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

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

regardless of their talent were people worthy

lines, Donna's

good, from the way you reacted and from the way that you were moving and positioning yourself, I can see that you've improved a

spoken, as a small groan escaped

improve so much is because of your amazing teaching

true, half of it was

beaten black and blue by her. There was

that whenever I managed to somewhat adjust to Donna's rhythm, she would once again increase her

had persisted for one and a

had passed since I started training

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

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

move, what set this move apart

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

to perform the third movement, I was now significantly stronger than

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

hearing his sarcastic remark, Donna shook her head

learn the

head, I firmed my tone and seriously looked at

No way, how is that possible? Every word that I just said came from the

could finish speaking, with her purple eyes shining slightly, I suddenly lost

the sarcasm, I can

my head, I once again

shall diligently and wholeheartedly follow the wise

and lifting the metal staff

"You want another beating?"

I shook my head and

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

it looked like I was running away, in fact, I wasn't. Even though I said all of that, I

we had gotten a little bit more comfortable with

still did not refer to her as Donna and just called her Miss Longbern, our relationship had gotten to the point where we would occasionally share a bit of

serious about

...I hope.

I

to leave, Donna's crisp voice

I have something I want

I

do you

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

couple of days so you better get

feeling arose in my heart. Squinting

"...Ready for what?"

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

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 aiding you in the

"..."

this piece of news, after a short pause, I couldn't

"...you're kidding"