Clang!
A sharp metallic sound echoed.
In the next moment, the sword in Cao Ye's hand was knocked flying away.
Before he could react, Finn's spear tip was already at his throat.
If this had been a real battle—
Cao Ye would already be dead.
Finn withdrew his spear.
The test sparring match was over.
"Cao Ye."
"Your strength, speed, and reflexes are excellent."
"But your attacks are far too straightforward."
"Hmm?"
"You probably developed your combat style by yourself, right?"
"Yes."
"I learned little by little while fighting monsters in the dungeon."
Finn nodded.
This was actually very common.
Most adventurers learned the same way—by trial and error in real battles.
"In that case…"
"We'll have to start from the basics."
"Alright."
For a Level 1 adventurer to be trained by a Level 6 captain was an extremely rare opportunity.
No matter how Freya arranged it, Cao Ye intended to take it seriously.
Finn began teaching.
"First, your sword strike…"
"Although I'm not a swordsman, I've fought many strong ones."
"Your technique…"
The training continued.
It started with theory, then moved into practical sparring.
Finn carefully pointed out Cao Ye's mistakes and corrected them.
Then through controlled exchanges of blows, he guided Cao Ye step by step.
One person was willing to teach.
The other was eager to learn.
Everything progressed very smoothly.
As time passed, members of the Loki Familia began waking up.
Some of them noticed the activity in the training yard.
"Hmm? That's the captain."
"But who's the other guy?"
"Anya, what are you looking at?"
"The captain's sparring with someone in the training yard."
"But that person isn't from our familia."
"Not from our familia?"
An elf girl leaned closer to the window.
She didn't recognize Cao Ye.
And she hadn't heard of any new recruits joining.
Then where did he come from?
For Finn himself to train someone was extremely rare.
"Anya, Alysia, what are you looking at?"
An Amazoness walked over.
"Tiona, come look."
"Do you recognize that guy?"
"Who?"
Tiona followed their gaze.
Then she immediately recognized Cao Ye.
"Cao Ye?"
"You know him?"
"Not personally."
"But I know of him."
"He's from Freya Familia, isn't he?"
"Freya Familia?!"
Now both Anya and Alysia were shocked.
A member of Freya Familia training with Finn?
That was definitely strange.
Meanwhile, Loki herself stood at another window, watching the scene below.
As a goddess, she could sense that something special existed within Cao Ye.
But with her divine power sealed in the mortal world, she couldn't clearly identify it.
Still—
Freya valuing him so highly already meant something.
Freya's eye for talent was legendary.
And Loki knew that better than anyone.
Back in the training yard—
Smack!
Finn blocked Cao Ye's attack with one hand.
He felt the training session had reached a good stopping point.
"Let's stop here for today, Cao Ye."
"Huh?"
Cao Ye had been so absorbed in learning that he hadn't even noticed the time passing.
"It's getting late."
"Oh."
"Thank you for today, Captain Finn."
"Just call me Finn."
"Honestly, it won't be long before I have nothing left to teach you."
"You're growing incredibly fast."
"Just luck."
Finn sighed internally.
Cao Ye was still inexperienced—
But his rate of improvement was terrifying.
In just three hours of sparring, he had already improved significantly.
And this was a Level 1 adventurer.
Yet his strength already rivaled some Level 2 adventurers.
What Finn didn't know was:
Cao Ye's ability growth speed was absurd.
And he hadn't even used Mana Burst to enhance his body yet.
"Well then, I'll take my leave for today."
Cao Ye glanced at the sky.
If he went to the dungeon now, he could still return before evening.
Daily Quest:
Kill 12 Horned Rabbits
Progress: 0 / 12
Reward: 10 Diamonds
Horned Rabbits were middle-floor monsters.
Completing the task wouldn't be difficult.
After leaving the Loki Familia headquarters, Cao Ye headed straight for the dungeon.
But as he reached the Central Plaza, a voice called out behind him.
"Adventurer-sama!"
Cao Ye turned around.
A small figure appeared.
"What is it?"
The girl looked familiar.
But he couldn't remember where he had seen her.
Hidden beneath her cloak, Lili watched the man who had saved her yesterday.
Seeing that he didn't even remember her made her feelings complicated.
On one hand, it proved he saved her without ulterior motives.
On the other hand—
Being forgotten so easily still hurt a little.
"Adventurer-sama…"
"Thank you for saving me yesterday."
She bowed deeply.
Her attitude was extremely sincere.
"Oh."
"You're the supporter from yesterday?"
"Yes."
"If it wasn't for you…"
"I would have died."
"It was nothing."
"Just happened to pass by."
"For you it may have been nothing…"
"But for me, it was a life-saving kindness."
"Well then…"
"I'll accept your thanks."
Looking at Lili, Cao Ye suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Not long ago—
Tsubaki had also saved his life.
And he had thanked her in exactly the same way.
Now the roles had reversed.
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