Chapter 21: The Training Begins
The night felt heavier than usual.
After the mysterious woman disappeared, silence returned to the room. But the calm didn't last long. The air still carried a lingering sense of danger.
Liora sat quietly on the edge of her bed, her hands resting in her lap. Her thoughts raced endlessly.
Kael.
The Shadow King's master.
And now…
He had returned.
Her chest tightened.
The Shadow King stood near the window, watching the dark sky. His expression remained unreadable, but Liora could tell something was bothering him.
Finally, she spoke.
"Shadow King…"
He turned slightly.
"Yes?"
Her voice was soft but determined.
"I want to become stronger."
Silence filled the room.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why?"
She clenched her hands.
"Because… I don't want to be someone you always have to protect."
Her words hung in the air.
"I want to fight beside you."
The Shadow King stared at her quietly.
For a moment, he didn't respond.
Then—
"...It's dangerous."
Her expression didn't change.
"I know."
"You could get hurt."
"I know."
His eyes softened slightly.
"You could die."
She paused.
But then—
"I still want to try."
The silence stretched.
The Shadow King looked at her carefully.
She wasn't afraid.
She wasn't hesitating.
She was serious.
After a long moment, he sighed quietly.
"...Alright."
Her eyes widened.
"You mean—"
"I'll train you."
Her face lit up slightly.
"Really?"
He nodded slowly.
"But don't expect it to be easy."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm ready."
Early morning arrived faster than expected.
The training ground behind the castle stood silent under the gray sky.
Cold wind moved across the empty field.
Liora stood nervously.
She wore simple training clothes.
Her heart beat faster.
She had never trained before.
The Shadow King appeared behind her.
"You're early."
She turned.
"I couldn't sleep."
He stepped forward.
"Training will focus on three things."
She listened carefully.
"Control."
He raised one finger.
"Awareness."
Second finger.
"And survival."
Third finger.
She nodded seriously.
"First— control."
He stepped closer.
"Show me your power."
She hesitated.
"I… don't know how."
"Try."
She took a deep breath.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Then—
A faint light appeared.
It flickered weakly.
The Shadow King watched silently.
The light disappeared.
She looked embarrassed.
"Sorry…"
"...Again."
She tried once more.
This time—
The light lasted longer.
But it was unstable.
It flickered wildly.
Then—
It exploded slightly.
She stepped back.
"Ah!"
The Shadow King caught her shoulder.
"...Unstable."
She nodded.
"I'm trying…"
He raised his hand.
Darkness formed in his palm.
"Watch."
His darkness remained calm.
Stable.
Controlled.
"This is control."
She watched carefully.
"Now you."
She tried again.
Her light appeared.
This time—
She focused.
The light became steadier.
But still weak.
"Good."
Her eyes brightened slightly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Her confidence grew.
She tried again.
The light grew brighter.
Suddenly—
The shadow wolf ran into the field.
It barked excitedly.
Liora smiled.
"You're cheering for me?"
The wolf wagged its tail.
The Shadow King watched quietly.
Then—
He suddenly moved.
Dark blade formed.
He attacked her.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait—!"
She jumped back.
The blade stopped inches away.
Her heart raced.
"Why—?!"
His voice remained calm.
"Awareness."
Her breathing quickened.
"You must react instantly."
She nodded nervously.
"Again."
He attacked.
She dodged.
But barely.
He attacked again.
She stumbled.
He caught her.
"...Too slow."
She frowned slightly.
"I'm trying…"
"Again."
The training continued.
She dodged.
Failed.
Tried again.
Fell.
Stood again.
Hours passed.
She grew tired.
But she didn't stop.
Finally—
He lowered his hand.
"Enough."
She breathed heavily.
"I'm… exhausted…"
He handed her water.
She drank slowly.
"You're improving."
She smiled faintly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She felt happy.
Then—
Suddenly—
She lost balance.
He caught her again.
Her face flushed slightly.
"...Sorry."
Silence lingered.
They stood close.
Very close.
Her heart beat faster.
He looked at her quietly.
For a moment—
Neither moved.
Then—
The shadow wolf barked loudly.
Both stepped back.
She looked away quickly.
"Training… continues tomorrow?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
She smiled softly.
"Okay."
As she walked away—
The Shadow King watched her.
Something inside him felt strange.
Warm.
But dangerous.
Because the closer she got—
The harder it would be…
To face their fate.