The courtyard fell silent.
Kame couldn't move.
His heartbeat echoed louder than the heavy footsteps approaching him.
No...
It can't be.
The figure continued walking.
Calm.
Unhurried.
As though they had all the time in the world.
Why...?
Why is he here?
No... that's impossible.
Kame's fingers trembled.
who...
Who is this...?
The stranger stopped only a few steps away.
A familiar smile rested upon his face.
"Hmhmhm..."
"Young man..."
"...you haven't changed one bit."
Kame's breathing caught.
That voice.
There was no mistaking it.
No...
That's impossible...
His lips parted, but no words came out.
Joshen glanced between the two in confusion.
"...You know this guy?"
Neither of them answered.
The stranger simply smiled.
Then, with a gentle motion...
He removed the hood that had concealed his face.
Kind eyes.
The same calm smile Kame remembered.
Time itself seemed to stop.
"...Mr..."
Kame's voice cracked.
"...Henry...?"
Elsewhere...
Far in the bustling Barbarian base...
The only sound that echoed through the valley was the gentle whisper of the wind.
Towering cliffs surrounded the vast stone clearing, their surfaces scarred by countless battles fought long ago.
At its center...
Jake remained seated upon the cold stone.
His eyes were closed.
Hours had already passed.
Yet nothing had changed.
Pride stood a short distance away, motionless as ever.
Watching.
Waiting.
Jake took a slow breath.
Then another.
He closed his mind to the world.
Silence.
The wind brushed gently against his face.
Focus...
Just focus.
A few moments passed.
Nothing.
...I wonder how Catia's training is going.
His eyebrows twitched.
No.
Focus.
Silence returned.
...
I hope Joshen doesn't get split open throught his training , it won't be that bad actually
A small smile almost escaped his lips.
No.
Focus.
He inhaled deeply.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The sound of the wind slowly faded.
For a brief moment...
Everything became still.
Then—
Three days...
Can we really stop a war in only three days?
His heartbeat quickened.
What if we're not ready?
What if someone dies?
Kame...
Catia...
Joshen...
His breathing became uneven.
"Open your eyes."
Jake immediately looked up.
Pride stood exactly where he had been before.
"You failed."
Jake rubbed his face in frustration.
"I know."
"I almost had it that time."
"You did not."
Jake frowned.
"My thoughts just..."
"They wandered."
"They always do."
Pride nodded once.
"Then your mind belongs to your thoughts."
Jake looked confused.
"...Isn't that normal?"
"For ordinary people."
Pride's gaze remained unwavering.
"But you..."
"...cannot afford to be ordinary."
Silence settled over the valley once again.
Pride pointed toward the stone beneath Jake.
"Again."
Jake let out a defeated sigh.
"...This is going to be torture."
"No."
Pride closed his eyes once more.
"This..."
"...is only the beginning."
Hours passed.
Again...
And again.
Failure after failure.
The sun slowly drifted across the sky.
Each attempt ended the same way.
Jake's thoughts wandered.
Pride simply pointed toward the stone.
"Again."
Jake slowly closed his eyes once more.
A deep breath escaped his lips.
Then another.
Silence.
No wind.
No birds.
No thoughts.
For the first time...
There was nothing.
...
"Jake."
A familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
His eyes slowly opened.
Pride stood before him.
"You've done it."
Jake blinked.
"...I did?"
"You overcame your thoughts."
A grin spread across Jake's face.
"Seriously?!"
"I actually did it?"
Pride gave a single nod.
"For the first time."
Jake let out a relieved laugh.
"Yes!"
"I knew I could—"
His voice suddenly stopped.
The sunlight felt... different.
He slowly looked toward the horizon.
The position of the sun had completely changed.
His smile faded.
"...Wait."
Jake looked back at Pride.
"...What time is it?"
Pride answered calmly.
"It has been three hours since you closed your eyes."
Silence.
Jake stared blankly.
"...Three..."
"...Hours?"
His mind froze.
No way...
It only felt like a few seconds.
There was nothing...
My mind was completely empty...
"Phewww..."
Jake exhaled deeply before a smile returned to his face.
"So..."
"I actually did it."
Pride nodded.
"You have taken your first step."
Jake stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh.
"Great."
"So where do I sleep tonight?"
Pride looked at him without the slightest change in expression.
"...Sleep?"
Jake blinked.
"...Yeah."
"We don't need that."
Silence.
Jake stared at him.
"...Come again?"