After collecting all the supplies Tamika had prepared for them, Nicos and the others finally left the hotel suite.
The bustling streets of the city gradually faded behind them as they made their way toward the outskirts, where civilization slowly gave way to untamed wilderness. Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their thick canopies filtering the sunlight into scattered beams that danced across the forest floor. A cool breeze drifted through the air, carrying with it the scent of damp earth, fresh grass, and wildflowers.
Unlike the orderly atmosphere within the city walls, the wilderness possessed a raw beauty that was both captivating and intimidating. Every rustling leaf hinted at unseen creatures, while distant roars echoed faintly through the mountains, serving as constant reminders that survival here depended entirely on one's own strength.
None of them appeared nervous.
For Alfonso and Nakita, this environment was as familiar as breathing.
Milota walked calmly behind them, her sharp eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
Nicos and Tabitha, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and excitement. This would be the first time they would undergo true survival training since arriving in the Spirit Realm.
After walking for some distance, Nicos finally voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"Uncle Nakita," he asked curiously, "how long will we be staying in the wilderness?"
Without slowing his pace, Nakita answered calmly.
"As long as our supplies last."
His reply was straightforward, leaving no room for negotiation.
Nicos blinked.
He had expected several weeks.
Perhaps even a month.
But hearing such an open-ended answer made him realize that this training would be far more demanding than he had imagined.
Seeing the thoughtful expression on his face, Nakita smiled faintly before elaborating.
"Don't think of this as an ordinary trip. This isn't simply about surviving in the wilderness."
He glanced at both Nicos and Tabitha.
"This expedition exists for one purpose."
"To train both of you."
His voice became more serious.
"The changes you've experienced since awakening your Spirit Bodies have greatly increased your potential, but potential alone means nothing if your bodies and minds cannot keep up."
"You need to become familiar with your new abilities."
"You need to understand your strengths."
"And more importantly..."
"You need to discover your weaknesses."
Alfonso nodded in agreement before continuing the explanation.
"Besides the training schedule we've prepared for both of you, Milota will personally supervise your actual combat experience."
Milota merely folded her arms and gave a small nod.
Her expression remained as stoic as ever.
"We'll remain nearby throughout your training," Alfonso continued. "If an unexpected danger appears, we'll intervene."
He paused deliberately before adding another sentence.
"But don't misunderstand."
"Although we'll protect your lives, we won't protect you from pain."
His words immediately caused both Nicos and Tabitha to straighten their backs.
"You may suffer broken bones."
"You may sustain deep wounds."
"You may be pushed to your absolute limits before we step in."
"The wilderness doesn't give second chances."
His calm tone somehow made the warning even more frightening.
"If you become complacent..."
"You'll suffer."
"If you lose focus..."
"You'll bleed."
"So remain serious."
"Every battle."
"Every movement."
"Every decision."
"Treat them as though your life depends on them."
"Because someday..."
"It will."
The forest suddenly seemed much quieter after hearing those words.
After allowing them a few moments to digest the information, Alfonso continued.
"Your daytime schedule will mainly consist of combat training, physical conditioning, movement techniques, and practical experience."
"During the night, you'll meditate."
"Your training won't stop simply because the sun has set."
Nakita smiled.
"Fortunately, your Spirit Element Purity is perfect."
He looked directly at Nicos.
"That alone gives you an enormous advantage."
"With proper control over your Spirit Essence, prolonged battles won't exhaust you as quickly as it will for ordinary people."
"But possessing abundant Spirit Essence isn't enough."
"You must also learn how to control its output."
"Wasting Spirit Essence during battle is the mark of an inexperienced warriors."
"Your training will focus on balancing consumption and efficiency."
Nicos nodded seriously.
"I understand."
Tabitha also listened attentively.
Neither of them dared underestimate the advice of experienced warriors.
After another stretch of walking, Alfonso stopped and reached into his storage device.
A beautifully crafted map appeared in his hands.
The moment he unfolded it, intricate patterns illuminated its surface before expanding into a three-dimensional holographic projection.
Mountains.
Forests.
Rivers.
Cities.
Danger zones.
Resource locations.
Everything appeared with astonishing clarity.
Even the terrain shifted subtly as new information updated itself in real time.
Nakita couldn't help but whistle softly.
"Tamika really spared no expense."
His eyes widened with genuine admiration.
"This level of mapping artifact isn't something ordinary merchants can easily obtain."
Even Milota took a second glance at the map.
Alfonso, however, remained expressionless.
Instead of admiration, caution appeared in his eyes.
"The better the gift..."
"The greater the reason to stay vigilant."
Nakita's smile gradually disappeared.
He immediately understood Alfonso's meaning.
To an outsider, Tamika's generosity appeared genuine.
But from another perspective...
Providing such valuable resources also served another purpose.
Testing them.
Observing them.
Measuring their capabilities.
And perhaps...
Gradually enticing them toward his own side.
"He really is a cunning man."
Nakita shook his head with a bitter smile.
"He knows exactly how to make people owe him favors."
Alfonso simply nodded.
"Fortunately..."
"He hasn't shown any malicious intent."
"For now."
His fingers moved across the holographic projection, enlarging several regions before finally stopping on a massive forest.
"This will be our destination."
He pointed toward the highlighted area.
"Rodu Forest."
The projection zoomed closer, revealing countless details hidden within the terrain.
"This forest contains a balanced ecosystem."
"The outer regions contain Spirit Beasts suitable for beginners."
"The deeper regions contain stronger opponents."
"There are also numerous medicinal herbs, Spirit Fruits, and other resources scattered throughout."
"It'll serve as an excellent training ground."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Once the route had been finalized, Alfonso turned toward Nicos.
His expression became particularly serious.
"Nicos."
"Before you even think about mastering weapons..."
"You must first master your own body."
The young man listened carefully.
"Your professions are unlike ordinary professions."
"They'll place tremendous strain upon your body."
"If your physique isn't strong enough..."
"You won't be able to unleash your full potential."
He folded his arms.
"So during every battle you'll face for now..."
"You won't use any weapons."
Nicos blinked.
"No weapons?"
Alfonso nodded firmly.
"None."
"Your fists."
"Your legs."
"Your elbows."
"Your knees."
"Your entire body."
"They will become your weapons."
"If you learn to fight using only your body, then every weapon you wield in the future will become even more powerful."
"A weapon can be lost."
"It can be broken."
"It can be stolen."
"But your body will always remain with you."
"So learn to trust it."
Nicos lowered his head respectfully.
"I understand, Uncle Alfonso."
"I'll do exactly as you've instructed."
Satisfied, Alfonso shifted his attention toward Tabitha.
"As for you..."
He smiled slightly.
"You'll continue studying the runes Madam entrusted to you."
"You'll practice them while simultaneously improving your movement technique."
"With your Elemental Monarch Spirit Body, your affinity toward elemental manipulation far exceeds that of ordinary spirit warrior."
"You shouldn't encounter many difficulties."
Tabitha smiled confidently.
"I won't disappoint you."
Alfonso nodded before looking at both of them together.
"As for the Star Breaker Spirit Body..."
He sighed softly.
"We know very little."
"Even Madam admitted that."
"There simply aren't enough historical records."
"So rather than forcing a fixed training method..."
"We'll adapt."
"We'll observe."
"And we'll modify your training whenever necessary."
He smiled reassuringly.
"So don't worry if unexpected situations arise."
"We'll deal with them together."
Both young warriors answered respectfully.
"Yes, Uncle Alfonso."
After a brief silence, Tabitha suddenly remembered something.
"What about our Spirit Beasts?"
She looked toward the small companions accompanying them.
"They'll be joining the training too, right?"
Alfonso chuckled softly before shaking his head.
"Not yet."
"They're still too young."
"They wouldn't contribute much during combat."
"More importantly..."
"This training is designed specifically for the two of you."
"If they continuously assist you, then the purpose of the training would be lost."
Tabitha nodded in understanding.
Nakita added another explanation.
"They'll meditate alongside both of you."
"That alone will significantly accelerate their growth."
He then looked toward Nicos.
"And while we're discussing Spirit Beasts..."
"You should also establish contracts with the other two."
"It doesn't seem likely they'll acknowledge anyone else."
Nicos instinctively glanced toward the two remaining Spirit Beasts.
They quietly looked back at him with surprisingly intelligent eyes.
He smiled gently.
"I'll do that, Uncle Nakita."
As the conversation came to an end, the group continued walking toward the vast Rodu Forest.
Towering ancient trees gradually filled their vision.
The sounds of corrupted beasts echoed deeper within the woodland.
A faint pressure drifted from the forest, as though silently warning every visitor that only the strong had the right to survive within its depths.
Nicos tightened the straps of his pack.
His heartbeat quickened.
The comfortable days of preparation had ended.
From this moment onward...
His true training in the Spirit Realm was finally about to begin.