Many days have passed since Zane started his training. Every day has pretty much been the same; he just kept repeating the same routine as a new day arose.
Go to class, go home, and teleport near his training place.
Zane's progress has been inhumane ever since. He had also learned all the high-tier magic spells he had picked up in the library. Naturally, no one could master seven high-tier magic spells in a week, and it hasn't even been a week yet.
But, because of Velrath's knowledge in magic, as well as his guidance. His progress has been pretty fast.
Not only that, but his swordsmanship has been improving a lot too. Although he hadn't really mastered the basic sword art, he had learned all the skills embedded in the book. All he needed to do was polish his skills.
So far, Zane had learned seven high-tier magic spells these past few days. He had also learned all the skills in the Basic Sword Art book.
To Zane, this improvement was nothing but amazing. No, maybe not only to Zane but to others as well.
He had also been polishing all his magic spells, trying to cast them as fast as he could.
To counter a barrier user, you simply have to be able to cast a spell faster than your opponent. Although Zane didn't really think that such a common trick would work on someone like Arlo.
Especially since Thaleward's train their reflexes often, as this trick was often used on someone like them. The trick has become way too common for it to work now.
But who knows really? The future can be unpredictable sometimes.
Aside from that, Zane had noticed that Vale was suspicious of him. Zane didn't really notice at first when he first started his training in this undiscovered place. But, as he trained more in this place, he noticed that Vale had been acting strange around him.
That's when he noticed that Vale was actually spying on him.
That's why he decided that it was just best to tell Vale that he was just training somewhere every time their classes ended. Besides, it would also benefit Vale for him to come along with him in his training place. That way, they could train together and improve faster.
Although he hadn't really told him yet, he was only planning on telling him later.
'But, wait... Can Velrath even teleport us both? Considering the amount of mana needed for such a spell, I don't think…'
'Ah, that's right. Why the hell am I even doubting a former demon king in the first place?'
Considering that Velrath was a demon king, even if most of his mana had been reduced, he doubted that it would affect him that much.
As soon as Zane finished his training. He teleported back to the academy and headed straight to his dormitory.
Zane arrived at their front door, and slowly he opened their door.
As soon as he opened their door, a fist could be seen flying straight at him.
Zane stood still for a moment, startled by the sudden attack. However, with Zane's consistency in his swordsmanship training, his agility and speed had improved drastically, and so he managed to dodge the attack effortlessly.
As he moved his head to the side, along with his body. He looked towards the source of the attack, and his eyes widened knowing who the man was.
"Vale?!"
He paused, then added:
"What the hell are you doing, man?!"
Vale was standing a few meters away from Zane, mimicking a boxing stance.
"You damn rascal! I knew it, you had been doing some task for a demon, huh?!"
Hearing Vale's statement, Zane's expression became dumbfounded.
"H-huh?"
"What the hell are you talking about?! And be quiet; if someone hears us, we'll get in trouble!"
He paused, then added:
"Why don't we just talk this out, Vale? Causing a commotion won't get us anywhere."
Hearing Zane's words, Vale allowed himself to relax. He was right; causing a commotion won't get them anywhere. It was best if they talked this out and allowed Zane to explain why he had been acting unusually lately.
"Fine."
...
Zane then explained everything to Vale. He answered honestly to all of Vale's questions, well, of course, hiding some of the controversial parts.
"Hmm, I see. So the reason why you went out every day was because you were training somewhere?"
He paused for a moment, then added:
"Because you wanted to catch up to all the time you had wasted, as well as for your upcoming duel with this Arlo guy?"
Vale said, still a bit shocked by Zane's explanation.
"And where the hell did you even learn this teleportation spell? A teleportation spell is a very rare spell; I find it hard to believe you actually managed to learn one."
"Well, uh. It's actually a gift from my mother for passing the trial."
Vale paused for a moment, then nodded in understanding. He then said:
"I see, so you finally met your mom, huh? That's good."
- Sigh
Vale then sighed, knowing that he had been proved wrong. He didn't know what to do if his suspicions were actually true.
"Anyways, Vale. I've been thinking about it. How about you come with me to my personal training place and train with me?"
Hearing Zane's invitation, Vale's expression softened. He then said:
"Hmm, well. Why not?"
"However..."
Zane paused for a moment, then added:
"You must not tell anyone about our training place. And when I say anyone, I mean no one."
Confusion started to form on Vale's face; he then said:
"What? Why?"
Zane paused for a moment, then said:
"Because this place isn't just any random place. Why do you think I chose to train in this place rather than in the academy's training ground? Obviously because it's a lot better. The mana there is overflowing, and the lake residing within the place can also heal you."
Hearing Zane's words, Vale's expression became dumbfounded. Now, he knew why Zane hadn't been doing any physical training in the academy's training ground.