15 Chapter 15

*Ding*

Klaus was taken aback by the unexpected notification that appeared before him. He stopped in his tracks, panting heavily as he tried to grasp the reality of what just occurred. A tangible sensation coursed through his body, as if the stat increase was a palpable part of him.

He found himself at a loss for words, grappling with the sheer astonishment of the situation. Klaus had embarked on this rigorous training journey with a singular goal in mind—to fortify his body for the demanding training regimen that awaited him. The concept of increasing his stamina had never crossed his mind, let alone materialized as a stat boost.

"This is insane!" he exclaimed inwardly. He had not anticipated such a fortuitous outcome and was genuinely astonished. His stamina had demonstrably increased, an experience that left him both exhilarated and bewildered.

"I wonder if it will keep going up," Klaus mused aloud, a hopeful smile gracing his lips. Bolstered by this newfound motivation, he resumed his running.

He continued to circle the track, pushing his body to its limits, determined to see if further laps would trigger more stat increases. Round after round, his body perspired profusely, his sweat-soaked clothes clinging to him like a second skin. Despite his best efforts, no additional pop-up messages appeared.

But Klaus remained undeterred.

The ongoing use of magic, channeled through the magic circles within his mind's eyes, honed his control over mana. Although he wasn't depleting his body's mana reserves due to the nature of his spellcasting, he was drawing upon his mental and willpower with each incantation. This continuous expenditure of mental energy was beginning to weigh on him.

As he embarked on his eleventh lap, Klaus started to experience dizziness and nausea. The trail of droplets that followed him along the expansive running track bore testament to the intensity of his effort. Despite his world spinning and the overwhelming urge to vomit, he soldiered on.

His determination carried him through the thirteenth lap, but it came at a price. As his strength waned and he collapsed to the ground, he was teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. Yet, he fought to remain conscious, biting his lip until it bled as he clung to awareness.

And then, just when he thought he could give no more...

*Ding*

[Stamina stat increased by 3]

The sudden appearance of the notification was like a lifeline to Klaus. It validated what he had suspected—the training regimen he'd devised was having a tangible impact on his body and his stats. This revelation filled him with hope and an unshakeable determination.

"I can really make good use of this," Klaus thought with an exultant grin before surrendering to the welcoming embrace of unconsciousness.

***

The azure moon hung high in the night sky as Klaus abruptly awoke.

"Damn, did I pass out?" he grumbled, his voice raspy from sleep. He cast a sidelong glance to both sides, confirming that he was indeed alone.

"I'm truly on my own here," Klaus thought with a sense of gratitude, his thanks directed towards Ludovic for granting him this solitude.

He pushed himself into a sitting position and immediately sensed a remarkable lightness in his body. Raising his right hand to chest level, he cast a minor spell, summoning a small flame through a swiftly formed magic circle.

"My spellcasting has become even more fluid," Klaus marveled with excitement, the newfound finesse in his magic invigorating him.

However, an unpleasant odor suddenly wafted through the air, assaulting his senses. The stench was overpowering.

"Is that me?" Klaus mused, a hint of embarrassment coloring his thoughts. Doubtful, he scrutinized himself and, to his dismay, verified that the unpleasant odor indeed emanated from him.

Surveying his surroundings, he cast his gaze toward the alluring lake that lay just behind the training ground.

"Looks like a bath is in order," he said aloud, feeling relieved to have access to such amenities in Ludovic's estate. Stripping off his clothes, he employed a quick purification spell on the discarded garments, casting a cyan magic circle that enveloped them in warm light. As the spell took effect, the foul smell vanished.

He then proceeded to dip his toes into the lake to test the water's temperature. To his surprise, the lake was remarkably warm, providing a soothing contrast to the cold night air. Klaus slowly immersed himself in the water, and the sensation was incredibly relaxing. The fatigue and soreness that had clung to his body seemed to dissolve under the soothing embrace of the lake. After approximately twenty minutes, he emerged from the water and dressed in the spare training clothes thoughtfully left by Ludovic.

Among the amenities provided for his use, a small scroll conspicuously protruded. Klaus picked up the scroll and unfurled it, revealing a meticulously detailed map of Ludovic's estate. Curiosity piqued, he began making his way toward the mansion.

While the grounds were impeccably maintained, the mansion itself appeared somewhat dilapidated and uncared for. The interior was no exception. It was easy to deduce that Ludovic had been living alone in this grand estate for some time.

"He must feel lonely," Klaus thought as he ventured upstairs. The creaky stairs seemed almost fragile, despite their deceptive solidity.

As Klaus explored the interior, he realized that with just a little cleaning and maintenance, the entire mansion could be restored to its former splendor.

Finally, he arrived at the room that had piqued his curiosity on the map. Slowly, he pushed open the wooden door and entered. It was the only room in the mansion that appeared impeccably neat and well-kept, save for a couple of books lying on the floor.

Klaus now found himself inside Ludovic's private library. The room was an oasis of order in the otherwise neglected mansion.