Last push

"I am very sorry to hear that Clint"

"Thank you. Anyway, after that I decided to join the training grounds and become a strong soldier to protect the people like my brother did."

"Well, I'll help you with that. First I am going to teach you how to survive in the wild. After this week you are going to know how to handle yourself in the forest."

"Thank you so much Will."

And so the week went by. William taught Clint about different things in the wild. How to build your own small hut with leaves and wood, how to identify your way in the thickness of the forest, and also how to create utensils out of wood and stone.

After the week had gone past William and Clint were on their way back to the meeting point and while walking back they met up with other groups and people who were honestly just dirty, tired and hungry. Most weren't used to the harsh reality of living in the woods. It's not like Clint was so much better off. Being the first time he was in such a situation he was also tired and dirty but the company of William and his teachings made the situation better.

"So, I see all of you have returned. I can see all of you have had a harsh week, but this is just to show you the harsh reality of the world. So let's go on our way back because tomorrow we will continue with training. Come on! Let's go!"

The group made their way back to the Training grounds and the majority went to take a bath and relax since tomorrow the hard training would continue. But William didn't go to take a bath or sleep, he wanted to meet up with Alex and see how he is doing.

"Hey Alex."

"William, your back. It's nice to see you man."

"Yeah, same. I see you got better this past week."

"Yeah, I am slowly coming back. Can't have this incident affect the exam in one week. I am sure I will be in top form when it comes."

"I am sure you will. Alex, regarding the incident…"

"Thank you William!" Alex said while looking William in the eyes. His eyes were filled with resolve. If first he had a fire lit as his resolve, William could see clearly that that fire turned into a strong blaze.

"I can't thank you enough for what you did for me. And I am sorry you got dragged into it. But I am better now. I won't let it happen again. And I will train twice as hard from now on. I know you are strong, I saw it at that time. And I am saying it now so that you don't get too surprised when it happens, but I will surpass you William. I hope that one day, we can spar again. But when that happens I won't be the same anymore. I will be stronger. I promise."

"I will be waiting then."

William left Alex soon after the conversation. Alex still wanted to know about how the survival training went and about certain details about survival that he unfortunately missed out. William went to take a shower and relax, it was indeed a long week for all. And tomorrow the routine will continue.

One week till the exam. Everyone wanted to give it their all this week. William and Clint were having a sparring match at the moment.

'Cling' 'Cling'

Their swords met and separated at high speed. Clint has already accepted that William is the best sword user at the training grounds. His technique has improved by leaps and bounds. His movements are fluid and his strength and stamina are very high.

Clint advanced over to William holding his sword in front of him. William was prepared to defend this attack and counter it. Clint sends the sword diagonally from the sky down. Holding his sword horizontally over his head William hold the attack off and went in for a kick at Clint's abdomen. Clint jumped back in time to avoid the kick.

"Shit, I cant get one hit in. AGAIN!"

And so the two of them continued to train together. After the survival task they have both got closer and now they were together all the time. William still saw Alex and talked to him a little but he was mostly absorbed in his training.

William continued to train using his Ki. The speed at which he was increasing his strength and stamina was higher than any person could do without using it. During his spars with Clint he would never use his Ki. If he would there wouldn't be much of a fight, the overwhelming speed and strength granted to him would be enough to end it in a couple of moves. But when they fought without him using it they were both equal in technique. Of course William was still faster and stronger but not by an amount that technique couldn't close.

After the week passed. The day of the intermediate exam came.