CHAPTER 19

"Hirayon, this is Dewan. He is the previous commander of the Sea Knights. He will be your trainer from now on. You wanted to be strong, right? We need you to gain some muscles first," Hanan introduced and explained.

Dewan looked at his chief with a raised brow. Hanan said so many words that he got stunned as the chief he knew didn't like to speak much.

"You can call me Dewan. We will start our training today. Warm up," Dewan said, and Hirayon just stood still, not knowing what he meant.

When Dewan realized that, he glanced at Hanan, who was shaking his head, answering his silent question of whether Hirayon had ever trained before.

"Follow my lead," Dewan said and made some warm-up moves.

After their warm-up, he made Hirayon continuously run around the field and timed it while counting how many laps he ran.

"Don't tire him too much," Hanan said to Dewan.

"Training is supposed to be tiring," The old commander pointed out.

Hanan looked at him with his piercing eyes, "It is his first day. He had been sitting in the library all the time. He's quite delicate," Hanan stated.

"The more reason he needs to train his bo-"

Dewan couldn't continue what he was saying as Hanan used his ability Aura Pressure and focused in on the man. The previous commander felt like he was being pushed down and buried in the ground. He couldn't even move and utter a word.

"Don't tire him too much, understand?" Hanan said in his cold deep voice. His eyes were looking at Dewan sternly, and the commander, who had obviously larger build than Hanan, could only manage to bow.

He totally forgot what kind of man his chief was. He thought that his personality improved with his son's appearance, but it seems like he only changed his attitude solely toward his son.

"I will leave now as I have work to do. I'll leave Hirayon's butler here," he said, implying that he would ask Amir later about the training.

"I understand," the old commander said when Hanan stopped using his ability to allow him to speak.

When Hanan left, Dewan wiped his forehead, which had some sweat because of the pressure he felt. He didn't think he would experience it again the first day he returned to the territory.

'I should watch how I treat the young master,' he thought, watching the child on his third lap.

Time passed, and Hirayon finally showed signs of exhaustion. When Dewan looked at his timer in the hologram, he was surprised. The child had already run ten laps which is usually impossible for children.

"Well, he is Hanan's son. I shouldn't be surprised," the old commander said to himself as he remembered the teenager Hanan who stubbornly ran the field and set a record just to prove him wrong.

It was a mistake of his that time to challenge the kid who was extremely competitive.

"Enough! Come back!" Dewan shouted and called at Hirayon.

When the child returned, his whole body was dripping with sweat and breathing hard. Amir quickly approached Hirayon and helped him wipe his sweat after giving him water.

"You lasted more than I thought you will," Dewan commented, as he really did not expect the scrawny child to run that many laps.

"You will run five laps around the field every morning after your warm-up. Then you will exercise for the rest of the time. When you gain some muscles, I will teach you to wield weapons. Is that clear?" Dewan said as he listed all his plans on the hologram to be sent to Hanan.

"How long are we going to train every day?" Hirayon asked, still breathing hard and catching his breath. He was concerned about his time to read books.

"Five to six hours every morning," the old commander answered.

"Can we make it into four hours?" Hirayon asked, negotiating so that he could shorten the time.

"We can't. That's already a short time," Dewan said, stopping himself from telling the child that he had already shortened it because of Hanan.

"But I still have a lot of books to read, "Hirayon reasoned. He heard from his father that more books would be added to the library as per his teacher's request before they left.

"You're going to study?" Dewan asked with a bewildered look. He had never heard of any kid wanting to study instead of training.

Because it looked like the old commander didn't believe Hirayon, Amir spoke. "Young master likes to read and study in the library, Commander Dewan," Amir said. Referring to Dewan by his title as it is the proper way, even though he is no longer the current commander of the Sea Knights.

In Diwana, gaining any title is excessively difficult. That is why even if oddities retired, their titles would remain in their names unless they violated a law and their title was forcefully stripped.

'That's why Hanan said the child was in the library,' Dewan thought, realizing that the child was really fond of studying.

"I will ask your father about it," Dewan said instead, still adamant about four hours of training as that was already short.

Hirayon looked down, his mouth slightly pouting. Dewan thought that the child would refute once more, but he only nodded and didn't say anything else until he dismissed their training.

After Hirayon left, Dewan went to Hanan's office to inform him about what the child wanted.

"He wanted to cut it into four hours, but five hours is already short," Dewan said to Hanan, who was thinking seriously.

He was contemplating whether what to prioritize, Hirayon's studies or his training. He knew how important it was for Hirayon to learn, so he gave it a lot of thought. However, he also wanted the child to be ready always so that he could withstand any emergencies.

"Give Hirayon a goal," Hanan said.

"What do you mean a goal?"

"Set him a goal and if he could accomplish it, decrease his time training by ten minutes," Hanan suggested, as he knew Hirayon won't be pleased if he didn't allow the training to be cut short.

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"But five hours isn't already enough," the old commander reasoned. For an oddity to be a full-fledged knight, he had to train more than twelve hours daily for two years to have a sturdy body fit to wield any weapon they desired. If a person just willy-nilly uses a weapon without training the body first, they won't be able to withstand blows from sparring. Also, they won't fully utilize the weapon's capability.

"He will do it." Hanan said, "He is brilliant. He will do it if his study time is at stake."

Dewan let out a breath as he didn't expect their conversation to end that way. "I understand. I will go now," he said and walked towards the door.

"Before you go, check out the knights. I think Rehan is too lenient these days," Hanan said as he felt his knights were too lax.

"Can I train them?" Dewan asked.

"Suit yourself," Hanan said, dismissing the man. He was sure that whatever Dewan decided to do, it would be beneficial to him.

When he left Hanan's office, the old commander cracked his knuckles, ready to whip some of the knights. He was feeling happy about what Hanan had said, so he walked into the hallway with a smirk. Unfortunately for Zeno, that sight was enough for his knees to go weak.

"Maybe I should apply for a leave," he said, hiding behind a huge vase in the hallway. He was still hiding even though Dewan was far away.

"I wouldn't allow it," a deep voice said.

When Zeno looked back, he saw Hanan, who was looking at him with a raised brow. "Are you wiping that vase?" He asked.

"Ah no, I just dropped something," Zeno reasoned. "Where to?" He asked, as it was not yet time for a break.

"To the library," Hanan said and walked away.

"Should I bring snacks?" Zeno asked as he followed his chief.

"Yeah. A chocolate mousse."

With the new deal that Hirayon's training time would be shortened by ten minutes for every goal he achieved, Hirayon worked harder and performed exceptionally. Even Dewan couldn't say anything anymore as the child was as good at training as he does at studying.

Although Hirayon was still thin, he was definitely stronger and sturdier than any other child. Hirayon could even stand side by side with newly listed oddities who wanted to be knights, as he had more stamina than them.

After two weeks, Hirayon was only training for four hours and was able to continue studying in the library most of the time. Even when oddities were renovating the place and making a lot of noise, Hirayon quietly studied as if he didn't hear anything and was in his own world.

"Young master, please raise your hands a little more," the seamstress said as she measured Hirayon's chest.

They were in the living, and there were a lot of fabrics and accessories around.

Hanan decided to introduce Hirayon to the council and set a date to inform the entire Water Clan Territory about his son. With that, they will need formal clothes for the child.

"I want him to wear dark blue and cream," Hanan told the designer who would make their clothes.

"Do you want us to design it similar to your clothes?" The designer asked as she sketched in the hologram.

"That would be better," Hanan said, imagining him and his son wearing the same formal robe.

"I suggest these jewels for his brooch," the designer said, pushing a few rows of jewels to the chief to pick.

"You don't have the color same as his eyes?" Hanan asked as he scanned all the stones glimmering brightly under the lights in the chandelier.

"We don't have one right now, and I think finding one before the date is impossible. His eyes color is quite unique," the designer said while thinking of the possible places to get the stone Hanan wants.

"If that's the case, then I want something close to that color, like this," he said, pointing to Lazurite.

"Do we use that as well for his necklace?" The designer asked, and Hanan nodded.

When the seamstress got finished measuring Hirayon, he then tried different clothes.

That went on for a few hours, and it was already dinner time when they finished.

"Have you studied the proper etiquette?" Hanan asked while slicing the meat on his plate.

"Yes. I did," Hirayon answered, as there were few books about etiquette that his teachers suggested.

"Good. But you don't have to treat everyone with respect. You can do whatever you want," Hanan said, earning worried gazes from Veno and Larise.

They knew that Hanan didn't care about other clan council members because he was the chief, but Hirayon was a different case. Even though he is special, as he is the chief's son, he is still just a kid with no remarkable title and rank yet. The only thing they can hope for now is that the child will not unintentionally offend anyone in the council.

The day of Hirayon's introduction to the council came, and the staff all had worried looks. They hope everything will go well today because they can't afford any dispute, as tomorrow will be the official announcement of Hirayon's identity to the whole clan.

They're not too worried about the child as he is usually quiet and behaves well most of the time, but they're more concerned about Hanan, who was obviously overprotective of the child.

"Remember what I told you, Hirayon? If the chief looked mad. Hold his hand to calm him down," Zeno reminded. They were both in front of a large door where the council meeting would be held. Together with them was Veno, Larise, Amir, and a few more attendant who was more nervous than Hirayon.

"Will that work?" Larise asked.

"It will. Hanan doesn't like showing Hirayon a scary side," Zeno said, wording it more positively to not scare the child, but brutal and vicious would be the perfect expression if he were to use a suitable term.

'Enter now,' Zeno heard his chief say telepathically. He then ushered Hirayon to walk and motioned the doorman to open the door.

When the gigantic door slid open, Hirayon saw a long hovering table in the shape of an oval with several people surrounding it while sitting on hovering chairs. At the head of the table is a larger chair, elevated higher than others. There sat Hanan, who looked more imposing, fitting his position and image as a great and formidable but ruthless leader.

"This is my son, Azur Hirayon," Hanan introduced as Hirayon walked toward the table.

Following the etiquette he had learned, Hirayon stopped at the end of the table and bowed slightly for a few seconds before going to where his father was. He then sat on the vacant seat beside Hanan's while Zeno stood behind his chief.

The council members all wore different expressions. Some were smiling at Hirayon, some were frowning, and a few seemed like they were not interested and were wearing straight faces.

When Hirayon settled down, Hanan instructed all of them to introduce themselves, which took quite a few minutes because of how many they were.

"How were your studies?" An old woman named Magala asked Hirayon. She is one of the oldest members of the water clan council, who had a lot of schools around the clan.

"It's great," Hirayon answered plainly.

"Are you not having a hard time? If you want, you could enroll at the school to help you with your studies," she proposed.

She heard about Hanan hiring teachers and letting go of them a week after. This led to a rumor around the territory that Hirayon had a unique and difficult personality, so the teachers resigned after just a week.

"It's easy and fun," Hirayon said, startling Magala.

"Huh? You mean playing?" Magala confirmed, thinking that she had heard wrong.

"Studying," Hirayon cleared while looking at the old woman with his usual expression.

Magala looked at the child with confusion. She had never heard a kid saying that studying was easy.

"Then you really should go to school. You could also meet friends there and play," she suggested, not believing the child at all.

"I don't want to play."

"What, why?" a younger council member named Nenica asked, amused at the conversation.

"It's a waste of time."

The clan council members looked at Hirayon weirdly. It was the strangest thing they had ever heard from a little kid.

"You must really like studying. How about training?" Saul, a middle-aged man, asked. "You must be excited to use water abilities. Im sure you'll be strong," he added.

"I-"

Hanan held Hirayon's hand under the table, stopping him from answering. Although he was expecting that kind of question, he did not tell Hirayon what to say as he didn't want the child to lie.

"He is already training under Dewan."

"The previous commander of the Sea Knights? I heard he came back, but I didn't know that he became a trainer," Saul said, surprised that the child was training under a remarkable man.

An old council member named Filope cleared his throat, "Is he accepting students? It would be nice for the child to have a training partner," he suggested. His hidden agenda was clear to everyone in the room.

"Then I suggest my grandson! He is six years old as well. They will get along," Mabi, a middle-aged man who had been smiling at the child offered, and the other council members followed. They also want their sons, daughters, and grandchildren to be trained under the commander.

"Silence."

The function room immediately got quiet, and they all looked at their chief expectantly.

"Dewan is not accepting any more students, but I'll consider having my son meet other kids," he said, and even though some wanted to refute, they kept quiet as they did not want to anger their chief.

After the brief commotion, it was followed by a few more, with most of the council members trying to get close to the child. Seeing that, Hanan decided to end the meeting quickly, not even allowing any other council members to approach his son.

Even though some were upset, they left the meeting quite satisfied as they realized Hirayon wasn't much of a threat. The way they see it, the child was weak and skinny. Even though he was training under Dewan, they thought that it wouldn't change much as the child looked sickly.

R E H I L I Y A