Chapter 5: Training Start!

“Listen up, kids!” Atira said, pacing back and forth between the children, who stood in a line. “Before I start teaching you hand-to-hand combat, you’ll need to reach a certain level in your physicality. In the morning, we’ll start off with a mile run - I’ll be increasing it every other day.” She then went on to ramble about their training regime.

“Any questions?” Caelus raised his hand. “Yes?”

“Why are we doing this so early in the morning?” Caelus asked drowsily, glaring. The sun wasn’t even up yet. Next to him, the other children, excluding Ley, were yawning and dozing off. However, none of them were as pissed off as Caelus, who cherished sleep and relaxation.

“Building your physique takes a lot of time and energy,” Atira answered. “Therefore, I woke you up earlier to have you train longer. Now, stop complaining, it’ll be like this from now on.”

Caelus huffed, stopping his inner thoughts from leaking out.

“A mile run would be from this point to the bottom of this mountain and back up.”

Last night, after the children slept, Ezra decided to relocate where they would stay. Instead of their comfortable inn, he rented a small, log house in the mountains - thankfully, it was safe and had a path. Unfortunately for the children, the mountain was steep. Very steep.

The children peered at the stone stairs before them and looked down at the path they had to take. It looked like the path to the devil.

“Now, go! I expect you to be back before breakfast, or you’ll be punished!” With that, the children began to run down the stairs, a complicated expression on their faces.

Before breakfast?

“Oh, right. No stopping or walking! I’ll be watching.”

Demon! The children cursed in their minds, as they traveled further down the mountain.

Meanwhile, Atira stared at the children, a disgusting look on her face. Heh, when they’re older and more fit, they’ll look like…

As the children went down the mountain, they thought it wasn’t too bad. However, as they reached the bottom, they realized going back up would be 10x more painful. Currently, they were sweating more than they thought they would, and they still had to run up the stairs.

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A small feeling of reluctance was felt at that moment. However, one person started running up the stairs already. His dark-hair was wet with sweat and his soaked shirt was removed.

“EVERYONE, MOVE IT.” Orion commanded, his commanding, yet shaky voice galvanized the other children to slowly move. Orion pushed his legs further up the stairs, his limbs trembling with each step. They watched him push through the burning pain, a small amount of respect and inspiration was born deep within their hearts.

“Yes, Captain!” They replied, smiling behind him, as they worked even harder.

Thus, the nickname ‘Captain’ was born and would forever follow the boy into the heavens and beyond.

…

“Ugh,” everyone groaned, lying on the ground. Their legs felt numb and their bodies were irresponsive.

“Hah… teacher… we’re done,” Orion panted.

“Hm… five minutes late,” as Atira said this, the children’s faces turned pale. “However, since it’s your first, I’ll let this slide. BUT, this is the only time. Got it?” They nodded. “Good, now let’s eat breakfast.”

Surprisingly, Brent was the cook of the group. He was exceptionally good at it, too.

“You see, I used to be a culinary connoisseur,” Brent sighed happily, as he took a sip of his wine. “I worked as the executive chef under a high noble in Eradion - he had close ties with the king. Those were the happy days, but… I don’t regret following Ezra,” Brent laughed heartily.

“Wow, Uncle Brent is so cool!” Kai exclaimed excitedly, a newfound respect for him.

“HAHAHA, aren’t I?”

An annoyed look flashed on everyone’s face, except for Kai, who respected him even more.

“Hohoho,” Atira smiled, “Kai, come here.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Kai, listen to her,” Lilith joined in. By the command of his older sister, he reluctantly went to Atira who kept him away from Brent.

With that, breakfast came to an end and academics or “school” time came, Ley would be joining them, as he had  the same mental capabilities as the others. Another surprise, Brent was their teacher for academics. Though they highly doubted his abilities and competence for teaching.

However, they were wrong.

“Hehe,” Brent smiled evilly. “I may treat you guys nice in the morning and at night, but the afternoon is where you’ll learn your place.” Beads of sweat rolled down their faces.

It was pure hell, perhaps even worse than this morning’s run. Brent stuffed information in their minds, allowed them to take a minute break in between every hour, and then continued it. By the end of this session, they knew more, but they were also partly brain dead.

As for history, they learned more about the formation of the great 5 regions. However, back then, there were 6 great regions. The sixth great region, Medius, was the largest and most advanced of all of them. The region was in the central of all five, where Ophir now laid. Ophir, back then, was pushed further east to where Gwydion and Eradion were.

However, Medius’s downfall was a mystery. Perhaps it was a secret, internal fight? No one knew, but no one questioned it. If Medius were to come back now, they would still be the most advanced, maybe slightly more than Polymetis.

After their lesson of the day, they had spare time. So, Brent decided to ask them a few questions.

“So, I heard you wanted to dominate the world?” asked Brent.

“Eh?” Caelus and Orion frowned, this was news to them.

“Yep! Everything, even those overseas!” Eve agreed happily.

“And, how are you going to do this?”

What?! Caelus and Orion eyes widened with surprise. Not at the plan, but how easily Brent accepted it.

“Hmm, we grow stronger and… take over the rulers?”

“I see, so that’s why you asked me that… Heh, hehe… hahaha,” Brent let out a full-blown laughter. “HAHAHA. Is that so?! Fortunately, you asked the wrong person. I’m well-versed in magic, but not as skilled as Ezra. I can handle myself in a physical fight, but not as good as Atira. HOWEVER, I am the best in smarts. Let’s make a plan to rule the world!”

“Yay!” The children cheered, Orion and Caelus going with the flow. Slowly, though, their minds will tune in with the siblings and have a desire to achieve that goal, too.

Academics turned into secret, world-domination planning. Of course, they would still learn about history, technology, math, and more, but their main interest was taking over the world. And soon, it was night time. The children already had dinner, and it was time to learn about mana.

“What is mana?” Ezra asked.

“It’s a mysterious force or energy that vitalizes magic,” Ley answered, he was currently being carried by Lilith.

“Hm.. true, but not quite there. Mana is, essentially, life. It is found everywhere, in the trees, ground, in the sky, and in the atmosphere that surrounds us. Ki is similar to mana, but rather resides living, breathing, and moving organisms. It’s more restricted than mana.” Ezra explained the general gist of mana and ki. He then said, “today, I will be teaching you how to activate it - which, of course, I expect you to do within the small amount of time we have. Those who cannot achieve it, will resign from being my apprentices.” A tense silence hushed the children, who went from excited to nervous, yet serious.

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“Now, listen to me carefully… I want you to sit down comfortably,” Ezra joined them and sat with both legs crossed. “Close your eyes. Now, concentrate- this is the most crucial part, otherwise you’ll fail. Try to find your mana, and when you grab a hold of it, welco…” Ezra’s voice began to fade.

Lilith was concentrating, all feelings and thoughts washing away from her mind. A warm, gentle feeling replaced all of her troubles and flowed inside of her. She felt something residing in her, deep within her. It was elusive and escaped easily. Everytime she tried to grab a hold of it, it ran away. She didn’t understand why.

A small frustration built inside of her. She tried and tried and tried and tried, but failed. She was running out of time, too. Lilith wanted to scream, but withheld herself from doing so. So, she decided to ask it a question. Why not? It wouldn’t matter anyway.

“Why are you running away?” she asked. Nothing, no answer or reply. She sighed, it was too good to be true.

“Why are you running away?” a mysterious voice asked her. Lilith slightly jumped in surprise.

“Who are you?” Lilith asked calmly.

“I am life, everything, existence… mana,” Mana replied back. “But I am your mana.”

“If you’re my mana, why do you escape?” Lilith questioned, she couldn’t add up mana’s logic.

“Because you do not welcome me.”

What? Lilith couldn’t understand. She soon felt mana slowly leave her presence. Wait! Lilith chased after mana, her mind confused and filled with desperation. It felt like hours, when in reality, it was only minutes. She wanted to cry, but refused to. How can she be the oldest of her siblings if she didn’t accomplish this one task?

So she ran after mana. Her concentration and determination doubled, until finally, she met mana again.

“Don’t run,” Lilith said.

“Don’t run,” mana repeated Lilith, then disappeared once more.

Why?! Why do you run?!

Lilith’s mind was in turmoil, everything around her was red and she couldn’t see anything nor hear anything. She was about to explode, but her mind stopped her from doing so. She was stuck, nowhere to go. Her emotions were dying and felt trapped. Lilith couldn’t understand why she felt the way she did.

“Lilith...” A calm voice called. She didn’t recognize it and continued to drown herself in confusion, frustration, anger.

“Lilith,” this time, the voice was stronger, more determined. It was familiar and warm. “Lilith, listen to me.” It was Ezra.

“What?” Lilith asked, she didn’t understand how Ezra entered her mind.

“Lilith, it’s okay to depend on people, you know?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t have to go through with this yourself, you don’t have to be alone.”

“But I’m not alone!”

“You… you remember your parents, don’t you?” Ezra asked.

“... So what?”

Yes, Lilith knew of her parents and remembered them, however, she kept that information to herself. Her siblings don’t remember them, so they weren’t as affected as she was. After all, they died when she was four, her siblings two. Of course she’d remember, they were the best parents in the world.

“You know, Lilith, it’s alright to cry sometimes, you’re still a child. It’s okay to depend on someone, you’re too young to take on the world by yourself. You’re not alone, Lilith. You have your siblings and you have us - Atira, Brent, Caelus, Orion, and I.”

“W-we just met,” Lilith said hesitantly, how could you love someone or treat them this way if you just met them?

“You know, Lilith. We might have just met, but everyone feels that you three are family. Love can take only mere seconds, but it can last a lifetime.”

“H-how do you know that?” Lilith asked, she felt a small, warm trail roll down her cheeks. What is this? She wanted to open her eyes to see, but she felt afraid. It was a sign of weakness. For her siblings’ sake, she can’t show any. They depend on her.

Ezra laughed, as if she asked something childish. “Didn’t I tell you? I know everything.” Then Lilith laughed, because he never told her that.

“Do you understand?” Mana asked, Lilith nodded her head. “Come child, lean on me.” And a warm embrace surrounded her and she, once again, felt everything melt away.

Lilith opened her eyes, her two siblings watched her with concern.

“Sis?” Kai asked, scared. “Are you hurt?”

Eve, on the other hand, had tears rolling down her face. “Sis, don’t leave! Don’t leave us like mom and dad did!”

Lilith stared, shocked at her siblings’ behavior. Then… she laughed, tears still flowing down her face. She explained that she remembered her parents and released all of her pent-up feelings and thoughts.

Orion and Caelus watched in the back, they felt concerned and had a desire to join them, but didn’t want to impede on the family. It was not their place, nor their right.

“You can join in, too, you know?” Ezra whispered to them, a mischievous smile on his face. Their faces turned red.

“W-we know that!” Orion grumbled, before getting up and joining the two. Caelus, however, stayed where he was.

“Caelus?” Ezra asked.

“No, it’s fine,” Caelus told him.

“Alright,” Ezra frowned, this one is more difficult. And so Caelus stayed and watched the others interact, Lilith and Eve both crying, yet laughing at the same time. Kai nervously asking questions about their parents, while Orion sat stiff, unsure what to do.

With that, Caelus felt satisfied and decided to leave the room.

“Ah, you’re leaving?” Ezra asked.

“Yes, I completed the mission.”

“Hm… fine, have a good night.”

As he left the room, a small voice asked Ezra.

“Why is Caelus leaving?” Eve asked, turning to look where he went.

“He felt tired,” Ezra smiled. “So, now that everyone has accomplished the mission, you’re free to do what you want for the remaining time.”

Eve eyed him suspiciously.

An oddly sharp one, Ezra thought, as Eve stared off to where Caelus left. She manages to pick up things easily.

The eventful night finally came to an end, and so did their first day of training. The children felt stronger, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It was hard, but they could overcome it. With each other, they knew they could.

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Thanks for reading! Please comment/criticize - tell me your thoughts. :)

Humm.... more emotional trouble coming soon, as well as the strengthening of the children, yaaay. Needs more suffering, though.