The second day of training began before sunrise.
A cold ocean wind moved across the island as the sky slowly shifted from dark blue to pale orange. The waves rolled gently across the shore, but their calm rhythm did nothing to ease the pain burning through Thalren's muscles.
He could barely stand.
His legs still trembled from the previous day's training in the water, and his arms felt as if they had turned to stone.
Yet Kael showed no sympathy.
"Move."
The old man's voice cut through the quiet morning air.
Thalren slowly stood up from the sand, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"What are we doing today?" he asked.
Kael did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward a large rock near the beach and pointed at it.
"Lift it."
Thalren stared.
The rock was almost as big as his torso.
"You're joking," he said weakly.
Kael crossed his arms.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Thalren sighed and walked toward the rock. He crouched down and wrapped his arms around it.
The moment he tried to lift it, his muscles screamed in protest.
The rock barely moved.
Kael watched silently.
"Again."
Thalren tried once more.
This time the rock lifted slightly off the sand before falling back down with a dull thud.
His breathing became heavier.
"Again," Kael repeated.
For the next hour, Thalren continued trying.
Lift.
Drop.
Lift.
Drop.
His arms shook violently as exhaustion spread through his body.
Finally, he collapsed onto the sand.
"I can't…" he muttered.
Kael walked over and looked down at him.
"Yes, you can."
He pointed toward the ocean.
"The sea never stops moving."
Thalren looked at the waves.
"They rise."
A wave crashed softly against the shore.
"They fall."
Another wave rolled forward.
"But they always return."
Kael looked back at the boy.
"That is the nature of strength."
Thalren slowly pushed himself back up.
He returned to the rock.
Once again, he wrapped his arms around it.
This time he focused not on lifting it quickly, but on steady breathing.
Slow inhale.
Slow exhale.
Then he pushed upward.
The rock rose higher than before.
Only a few inches.
But it stayed there.
For three seconds.
Then it fell.
Kael's lips curved slightly.
"Better."
By the time the sun reached the middle of the sky, Thalren had lifted the rock several times.
Each attempt lasted a little longer.
Each failure hurt a little less.
Finally, Kael clapped his hands.
"That's enough."
Thalren dropped to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Is… this really necessary?"
Kael sat on the sand nearby.
"If you want to fight monsters that live in the ocean, you must carry the weight of the ocean."
Thalren frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Kael pointed toward the horizon.
"The ocean is pressure. Movement. Power."
He clenched his fist.
"If your body cannot endure that pressure, you will die the moment you face a real sea creature."
Thalren remained silent.
The memory of the massive Sea Beast returned to his mind.
Its glowing golden eyes.
Its enormous jaws.
He gritted his teeth.
"I won't die."
Kael studied him carefully.
Then he stood up.
"Good."
He tossed the wooden sword toward Thalren again.
"Now attack."
The boy groaned but picked up the weapon.
He rushed forward and swung.
Kael blocked.
Thalren swung again.
Blocked again.
But this time something was different.
His movements were slightly faster.
More controlled.
Kael noticed immediately.
"Your stance improved," he said.
Thalren attacked again, pushing himself harder.
Wood struck wood repeatedly as their training continued.
Hours passed.
Sweat covered Thalren's entire body.
Yet he refused to stop.
Finally, Kael stepped back.
"That's enough for today."
The boy collapsed onto the sand once more.
But this time, he was smiling.
Kael sat beside him.
"You learn quickly."
Thalren looked toward the ocean.
"Not quickly enough."
The old man followed his gaze.
"You're thinking about the monster."
Thalren nodded slowly.
"It destroyed everything in seconds."
Kael remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke quietly.
"That creature you saw…"
"It was only a Sea Beast."
Thalren blinked.
"Only?"
Kael nodded.
"In the deeper parts of the ocean, there are creatures far stronger."
The boy's eyes widened.
"Stronger than that?"
Kael's voice became serious.
"Much stronger."
He stood and looked at the endless water.
"Some sailors call them Sea Kings."
The name felt heavy in the air.
Thalren slowly sat up.
"Sea… Kings?"
Kael nodded.
"They rule the deepest parts of the ocean."
He turned toward the boy.
"And the monster that attacked your ship…"
"Was nothing compared to them."
A chill ran down Thalren's spine.
But instead of fear…
Something else appeared in his eyes.
Determination.
"I'll defeat them."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"All of them?"
Thalren clenched his fists.
"Yes."
The old man stared at him for a long moment.
Then he laughed.
A deep, amused laugh.
"Good."
He pointed toward the ocean once more.
"Because if you want to challenge the kings of the sea…"
"You'll need to become a monster yourself."
The sun slowly began to set.
Orange light reflected across the water as waves continued their endless motion.
Thalren touched the crystal necklace around his neck.
It glowed faintly again.
Deep beneath the ocean's surface…
Something ancient stirred once more.
And somewhere far away in the darkness of the sea…
Two enormous golden eyes slowly opened.