Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna meticulously reviewed his stats and skill levels, taking note of his progress:

[Name: Canna Yakane]

Level: 61

Rank: B Ranker

Class: Beast Covenant

HP: 140/140

MP: 170/170

Strength:80

Speed: 110

Defense: 40

Intelligence: 135

Agility: 50

Stamina: 75

Vitality: 43

Charm: 22

Attribute Points: 0

Titles: None

Skills:

[Create Water] Lvl 4, [Water Manipulation] Lvl 5, [Water Arrow] Lvl 5, [Water Blade] Lvl 3,

[Water Shield] Lvl 3, [Water Onslaught] Lvl 3, [Purify Water] Lvl 2, [Water Step] Lvl 1,

[Create Wind] Lvl 4, [Wind Manipulation] Lvl 4, [Wind Arrow] Lvl 5, [Flight] Lvl 3,

[Wind Blade] Lvl 3, [Wind Purify] Lvl 2, [Summon Tornado] Lvl 2, [Wind Boost] Lvl 4,

[Physical Boost] Lvl 5, [Mental Fortitude] Lvl 3, [Danger Sense] Lvl 3, [Sword: Mastery] Lvl 2

Innate Skills:

[Beast Taming] Passive, [Enhanced Learning] Passive,

He also checked the requirements for the dragon egg:

[Dragon Egg]

Rank: ???

Hatching Requirement: 101/1,000,000 souls

As Canna checked each skill and its level, he thought about the challenging task of gathering enough souls to hatch the dragon egg, knowing he had a tough journey ahead to unlock its potential.

____________

Vorgrim and Canna stood at the edge of the vast dungeon floor, shadows flickering ominously against the damp stone walls by Mortem's light spells. Vorgrim nodded solemnly to Tonitrum, who grinned mischievously as he opens up the red portal, summoning forth a colossal figure—a formidable golem known as Gorthrax, the Earth Golem.

Gorthrax roared ferociously, its massive form casting a menacing shadow over Canna. Vorgrim's voice echoed in Canna's mind, reminding him of the rules: he could only boost himself with mana and utilize sword skills for this training session. Canna also checked the earth golem's stats.

Name: [Gorthrax, the Earthrend]

Level: 75

Rank: High Rating

Class: Earth Golem

HP: 1200/1200

MP: 250/250

Strength:100

Speed: 80

Defense: 150

Intelligence: 50

Agility: 50

Stamina: 75

Vitality: 43

With a deep breath, Canna activated his Physical Boost, feeling strength surge through his muscles. Gripping his sword tightly, he focused on the daunting task ahead. Gorthrax charged forward, shaking the ground with each thunderous step, its stone fists ready to crush him.

The battle erupted into a brutal dance of strength and agility. Canna darted and weaved, narrowly avoiding Gorthrax's devastating blows that shattered the dungeon walls around them. Each clash of swords sent shockwaves through the chamber, echoing with the intensity of their struggle.

As minutes stretched into eternity, Canna found himself pushed to his limits. Gorthrax's relentless assaults tested his endurance, his body bruised and battered from each near-miss and glancing blow. The golem's defenses seemed impenetrable, its stone hide absorbing Canna's desperate strikes with minimal effect.

Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. With every ounce of determination, Canna summoned his last reserves of mana, his sword a blur of desperate slashes aimed at weakening Gorthrax's structure. Yet, the golem seemed inexhaustible, its attacks unyielding and precise.

In a final gambit, Canna channeled his remaining strength into a reckless charge, dodging Gorthrax's colossal fists and driving his sword deep into the golem's core. Stone cracked and sparks flew as Gorthrax staggered, its monstrous form crumbling inch by inch.

Breathing heavily, Canna stood amidst the debris of battle. Vorgrim approached cautiously, his usual calm expression replaced by genuine relief.

"You did it, my liege," he said, filled with awe. "That opponent was meant to test your endurance and stamina, but you won. Well done, my liege."

After the grueling battle with Gorthrax, Canna staggered to a secluded corner of the dungeon, his muscles aching and his mind reeling from the intense combat. He collapsed onto the cold stone floor, breathing heavily as he tried to regain his strength.

Hours passed like fleeting moments as Canna lay still, his body slowly recovering from the exertion. When he finally stirred, the dim glow of lights and the faint echoes of meat being cooked signaled the passage of time. With determination renewed, he forced himself to his feet and went to Mortem who was heating up some monster meat, knowing it was essential to replenish his energy.

The taste was bland and dry as usual, but he chewed methodically, savoring the sustenance it provided. Next, Canna focused on his magic skills, practicing intricate spells of water and wind manipulation. Each gesture and incantation flowed more smoothly with every repetition, thanks to his repetitive training.

Satisfied with his progress in magic, Canna then turned his attention to the way of the sword. Gripping his weapon with renewed vigor, he resumed his drills with Vorgrim's guidance. They practiced fluid movements and precise strikes, honing Canna's swordsmanship to a finer edge.

As the hours passed, sweat dripped from Canna's brow, his muscles burning with exertion. Yet, with each swing of his sword, he felt his confidence grow. The battle with Gorthrax had tested his limits, but it also sharpened his resolve to become an even stronger warrior.

By the time the training session concluded, Canna stood tall and focused, his earlier fatigue replaced by a sense of accomplishment. Vorgrim nodded approvingly, recognizing the determination and dedication that burned brightly within his liege.

Three months slipped by in a relentless cycle for Canna, each day ingraining his rigorous routine into his body and mind. Mornings were dedicated to honing his magic skills, manipulating water and wind with increasing finesse. Lunch brought the necessity of consuming monster meat for replenishment, fueling him for afternoons spent under Vorgrim's tutelage in swordsmanship.

Evenings mirrored midday, another meal of monster meat sustaining him for the twilight hours spent battling dungeon creatures using both magic and sword. The routine was unyielding, but Canna persevered, driven by his relentless pursuit of strength. Despite the demanding schedule, he allowed himself only five hours of sleep each night before starting anew.

Amidst his training, Canna's stock of mana cores steadily grew. He carefully stored them inside his enchanted storage ring, unable to absorb the low and medium rating cores but saving them all nonetheless. Only intermediate and higher rating cores were usable to him, a testament to his increasing power and refined control over mana.

Feeling the strain of constant training, Canna finally decided to take a well deserved day off. For three days, he granted himself a much-needed break, dedicating every moment to immersing himself in the codex.

While Canna took a well-deserved break from his relentless training regimen, Mortem and Vorgrim found themselves with idle time. Their master's day off left them with an unusual void in their schedules. Approaching Canna with a request, they asked permission to explore deeper reaches of the dungeon, eager to uncover new challenges and grow their power.

After a moment of consideration, Canna nodded in agreement, albeit with a cautionary reminder to be vigilant. He trusted Mortem and Vorgrim's abilities but knew the dangers lurking within the dungeon's depths. As they left, Canna reflected on their hard work—they had tirelessly devoted themselves to his training, sacrificing their own advancement in the process.

It occurred to Canna that both Mortem and Vorgrim had yet to advance a single level during their time together. Acknowledging their commitment, he hoped this exploration would provide them with the experiences needed to grow stronger.

In their absence, Canna resolved to use this time to recharge and prepare for the next phase of his training, confident that his subordinates would return with newfound strength.