Lucas launched his arcane rays into its bum because just like the eyes it was an opening straight to its inside. Lucas relentlessly released multiple spinning mana arrows into its rear end until it died.

+1

[ Level 22 Lava-hog killed. 2250 Exp gained]

[ System upgraded to level 3!

1. Marking

2. System Sentience (level 1)

3. Sub-class

4. Attribute check]

Lucas saw the notification, he had levelled up to 15. Which was kinda obvious being that he only had 100 EXP left to reach level 15. Lucas climbed off the Lava-hog and began walking to Layla Palmer.

Layla Palmer ran towards Lucas and asked. " Are you okay? You are not injured or anything? You can still braai right?"

Lucas would have retorted if he wasn't still in combat mode but he was so he just looked at her and said, " Yeah I can still cook. But you carrying that massive thing home. I've done my job"

" Are you insane I can't carry that!"

"That's a shame because the meat is that of a pig. So you would be eating pork chops but now you eating sleep. Such a shame..."

" You can't do that. That's against the rules!"

" No, it's not. I said if you don't kill it, you don't eat it. You did not kill it so technically you're eating nothing tonight. But I'm a nice guy and I'm allowing you to eat for a small price."

Layla Palmer's nerve on her forehead twitched when Lucas said " small price". If there were tables here she would flip them. " Calm down Layla, calm down. He is just trying to rile you up." Layla Palma thought.

" You must be blind to call that a small price! This creature is huge!"

" It is a small price. All I require from you is to carry the creature home, that I killed by the way. And that I will be braaing. So all you do is carrying. How is that not a small price?"

Layla Palmer decided to stop arguing because she was losing brain cells. Clearly, Lucas had no intention of giving up his point of view. So she switched the topic.

"By the way, how did it get so strong?"

"It evolved. Creatures evolve here and as they get stronger. Where we climb in ranks. "

" So basically you could meet a cat and then years later that cat is a lion?"

" Basically."

" So what did that creature evolve too?"

" That was a Lava-hog."

" Never heard of it..."

" Nobody expected you too." Lucas teased.

" You not going to leave me alone are you? Oh wait, you did, you left me to die!"

" I didn't leave you to die. I would have placed a mana wall on you if you gave up hope in the final round."

" So you were paying attention."

" Of course but I needed you to face death yourself."

" Why?"

" One, I needed you to realize that in this world you can only trust yourself. People will let you down. I needed you to believe in yourself. I think you've been saved so much, you don't know how to save yourself. I needed to forcefully increase your resolve because you needed to be stronger before I could let you take the trial by fire. I also wanted to unlock your battle sense."

" I see... That was quite a spartan way to do it."

" Spartan methods for spartan brains..."

" All that ends well..."

" Exactly, now go and carry that creature."

After Lucas spoke he released the safe zone he erected. He put one up to prevent the screams and sounds of battle to be heard.

Layla Palmer sulked when Lucas still insisted on her carrying the beast. She thought she would give it a shot though. She didn't think she could do it but she at least wanted to try. She didn't want to miss Lucas's pork chops without trying. So she walked to the creature. She grabbed its tail and pulled. To her surprise, it moved. She exclaimed with joy at her feat. It wasn't moving fast but it was moving. They then walked home.

When they got home 3 hours later. Layla Palmer went to wash in the river and Lucas made the food. When it was done Layla Palmer took a bite and she was in heaven. She thought to herself. " Aaah, this is the cooking I know and love. The type of meal to make any type of Spartan training worth it."

They both ate three pieces of steak this time as today was bigger than any other day. After eating Lucas went to wash up. But when he got back Layla was already sleeping. Which wasn't surprising she had an eventful day today and her tummy was full, that just spells sleep.

The next morning Lucas woke up and made food this woke up Layla Palmer. They both ate and then went for a jog. Afterwards, they continued to train. Lucas was training as well. Lucas continued to practice his: it was still quite difficult to control. Layla continued to practice her mage training and then after Layla's mage training, they would spar together. This continued for a whole month.

Layla was a lot stronger now than before. Her strength was incomparable to before. She was now a level 15 in terms of strength she was still classless though.

The next day Lucas continued to train and then Lucas said.

" I believe you are ready for the trial by fire."

" I am?"

" Yeah," Lucas said as he took out an apple covered in fire.

" Here, eat this apple. You need to eat everything. But before you do prepare yourself. Because it's really sore! You can not lose consciousness or you will die."

" It's that hectic."

" It is..."

" What's the benefit?"

" Longer life. Purer and stronger body. But if you don't want it you don't need to take it..."

" No, no. I want it."

" That's the glutton I know. Who can't turn down food." Lucas said while patting her head.

Layla Palmer just ignored Lucas. She took the apple. She steeled herself. She knew if Lucas is talking about the pain of this apple. Clearly, it must hurt. She took the apple and ate it. Just like Lucas, she was greatly disappointed when she bit into it and it was tasteless. Even air had more flavour than this apple. Layla Palmer consumed the entire apple shortly. Soon she felt a very pleasant warm feeling in her tummy.

It felt like she was receiving a hug from a big plushy bunny. But soon after the temperature increased, and it kept rising. Layla Palmer began screaming loudly. She had pain written all over her face. Lucas felt sorry for her as he understood what it felt like. Layla Palmer screamed even louder when the pain began spreading all over her body. She thought " If there is a hell it definitely feels like this."

After the trail was done the pain subsided. Layla felt the pain was done and she rejoiced.

" Well done for holding out. How do you feel?"

Layla Palmer realized she felt amazing. All her senses were sharper. Her body felt great. She touched her skin and it was softer than a babies bottom. Her skin was clearer than ever. Her face was devoid of any blemishes. Her beauty had further increased by eating the apple.

" Now I really can't take you with me," Lucas thought.

" Thanks. I feel amazing!"

After that was done they began training. This continued for two more days and then that night Lucas said.

" Tomorrow we leave for the Capital."