A challenge in the dark

After a brief pause, he continued, "This is a simulation exercise designed to prepare you for evading attacks in the gladiatorial arena. This training is crucial and very dangerous because you'll be facing attacks from an enemy while your back is turned, trying to find an entrance to a secret passage. You cannot rely on your eyes, you must engage all your senses, deeply sensing your environment. This sensation is subtle; you need to experience it with all your heart."

Sok slightly adjusted his breathing, aware that this exercise was not just a physical challenge for Elvin but a mental one as well. He hoped Elvin could successfully complete this training.

"Now, Elvin, you need to stand with your back to me," Sok's voice was steady and firm.

Elvin immediately turned around, his young face serious and determined. The aging Sok, looking at his back, let a small smile curve at the corner of his lips.

Sok gently broke a piece of straw he was holding, carefully placed it in his mouth, and then blew out forcefully. "Puff!" The straw flew past Elvin's ear like a bullet out of a barrel. Elvin was startled by this sudden move; he had no time to react.

Sok, observing Elvin's stunned expression, told him with a firm voice, "This time it was past your ear, but next time it will pierce your body. Elvin, you need to be ready. Our training, begins now."

Elvin's eyes widened as he regained his composure, nodding to show he understood. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew this was not a game but real and dangerous training.

"Good hearing, sharp touch, and high concentration—these will be the focus of your training," Sok's tone was calm but serious, every word clearly imprinted in Elvin's heart. He knew Elvin's life could be threatened if this training failed, but he also knew that only through such training could Elvin possibly survive in the real gladiatorial arena.

Sok's training was progressive and meticulously designed, each time increasing the difficulty. The force he controlled and the angles he aimed were subtly close to Elvin's body. The straw, though soft, was capable under Sok's operation of piercing clothing and scratching skin.

"Puff!" Another piece of straw was launched, this time Elvin didn't completely avoid it. The straw brushed past his shoulder, the faint sound of the wind carrying a trace of chill. Elvin suddenly felt a warmth on his shoulder, followed immediately by pain.

"It hurts!" Elvin gritted his teeth and covered his shoulder. His clothing was pierced, revealing a shallow scratch. Blood beads slowly seeped out, staining his clothes.

Seeing Elvin injured, Sok's brows furrowed slightly. He walked over to inspect Elvin's wound, then returned to his original position, his gaze resolute, "Can you still endure, Elvin?"

Elvin glanced down at his wound, the pain reminding him that this was real, part of life and survival. He lifted his head, his eyes determined, "I can continue, Mr. Thorsson."

At Elvin's response, a sense of gratification and pride flashed in Sok's eyes, "Then, let's continue." Sok again broke a piece of straw, preparing for the next round of training.

Over and over, Elvin's body bore many scratches in different places. The straw, like the tip of a needle, would brush past his skin each time, leaving a trail of red marks. But Elvin never gave up, enduring the pain, getting up again and again to face the training.

Seeing Elvin's back, Sok felt deeply moved. He felt Elvin's firm determination, the unwavering persistence. Although Sok was elderly, physically weak, and with crippled legs, he dragged his tired body to train Elvin with everything he had.

In Elvin's figure, he saw once again Elvin's father, equally unyielding and fearless. Always protecting his comrades in battle, his figure brought endless hope and strength to everyone.

Looking at Elvin, Sok felt a warm current flowing in his heart. He believed that Elvin had enough courage and strength to face all challenges, he believed that Elvin would, like his father, become a summoner who would save the world. He firmly believed that Elvin would walk his own path and fulfill his mission.

"Prepare yourself once more, Elvin," Sok's voice echoed in the dungeon again, as he readied a new straw. He watched Elvin's back, took a deep breath, and blew forcefully. "Whoosh!"

This time, Elvin was clearly prepared. The moment the straw flew, he agilely dodged to the side. The straw whisked past where he had just stood and hit the dungeon wall. Elvin turned his head, showing Sok a confident smile.

"Very good, Elvin," Sok looked at him, his eyes full of approval. He held another straw in his hand and nodded, affirming Elvin's efforts. Then, a serious expression surfaced on his face, his voice deep and firm, "But this is just the beginning. We have much more to do."

He raised his hand, gently waving the straw, "Next, I will no longer attack your sides, but aim directly at your body."

A firm determination flashed in Elvin's eyes. He clenched his lower lip, adjusting his breath and posture simultaneously. He knew that this would be a whole new challenge, and he had to be ready.

The straw in Sok's hand drew an arc in the air, coming at him from an angle he couldn't predict. Elvin closed his eyes, relying on the perception he had just understood, he tried to feel the trajectory of the straw. Then, he decisively dodged to the side, the straw just missing him.

He adjusted his breath once again, then nodded at Sok, indicating he was ready for the next challenge.

Then, time after time, the straw was thrown, and Elvin dodged each time. Each time, he became more proficient, more precise. Pain was no longer his obstacle but became his aid. He became more determined, more courageous.

Sok watched him, a satisfied expression on his face. He knew that Elvin was becoming stronger and stronger. He looked forward to him using his strength to protect the continent of Bundir.

Sunlight quietly seeped into the dungeon through the narrow window, falling on the floor, signaling the passage of time. As the shadow of the sunlight gradually faded, the light in the room began to dim. Elvin sat on the floor leaning against the cell bars, tired but excitedly looking at Sok.

Sok sat in the narrow cell diagonally, his figure silhouetted by the dim light, appearing particularly haggard. The only pair of eyes sparkled in the semi-darkness, admiring the young man's talent and expecting his future.

"Mr. Thorsson..." Elvin's voice was tired but firm, every word was clearly pronounced, "Does this mean I have passed the training?"

Sok didn't directly answer him, instead, he smiled, his voice deep and powerful, "You know, Elvin, when your father took this training, he mastered it in half a day and he could avoid the straw man's attack ten times in a row."

His words fell, those deep eyes staring at Elvin, as if telling of his father's past glory and expectations for Elvin. This caused Elvin to have complex feelings towards his father, whom he had never really met.

"What was his name?" Elvin asked tentatively, his suspicious gaze moving over Sok. He was afraid that this question would touch upon the forbidden terms of the contract and curse Sok.

"His name was Noss." Sok suppressed the pain in his heart and struggled to pronounce the name.