NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 8: Intense Hero Training
A cool breeze rustled the leaves of the dense forest, the dappled sunlight breaking through the canopy in patches.
The rhythmic crunch of boots against the forest floor echoed as the students trudged forward, their breaths labored and sweat dripping down their faces.
Aaron adjusted the heavy bag strapped to his back, the coarse straps digging into his shoulders. His glasses slid down the bridge of his nose for the third time in as many minutes.
He grimaced, pushing them back into place with a finger.
"Keep moving!" Sir Gideon's voice boomed from behind, his tone sharp but not unkind. "This isn't just a run! It's a test of will! Push through!"
Aaron wanted to respond, but his lungs were too busy trying to keep up with the demands of his aching body.
The bags weren't ordinary. Each was filled with heavy substances — iron pellets, sand, and even stones — which weighed down their movements.
Sir Gideon had called it "strength-building endurance training." To Aaron, it felt like torture.
"Come on, four-eyes!" Darius called out from ahead, his voice tinged with amusement. "Don't trip on a twig and get left behind!"
Aaron clenched his jaw but said nothing. Darius was clearly enjoying himself, his strides strong and steady despite the weight on his back.
Naomi glanced over her shoulder at Aaron, her expression neutral but with a hint of concern.
"You're doing fine," she said, her voice low enough that only he could hear.
Aaron gave a weak nod, not trusting himself to speak.
The path wound through the forest, the uneven terrain making every step a challenge. Roots jutted out from the ground like hidden traps, and the incline seemed to grow steeper with every turn.
Aaron's legs burned with every step, his muscles screaming for rest. His glasses slid down again, and this time he nearly cried out in frustration as he fumbled to adjust them.
"Why didn't they fix my eyesight when they gave us all this magic?" he muttered under his breath.
Naomi, running beside him, chuckled softly. "Maybe it's character development."
Aaron shot her a tired glare but couldn't help the faint smile tugging at his lips.
Further up the path, Ethan stumbled, his foot catching on a root. He hit the ground with a grunt, sending up a puff of dirt.
"Get up!" Sir Gideon barked, striding over. "The battlefield won't wait for you to catch your breath!"
Ethan groaned, pushing himself up with trembling arms. The other students slowed momentarily, their gazes filled with a mix of sympathy and relief — it wasn't them this time.
Aaron felt a pang of understanding as he watched Ethan struggle to regain his balance. He knew all too well how humiliating it was to falter in front of everyone.
"Come on, Ethan," Aaron said quietly as he passed.
Ethan looked up, surprised, and gave a small nod.
As the group pressed on, the sounds of the forest filled the air: the chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional snap of a branch underfoot.
Despite the serenity of their surroundings, the weight on their backs and the relentless pace made it impossible to appreciate the beauty of the woods.
Aaron's breaths came in shallow gasps, his vision blurring slightly at the edges. His legs felt like they might give out at any moment.
Naomi slowed her pace to match his, her own breathing heavy but controlled. "Don't stop," she said. "One step at a time."
Aaron nodded, focusing on her words. He counted each step, using the rhythm to distract himself from the pain.
After what felt like hours, Sir Gideon finally called for a break. The students collapsed onto the forest floor, their bodies drenched in sweat and their limbs trembling.
Aaron dropped his bag with a loud thud and fell to his knees, his chest heaving. He pulled off his glasses, wiping them on the corner of his shirt before setting them back on his face.
"You're still alive, huh?" Naomi teased, sitting down beside him.
"Barely," Aaron said, his voice hoarse.
She handed him a water flask, and he took it gratefully, gulping down the cool liquid. Around them, the other students were doing the same, their earlier chatter replaced by exhausted silence.
Darius, however, seemed unaffected by the ordeal. He leaned against a tree, smirking as he watched the others. "That was nothing," he said, stretching his arms. "I could do this all day."
"Then maybe you should carry two bags next time," Naomi shot back, her tone sharp.
Darius opened his mouth to respond but seemed to think better of it, instead settling for an exaggerated shrug.
Sir Gideon paced in front of the group, his gaze sweeping over them. "You think this was hard?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet. "This is the bare minimum. The enemies you'll face out there won't give you time to rest. They won't care if your legs hurt or your lungs burn. If you want to survive, you'll have to push past your limits."
Aaron swallowed hard, the weight of Sir Gideon's words sinking in. He wasn't wrong. This wasn't just training — it was preparation for a fight they couldn't afford to lose.
"Ten more minutes," Sir Gideon said. "Then we move out."
Aaron leaned back against a tree, closing his eyes for a moment. His body ached, but he could feel a small sense of accomplishment. He hadn't given up.
Naomi nudged his shoulder gently. "You're tougher than you look," she said with a smile.
"Thanks," Aaron said, his lips quirking up slightly.
She stood, brushing dirt off her pants. "Come on. Let's stretch before we have to go again."
Aaron groaned but followed her lead, his movements slow and stiff. As he stretched, he noticed Darius watching him from across the clearing.
"Don't let him get to you," Naomi said quietly, catching Aaron's glance.
"I'm trying," Aaron replied.
When the break ended, the students hoisted their bags onto their shoulders once more. Aaron gritted his teeth against the renewed weight, but this time, it felt just a little more manageable.
As they continued through the forest, Aaron focused on each step, blocking out the pain and fatigue. He wasn't the strongest or the fastest, but he was still moving forward.
And for now, that was enough.