The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 44 - A Partner

Chapter 44: 44 - A Partner

"Viktor?"

I mumbled as I saw him a few steps away from me, holding a wooden sword.

His messy, medium-length dark hair partially concealed one of his black eyes and the long scar running down his left cheek.

"Wow, I didn’t expect to see you here."

He said as he walked toward me.

"Same here."

I replied.

"Meh, I’m always here. Almost every day to make full use of the battle points I spend to access this place."

Viktor said that with a casual shrug.

’Well, no wonder I didn’t see you much in the copper place.’

I thought to myself.

Anyway, as he got in front of me—

"What do you plan to do here?"

Viktor curiously asked.

"Train, obviously."

I flatly responded.

Viktor frowned at my words, then opening his mouth again—

"I mean yeah, but what exactly will you train? I might be able to help, you know."

He said that.

"..."

I just looked at him for a few seconds, thinking things through.

’Well... Having someone I know here can be a bit reassuring.’

I concluded in my head. So shifting my attention back to Viktor—

"I want to train my body to increase my strength. My weapon skills too."

I declared that.

"Oh, pretty much the same as mine."

Viktor said with a smile.

And following that—

"Want to join me?"

He suggested.

I can see that he’s not planning something behind my back, so simply...

"Sure."

I accepted his offer.

*****

After joining up with Viktor...

We immediately went to start training.

"These are the weights. Find something that fits your current strength—not too heavy, not too light."

He said, pointing at the rusty bars with wooden logs on each side. There were a few of them, each with different sizes.

I just nodded at Viktor and looked through the weights. I found one that felt just right for me not long.

"Do you need help with your routine?"

Viktor asked, glancing back at me.

"No, I’m fine."

I quickly replied.

I already knew what to do. After all, I used to go to the gym frequently back on Earth.

"Hmm, okay. Just ask me if you need help or have any questions."

Viktor told me.

"Thanks, I’ll do that."

I responded, giving him a slight nod.

And with that—

"Let’s start then!"

"Okay."

The two of us started our training.

-----

I didn’t notice before—

But the training ground of the copper place lacks a lot of equipment.

All I could really do with the weights were basic curls. Luckily, there were one-handed weights too, so I used them to train other parts of my body like my shoulders and back.

I also used them as added weight while doing sit-ups, squats, and other exercises.

And while training, I watched Viktor—

It was clear he’s been doing this for a long time.

I saw him doing exercises I hadn’t seen before using just the wooden weights. He reminded me of the veteran gym-goers I used to observe when I first started going to the gym back on Earth.

I copied some of his routines—they looked really effective.

"You’re doing it wrong, loosen your shoulder a bit."

He even corrected me when I messed up while copying him.

He was surprisingly helpful.

"Thanks."

I said to him.

And just like that...

...

...

...

We trained for roughly five hours.

We only stopped to eat lunch for a couple of minutes.

*****

"Huff... haaaaa..."

A tired sigh escaped my mouth as I tried to catch my breath.

"Huuuu... That was tiring, huh."

On the other hand, Viktor looked completely fine. His stamina was insane.

I was over here sweating like crazy while he looked like he just got started.

Fwish~

"Pwaaaaah... Let’s rest a little."

Viktor suggested as he took off his sweat-drenched shirt. His build was really something else, he’s small compared to Brock and the others—but his muscles looks like solid rocks.

"...Good idea... fuuuu..."

I nodded as I responded to him..

Pat—

Then we both sat side by side on a wooden bench.

"Ah...! I’ll get us both some water. Wait here."

Viktor said, glancing at me.

"Okay."

I weakly mumbled. I was too exhausted for longer replies.

Viktor understood that, so he just left me to rest while he went to fetch water.

’He’s really a good guy, huh.’

I thought, watching him from where I sat.

He came back not long after with two cups of water in his hands.

"There we go."

He sat down beside me and handed me one of them.

"Thanks."

I whispered as I took it. Then immediately—

Gulp— gulp— gulp—!

I drank it all in one go.

"Pwaaaaah~"

My dry throat finally got hydrated, and I quickly felt refreshed.

"That’s better."

I muttered with a smile.

"Haha, recover some stamina. We’ll continue later."

Viktor said with a laugh.

"Yeah, got it."

I replied.

And after that—

We started chatting casually to pass by time...

...

Viktor asked about my background. I told him what I knew about this body—that I was a thief in the slums before getting caught and sold off as a slave here.

Then he told me that he used to be a farmer, but ended up here because he couldn’t pay off his debts.

"Bruh."

I mumbled unconsciously after hearing his story. He frowned, but just brushed it off.

Then in return, I told him what happened to me on my first day here, and why I already had two matches. And after hearing my story—

"Bruh."

Viktor unconsciously mumbled that.

And with that—

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YOU’RE INSANE!!!"

"SAID THE ONE WHO CAN’T PAY HIS DEBTS! HAHAHAHAHAHA—!!!"

We started laughing at each other.

It was a great time, honestly.

I had fun with Brock, Khan, and Jin too when we’re gossiping about stupid stuffs—but Viktor was closer to my real age.

Talking with him just felt more casual and he’s not really treating me as a child.

"Haaaaa..."

"Fuuuuuu..."

We stopped laughing not long after. My stomach kinda ached from all of that.

Now, we were both just looking ahead, smiling slightly with our elbows resting on our knees.

Then suddenly—

"Let’s become training partners."

Viktor said that.

"..."

I silently glanced at him.

Then opening my mouth—

"Sure."

I casually replied.

"Cool."

Viktor smiled and whispered.

"You want to train your weapon skills too, right?"

He followed, asking.

"Yeps."

I answered, still not looking at him.

Though, after that...

"Let’s spar then. That’ll be great training for that."

Viktor suggested, turning toward me.

"Huh?"

My head snapped to look at him, I was slightly taken aback by his words.

"..."

I stared at him as he waited for my response.

Then, after a while—

"Sure, sounds great."

I accepted impulsively.