Infinite Returns : The More I Give, The Stronger I Become-Chapter 61: Class Awakening [1]

Chapter 61 — Class Awakening [1]

Ethan was not yet aware, but somewhere in the tower, a faith in his name had already begun to take root.

For now, it was just a small village in a desolate region on the 10th floor of the tower—but who could predict the future?

One thing was certain: Anita was hell-bent on using her new title, {Propagander of Faith}, to its fullest extent.

All for her mister.

All for the one who saved her.

All for him—Ethan Yagami, the man who had become her entire world.

He had saved her, and now she would spread his greatness as far as possible.

To her, only he was worthy of being called a god.

...

Meanwhile, the very being a faith had begun to form around lay flat on the ground, gasping for air.

Ethan’s mouth hung open in exhaustion, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. Sweat covered his body.

It was clear he had just finished yet another brutal training session with his dear teacher, Afaq.

"You’ve improved a lot, Ethan," Afaq said as he approached and handed him a towel and a bottle of water.

"Thanks," Ethan replied, taking both. He wiped the sweat from his face and drank deeply.

Ahhh...

He sighed in relief.

"With all the hellish training I’ve gone through these past three months, it would be an insult to all my ancestors if I hadn’t improved," he muttered.

The past three months had been relentless. He had focused on consolidating his foundations and sharpening his reflexes through sheer physical discipline.

He hadn’t learned any formal sword techniques. He didn’t need them.

His bloodline—his sword—came with a unique skill: "One Strike."

A skill that allowed him to absorb any sword technique from a defeated opponent.

If he fought a swordsman wielding wind techniques and won, he would consume that technique and make it his own.

And this cycle could continue—infinitely.

Ethan smirked. ’I really created a good bloodline.’

He was thoroughly satisfied with his progress.

"What are you smiling about now?" Afaq interrupted his thoughts.

"If you have time to daydream, then get back to training. Strap the boulder to your waist and run ten laps."

"Then give me a thousand slashes—each with perfect posture and stance. Or you’ll start over."

"Then—"

"Hey, hey, hey, you’re going too far!" Ethan cut him off, alarmed as Afaq kept piling on tasks.

But Afaq only grinned evilly. "And as today is your final day training under me, we’ll finish with a duel. I can’t let my only disciple leave without evaluating his skills, can I?"

Ethan’s lips twitched.

But after spending three months with this madman, he knew arguing would only get him more task.

So, without another word, he went back to training.

...

Hours passed—

Now, Ethan stood facing Afaq, a wooden sword in hand.

Afaq, calm and collected, looked almost lazy in his stance—but Ethan could see it. There were no openings.

No matter how annoying he is, the guy’s a genius with the sword, Ethan admitted.

I still wonder... What happened to him? Why was he in such a state when I found him?

And why is someone of A-rank here of all places?

Questions without answers.

For now, he had to focus.

He took his stance. Unlike when he first picked up a sword, this time it was perfect—the result of months of hard work.

Raising the sword to eye level with both hands, Ethan exhaled.

"Ready?" Afaq asked.

"I am."

The moment the words left his lips, Afaq was already upon him, sword raised.

CLINK—!

Ethan managed to block.

"Not bad. Your reaction time is solid."

Afaq pressed on, targeting every weakness, every hole in Ethan’s defense. Ethan parried again and again—but he was slowing down.

His stance began to falter.

He was only defending—and barely. The pressure was mounting.

I can’t keep this up. My body won’t last. I need to strike too...

He breathed in deeply, grounding himself.

One strike... Just one, and I’ll be satisfied.

His mind flashed to the endless runs, the countless slashes, the exhaustion, the pain, the moments he nearly collapsed but didn’t.

Afaq stepped forward, his sword raised high—this one was different. A finishing blow. Ethan saw it, clear and sharp.

And as he looked at this strike targeting directly his head, something clicked in Ethan’s mind.

Time slowed.

His body moved instinctively.

He shifted his stance—no longer holding the sword with both hands, but just one. His feet slid, his weight shifted.

Then, in a fluid, almost poetic motion, Ethan drew the sword with a strike as swift and graceful as a falling petal caught in the wind.

CLINKKK—!

Afaq’s wooden sword hit the ground.

He stood stunned, staring at Ethan.

Then he smiled.

"Seems like I’m a genius teacher, too."

Ethan didn’t respond.

He collapsed to the ground, completely drained.

...

BAM—!

Ethan landed face-first on his bed.

He had no idea how he even made it back to his inn. A miracle, perhaps.

"So... tired."

Today marked the end of his training. And he had managed to land a blow on Afaq.

Ethan smiled proudly.

Tomorrow, he would begin the true trial of the 10th floor.

And for that—

"It’s time to receive my class."

He had prepared as much as he possibly could. Now it was time to take the final step.

"System, how many points do I have?"

[5 trillion.]

Three months of relentless training meant he had barely held any giving sessions. He had hardly played the role of the Merchant.

He’d even overheard people in the city wondering where he’d disappeared to.

To keep things smooth, he had sent a message to all those who held his coin, informing them he was busy.

"But I guess I can hold one session before leaving," he muttered.

"Since I don’t have my own realm to meet them in yet... Damn, I need so many points for that."

He sighed.

He shook his head and focused.

"Alright, let’s do this."

"Tower, I am ready for the class awakening."

A pause.

{Understood, O Allholder.}

—End of Chapter 61—