Chapter Four.

The training has been going on for around three months now and I am noticing a very big difference between me now and three months ago. Running the 20 laps in under 10 minutes total isn't as hard as it was three months ago because then it would be physically impossible and now it isn't even a real challenge anymore. I am even beginning to think that running at the speed of sound just by physical training isn't impossible, but according to Grim that would take more than one year of just physical training. Running at that speed would need years of specific training and advanced techniques that I am not yet ready for, but Grim said that if I had a tenth of his power it would seem as easy as blinking.

In the past three months I didn't just run the 20 laps day in and day out it eventually increased to more laps, but running only laps day in and day out would be pointless since training needs do be diverse. One day I would be told to do 500 pushups and situps and the others I needed to punch a block of concrete for hours on end until my knuckles were bleeding. In the beginning I thought that it was useless to do all this but my muscles and stamina have greatly increased, it really is an unorthodox method of training.

I was beginning to think that after this training I could handle almost anything but my hopes were once again shut down by the harsh truth by Grim. He said that after this training that I will be able to defeat most undead and spirits but nowhere near him or other higher beings, and the worst thing that he forgot to explain earlier that I only learned today was that when I enter a lower realm my powers will be adjusted to that realm as not to break the balance which is crap in my opinion. Why would Death itself need to have rules so his powers don't break the balance but according to him since I am not an official part of Death yet I have to follow some of the rules.

Today luckily was the day that Grim said that he would change my training to fit my body better, it probably means that I have to run more laps and do more situps and pushups. I mean, not to brag but I think that I can run faster than a car at this point, but not for a long period of time since I need to conserve my stamina if I want to run long distances.

As usual Grim would appear in front of me out of his black swirl and stand there like a statue, I mean this guy doesn't even move a muscle, if he has any. I mean how does it work having a skeletal body, does it even need sleep, can it run out of breath since he doesn't need to breath and how does he not get mentally exhausted. Those are all good questions that can be asked after training is over.

"So your body has adjusted better than I thought it would, so today I will up your training and we will almost be ready for phase two. Although the training will be harsher from now on, your body can handle it, although I do not know if you can mentally." Grim said in a sadistic tone. I do not like where this is going but if it is for an increase in power I will go through with it.

"So you don't need to go run laps anymore or train physically, from now one you will meditate to steel your mind against mental attacks and for stressful situations. Since you've broken through mortal limits this automatically means that your spirit and mind have changed" Grim said getting a sigh of relief from William.

"The most dangerous form of attack is an attack on the mind since they can't be dodged, only blocked. Later on when you have meditated a bit I will increase the pressure on your mind as to adjust it accordingly so be prepared." Grim said as he for the first time broke his statue like pose and sat down in a meditative position. I just copied his position and sat down.

"Good now empty your mind and focus on yourself." Grim said before he became once again quiet. I followed his instructions and emptied all my thoughts and let go...

…

A few minutes later, well I don't really know how long has passed since I started but it felt like a few minutes. When I was deep in concentration trying to get everything out of my mind I felt a slow pressure starting to build up and form around myself, this must be the pressure Grim had talked about earlier and I focused on this pressure trying to understand it.

The pressure I felt was formless yet firm, it was there but it wasn't physically there, it is like a strong wind that is coming from all sides equally spread. Slowly over time this formless pressure became stronger and more firm, and all I could do is focus on it and try to understand how it is formed. I wanted to know what it was and ask questions but I quickly emptied my mind so as not to get distracted.

...

This process went on for a couple of hours and William and Grim said in the same position with their legs crossed and their eyes closed, until Grim's eyes flashed red and became alive again, since he can't blink and all being a skeleton this was the best it could be described as. Feeling the pressure leave William opened his eyes and grunted because of the light that entered his eyes. He tried to stand up but his limbs were too stiff and he just slowly tried to move them grunting to himself as to how much of an inconvenience this is.

"Relax, your body needs to rest now from all the pressure that it has endured so be sure to do that. After your limbs unstiffen you can do this exercise again but without the pressure and try to understand the basics of it." Grim said standing up and turning around.

"Every other standard day we will meditate three standard hours with pressure and the days between are for you to adjust to it and understand it." Grim said before leaving. William, who was left behind with stiff limbs sat there annoyed that he couldn't move his body as fluently as usual and stood up whilst almost falling due to the heavy feeling that the pressure left on his body.

Stumbling down to his bed he plopped down with a sigh and rested until his body finally felt like it usually did.