Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 143: Knight training (2)

Theo had the best breakfast again, the dish that was the most filling and delicious out of all the others.

Although Elias took some time to get used to the idea of eating beside him, Theo was able to persuade him.

Seeing the euphoric expressions, as if he was eating the dish for the first time, made Theo chuckle many times, but soon it made him remember Clara.

Theo only shook his head in dismissal. She was only injured and was going to get back up again.

Soon, he heard the Mantis tap the mug again and again.

In defeat, Theo gave it the bath one more time, and at the same time, he also found out that Elias didn’t throw out the previous night’s medicine bath.

It made Theo realize that the Mantis still had the bad habit of doing whatever it wanted to do.

The wise words of Clara came to his mind: "It is a tamed beast, but it’s not acting like one."

Theo decided to try this part of the training later, but for now, he was already up and ready to start his knight training for the day.

"I heard about it from the Baroness, but I think you trying out for the knight training is a really good idea, young master," Elias spoke while they walked in the corridors.

Theo was greeted by all the knights and guards moving past them with a smile. He had become a little superstar for them, who made training a lot more enjoyable and harder.

"It is a good opportunity," Theo smiled. He couldn’t wait to reach the location of the training anytime soon.

While answering some common stuff Elias asked, they finally reached the training grounds.

"Good morning, Sir Rhys," Theo said with a deep bow. A man wearing a set of loose clothes was sitting in the corner with his eyes closed.

"YAWNN~~" Rhys got up from the ground and sat on his butt. He looked at Theo, who was still bowing, and made a slight ’hum’ sound.

Elias wanted to frown. That was not the reaction he expected someone to have around an heir of the Merricks. But judging by his expression, he already knew who the sleepy man was and didn’t dare speak.

"Are you late?" Rhys asked with another yawn, making Theo look up and think.

"Maybe a little? You didn’t specify what time I have to be here, Sir Rhys," Theo said with an awkward chuckle.

"Hmmm..." Rhys looked at the sky for a while before he looked back at Theo. "By morning, I meant the sunrise, young master." He took another yawn and spoke again, "Run around this area at full speed until you can’t anymore. That is your punishment."

"Huh?" Elias was dumbfounded. What kind of punishment was that?

"Got it," Theo spoke confidently, making Elias look at him with even more surprise.

Theo ran with all his might and only slowed a little at the corners. Rhys looked at him for a second before he laid back again under the shadow of a big tree. He fell asleep almost instantly.

Theo took each lap without a single huff of exhaustion. When he had completed two, Elias was astounded by his stamina.

Only after three more laps did he start to slow down. But Theo still tried his best to run as fast as he could, even though his feet, calves, and thighs were hurting a lot.

Rhys opened his eyes once more after hearing a lot of huffing sounds. He looked at Theo, still going at it with a determined face. His face was covered with sweat.

He went back to sleep again, leaving Theo on his own again, trying his best.

’It’s been 7 laps and I have not stopped... that’s a new record for me...’ Theo thought yet closed off his mind again, as thinking made it even harder to keep running.

After a few minutes, a point came when Theo was literally only able to jog with his limbs flailing left and right. In his mind, only one thing mattered, and that was to keep going, no matter what.

Rhys had told him to run as fast as he could, and even though he had slowed down prominently, the fact still remained that he was running with his all.

All this time, Elias was on the side, looking at Theo running. His eyes couldn’t let go from his determined face, which made even him, who had not run this intensely in his life, want to try it too.

"His willpower is the only thing making him push forward. Aside from that... he is only weak," Rhys stated with a sleepy voice and got up for the first time.

He stared at Theo, who couldn’t see anything but the track now. His speed was even slower than someone briskly walking forward.

Rhys looked at him go until Theo went into a violent fit of coughing. He fell to the ground the next second with his legs all cramped.

Rhys picked his water bottle and threw it toward Theo, who quickly grabbed it from the ground, his throat being extremely parched.

"That was uncalled for. He is the heir of the Merrick Barony, Sir Knight," Elias spoke in an irritated tone.

He went forward and helped Theo get up, but it was futile; his legs had already given up.

"Your body is too weak right now," Rhys spoke in a serious tone, making Theo look at him.

He moved forward toward Theo and stood while scratching his little beard. Theo felt like he was already done. Did his body being weak mean he wouldn’t be able to continue this training?

Just the thought of that brought back that determination in his eyes again. When Rhys looked at them, a slight smile formed on his face.

"I like that look," he stated, and his face went back to sleepy yet again, "Run 10 more laps as fast as you can, then take a break for 10 minutes and run as fast again," Rhys spoke and went back slowly toward the shadow of the tree.

"Young master... You can’t possibly continue, you’re too tired!" Elias shouted with concern, yet Theo drank another sip of water before spitting it out in a violent cough. His eyes were, for some reason, sharper than usual.

"Haghh... It’s only the start... Elias. I won’t give up..." He spoke with ragged breathing, "Not like this."

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