Raiden Alaric

Sunlight filtered into my room, bright and blinding, stirring me awake with its usual merciless persistence. Today was the day. Chronos will begin training me. The thought sent a jolt of energy through me, and I shot upright… instantly regretting it.

Pain flared in my sides, stiff muscles angrily reminding me of yesterday’s event. With a groan, I slumped back against the bed. My hip especially screamed in protest, and I couldn’t ignore the sharp ache radiating from my crotch because of that kick I’d thrown. Clearly I’m not nearly as flexible as martial arts would like me. I guess that’s something to add to the list of “Need To Work On.” I knew I would be hurting more after I slept but I guess I was trying to feign ignorance at the same time since I wasn’t in as much pain after getting home.

I shuffled to the mirror, trying to ignore the stiffness in my every move, only to be greeted by a mess of bed hair showing I only slept on one side. Chronos would surely take it a little easy on me today… right? As I wrestled with my wild hair, I couldn't help but picture the training that lay ahead. Would he take me through intense martial arts drills? Or maybe he’d throw me into some kind of Aura-control meditation that’d test my limits before I’d even learned how to properly focus. My heart can’t help but pound at the thought of what awaits me. Admittedly I would probably be more excited if I wasn’t so sore.

I started brushing my teeth, distracted by thoughts of what it might be like. I really just can’t help myself can’t I? I want to know what my limits are with this gift I have, being able to mimic someone's techniques, it’s basically cheating. A grin spread across my foamy mouth as reality sank in.

I’m going to exploit this in any way I can.

I was halfway through fumbling on a shirt, wincing with every small movement, when a light knock on my door snapped me out of my thoughts. My mom peeked her head in, her eyes sparkling with the same mix of concern and amusement she always wore when she saw me trying to act “responsible.”

“Rai, just thought you should know, Chronos will be here soon,” she said.

“Oh, uh… thanks, Mom,” I managed, trying to play it cool.

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure you’re ready? You seemed like you couldn’t sit in place after I told you we’d let him know he has the green light.”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll take everything he’ll throw my way,” I said.

She laughed. “If you say so. Should I tell him that?”

“No! No, definitely don’t tell him that,” I said, unable to keep from grinning. I am not in peak condition so I kind of hope I just get a lecture about what we will be doing.

With a smile and a shake of her head, she closed the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I took a deep breath, shrugging on my jacket, when I felt it again—that odd prickling sensation, like a silent pair of eyes watching from somewhere nearby. I paused, glancing toward the far corner of the room, but of course, nothing was there. Just the quiet, nagging feeling that had been following me for a while now.

I point to the corner, pretending to break the fourth wall, “Today is the beginning, today I am going to start my climb to the top. You better be ready to watch me thrive.” Alright, let's go.

The rumble of an engine cut through the quiet morning as a truck pulled into our driveway. Chronos stepped out, dressed in sleek athleisure wear, black joggers, a fitted jacket, and trainers. Seems like he’s also ready to get to it.

I was leaning against the doorframe, still trying to ignore the stiffness in my legs, when Mom stepped outside. Her lips were pressed together like she had something to say but wasn’t quite sure how to start. Chronos seemed to have noticed.

“I was thinking,” he began casually, hands sliding into his jacket pockets, “before we get started, shall we get the oath taken care of?”

Mom blinked, caught completely off guard. “You’re… really okay with taking the oath?”

I guess she wasn’t sure if he’d still do it.

He tilted his head with a smirk. “Of course. You’re trusting me with your son, after all. It’s the least I can do to set your mind at ease. Also if I really had any bad intentions I would have never brought it up or made an excuse.”

I could see Mom trying to hide her surprise, but it was written all over her face. “Well… if you’re willing,” she said, straightening her posture.

Chronos chuckled softly. “I wouldn’t have offered otherwise.” He stepped forward, his tone turning more solemn. “Let’s begin.”

I glanced between them, feeling the air shift slightly. It wasn’t suffocating or heavy, more like the faint hum of an unseen energy. Their hair began to lift gently, like it was caught in a breeze only they could feel. Mom’s eyes glowed faintly, a soft golden light flickering in her irises as she stepped closer to Chronos.

Mom placed a hand over her chest, her voice steady as she began. “Look into my eyes,” she said, her voice steady, carrying a weight I wasn’t used to hearing. “And let your aura reveal its truth. Are you prepared to swear on the Oath of the Open Heart? If so, speak your vow.”

Chronos met her glowing gaze without hesitation, his tone shifting to something deeply earnest. “My heart is open, my aura untainted. I accept this oath and swear with absolute truth: Rai will be safe in my care. I will guide him with wisdom, protect him with strength, and help him discover the limits of his potential. This is my pledge.”

The subtle tremor in the air deepened for a moment, and Mom’s glow seemed to pulse slightly before fading back into a soft shimmer. Her voice softened, but it still carried an undeniable power as she replied. “May your aura remain true, and your intentions pure. The Oath of an Open Heart binds you now.”

The shift in the air grew more noticeable as the oath concluded. Mom’s eyes glowed faintly—a soft, golden light that reflected her aura’s resonance. Her hair lifted slightly more as if responding to the energy exchange, and even Chronos seemed to radiate a quiet intensity.

“May your aura remain true, and your intentions pure,” she said, her voice tinged with the lightest echo of something otherworldly. “The Oath of the Open Heart binds you now.”

The energy surrounding them stilled, settling into the quiet once again. Chronos inclined his head respectfully, and the corner of his mouth quirked up in a smirk. “Satisfied?”

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Mom studied him for a moment, then nodded. “I am. Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary,” he said lightly, but the sincerity in his tone lingered. “Now, about Rai.”

“Me?” I asked, already bracing for whatever he was about to say.

“After a few days of working with you, I’ll put together a schedule,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “Summer break is already here, no? So we’ll see what you’re made of.”

“For sure,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the growing excitement.

“Good. Hop in, then. Let’s not waste daylight,” he said, gesturing to the truck.

I turned to Mom, who was still watching us with a mix of relief and lingering concern. She gave me a small, reassuring smile and waved as I climbed into the passenger seat. Chronos started the engine, and as we pulled away, I couldn’t help but feel all giddy and want to get started.

I tried not to gawk too much at the sheer size of his estate as we pulled through tall wrought-iron gates and up a winding driveway. After parking the truck in the oversized garage we made our way to the training hall. It was impossible to miss, it was a separate building connected by a stone pathway, its design minimalist but imposing. Inside, the space opened up into a cavernous hall, with polished wooden floors and walls lined with various training equipment. The air felt different in here, charged, as if the place itself was alive with latent energy.

“Welcome to my second home,” Chronos said, his voice echoing faintly in the vast room.

I could already imagine myself getting tossed around here. Hopefully not today, though.

Chronos led me down a side hallway to a smaller, more clinical-looking room. White walls, neatly organized cabinets, and a cushioned table in the center made it clear this was meant for first aid or physical therapy. The contrast between this room and the hall was stark, it felt more like a doctor’s office than a training facility.

He turned to face me, his expression unreadable as he leaned casually against the doorframe. Then, without missing a beat, he said, “Alright, strip.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Clothes off,” he said, gesturing vaguely at me. “Shirt, pants, the whole deal. Keep the underwear if you’re feeling shy.”

I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was serious. Judging by the deadpan look on his face, he absolutely was.

“Why?” I asked, while covering my nether regions.

Please don’t tell me this man was actually a pervert this whole-

“Because I need to know what I’m working with,” he replied, his tone as matter-of-fact as a doctor explaining a diagnosis. “I can’t just throw you into training blind, Rai. I need to assess your physique—muscle density, body fat percentage, skeletal structure, joint flexibility, overall weight, and balance. All of that matters if I’m going to build a proper regimen for you.” He began to walk around me and started poking my arms and chest. “Your muscle groups might already be uneven from improper workouts if you’ve ever touched a dumbbell in your life,” he said while lifting both my arms. “Although your right arm seems to have a little more experience.”

I sputtered, “HEY THAT’S-”

“Not to mention injuries could limit certain movements. If I don’t check now, I’ll end up working against your body instead of with it. You want to improve, right?”

I swallowed, trying to process his words. “Uh, yeah, of course, but-”

“No buts,” he interrupted, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “This isn’t about embarrassing you. This is about precision. Half the idiots out there injure themselves or plateau because they don’t understand their own bodies. I won’t let that happen to you.”

He smirked faintly, his tone softening just enough to sound teasing. “Unless you’d prefer I figure it all out the hard way, after watching you flop around like a fish during training?”

I groaned, already regretting every decision that had brought me to this moment. “Fine,” I muttered, yanking off my shirt and trying not to wince at the soreness still lingering from yesterday.

Chronos didn’t say anything at first, his sharp gaze flicking over me like he was taking mental notes. Then, he stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, and began circling me slowly, like a sculptor studying a block of marble.

“Stand up straight,” he said, his tone sharp but not unkind.

I straightened, sucking in my stomach instinctively.

“Don’t do that,” Chronos said without missing a beat. “Relax. I need to see the real you, not some version you’re trying to sell me.”

Caught and having to accept the shame, I relaxed my stomach. Chronos nodded.

“Good. Now, spread your feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms to chest level, like you’re holding a box.”

As I shifted into the stance, I noticed his eyes narrowing slightly, his focus entirely on me.

“Alright,” he said, stepping forward. “Let’s get the obvious out of the way first.”

He poked my stomach, not hard, but enough to make me flinch. “Little more padding than I’d like. That’s gonna slow you down, especially in footwork and speed drills. We’ll burn that off soon enough.”

Moving to my side, he grabbed my arm, his fingers wrapping easily around my skinny bicep. “Upper body needs work, no surprise there. Skinny, but the muscle you do have is decently responsive. That’s something to build on.”

He crouched slightly, tapping my thigh. “Now, drop into a lunge. Slowly.”

As I lowered myself, I felt his eyes boring into every movement. He placed a hand on my leg, pressing into the muscle.

“Quads are weaker than they should be. Hamstrings are tight, too tight. Your flexibility is holding you back. That kick you pulled yesterday? Yeah, this is why it hurt so much.”

“How did you-”

“I saw how you were walking, your steps were shorter and you were struggling to get in and out of the truck,” He said casually.

I muttered something under my breath, but he ignored it, stepping behind me.

“Alright, squat. Deep and slow.”

Groaning inwardly, I followed his instruction, feeling my knees protest the motion. Chronos crouched again, his hands moving along my calves and ankles with a surprising gentleness.

Is he using aura to analyze my muscles?

“Ankles lack flexibility, and your balance is shaky. Both need improvement. But you’ve got decent potential for explosive movement. Potential doesn’t mean much until we unlock it, though.”

He stood, motioning for me to raise my arms over my head. His hands followed the motion, pressing into my shoulders and down my upper arms.

“Your frame’s not bad,” he said, his tone almost begrudging. “Skeletal structure is solid. You’ve got a good base for strength and endurance if we can bulk you up a little. But your overall build needs rebalancing, too much strain in the wrong places, not enough strength where it counts.”

Finally, he stepped back, looking me up and down one more time. “Skinny arms, weak legs, a belly that’s too comfortable, but nothing we can’t fix. You’ve got a long road ahead, Rai. Hope you’re ready for it.”

I let out a huff. “Great. So, I’m built like an alcoholic stepdad.”

Chronos smirked, the sharp edge of his humor returning. “Oh, you’re worse than that. But luckily for you, I’m very good at turning deadbeats into something useful.”

He stepped back, motioning for me to follow. “We’ll start simple today. Don’t want you collapsing before I even know what you’re capable of.”

As I followed him, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being a project under construction.

I don’t regret a single thing, I can’t wait to get started.