Acheron in Tensura

In the forest of Jura, a teen ogre could be seen limping back to his village. His mind wandered as he recalled the events of the day.

"Please teach me!"

He had bowed his head to the ground, his voice filled with desperation. Seconds passed in silence, and his heart began to race. Anxiety crept in as doubt gnawed at him. Then, he finally heard her voice.

"Be here tomorrow morning when the sun rises."

The teen ogre nodded eagerly, relief washing over him.

"For now, you should return to your village," she added.

He got up from the ground, dusting himself off as he prepared to leave. 'So she will teach me. Yes, yes.'

(Teen Ogre's POV)

I limped away slowly, each step reminding me of my aching leg. 'I wonder what kind of exercise I'll do tomorrow,' I thought, curiosity bubbling within me.

'Maybe she'll teach me some sword techniques.'

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the familiar surroundings until I was already standing in front of the village gates.

"He's here!"

That cry snapped me out of my daydream. Before I could react, I was crushed in a tight hug.

It was my mother.

"Where were you?! Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Do you need a healer?" she asked, her voice frantic.

I shook my head quickly. "No, I'm fine. Just some scratches."

My father stood nearby, arms crossed and wearing a stern expression that promised a lecture—or worse. But my mother leaned closer, whispering into my ear, "Your father was more scared than me."

I nodded quietly. I didn't smile, but deep down, I felt happy.

"You should rest," she continued. "The healers will take care of the rest."

I allowed myself to be tended to, letting the healers treat the wounds left by the dragon I had encountered. Yet, my mind was elsewhere—thinking about tomorrow.

'I can't wait for the training.'

As I lay there, I overheard voices in the next room. It was my grandfather speaking.

"The middle dragon. Where did it make its nest?"

"West of our village, not far away," someone replied.

"Then take measures against it. Don't provoke it."

The door creaked open, and my grandfather entered, his imposing figure looming over me as I lay on the mat.

"Don't worry," he said gruffly. "If you had the energy to chase monsters, you'll have enough energy for training tomorrow. It's going to be three times as hard as the last one."

I felt a bead of sweat roll down my temple. 'I hope she... my master... teaches me something that can help me beat him.'

Grandfather's hand rested on my shoulder, his grip firm yet reassuring.

"Good job surviving," he said, and I could feel a mixture of pride and relief radiating from him. Then, his grip tightened slightly.

"Now, you should rest."

With that, he left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

'I better get some sleep. I have training tomorrow.'

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. In my dreams, I saw myself defeating the dragon and earning the status of a warrior.

I woke up groggily, rubbing my eyes as I looked outside. The sun was already up.

'Oh no...'

I hurriedly got dressed and scribbled a note before sneaking out the window: Be home at night, I'm with friends.

Avoiding the guards, I sprinted through the forest, my heart pounding. 'I hope she... I mean, Master... isn't disappointed in me.'

When I reached the clearing, I saw her sitting calmly on a rock, her eyes closed in meditation.

"You're here," she said without opening her eyes.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Master, for being late."

She opened her eyes, her gaze cold and disinterested. "Let's start the training. I've prepared some equipment for you."

My eyes widened as I saw the block she pointed to—it was nearly my size.

'This is bad.'

The block fell onto my back, nearly flattening me into the ground. My knees buckled under the weight, trembling violently.

"Walk," she commanded.

I managed one step before a sharp crack echoed through the clearing. Pain shot through my body, but a purple light enveloped me, and suddenly, I was fine.

"Don't worry. If you get hurt, I'll heal you immediately," she said with a terrifying smile.

I stared at her in horror. 'She's worse than my grandfather.'

Her eyes bore into me. "And if you don't move for too long, you'll be punished."

"HORAAAAA!"

Time Skip

By sunset, I was sprawled on the ground, completely exhausted.

'Why did I agree to this? I'd rather die.'

My master sat on the boulder, looking down at me.

"You're weak," she said bluntly.

'Well, I'm not some kind of all-powerful being!' I screamed internally.

She sighed. "That doesn't matter. You'll be in shape after my training regime."

"Huff... huff... Master, when am I going to learn some skills and swordsmanship?"

She looked at me for a moment, then averted her gaze.

'She ignored me! SHE IGNORED ME!'

Purple light enveloped me again, healing my battered body.

"Be here tomorrow. If you don't come, I'll drag you here myself. And if you're late, you'll be walking with two blocks on your back."

I shivered. 'I've made a deal with a devil.'

"Yes, Master," I replied weakly.

The Next Day

By midday, I was lying on the ground again, completely drained. My master looked down at me with her usual cold expression.

"No time to waste," she said, her hand glowing as my fatigue disappeared.

'She's a tyrant.'

I groaned as I got up and continued walking with the block on my back.

A Week Later

It had gotten easier. I was now carrying two stacked blocks while my master sat on top of them, casually eating.

When she jumped down, she glanced at me and said, "Today's training is enough."

"Are you sure, Master?" I asked, surprised.

She nodded. "Yes. Tomorrow, we'll do a different training. You can go home for now."

'This feels suspicious...'

"Yes, Master." I bowed and turned to leave.

"One more thing," she added. "Tomorrow, don't eat and bring your weapon."

My heart leapt. 'Is it finally happening? Is she finally going to teach me some moves?'

I smiled, brimming with energy.

"Yes, Master!"

I ran back to the village, excitement coursing through me.

"I can't wait for tomorrow!"

(End of a chapter)