Bully Lord

Part-233

James nodded, gripping the sword with both hands. He took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and began. The first swing felt powerful, the sword cutting through the air with a satisfying swish. He counted in his head, ensuring each swing was in time with the rhythm. But as the repetitions piled up, the weight of the sword became more burdensome, and his arms began to tremble.

By the 60th swing, sweat dripped from his face, stinging his eyes. His breaths became ragged, and the sword felt as if it were made of lead. The urge to speed up and finish quickly was overwhelming, but he fought against it. He could not afford to make a mistake.

Suddenly, his left arm faltered, throwing off his timing. He paused, letting out a frustrated groan. He knew what it meant—starting over. Carlos observed him without a word, his eyes never leaving James.

"Again," Carlos commanded.

James nodded, swallowed his frustration, and started from the beginning. Each time he made it further, but each time, exhaustion got the better of him. It was only on his fifth attempt, at the 80th swing, that Carlos called it off.

"That’s enough," Carlos said, stepping forward. "I didn’t expect you to reach 100 swings today. In fact, I would’ve been surprised if you did."

James wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at Carlos in confusion. "Then why make me do it?"

Carlos's eyes softened slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I wanted to see how you’d react when faced with an impossible task. Whether you'd get angry, frustrated, or give up."

James stood silent, catching his breath, as Carlos continued. "You didn't give up, and you didn't let your frustration control you. That’s why you’ll continue training here. But make no mistake, tomorrow, you will complete those 100 swings, or you’re out."

James nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I understand. Thank you."

Suddenly, a chime echoed in his ears, and a notification appeared in his vision:

**[Mission 25: Complete 100 rhythmic swings, and you will be granted +2 DEX. Penalty if you fail: You will be expelled from the sword class.]**

A smile formed on James's lips as he acknowledged the challenge. This was what he needed—an objective to strive for, a tangible goal to achieve. As Carlos walked away, James stared down at his sword, feeling the weight of it in his hands. This weapon was no longer just a tool; it was a reflection of his journey, his struggles, and his determination.

**"Tomorrow, I’ll reach 100,"** James muttered to himself, determination burning in his eyes.

--

James's muscles were still sore from his sword training with Carlos and then after doing dungeon run and gym, and the weight of his exhaustion pressed down on him like a heavy blanket. The dimly lit street ahead of him seemed endless, and the warm glow of streetlights offered little comfort as he made his way back home. It was late, and most people had already turned in for the night, leaving him alone with his thoughts. But something wasn’t right. He felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck—a warning, as if a pair of unseen eyes were watching him intently.