Chapter 2 - Harsh Trainings

"Ugh." I groaned as I fell to my knees clutching my bloody fist.

"Can I really get stronger by doing this?" I asked.

(Of course you can't!~) Lilith spoke to me telepathically.

"Then what's the point!?" I shouted.

(To see your cute distraught face?~) Lilith teasingly answered.

I wanted to throw a rock at her, but she wasn't here to begin with.

The only thing here right now is a chibi illusion riding my shoulder and her voice.

About the chibi illusion, apparently I can't summon the species I'm contracted with until I upgrade my contract, however Dina and Lilith were able to come up with this loophole in the rules where they are exactly summoned, but have more ability to communicate than simple telepathy.

That being said though, Dina went off to do some business in Heaven, and Lilith has just been making me punch this tree for several hours.

I've tried everything from hitting it lightly, to as hard as I can, but I can't do what she wants me to.

I mean, how am I even supposed to break something like this with my bare fists?!

My hands are already bleeding and sore from this kind of torture!

"Ahh, I wanna take a nap!" I complained.

(Then do it, but are you sure you want to?) Lilith said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

(I mean, if you take a nap here, isn't it the same as quitting? Are you sure you want to just quit and give up your dreams?) She answered.

I thought about it, and realized I couldn't give up so hastily.

The Chibi Lilith seemed to be smiling at me as she said (Now, let's begin your next set training session!)

With that, I was forced to endure standing in a ridiculous pose while meditating underneath a waterfall, for three days.

Then, I had to go back to trying to punch a tree in half.

This kind of torture continued for a whole week.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I can't take it anymore, I need to take a nap." I said, as I fell on my back, exhausted.

While I was out cold, Lilith and Dina were having an important conversation.

(So, how's his training going?) Dina asked.

(Better than I expected, although he doesn't seem to know it yet.) Lilith replied.

(I see. He's certainly working hard, huh?) Dina replied, looking at the sleeping face of the young man layng in the middle of the forest.

(Yeah, even when he complains, he still manages to pull through, he seems like he might become something special in the future.) Lilith complimented.

(Oh? That's unusual for you to say something like that.) Dina said.

(Eh. I can't help it, it's the truth. Anyways, your buisness in Heaven is done for now, right?) Lilith asked.

(Yes. For now, anyway. Why? Do you need something from me?) Dina answered cautiously.

(Relax. I was just going to suggest switching to your training for a bit, give his back the break it needs to absorb what was done to it.) Lilith replied.

(I see. That might be a good idea, but even so, I can't believe you came up with such a ridiculous training regiment to make him stronger. What kind of idiot tortures their body until it's broken, and then gets stronger from it?) Dina gave an exasperated sigh.

(Heh. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll work, after all, me and him are a lot alike in this way.) Lilith replied.

(Really? Is that why you chose to make a contract with him?) Dina asked suddenly.

(Of course, there's that. But actually, a certain memory in his popped up that caught my interest.) Lilith cryptically answered.

(Really? May I ask which one?) Dina asked.

(Nope~ Sorry, but I'm not telling~) Lilith teased.

(Hmph, fine. Anyways, go find something to busy yourself with for a while, I doubt you'll be interested in the kind of training I'm gonna have him do.) Dina insisted.

(Meh, I'll do that if it turns out to be that boring. But seriously, what kind of training are you gonna make him do while out in this forest?) Lilith asked.

(You're right, there's nothing for him here, which is why...) Dina agreed.

A few days later, and I'm currently in the neighboring town. It's pretty much the same as the one I was living in before, but I suppose that shouldn't surprise me.

What did surprise me though, was the huge library situated squarely in the center of town.

It also happened to be the next destination for my training.

(Your training this time will be to read all the books within this library) Dina announced.

"Seriously? There's hundred if not thousands of books in here, how am I supposed to read them all?!" I whispered.

(There's no time limit, so do your best!) Dina said before going silent.

"Yeesh, at least give a proper explanation. Well, I guess I'll just start with the books from the A section, and work my way down to the Z section." I muttered.

However, I was not prepared for the hell that awaited me, because the A section itself was filled with like a million books.

"Seriously, what the heck are these two thinking giving me impossible tasks?!" I quietly cried out.

The most books I read, the more bored I got, and soon, I became incredibly exhausted.

As I was about to fall asleep, a voice spoke to me.

(Is that really all your resolve amounted to?) Dina asked.

Of course not! I shouted in my head as I forced my mind and body to become wide awake, and then I intended on absorbing all the words contained in the books until night time came.

I then went back into the forest to make dinner, since I don't have a job or money, I've been living off what nature can provide, although Lilith and Dina still expect me to try and get new clothes, I simply don't have the time or money to do so right now. Besides, I wash mine everyday so it should be fine, right?

I continued my training in the library for a full week, but only barely scratched the surface of the A section.

I couldn't help but sigh, as my mind swelled with useless information and words, I began to be unable to think properly.

(Alright, I think we should take a break from my training for a bit, how about you, Lilith? Do you want to take over again this time?) Dina asked.

(Nah. Training can wait until tomorrow, you can go ahead and take a break for today.) Lilith replied.

So, basically, I now have off. Yay! Right? Well, actually, now that I have off training, I don't really know what to do. I guess I can just stroll about this town for a bit and sightsee.

However, just as I was wondering what to do, an unconventional girl swung her sword at me.

I managed to dodge it in time, but...

What was with this situation...?