Part-238

  James bliaken aback. "You’re joking, right?"

  Carlos’s expression didn’t ge. "I’m not joking. Start now."

  James groaned inwardly but plied, lifting his left foot off the ground and steadying himself. He took a deep breath and began the first swing. Immediately, he felt the strain as his bance wavered, f him to adjust and readjust with eaent. By the time he reached the tenth swing, his leg was trembling, s down his face. The task was impossible—or at least it felt that way.

  Carlos watched him with a hawk's eye, no encement, no reassurance—just silent judgment. James’s frustration grew with every failed attempt, but he refused to give up. He kept swinging, even as his body screamed in protest. But eventually, his leg gave out, aumbled, catg himself just before hitting the floor.

  "Pathetic," uttered, shaking his head. "I thought you were better than this."

  James gritted his teeth, anger fring within him. He grabbed the sword, ready to tinue, but Carlos stopped him with a raised hand. "Enough for today. You’re exhausted, and you won’t improve if you push yourself past your limit."

  "But—"

  "No ‘buts,’" Carlos interrupted, his voice firm. "Martial arts or swordsmanship isn’t just about physical strength. It’s about knowing your limits and overing them—oep at a time."

  James stood there, panting, frustratioched across his face. But deep down, he knew Carlos was right. He bowed his head. "I uand."

  "Good," Carlos said, his expression softening just a bit. "You’ve got potential, kid. But potential means nothing if you don’t have the disciplio back it up. e baorrow, and we’ll try again."

  As James began to gather his things, he noticed Mili approag him, hesitantly. She seemed to be struggling with her words, unsure of what to say.

  "You looked like you were struggling," she finally said, her voice softer than usual. "you are always this... reckless."

  James let out a tired ugh. "Yeah, well, maybe I’m just trying to find my way."

  Mili crossed her arms, tilting her head. "And do you think swordsmanship is the answer?"

  "I don’t know," James admitted, his eyes meeting hers. "But I have to keep trying, don’t I?"

  Mili frowned, unsure of how to respond. "Just… don’t push yourself too hard, okay? You ’t master everything ht."

  James offered her a tired smile. "I know. But I ’t stop either. I’ve e too far."

  James o explore every possible way to advan the dungeon. If he has to switch to being an archer, he'll do it, no cap.

  She shook her head, uo fully grasp his determination. "You’re a fool," she muttered, though there was no mali her voice. In fact, there was something akin to admiration.

  "Yeah," James agreed, his eyes gleaming with that familiar fire. "But maybe that’s what it takes."

  Mili watched as he walked away, his figure growing smaller with each step, yet his presenehow remained rger than life. She couldn’t quite uand what drove him—why he pushed himself so relentlessly, why he sought to master so many different forms of bat. But maybe, just maybe, that was the very thing that made him so captivating.

  As she turo leave, she gnced bae st time, whispering under her breath, "Good luck, James."