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 incredibly pleased. This was exactly what every teacher wanted to hear from her

someone to be talented...but unless you put in the work and actively sought to improve yourself

that actively sought to be better regardless of their talent were people

Donna's

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

Donna who had just spoken, as a small groan

much is because of your amazing teaching ability

true, half of it was just me being

black and blue by her.

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

persisted for one and

training with Donna, and my strength had seen a considerable

thanks to Donna's tutelage, I've finally managed to get a better understanding of

[Drifting steps] were now at the Greater realm of mastery which was resulted in a significant

move that resembled the first movement of the [Keiki style], quick flash, however, unlike that move, what set

as it required far more mana to use and took more time to charge

movement, I was now significantly stronger than

my battle awareness and experience had also 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 blue as Donna did to

figure and hearing his sarcastic remark, Donna shook

You've started to learn the

I firmed my tone and

way, how is that possible? Every word that I just

eyes shining slightly,

it with the sarcasm,

nodding my head, I once again

wholeheartedly follow

the metal staff in the air, Donna

"You want another beating?"

I shook my head and

it seems like I have to go...goodbye Miss Longbern, see you on

I wasn't. Even though I said all of that,

with Donna, we had gotten a little bit more comfortable with each

her Miss Longbern, our relationship had gotten to the point where we would occasionally share a bit

serious

...I hope.

I

was about to leave, Donna's crisp voice

I have something I

around, I

What do you

her tablet from her dimensional space. Thereafter, scrolling through

coming in a couple

an ominous feeling arose in my heart. Squinting my eyes I

"...Ready for what?"

top of the staff,

the exchange students around the academy on the first day. Do not worry, you won't be

"..."

after a short pause, I couldn't help

"...you're kidding"