The two days of rest granted by the Adventurers' Guild felt like a precious commodity, a brief oasis before plunging back into the crucible of the exams. After their hearty breakfast at Marcus's pub, with the promise of more sustenance later, Adam and his companions decided to make the most of their recovery period. The initial plan was light drills, but with Edward at the helm, "light" often took on a rather strenuous meaning.
"We will focus on speed and agility," Edward announced, his voice a low rumble, as they left the bustling streets of Namil and headed towards a less-dense forest on the city's outskirts. This particular woodland, while still public, offered more privacy than the central parks, its trees ancient and sprawling, providing ample space for movement.
Panchenko groaned good-naturedly. "More running, then? My legs are just starting to remember what 'not aching' feels like."
"It is not merely running, Panchenko," Edward countered, his crimson eyes gleaming with a hint of a challenge. "It is about efficiency of motion. The ability to shift direction instantly, to evade, to close distances. Kafka tests fluidity and relentless movement. We will prepare for that."
Forest Drills: Agility and Precision
Edward began with simple footwork drills, emphasizing quick pivots, lateral movements, and explosive bursts of speed over short distances. He created imaginary obstacles, forcing them to weave and duck through unseen barriers.
"Your body must respond without thought," Edward instructed, demonstrating a seamless transition from a full sprint to a near-instantaneous stop and pivot. "Every wasted motion is a lost second. Every stumble, a fatal mistake."
He then escalated the exercises. Julian, with his inherent grace, excelled at these. Edward would set up intricate patterns of movement, forcing Julian to weave through trees, simulating close-quarters combat against multiple, unseen foes. "Excellent, Julian," Edward would commend. "Your precision is admirable. Now, increase your speed. Maintain that precision even when your muscles burn."
Astrid, with her rogue's instincts, focused on stealth and rapid evasions. Edward would play the role of an invisible pursuer, forcing her to utilize the forest's natural cover, to disappear and reappear in unexpected places. "Too loud, Astrid!" Edward would suddenly appear behind her, startling her.
"Your breath gives you away. Your footfalls. A true assassin moves like a whisper in the wind." Astrid, ever competitive, pushed herself to near-silence, her movements becoming almost fluid.
Panchenko, despite his bulk, surprised them with his surprising agility when properly motivated. Edward tasked him with dynamic drills, teaching him to use his mass and momentum to his advantage in quick changes of direction. He made Panchenko practice charging, then abruptly halting and redirecting, simulating aggressive movements in a confined space. "Your strength is a hammer," Edward observed. "But a hammer can also be used with surprising finesse for a quick, devastating strike."
Tom, whose physical training had been mostly focused on endurance, found these agility drills particularly challenging. Edward, however, understood Tom's unique contribution. He focused Tom on spatial awareness, reaction time, and using his analytical mind to predict movement paths.
He would throw small, soft projectiles, forcing Tom to dodge rapidly, developing his reflexes. "Your mind is your weapon, Tom," Edward said. "But even a mind needs a body capable of executing its commands swiftly."
Adam, with his combined combat skills, worked on integrating his new guns with his melee prowess. Edward made him practice drawing and firing on the move, maintaining accuracy while weaving through trees, simulating unpredictable enemy movements. "Your ranged weapons are an extension of your will," Edward instructed. "Do not let them hinder your agility. They must become part of your flow."
As the black sun began to set, casting long, dramatic shadows through the forest, they were exhausted, but their movements were visibly sharper, their reactions quicker. Sweat plastered their hair to their brows, and their muscles throbbed, but it was a good ache, the satisfying burn of improvement.
"Alright," Adam panted, wiping sweat from his eyes. "I think that's enough for today. My legs feel like they've done another marathon."
Panchenko groaned, collapsing onto a patch of soft moss. "My whole body feels like it's been put through a meat grinder. But… I actually feel a little faster."
Edward gave a rare, almost imperceptible nod of approval. "Progress is evident. Now, rest. Replenish. The body repairs itself in slumber."
They made their way back to the cabin, the twilight deepening around them. The promise of an early rest was a powerful motivator. They ate a quick, hearty meal prepared by Astrid – simple, yet nourishing. The cabin, their quiet sanctuary, welcomed them.
They settled into their beds, the deep exhaustion pulling them down into immediate sleep. The Namilian night was calm, a stark contrast to the grueling physical demands of their day.
The next morning, the black sun climbed into the Namilian sky, its warm rays filtering into the cabin. They woke feeling significantly less sore than they had the previous day, the deep sleep having worked its restorative magic. The stiffness was still there, a constant reminder of their efforts, but it was manageable.
After a quick, fortifying breakfast at the cabin, they returned to the forest. Edward wasted no time, immediately launching into more advanced agility drills.
"Today, we will focus on precision under duress," Edward announced. "Maintaining your speed and agility even when fatigued. When your mind is clouded, and your muscles are screaming."
He intensified the exercises, making them perform their drills with weighted vests, or through more complex, randomized patterns. He introduced simulated combat scenarios, forcing them to react to unexpected 'attacks' while maintaining their agile movements.
Julian and Astrid practiced coordinated evasions, moving as a single, fluid unit, their movements intertwined, covering each other's blind spots. Edward would throw small, harmless projectiles at them, forcing them to dodge and weave with incredible speed.
Panchenko worked on explosive power, using his strength to launch himself into quick, agile maneuvers, surprising bursts of speed from a powerful, grounded stance.
Edward even had him practice short, sharp leaps over fallen logs, emphasizing the need for quick adaptation.
Tom, pushing his physical limits, focused on quick reactions and directional changes, his eyes darting as he anticipated Edward's subtle cues. Edward also tasked him with calling out threats and movements for the others, honing his ability to analyze and react in real-time, even when physically drained.
Adam continued to integrate his dual pistols, practicing snap shots and evasive rolls, firing with precision even when moving at top speed. He felt the weight of the two guns become an extension of his arms, not a hindrance. Edward would occasionally engage Adam in a rapid-fire, unarmed sparring match, forcing Adam to rely purely on his agility and defensive movements, pushing him to maintain grace under pressure.
"Faster, Adam! Faster!" Edward's voice would cut through the air, challenging him. "Do not merely react. Anticipate!"
The drills continued relentlessly. They were pushed to their breaking point again and again, but each time, they found a little more within themselves. Their movements became crisper, their reactions sharper, their teamwork even more intuitive.
As the black sun reached its peak, marking high noon, they were once again drenched in sweat, their bodies aching, but their minds were clear, their focus unwavering. They had pushed their physical limits, honed their agility, and strengthened their mental fortitude.
"Alright," Edward finally announced, his voice holding a hint of satisfaction. "That is sufficient. You have done all you can for now. Conserve your energy for tomorrow."
They walked back to Marcus's pub, their legs feeling like lead, but their spirits buoyed by the knowledge of their progress. Marcus, seeing their familiar, exhausted faces, simply laughed.
"Looks like Edward's put you through the wringer again! You adventurers, you love to suffer, don't you?" he boomed, ushering them to their usual table.
They ordered another hearty, late lunch, devouring the food with the ferocious hunger of those who had pushed their bodies to the absolute limit. The pub was filled with the usual midday chatter, but for them, the focus remained on the impending Third Exam.
"I think that was the right call," Adam said, chewing slowly. "Focusing on speed and agility. Kafka's exam is likely going to involve a lot of precise movement under pressure."
"My legs feel like jelly, but I feel quicker," Panchenko admitted, stretching out his sore calves under the table. "Edward's methods are… intense, but they work."
"He knows how to push without breaking," Astrid added, her eyes thoughtful. "He understands the limits, and how to gently force you beyond them."
Julian nodded. "His experience is invaluable. We are fortunate to have him."
Tom, who had been quietly eating, looked up. "We need to analyze what we saw of Kafka on the stage. He moved with a subtle grace. His eyes were constantly scanning, analyzing. It hints at a demand for both physical precision and tactical awareness."
"So, not just run fast, but run smart," Adam summarized.
"Precisely," Edward confirmed, taking a sip of his drink. "Tomorrow will test not merely your ability to move, but your ability to adapt your movement to ever-changing circumstances. To maintain your equilibrium and your efficiency when chaos reigns."
They finished their meal, their bodies now heavy with the pleasant fatigue of hard work and good food. The anticipation for tomorrow's exam was palpable, a mix of nervous energy and grim determination.
"Alright," Adam said, pushing back his chair. "No more training. From now until the exam, it's pure rest. We need every ounce of energy we can get."
They thanked Marcus and made their way back to their cabin. The city was still alive with the afternoon hustle, but for them, the world outside their small sanctuary faded away. They had pushed their bodies, honed their skills, and now, all that remained was to gather their strength. The Third Exam, overseen by the enigmatic Kafka, awaited. And they would face it, together.