Growth.

Veritas spent the next couple days doing the same routine. 

He woke up early in the morning, ate his breakfast, battled with the Gargoyle Knight, and then spent the rest of the day either lazing around or planning. 

The experience that he had gathered due to the constant battles made him predict every move of the Gargoyle Knight. Every battle, either he would only suffer slight wounds or none at all!

That is to say, his damage was still insufficient to chip the Gargoyle Knight's armor. But due to his speed and intellect, Veritas is more capable in battle than ever before.

When he saw the slight dent in the Gargoyle Knight's hand, he determined to bait the statue into deflecting his blade with its hands in order to slowly increase the cracks.

That was his goal for the upcoming days and weeks. The moment that the Gargoyle Knight showed its weakness, was the moment where Veritas would strike greatly.

He planned that if the Gargoyle Knight suddenly showed an opening, Veritas would then use the pear-shaped ball and make it explode. After that, he would follow up with an attack to deal a finishing blow. 

It was not that easy though, Veritas wasn't 100% sure whether that would work or not. He might even get caught up in the explosion or the Gargoyle Knight could simply not take any damage at all!

That said, today Veritas had just finished up his battle against the abomination. He spent 5 whole hours trading swords with it. 

For once in his entire time being here, Veritas felt that he was finally being trained. His first thought when he faced the Gargoyle Knight was the feeling of being trained by it. 

Although both of them were fighting to the death, this was some sort of training on its own..

Veritas felt his muscles be more refined and toned, his speed got considerably faster, his swordplay was much better, and his overall skill improved due to the constant battle with the Gargoyle Knight.

He felt that he was one step away from defeating the thing.

Veritas grinned.

He headed back to the camp and began munching on a piece of jerky. Sitting near the campfire, Veritas cleaned his dull blade and tidied up his armor. 

He was wearing a tight white shirt that showed his toned muscles. 

Upon cleaning his stuff, Veritas stood up and headed towards the area where he bathed. It was not that far from the camp as it only took a couple of minutes to reach. 

The Ruins of Orph was located at the south of the camp, the river that Veritas would go to was located somewhat southwest. 

Veritas ate the jerky whole, and grabbed his towel, heading over to the flowing river. 

Then, Veritas cleansed his body for a couple of minutes, carefully rinsing it with natural water and rubbing it with a metal soap. 

After doing so, he soaked himself in the river to finally finish his business.

He got out of the water and dried himself up with his towel. 

If a fair maiden were to see this sight then their knees would weaken upon seeing his sculpted body. But alas, Veritas was all-alone in the forest with only a daunting statue in sight. 

'Feels refreshing.'

Veritas made a soft face of satisfaction.

He headed towards the camp and aimed to rest his fatigued body.

*

In the afternoon, Veritas spent his time in his makeshift study, carefully reading his notes and comparing them with other reports.

'This report is not accurate at all'

He read through a report that said that the Gargoyle Knight patrolled the Ruins every day.

This was wrong as the abomination merely stood still and guarded the entrance to the castle. 

Veritas read many more reports and saw that some of them were quite accurate. Such as the claim of the unique swordplay utilized by the Gargoyle Knight, the report that said it wouldn't move until one got closer to it, and etc..

Veritas felt that he could make an improved paper regarding the Gargoyle Knight. That would have to describe its structure, swordplay, history, dangers, and much more! However, Veritas had not fully grasped the entire abomination yet.

Sometimes, he would feel that it was still holding back as if it were hiding something big.

When that day came, Veritas knew that he was close to finally killing the Gargoyle Knight.

He spent hours studying and formulating plans to defeat the Gargoyle Knight, he made up simulations in his head on how the fight would go. He would respond to every strike, parry every slash, and dodge everything. But his puny strength would still not compare to the durable igneous armor of the Gargoyle Knight.

So, Veritas needed to rely on the pear-shaped ball.

By using its destructive capabilities, he stood a great chance of defeating the abomination.

Also, if the Gargoyle Knight were to be greatly weakened and chipped due to Veritas' continuous attacks, then Veritas would take advantage and march towards the castle, bringing every potion and every item with him. 

He still did not know what lies inside the castle, but Veritas needed to be prepared when exploring it. 

It was a mystery as to who the Gargoyle Knight was defending and how. After long years, how was it still standing guard in front of the castle?

'There must be a mastermind inside.'

With those thoughts, the hours passed by and the sun had already set.

It was time for Veritas to slumber early.

He headed towards his bed chambers housed by a tent and then laid down comfortably. 

For the past month or so, this was all that Veritas was doing. One could deem this to be boring but it was all that he could do as of the moment. 

Every day, he was compelled to gamble and spend his money and sometimes.. his body actually shook due to the longing for the game.

'A few more days.. I only need a few more..'

Veritas closed his eyes and began to feel the comforts of sleep.

In mere seconds his thoughts faded away as he slumbered in the lonely forest.

*

The next day, Veritas saw insufficient results in his battle against the Gargoyle Knight. It was mundane and normal.

He crossed swords for hours and then retreated back due to fatigue.

The same thing happened on the day after, fighting as per usual and doing his daily tasks.

Although his growth was impeccable, these days it seemed stagnant. It was as if he had reached a limit in growth - of course, he still made significant progress - but it didn't seem enough.

So, the following weeks passed by without much happening. 

Veritas woke up, fought the Gargoyle Knight, did his daily tasks, studied, and then slept. 

This cycle repeated itself for a few weeks.

Until, the time of the month where the supplies were supposed to come had arrived..

However, prior to that resupplying day, Veritas made a breakthrough.

This time, he was fighting the Gargoyle Knight for 5 hours, now reaching the threshold of 6. The past month of rigorous fighting, Veritas had only managed to maintain his stamina for a maximum of 5 hours.

But, Veritas was feeling himself today.

He made a downward slash that was immediately deflected, then Veritas sent a heavy kick towards the Gargoyle Knight which then staggered it for a fraction of a second.

Veritas used this opportunity to strike on its right side, connecting a single heavy blow!

The Gargoyle Knight merely took this attack and quickly sent a heavy fist towards Veritas' face.

He ducked and then spun his sword, striking to the other side of the abomination!

Immediately, Veritas jumped back as he already anticipated the shift in the Winds. The Gargoyle Knight struck down using its elbow but Veritas had already vanished!

He did not waste any time and used the blunt sword to send a heavy blow towards the Gargoyle Knight.

The Knight was actually being pressured by Veritas!

This was a first!

Veritas breathed deeply.

He connected his slash with an upward strike, which was deflected by the Gargoyle Knight.

It did not matter though, Veritas was fast enough to connect another strike to the Gargoyle Knight's side.

And for the first time in 2 months, Veritas heard something unfamiliar.

The Gargoyle Knight shrieked in pain.

Surprised by this fact, he jumped back and expected a frenzy. 

'It was actually hurt!'

His efforts were not for naught!

For 6 grueling hours of pressuring it, Veritas had finally damaged the Gargoyle Knight! This was a cause for celebration but he dismissed that thought. Veritas still needed to stay vigilant as it might do something risky!

However, that moment never came and the Gargoyle Knight merely stared at Veritas silently. 

'Why is it standing still..'

He saw the imposing figure of the stone statue, standing perfectly still. It was unmoving and taciturn. 

This could be a great opportunity to strike but Veritas felt a terrifying feeling deep within him. 

Additionally, his stamina was running low too..

Ideally, Veritas had already gathered what he needed and it even exceeded his expectations. All he needed to do was to retreat and plan his battles for tomorrow. 

However! Veritas didn't even think twice about running in!

He dashed towards the imposing Gargoyle Knight and attacked!

This was deflected but Veritas spun back and disarmed the taciturn statue. He then continued with a hefty slash that aimed for its head.

But! The Knight grabbed the sword with its chipped hand!

Veritas smirked.

'I got you!'

That event caused the crack in the Knight's hand to be even more substantial. 

Veritas already succeeded in his goal and immediately tried to escape. But he couldn't.. the Gargoyle Knight held his sword with a tight grip that Veritas couldn't even move it by an inch!

'The hell!'

It kicked him in the solar plexus and Veritas was sent back near the Gargoyle Knight's original stone blade.

He felt the air go out of his lungs due to the massive impact.

He felt winded for a second and felt a shift in the air right in front of him. Veritas wasted no time and rolled to his side.

In the corner of his eye, Veritas saw the Gargoyle Knight using his own dull blade!

Without a blade to defend himself, Veritas could only dodge quickly. He was still recuperating from the impact but this didn't matter!

The strikes continued and pressured Veritas on to playing defensively.

That is when he saw the taciturn blade of the Gargoyle Knight. 

It was dull and tenebrous, no light reflected from it even though the sun shone brightly towards them. 

Veritas hastened and headed towards the stone sword. Within seconds, it was only in arms reach. So, Veritas immediately grabbed the blade!

'So- Heavy!'

Deeming it not enough for his right hand to carry, Veritas used both hands to lift the taciturn blade. 

Its scabbard was gray and dull, even more so was the blade! It looks like it hasn't been sharpened at all, making it seem like a heavy stone bat. 

For Veritas, the monolith blade seemed like a heavy greatsword. 

As the Gargoyle Knight was quite big in size, his previous sword paled in comparison to the taciturn greatsword.

Finally bringing it up, Veritas immediately blocked in front of him where a figure of a daunting statue immediately appeared to strike at him.

The heaviness of the greatsword made his footsteps falter but Veritas immediately regained his stature.

Blows upon blows struck down the taciturn greatsword, it was durable.. but Veritas didn't know if he was going to last any longer. 

The Gargoyle Knight shifted its body to strike Veritas unsuspectedly. But Veritas immediately saw this and parried with the heavy taciturn greatsword.

He connected the parry with a rotating slash, which was then received by the Gargoyle Knight. 

It staggered due to the heaviness of the greatsword.

'As expected!'

Using this opportunity, Veritas carried the greatsword with all his strength and ran away immediately!

In the 6 long hours of battle, Veritas was finally forced to flee..