Chapter 20

After indulging in the satisfying banquet that was set before him, Klaus's appetite was not the only thing that had been nourished. His fiery determination had been stoked by each delectable bite, leaving him eager and ready to challenge the boundaries of his newfound abilities.

As he strode back to the training ground, there was an unmistakable spring in his step, and an aura of anticipation exuding from him, as if the very air had taken on a newfound vitality.

Klaus approached the training area, a man on a mission, and a fire blazing in his eyes. Prior to commencing his rigorous training regimen, he knew that a comprehensive warm-up was essential. It was crucial to ensure that his joints were limber, and prepared to undergo the grueling trials that lay ahead. With a sense of building excitement, he whispered a now familiar word to summon his status window, the gateway to understanding the intricacies of his new capabilities.

'Let's unveil the extent of my growth,' he contemplated, his mental faculties poised to decode the forthcoming revelations.

~~Status Window~~

Name: Klaus Lionhart

Title: Gluttony Apostle, The Youngest Mage in the Continent

State: Good Condition

Trait: Gluttony Lv1, Ten Eyes Mantra (Two-Eyes), Second Circle Mage

Strength: 14

Agility: 11

Stamina: 18

Energy: 15

Perception: 28

Arcane Power: 10

Willpower: 28

*Additional Abilities have not been unlocked

~~~~

A triumphant grin stretched across Klaus's face as he absorbed the information displayed on the status window. The "Good Condition" notation further fueled his sense of accomplishment. With a deep, anticipatory breath, he closed the status window and proceeded to the running track.

"Time to uncover the depths of my potential without the crutch of magic," he asserted to himself, initiating a measured jog. His body felt lighter, almost as if a miraculous transformation had occurred. He effortlessly completed three laps at a leisurely pace, a testament to his newfound vitality. As he approached the tenth lap, he resolved to push himself further, transitioning into a slow run.

To his amazement, Klaus discovered that he was incredibly fast, even without the assistance of magic. Fatigue and a persistent, dull ache in his legs began to gnaw at his resolve as he approached the fifteenth lap. But he refused to succumb to discomfort, a triumphant grin remaining steadfast on his face, an embodiment of his unyielding determination. Finally, he came to a halt, sprawling on the ground, gasping for breath.

"Twenty laps— not bad," Klaus whispered to himself, his chest heaving as he worked to regain his composure. After a brief pause of fifteen minutes, he took up a push-up position, eager to explore the extent of his newfound strength.

"Remember when one pushup was my limit? Let's see how far I can go now," he mused. The outcome was exhilarating—Klaus managed to complete one hundred and one pushups without the aid of magic. Satisfied with his performance, he rose to his feet, taking a moment to sip from his water flask and rehydrate.

While the absence of a new stat increase didn't dampen his spirits, Klaus couldn't help but harbor a tinge of disappointment. "I didn't gain a new stat, but that's alright. Now, let's see what I can do with magic," he decided. With his magic at his command, he embarked on a fresh attempt, this time lasting twice as long as his previous effort before dizziness set in. To his chagrin, his stats remained unchanged.

"It appears I'll have to push myself to the very limit to witness any improvement in my stats," Klaus concluded with a sigh, acknowledging the arduous path ahead. With the conclusion of his training for the day, he retreated to the library, diving headlong into the extensive collection of books that covered the arts of swordsmanship and the intricacies of mana manipulation for swordsmen. As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Klaus was absorbed in honing both his practical skills and theoretical knowledge, crafting the foundation for his unwavering journey of self-improvement.

After six hours of intense reading, Klaus returned to the training ground. Swinging his wooden sword with unwavering determination, he demonstrated an unmatched zeal in the pursuit of mastery. Following this exacting regimen, he rewarded himself with a rejuvenating bath and indulged in a well-deserved feast to nourish his body. In the days that followed, he adhered to the same routine, introducing additional weights to challenge himself further.

In this manner, with fifteen days that seemed to breeze by in an instant, Klaus's extraordinary odyssey of self-discovery and growth continued to unfurl...