He’s still whistling.

However, his annoying whistling distracted me from the fact that we have entered a different forest than the one we were in close to my home.

“Where are we?” I asked Kaito.

“So you noticed.” He responded. “You asked for us to just teleport, so I obliged. You may thank me.”

This forest felt different. It felt heavy, like a constant pressure on my body.

Even though we had been walking through dense foliage for some time now, there was no way this place could be as large as my forest.

The trees here were larger and broader than any tree in my forest. The ground itself was covered with various plants, which didn’t look familiar to me at all. It almost felt like we were in another world entirely.

“Almost there.” Kaito said.

We continued until we reached a clearing. Surrounding this clearing, is two rows of four giant spikes, pure white and protruding awkwardly from the ground. In the middle of the clearing was a hole in the ground with stairs leading down underground.

I take a deep breath and looked around. There were no signs of life anywhere. Even birds or insects seemed to be absent. This place gave off an eerie feeling. It seemed like it should give me goosebumps.

Kaito began descending the stairs. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll get used to it soon enough.”

I watch Kaito descend before following him. He was right. It didn’t take long for me to get used to the sudden changes. We reached the bottom of the stairs to be greeted with an almost empty, but spacious, room made of stone. All that sat in the sad chamber was a small, old T.V. on the ground. It is cube-like with a rounded screen; it has two antennas coming from the top, with two dials on the front of the T.V., to change the channels and volume. Close to the T.V. is a beanbag. Other than that, the room was completely empty. It really felt like I was in a different world.

“Welcome to our hideout.” Kaito said, sitting down on the beanbag. “This is where you’ll be training for the next 4 months and after will be used a hideout for you to come back to.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded and sat down on the cold ground next to Kaito.

After a moment of silence, I spoke up. “So uh, now what?”

Kaito quickly sprang his head up. “Oh, right, I guess I gotta fully explain everything.”

“It’s about godsdamn time.”

“Ok, Ajal-me-boy, you better be listening cause I’m only explaining this once.” Kaito took a deep breath and continued. “So, I already told you how you are an Inheritor to the God of Death.”

“Ok, but why was I chosen specifically?”

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“No idea. I’m not the one who chose you. Death is. But, if I had to take a guess, it probably has something to do with your view of death. You see it as an inevitability, correct?”

“Yeah, I guess, but I’m not the only one with that view- “

Kaito cut me off. “Don’t sweat the minor details, trust me, questioning everything that happened to you will just lead to more questions, not answers. Wait, I’m not saying to not question, just don’t.... over question?”

There was a silence as I stared blankly at Kaito

Kaito continued. “I think you get what I mean. Anyway, you are the inheritor of Death and you have to become stronger to take up the mantle. Got it?”

I nodded.

“Good, so to achieve this goal, I already had it arranged for you to apply at A.I..”

“Wait. A.I. as in Arkphis Institute?!” I responded, shocked. “That’s one of the Three stars of Belil!”

Kaito laughs, presumably at my reaction. “So you know it already, that’s good! Yes, you will attend my alma mater.”

Kaito stands up and walks over to the T.V.. He clicks the power button.

Nothing happens.

He walks back and jumps back onto the beanbag. “Yeah, that old thing hasn’t worked in years.”

“Then why did you try?!” I yelled.

Kaito scratches the hairs on his chin. “Well, Ophelia said she fixed it.” Kaito shook his head quickly. “We are getting sidetracked. So in four months will be the entrance exam for A.I.. So I’ll be teaching you the basics of combat using Gifts.”

“But I don’t have a weapon.” I said.

“Oh yeah. Try pulling one of your white bangs out.”

I try pulling on it. To my surprise, it comes out easily and painlessly, but, as it separates from my head, it becomes larger and heavier. The hair turns into metal and forming into a weapon. I finished pulling the hair and in my hand I hold a scythe. The scythe has a black handle connecting to the sharp metal blade. Above the blade was a continuation of the handle that had three circular slots. The slots resemble closed eyes.

“Nice. That’s a gift called the Scythe of Death.” Kaito said, clapping his hands. “Yes, I know, a unique and creative name. But I will teach you the ins and outs of combat from here on out. “

I stare at the scythe in my hands. “It’s a lot lighter than it seems it would be.”

Kaito stares at me blankly. “Well, honestly, it should be. I guess you are just naturally strong.” Kaito stretches his arms, leaning to the left and then to the right. “Ok Let’s get started then. Before I even teach you how to use your Divinity, basic combat will be our first lesson. Go all out, trust me, I’ll be good. Ok, ready? herewego.”

Kaito quickly rushed forward and thrusts his palm forward towards my chest. I jump backwards and clumsily swing the scythe at Kaito. Kaito dodges effortlessly, and I hit nothing.

I spin around and bring the scythe down, cutting the air in front of me. Again, it cuts nothing.

I swing again. The scythe slices through the air, hitting nothing.

Kaito again goes for a quick palm strike and I jump back and narrowly dodge it again, but as I land on my feet and try to regain my balance, Kaito goes for a high kick aimed at my shoulder.

I can’t dodge this one.

Kaito’s attack lands directly on my shoulder, sending me to the ground, sliding and crashing into the wall next to the T.V..

My entire body was in pain. I try to stand back up but immediately fall back to my knees.

I look up at Kaito while panting and grabbing my shoulder.

Kaito rubs his chin hairs. “Ok, so good news is that your reaction times seem to be naturally at a high level. I was moving at a pretty fast speed with this palm strikes and you still dodged. Bad news is that despite your experience in farming, your proficiency with a scythe is.. lackluster, to say the least.”

I got back to my feet after a little while and let out a grin. “Well, that’s what you are for, isn’t it?”

Kaito looked at me surprised but a with an enormous smile. “haha! I like you more and more every minute, Ajal! Ok! First thing, you aimed for my upper body, with a scythe you want to aim for the lower body, a sweep, basically. “

I nodded and held the scythe out straight in front of me. “Alright, let’s start again.”

We repeated the process of Kaito attacking me, me dodging, and me swinging the scythe.

Four months left until the entrance exams.