The Author's POV

Laying down on the floor panting, I turned my head to the right where Donna's figure could be seen holding onto a large metal staff. Seeing this, I pleaded.

"Huff..huff...huff...Miss Longbern, please let me rest!"

Hearing my plea, Donna ignored me and proceeded to lightly sway the metal staff on her shoulder as she shook her head and said.

"Nope, we still have got one hour left before the session ends so hurry up and get up"

" Ghhh...damn it!"

Helpless, I could only lift my tired body up and once again prepared myself to be subjected to Donna's merciless beating.

-Clank!

"khh..."

As soon as I stood up, without giving me a chance to recover, Donna appeared before me and horizontally swung the staff in her hand. As she swung her staff, hurtling in my direction, it's metal body split the air apart.

"huup!"

Seeing the staff move, without hesitation, I ducked my body down and avoided it within a hairbreadth.

"Not bad but not good enough"

Seeing me dodge her attack, a faint smile appeared on Donna's lips as she suddenly halted her movement mid-swing and swung the staff downwards. Seeing this, I helplessly mumbled.

"...that's cheating"

-Bang!

The last thing I heard was the sound of the staff splitting the air before a tremendous force hit my back causing me to fall face-first on the ground.

-Dank!

"Gaaaahhh!"

Hitting the ground, a painful groan escaped from my mouth as I clenched my fists and tried my best to withhold the pain.

...it hurt like hell.

It felt as though someone had slapped my naked back with the palm of their hand at full force. The pain was something that couldn't be described in words...excruciating.

On the bright side, fortunately, she held back, otherwise, I would've found myself without a spine.

"Not bad you've improved quite a bit since your first lesson"

Leisurely putting the metal staff on her shoulder, Donna walked around me as she nodded her head in appreciation.

...ever since the first day that Donna had started training Ren, she realized that he was indeed talented.

With every lesson they had, she would see him improve quickly. When she asked him how he was able to learn so quickly, the response Donna got was...

'I just repeat what we've learned in the previous lesson until I memorize what I could've done better and where I went wrong, this way I don't make the same mistake again'

was exactly what every teacher wanted to

be talented...but unless you put in the work and actively sought to improve yourself rather than remaining complacent...only

to be better regardless of their talent were people worthy of

those lines, Donna's impression

and from the way that you were moving and positioning yourself, I can

up at Donna who had just spoken, as a small groan escaped from my

I was able to improve so much is because of your amazing teaching ability Miss Longbern. Without you, I would've never gotten this

of it was just me

continuously beaten black and blue by her.

adjust to Donna's rhythm, she would once again increase her

one and a half

started training with Donna, and my strength had seen

managed to get a better understanding of wind psyons which resulted in my sword art seeing an improvement as

both the [Keiki style] and [Drifting steps] were now at the Greater realm of mastery which was resulted in a significant boost in my strength as I was now finally

overpowered move that resembled the first movement of the [Keiki style], quick flash, however, unlike that move, what set this move apart was that it allowed me to teleport anywhere within

was strong, it wasn't perfect as it required far more mana to use and took more time to

third movement, I

seen a significant improvement due to all of the beatings that I took from Donna. Simply put, if the current me fought against the me from a month prior, I would beat myself black and

figure and hearing his sarcastic remark, Donna shook her head as

You've started to learn the art

firmed my tone and seriously looked at

way, how is that possible? Every word that I just said came from the bottom of

I could finish speaking, with her purple eyes shining

it with the sarcasm, I can see

my head, I

yes...I shall diligently and wholeheartedly follow the wise

metal staff in the air,

"You want another beating?"

I shook my head and proceeded

go...goodbye Miss Longbern, see you on Friday during

Even though I said all of that, I wasn't really worried about Donna

and a half with Donna, we had gotten a little

I still did not refer to her as Donna and just called her Miss Longbern, our relationship had gotten to the point

wasn't actually serious about

...I hope.

I

I was about to leave, Donna's crisp voice entered my

leave I have something

I raised

do

down, Donna took out her tablet from her dimensional space. Thereafter, scrolling through the

couple of days so you better get

feeling arose in my heart. Squinting my eyes

"...Ready for what?"

hand on top of the staff, Donna twirled the staff on the ground and softly

as one of the people that will orient the exchange students around the academy on the first day. Do not worry, you won't be alone as you will have another classmate

"..."

news, after a short pause,

"...you're kidding"