Two weeks later.

“Ninety-nine …. and hundred.” Rex’s hands give up and he falls down on his chest, his upper body is drenched in sweat due to the pushups and the various physical activities that he has been doing since early morning.

He takes a moment and gets up while grimacing in pain, he then slowly walks inside his house done with his workout for today. He proceeds to the kitchen to prepare a breakfast for him and Lara, he quickly prepares omelet and boils the milk. Usually Lara is the done that cooks breakfast, but she is on the verge of breaking into rank 2 and is meditating outside.

He calls Lara to have some breakfast, she quickly gobbles her food and goes to meditate. He is not surprised as she has been doing this for the past two days, she seems to be getting desperate as she can’t breakthrough. He wants to help her, but he has no idea about mana and how the mage use it, he sighs and finishes his breakfast.

“What should I bring today?” Rex mutters as he head out towards the inn to order foods. They have been eating out ever since Lara stopped cooking, he tried cooking yesterday and the food was edible, but he didn’t like the taste, so he threw it away.

Very few people are out in the streets not because of the climate or some danger, it is because people have been leaving the village ever since they heard about the evolved wolf. You can count the number of teenagers in the village with your finger, all of them have migrated to the city to earn money.

“Hey Ron, what are you doing here?” Rex asks when he sees the big muscular man that he saved in the forest. He had met with him few times after the incident and he really liked his personality, he was frank and honest.

“I am here to eat.” He replies with a straight face.

Rex curses himself for asking a stupid question, he smiles to conceal the embarrassment and walks towards the counter. The old woman greets him with a smile before taking his order, he places the basket that he brought with him on the table and gives the money for food.

Ron walks towards him with a smile and stands in front of him and although Rex is six feet tall he looks small compared to the 6’5 Ron who has strong and bulky muscles.

“I am leaving the village.”

“And why are you telling me? Do you want me to stop you?” Rex answers giving him a confused look.

“I want to thank you for saving my life but right now I don’t have anything valuable. I will return here one day and give you something worth my life.” He declares with a determination.

Rex nods his head and replies,” Okay, I will be waiting but I will need something extraordinary.”

He grins and puffs his chest, “Don’t worry I have reached rank 2 as a warrior. I can get anything.”

“Oh congratulations.” Rex smiles and pats his shoulders, Ron gives a nod and heads out.

Wait, maybe I can use him to gauge my strength.

“Oi Ron, wait I have something to discuss.”

“I will go easy on you Rex, come on hit me with your best shot.” Ron taunts while folding his hand.

Rex convinced him to have a spar without the use of weapon, Ron was unwilling at first because he knew that Rex could not use mana and was not a warrior. He finally agreed when Rex promised him a knife that he owned, he knew the knife was made from the best material and would help him in his adventure.

“Here I come.”

Rex dashed towards Ron who was about 20 meters away and reached within a striking distance in a second, Ron backed off as he was surprised with the speed. Lara gave a smile and clapped her hand cheering him from the side.

“You are quick, the speed is comparable to a rank 1 warrior.” Ron gives a grin and surrounds his body with a bluish aura. “Let’s see if your strength is the same.”

Rex nods with a straight face, he is taking the fight seriously unlike Ron. He places his left leg forward and brings his clenched hand towards his face, keeping his body weight on his toes. He takes a kick boxing stance and moves forward. Ron is surprised by the stance, but he quickly snaps out of it and waits, Rex slides forward and when he gets into an attacking range he jabs catching his opponent off guard. He follows with another jab and a right hook, Ron brings his hands forward to save his face and leaves his body open. Rex uses the opportunity and gives a kick to the kidney.

“Stop… Stop. This is painful.” Ron shouts as he falls down to the ground.

Rex gets on his knees and holds his hands pulling him up, Ron forces his hands away and stares at him in anger.

“You… how can you have so much strength. My aura should have stopped you.” He shouts grunting in anger.

“Calm down big boy. No need to get angry.” Rex smiles and backs off giving him some space.

“No, let’s do it again. This time I will not hold back.” Ron takes his stance and releases his aura again.

Rex takes his stance and gives a nod indicating that he is ready, this time Ron charges forward his speed similar to Rex. He punches with his right, but Rex dodges it by sliding to the left and grabbing the arm, he then brings his right leg in between Ron’s legs sweeping his right foot and throwing down with the help of his hip.

Thud

Ron falls on the ground and does not try to get up, he knows that he has lost the fight. Rex walks towards him and gives his hand as a gesture of good will, he grabs it and gives a nod. Lara walks towards them and hands them a glass of water and walks inside to prepare food, she isn’t making any progress and thus decided to take a break.

“Teach me your moves.” Ron says while rubbing his nose, clearly embarrassed to ask such a request.

“Sure, but let’s take a break.” Rex gives a smile.

For the next five days Rex spends the entire day sparing with Ron and teaching him some basic moves. He wanted to stay but he couldn’t as he had promised to go as an escort to a merchant group, Ron arrives early in the morning to say goodbye. They have become good friends in the few days they spent together.

“You should come with me you know.” Ron smiles trying to persuade him.

“Unlike you, I have a wife. I can’t just leave. I will leave someday but not right now.” He shakes his head.

“I understand, it was nice knowing you my friend.” He gives a strong hug making Rex shout in pain, he gives a smile of victory before letting go of Rex.

“Finally, a certain someone managed to give me pain through cheap shot.” Rex grins.

Ron curls his lips and says, “A certain idiot taught me, a win is a win no matter how you achieve it.”

“Yes, Yes. Wait here I have something to give you.” Rex gets up and walks towards his room.

Lara brings a basket and places it on the table, “Here, I have made you your favorite dish. Think of it as a parting gift from me.”

“Thank you so much Lara, your dish of mixed vegetable is just mouthwatering. I can never get tired of it.” He quickly grabs the basket and grins.

“Oi, my gift is better than hers. Come outside I will show you.” Rex gives a look towards Lara and walks outside, Ron quickly follows and so does Lara.

“What is it? Give it to me, hurry.” Ron grabs him by the hand.

“Here, try applying your aura to this knife. After you are done press the switch near the handle aiming at a tree.” He hands the ballistic knife to Ron and steps back.

Ron does as he is told, he applies his aura to the knife and presses the switch aiming at a tree, the knife flies from the handle and cuts deep at the tree at tremendous speed. Ron is amazed and so is Lara, only Rex is calm as it is something that he had expected. Warriors can cover their weapons in aura just like their body, it is how top archers are able to kill many mages and warriors from a distance.

“Use it as a surprise attack, no one will expect a knife to fly. It may save your life.” Rex takes out the knife embedded on the tree and shows Ron how to reload.

Ron thanks them and heads out hoping to meet them soon in the future, as they are heading inside the house Lara who is behind Rex pinches at his waist and says.

“Whose gift is better huh?”

Rex cries in pain while pleading, “I am sorry, I did it in the heat of the moment. Of course, your gift is better. Who doesn’t like your cooking.”

Lara nods and starts rubbing at the area she pinched, Rex gives a smile and they walk back inside. After few hours they get dressed and head towards the forest, their destination the river that is in the middle of the forest.