Morning.
Soft sunlight entered through the window.
Keal slowly opened his eyes.
His body still felt heavy from yesterday's humiliation, but his mind was clear.
He sat up quietly.
The house was silent.
Outside, Arion stood near the door, already awake.
Arion: You're late.
Keal quickly stood.
Keal: Sorry.
Arion turned and walked.
Arion: Come.
They left without waking Liora.
Deep forest.
They walked far. Much deeper than usual.
The forest grew quiet.
No beasts. No sound.
Keal noticed.
Keal: …Why are no beasts coming near us?
Arion: Because they know better.
They reached a silent clearing.
Arion stopped.
Arion: Stand there.
Keal stood straight.
Arion: Do you truly want strength?
Keal: Yes.
Arion: Strength enough to protect?
Keal: Yes.
Arion stared into his eyes.
Arion: Then listen carefully.
Once we begin… there is no easy path.
You will suffer.
You may even wish for death.
Keal didn't hesitate.
Keal: I won't quit.
Arion stepped behind him.
Arion: Remove your shirt.
Keal removed it quickly.
Arion: Sit. Close your eyes.
Keal sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
Arion placed his palm on Keal's back.
Arion: Focus only on your head.
A massive surge of energy entered Keal's body.
Not gentle.
Violent. Heavy.
It rushed upward and slammed into his mind.
Keal's body trembled instantly.
Arion: Guide it upward. Don't let it scatter.
Keal tried.
The energy kept increasing.
Pressure built inside his head.
More.
More.
More.
His breathing became unstable.
Keal: …ngh…
His mind started fading.
He was reaching his limit.
Arion's voice turned cold.
Arion: Weak.
Keal's thoughts shook.
Arion: Yesterday… your sister was hit because of you.
Keal's heart tightened.
Arion: Because you were weak.
You allowed it.
Keal clenched his teeth.
Arion: What if they return?
What if they try to kill her next time?
Will you faint again?
Something snapped inside him.
Keal: …No.
Arion: Then hold it.
Keal forced himself awake.
Instead of resisting—
He pulled more energy.
Keal: More…
The pressure grew heavier.
Keal: More!
Wind started moving around them.
Leaves lifted.
Small stones rose from the ground.
Arion watched silently.
Keal: I want more…!
The energy inside his mind surged violently.
His will didn't break.
The air began spinning faster.
Rocks floated higher.
Nearby trees trembled violently. Some roots started lifting from soil.
The space around them shook.
Keal endured everything.
After a long struggle—
Arion stepped forward.
Arion: Enough.
He stopped the energy flow instantly.
Everything dropped.
Wind stopped.
Rocks fell.
Trees settled.
Keal leaned forward, breathing heavily but conscious.
Arion looked at him quietly.
Arion: …Good.
A faint pride in his eyes.
Arion: Rare talent.
Keal slowly opened his eyes.
His vision felt different.
Sharper. Clearer.
He could see tiny movements in air itself.
Keal: …What is happening…
Arion: Your senses opened slightly.
You'll adapt.
Arion placed a sword on the ground in front of him.
Arion: Next step.
Keal looked at it.
Arion: Don't touch it.
Keal stopped.
Arion: Bring the energy inside your body… into your hands.
Keal focused.
He felt the gathered power slowly flow from his head into his arms… into his palms.
Arion: Good.
Now imagine threads.
Keal: Threads…?
Arion: Invisible threads from your hands.
Like you're holding that sword with those threads.
Keal concentrated deeply.
He imagined thin threads extending from his fingers… wrapping around the sword.
Arion: Hold it with those threads.
The sword trembled slightly.
Keal's breathing slowed.
Arion: Now manipulate it.
Gently. Like pulling threads.
Keal focused harder.
The sword slowly lifted from the ground.
His eyes widened.
Arion: Don't lose control.
Keal steadied his mind.
The sword floated in air, shaking slightly but stable.
Arion walked around him quietly.
Arion: Remember this.
Arion:
Guide energy into hands.
Form mental threads.
Wrap and control.
Never force. Only guide.
Keal held the sword in air… sweat running down his face.
But he didn't drop it.
Arion watched silently.
Arion: From today… your real training begins.