Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Meanwhile, Achilles approached, nodding in respect at his lord's mental resilience. Experience new stories with M-V-L

"Now that you're warmed up, we'll train your agility for half an hour before delving into footwork and evasive manoeuvres." He raised his palm, stopping Adam from interrupting him with questions, and continued. "I know you want to focus on swordsmanship. But that's an amateur's desire, not a warrior's."

Before his words could linger, he rolled his shoulders and twisted his arms and legs at surreal angles. His back and neck followed, dancing almost as if animated by their own wills.

Even worse! Adam forgot about his exhaustion and jumped to his feet. Eyes wide, he watched as Achilles did everything while moving with the grace of a tiger!

'How the heck does he even do it?' His lips twitched as he glanced at his own arm. 'It'll break ten times out of ten if I try!'

Achilles chuckled and returned to his usual proud stance.

Then, he pointed at his limbs, head, and torso. "Without considering my speed, invincibility, and if I don't parry, do you think you can wound me?"

Adam shook his head without thinking.

"Wound you? I might as well head west instead." His lips curled into a self-derisive smile. "I'll have more chances with the griffon."

Achilles nodded, a knowing smile stretching his lips.

"Now tell me. Do I need a weapon to defeat you if you can't land a hit on me?"

A brasier of understanding ignited in Adam's eyes as he drank Achilles' simple yet profound words, like a thirsty traveller finding an oasis in the middle of a desert.

'I'm such a fool! Weapon mastery should come far down the priority list because only two outcomes await a fighter: victory or death. So, wouldn't I always be the victor by ensuring nothing can kill me? On the other hand, my fists, demonic essence, horns, or even a random stick found by the side road, I can use anything to take my adversaries' life.'

He clenched his fists, Achilles' approach to combat merging with Wukong's in his mind.

Trusting his mythical teacher, he sat before him. Legs stretched, he bent forward according to his instruction without suspecting for a second that the harsh running was the easiest part of the training...

His agonising screams echoed for the next half an hour as Achilles pushed on his back. Slowly at first, his muscles and tendons rapidly groaned, protesting by assaulting his nerves with searing pain.

Worst, Achilles used bizarre exercises to do the same for his entire body. Every centimeter of his flesh ached, and even his bones cracked in a disturbing cacophony. Pushed to their limits, he saw them break several times through his blurry eyes... No, he hoped they would snap once and for all to deliver him from this torture.

Yet, would they break under Achilles' controlled training?

He bit his lips, holding his tears as his mind thundered.

'Shit! I don't want to become a warrior anymore. Life is sweet, and I don't suffer as a gamer.' His sharp teeth sank into his skin, the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth. 'No!' He clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white despite his hurtful wrists. 'Bite the bullet and endure. For your dream, to protect your subjects, and to avenge yourself and Tiamat!'

A steely glint flashed in his eyes as he stumbled to his feet and scrutinised Achilles.

Catching Adam's determination despite his pitiful look, Achilles whistled in respect.

"Still not complaining? It's a first!" He patted Adam's shoulder gently. "Even I tried to flee Chiron's training more than once."

A wistful smile crept on his lips as he remembered the wise centaur who taught him everything.

Meanwhile, Adam rolled his eyes and screamed in his mind. 'I complained more in the last half an hour than in my entire life!'

Still, a smile crept on his lips, and his chest warmed at the compliment.

Then, he went through Achilles' footwork training, complaining enough for three lifetimes as another wave of agony struck his legs in a cruelly focused manner.

By the time Achilles ended their first training session, his legs felt like lead, burning hotter than his bones. His breath coming out in chaotic gasps and sweat cascading down his face, he collapsed powerlessly to the ground.

Meanwhile, Achilles outstretched his palm before him, his lips curling into an encouraging smile.

"I've witnessed your resolve today." He gripped Adam's hand and helped him up. "Your path to mastery is already free of the tallest obstacle. So, walk with your head raised high and aim for the stars."

Adam grumbled under his breath and rubbed his sore calves.

"I didn't know legs could move like that without shattering."

Achilles chuckled.

"Footwork is the base of speed, agility, and power. Broken legs shouldn't concern you with your demonic nature. They'll recover in a day, and you'll move faster and strike harder when they do."

Heart drumming in his ears, Adam's face paled, and his fingers trembled. Still, he steeled his mind not to curse this crazy method and nodded.

"Thank you for today. Tomorrow I'll lead the army, so I can't... Ahem." His tongue slipped despite his best effort. "I mean, I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Then, he stumbled outside the mountain and into the forest. Its usual vibrance lost its color in his eyes as he struggled with each step. Yet, it was his imagination that added the heaviest burden.

His lips twisted in an unwilling grimace, and a soft whimper echoed in his mind.

'If Karna is as strict as Achilles, they'll soon train a stiff corpse or a ghost!'

As he lamented, his village's northern walls greeted his eyes. But instead of sighing in relief, he swallowed the wrong way and burst into a fit of coughs at the sight of Karna's crossed-armed figure and narrowed eyes.

'Don't look! And why are you waiting for me?!' He roared in his mind, his blood chilling in his veins. 'You guys are more demoniac than me. I can't even rest!'