The master stood silently, his eyes fixed on Kael. "See that massive object?" he asked. "Your goal is to move it to the hill over there."
Kael's jaw dropped. His mouth went wide open, disbelief written across his face. "T–the hill? That's… at least a hundred kilometers away!"
He staggered back and fell to the ground. His legs trembled, his chest heaving with panic.
The master crouched beside him, his voice calm but firm. "After hearing the distance, I think you're not the one who will do it. Perhaps this task is too much for you."
Kael shook his head violently. "No! I will do it! No matter what!"
He pushed himself to his feet. "I'm ready to move it!"
The master raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know how heavy it is?"
Kael frowned. "No… what's the weight?"
The master shook his head slowly. "If I tell you now, your body won't move. You'll be paralyzed by fear. You'll know the weight when you finally reach the top of the hill."
Kael gritted his teeth and pressed his hands against the massive object. He pushed with all his strength—but it didn't move. Not an inch.
Hours passed. His arms trembled, sweat poured down his face, and his muscles screamed in pain.
"You think this is enough?" the master said coldly. "If you don't move this, you'll be left behind—just like the day I found you. If you want to become stronger, prove it to yourself!"
Kael's determination flared. His fists clenched tighter, and he gritted his teeth. Inch by inch, the object began to move. Slowly. Painfully. But it moved.
The master moved alongside him, silent and watchful, as Kael forced each step forward. Every stride felt like he was being hit by boulders, every movement a battle against his own body.
Night fell. Darkness swallowed the forest, but Kael did not stop. Stars blinked in the sky as he pushed relentlessly.
Two days passed. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but the master's voice cut through his fatigue:"Kael! You are near your goal! Push! Prove your strength limit! Prove to yourself that you are not weak!"
Kael's heart pounded, and he felt something deep inside him awaken. Every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, every step he had taken—he felt stronger because of his determination.
By the end of the fourth day, he had moved the object 87 kilometers. Only 13 kilometers remained. His arms were trembling, his legs screaming, but he refused to give up.
Finally, with the last ounce of his strength, Kael pushed the object up the hill. The ground trembled under the massive weight as it reached its resting place.
Kael fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "I… I did it… I finally did it!" he screamed, his voice breaking under the weight of relief and triumph.
Even the master smiled faintly. "This kid… he's something else," he murmured.
Kael's curiosity overcame him. "Master… how much did it weigh?"
The master's eyes twinkled as he revealed the number.
Kael's body went limp. Shock overtook him, and he collapsed completely, unable to move. The sheer weight of what he had accomplished—both physically and mentally—finally hit him.
The forest was silent, only the distant rustle of leaves and the wind moving through the trees.
Kael lay there, breathless, but deep inside, a spark had ignited. He had proven himself, and this was only the beginning.