(Hayato) - It says that the successor should go through the trials and finish them in order to get the bow and they are as follows: Trial of Trust, Trial of Courage, Trial of Deception, Trial of Stealth, Trial of Strength.

(Marcus) - I think you should go.

(Hayato) - I am not prepared.

(Marcus) - You are the successor, the book chose you.

(Hayato) - But-

(Marcus) - I will be waiting for you here.

Hayato enters the first door of the trials. The door slammed shut behind him. It was dark, Hayato could not see a foot in front of him. He tried to guide himself with the help of the light from the book. After a couple of steps, a whisper said.

(Voice) - What is your purpose for coming here?

Hayato was looking around but could not see anyone.

(Hayato) - This book guided me here.

(Voice) - Ah... The book.

Hayato remained silent, and then a chime sound resounded in the room.

(Voice) - Follow the chime.

Hayato did not hesitate and started following the sound. Slowly the room started to light up and the chime stopped.

(Voice) - Are you prepared to face the trials ahead of you?

(Hayato) - Yes.

As soon as Hayato answered a smoke came beneath the walls. The smoke made Hayato sleep. Hayato was taken back in time to the moment when he was first enrolled in the kingdom army. He was looking at himself in disbelief.

(Hayato) - Is this me?

(Voice) - Indeed.

(Hayato) - What am I doing here?

(Voice) - This moment in your life would change the future.

(Hayato) - I don't know what are you talking about. How can something that already happened change the future?

(Voice) - You will see it at the right moment.

Hayato's memory was fuzzy. He could not remember exactly what choice the Voice was talking about. Many things happened in that period.

(Hayato) - How long will this take?

The Voice did not respond.

(Hayato) - Hello?

Complete silence. He decided to watch his younger self during this period of training and patiently wait for the Voice to come back. After a couple of days, young Hayato was tasked to go hunting. He was asked what weapon he wanted.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

*Chuckles*

(Hayato) - I remember this.

(Voice) - Do you remember what happened after?

(Hayato) - No.

Young Hayato asked for a sword and a shield and headed into the forest.

(Hayato) - Wait.

(Voice) - What happened?

(Hayato) - I am sure that I had not chosen the sword.

(Voice) - And what did you choose?

(Hayato) - I can't remember.

The Voice presented Hayato with all the options, but there was no bow or any kind of ranged weapon.

(Hayato) - This is strange.

(Voice) - Should we take a look at what happened?

(Hayato) - Yes, please.

Young Hayato went into the forest and started tracking his prey. Judging by the tracks it was something big. It was bigger than a bear.

(Hayato) - Is there anything that I can do?

(Voice) - Watch, that is all we can do.

(Hayato) - But I do not remember any of this.

Hayato was scared that something bad was going to happen. Something that would change him in the present. The night started to settle in and young Hayato started a fire. He was unaware at that age that light and smoke were signals for wildlife to gather around. Loud howls were coming from a distance and young Hayato was alone in the forest. He put out the fire and climbed into a tree.

The night passed without any events. Young Hayato started searching for his prey once again. After a couple of hours, the tracks led into a cave. It was silence in the cave. There were animal carcasses and bones all over the place. Young Hayato was prepared for the worst.

(Hayato) - Maybe he should go back.

(Voice) - Are you sure you want him to return?

(Hayato) - Can I do that?

(Voice) - You can do anything.

Hayato realized that this trial was testing him.

(Hayato) - No, I have faith in myself.

Young Hayato made a torch and headed deeper into the cave. With every step more bones and skulls were around. He slipped and fell scratching his left hand into a sharp bone. He stopped the bleeding with a scrap of cloth.

(Hayato) - What is happening?

Hayato's left hand started hurting and a scar appeared.

(Hayato) - This has not happened. This is not a dream. Those are not my memories.

(Voice) - Do you want this to stop?

(Hayato) - What is the meaning of this?

(Voice) - This is the Trial of Trust. This will show me if you are worthy to pass this.

(Hayato) - How am I supposed to pass this?

(Voice) - Trusting yourself.

Hayato did not know what could happen if his younger self got injured worse. He considered stopping this trial but then something the Voice said caught his attention.

*You can do anything*

Hayato kept thinking about what to do to aid his younger self, but there was nothing that came to his mind at the moment.

*Step*

*Crack*

*Roar*

The beast's roar shook the cave to its core and young Hayato prepared himself, holding his shield up. After a couple more steps Hayato and his younger self caught a glimpse of the beast, it was a chimera, one of the worst beasts one could encounter. The chimera was eating something with her sharp lion teeth wiggling her snake tail.

Young Hayato was approaching it slowly, trying to take it in a single blow, but the chimera turned around and threw him into the wall. She let out a terrifying roar freezing him into place.

(Hayato) - Put me in his place, now!

(Voice) - As you wish.

The Voice merges them together and lets Hayato face the chimera. He charged at the chimera and swung at her with the sword, the chimera dodged and waved her tail at him. He raised his shield blocking the chimera attack.

Hayato swung his sword once again and sliced one of the chimera's eyes. She backed off and sparkles came from her mouth letting out a blanket of fire on the floor. Hayato climbed a rock to avoid the fires, but the chimera jumped at him and bit his arm.

Hayato dropped the shield and used his other hand to give the final blow to the chimera, sliding along the floor he sliced her belly wide open with his sword. He was exhausted and dirty of the chimera guts and blood, but that did not last long.

(Voice) - Impressive, you pass.

*Grunts*

(Hayato) - You could have told me earlier about it.

(Voice) - You trusted yourself until the end, this trial was meant to show me if you are prepared to face the following trials and challenges. You may now proceed to the other trials.