamp. Still, the worst thing that he needed to face was the steep and dangerous slope, especially in his current condition.

In the end, he managed to pass all this, albeit he could barely walk at this point, wondering if the Major really waited for him. Surprisingly, he saw his figure right in the Dense Forest where he stood earlier.

He felt relieved, but at the same time, that adrenaline he had earlier disappeared. His feet went limp as he fell on his knees.

”Kh.” Theo gritted his teeth and used his hand to grab the tree next to him to help him walk. It might be turtle-pace, but the Major only smiled at him as if encouraging him to reach his position.

It took him five minutes just to cover fifty feet.

Theo's face was pale, but his eyes were still alive. His back was drenched, but his breathing gradually calmed down.

”I have finished…”