Chapter 23

After his visitors left, Klaus resumed his grueling training, determined to push his limits even further. This time, he added double the weight to his body, eager to see how far he could push himself. The recent visit from Elisabeth and Ludovic had reinvigorated him, giving him an extra boost of motivation. Despite the rigorous training he had undergone in the past few days, he had managed to gain two more stamina stat points and one additional point in strength. While these gains might not have been as significant as the earlier ones, they still filled him with a sense of accomplishment, considering the vast improvement he had made since his days of illness.

Klaus embarked on a two-hour run around the vast running track, the serene environment of the training ground providing a calming backdrop to his training. With the additional weights clinging to his body, he pushed himself to his limits, knowing that each step he took was a step closer to his goal.

As he reached the edge of the picturesque lake, he decided to take a brief respite. The soothing sound of the water lapping at the shore and the gentle rustling of the leaves in the trees provided a moment of tranquility. He sat by the water's edge, taking deep breaths and feeling the tension leave his body.

It was during this moment of respite that he heard a voice calling his name.

"Young Master Klaus!"

The voice belonged to a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his early fifties, standing at an imposing height of around one meter eighty (5'11). He had long, brown hair that flowed gracefully and a meticulously maintained beard. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, he exuded an air of nobility. In his hands, he held a long box.

Klaus instantly recognized him as Sebastien, Ludovic's personal attendant, who had been responsible for delivering the delicious meals that had sustained Klaus for the past few days.

Sebastien approached Klaus with a graceful bow, his tone polite and elegant. "I apologize for coming here unannounced."

Klaus, ever polite, acknowledged Sebastien's presence with a nod. "It's okay. Is the sword inside?" He extended a finger toward the long box that Sebastien held.

Sebastien nodded and extended the box toward Klaus. "Yes, Young Master. Master Ludovic asked me to deliver it to you."

Klaus accepted the box with gratitude, thanking Sebastien for his assistance. Sebastien offered another respectful bow before departing as swiftly as he had arrived, leaving Klaus by the lakeside, still gazing at the tranquil waters.

Once Klaus felt recharged, he returned to his training regimen. He resumed a grueling session of push-ups, this time with even more weight added to his back. Without the use of magic, he completed one hundred and fifty push-ups—a testament to his incredible strength and discipline. After pushing himself to the limit, he relied on magic to alleviate the pain and fatigue, allowing him to push even further. He reached an astonishing one thousand and two hundred consecutive push-ups before dizziness and hunger forced him to stop.

Klaus satisfied his voracious appetite with a hearty meal, taking in the nutrients his body needed to recover from the rigorous workout. Following his meal, he took a refreshing dip in the lake, feeling invigorated and ready to take on the next challenge.

With the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, Klaus returned to the library, where he spent nearly four hours delving into the extensive collection of books on mana core formation. His research had provided him with a deep understanding of the complex process, giving him the confidence he needed to proceed.

Now, with a sense of determination and anticipation, Klaus made his way to a designated spot on the training ground. There, he found the long box that Sebastien had delivered. Opening it, he revealed a meticulously crafted longsword with a black blade, adorned with a striking red line that ran from the hilt to the tip. It was a stunning piece of weaponry, radiating an aura of power and elegance.

As Klaus grasped the sword's hilt and felt the weight of the blade in his hands, a unique resonance began to emanate between them.

*DING*

[The Gluttony trait is resonating with one fragment of 'Greed.']

[Connection Established.]

A voice filled with arrogance and impatience resonated directly within Klaus's mind as if the sword itself possessed a consciousness.

{Pathetic! Just how long did you take to hold me again?}

Klaus, unfazed by the sword's condescending tone, responded with a calm confidence, "Well, better late than never, don't you think?"

The sword's tone changed, revealing a hint of annoyance and a unique quirk.

{You should be happy that the great me chose you. Instead, you abandoned me inside that stuffy box for years. How ungrateful of you. Tssp!}

Klaus couldn't help but chuckle at the sword's antics. "If I remember correctly, I'm the one who chose you."

{tssp, simply because I allowed it, you stupid, ungrateful little brat!}

As Klaus was about to put the sword back in its box, it panicked

{Wait, wait, wait! }

{I didn't mean to appear rude. The great me just hates confined spaces. }

Amused by the sword's sudden change of tone, Klaus playfully teased, "Can you please stop referring to yourself as 'great'?"

{Why? The great me is really great, you know?}

"I get it. The great you! is really great," Klaus replied with a hint of sarcasm. He then inquired,

"How should I refer to the great you!?"

{Haha, you can refer to the great me as Greed. Since you know your place, I will allow you to form a 'Bond Contract' with the great me.}

The sword replied with a pleased tone, thinking that Klaus had acknowledged its greatness.

*DING*

[Do you want to use 5 Stats Points to form a Contract with a Fragment Of 'Greed'?]

Klaus had taken the first step on a path filled with unknown challenges and opportunities, as he embarked on a new adventure alongside the enigmatic sword named Greed.