Chapter 36

Finn looked at Lythana, feeling a flicker of respect for her skill and tenacity. She had done well, he thought inwardly, her movements precise and deadly. But his mind quickly shifted back to his own training. The medicinal baths had pushed him to a whole new level, breaking his body down only to heal it stronger than before. Months of progress had been condensed into mere days; he was night and day stronger. He wondered what else the multiverse had in store for him.

As he observed the other battles, it became clear that those who had chosen to stay in the infirmary rather than train were the ones dying. Their lack of preparation and conditioning left them vulnerable. The difference between those who had trained and those who hadn't was stark. The medicinal baths had fortified Finn and his comrades, giving them an edge that was proving essential for survival.

About six hours went by, and Finn watched his roommates easily win their fights. These goblins seemed pretty weak compared to their rigorous training sessions. Finn was feeling hungry and thirsty when he got a notification: he was up.

Finn stood up, and then was instantly transported to his battle spot. A feral, unarmed goblin stood before him, snarling and baring its teeth. Finn thought back to the first person he had killed, the guard with the scissors. The memory sharpened his focus, grounding him in the present.

The goblin charged, and Finn blocked with his gauntlets. He dodged the first attack, then as it charged again, he swept its feet with a swift kick. The creature stumbled, falling to the ground. It tried to stand, but Finn was ready. He filled his gauntlets with his fist intent and punched the goblin in the face. The force of the blow sent its head snapping back at an unnatural angle, and Finn heard the sickening crack of its neck breaking. The goblin fell over, dead.

The battle had lasted only moments, but it reaffirmed the importance of his training. Finn glanced around, noting the stark contrast between those who had prepared and those who had not. The screams and bloodshed were a grim reminder of the stakes, but Finn felt a grim satisfaction in his strength and readiness. The multiverse was a harsh place, but he was proving that he belonged in it.

A couple of hours later, the battles ended, and they were prompted to return to their quarters where they would rest for the remainder of the day. Finn got up, not saying anything as he walked to his quarters, Lythana walking at his side.

Some human males and dark elves glanced his way as he walked by with Lythana, their eyes drawn to the beautiful dark elf. Finn, however, was lost in thought, reflecting on everything he had witnessed and experienced.

As he walked, Finn's mind wandered back to the wuxia novels he had read before being transported to this school.

He thought about the cultivators who grew complacent, settling for a power that Finn desired that allowed them to enjoy all the pleasures of the world. The thought of becoming like them disgusted him. Finn decided he would always climb the mountain of cultivation, whether sprinting, running, jogging, walking, or crawling—it didn't matter.

Settling was worse than giving up. He had witnessed so much death today, but it didn't scare him. If anything, it steeled his resolve. He was okay with dying; he didn't seek death recklessly, but he would never stop trying to progress. He wanted the mastery and strength that the cultivators like Gorath had, but he would not stop there. If the peak of the mountain had a higher peak, he would climb higher, push further, and break through barriers. There would be no rest, no complacency in his journey.

Something inside him had shifted when Gorath had commanded him to sit, and he had been helpless to refuse. It struck a deep chord within his core; he hated feeling powerless, even for a moment. That moment of helplessness had ignited a burning desire to never be at someone else's mercy again.

Even if it cost him his life, Finn found the offer acceptable for the opportunity to cultivate. The thought of dying on this path did not deter him. He was prepared to pay any price to continue his journey. The prospect of ultimate strength, of reaching a pinnacle few could even dream of, was worth any risk.

As Finn walked to his quarters, he smiled. Today had been a good day. He had faced death, grown stronger, and reaffirmed his path. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew he would face them with unwavering determination. The journey was just beginning, and he was ready put everything he had for whatever the multiverse had in store.

Lythana noticed the glances from the others as they walked, but her attention kept drifting back to Finn. He seemed deep in thought, a determined expression on his face. She couldn't read his mind, but she could sense the resolve emanating from him. When she saw him smile, a small, genuine smile, she couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity.

What could he be thinking about? she wondered. She had seen him fight, seen his relentless drive. Today, she had witnessed a different side of him, a depth that intrigued her. She didn't know what the future held, but she reaffirmed that Finn was someone worth watching. As they made their way to their own separate quarters, she felt a strange sense of anticipation for the days to come.