On a bright morning, Nazzares had already arrived at the training grounds. However, before his master arrived, he took the opportunity to practice on his own, mastering the basic techniques of energy control that his master had taught him.

"Alright, focus, focus." Nazzares, while concentrating on channeling his energy throughout his body, stood upright on the vertical terrain for a long time.

"Yosss, I'm getting better at this, maybe..." Brraakk! When he got too excited, Zares lost focus and fell to the ground.

"Damn...!! How did I fall?" Zares said while grimacing in pain.

Not long after he fell, his master arrived. "Master..." Zares shouted, calling his master from a distance while waving his hand.

Master Vitjendra, upon arrival, immediately asked, "Are you ready for today's training?" asked Master Vitjendra.

However, before starting the training, Master Vitjendra told Nazzares that he might leave the village temporarily and would return in two weeks or more. So, Nazzares must listen carefully to everything Master Vitjendra has to say for the next week.

Nazzares, understanding his master’s busy schedule, replied, "Okay, Master!" with excitement.

Master Vitjendra wanted to train his disciple’s physical strength. He planned to strengthen Nazzares' body with physical exercises, without using energy.

Upon hearing his master's explanation, Nazzares immediately agreed to everything his master said. "Alright, Master, I will do it!" the disciple replied enthusiastically.

PHYSICAL TRAINING

Running around the training area for several laps, then swimming against the current in the waterfall river, followed by doing push-ups with extra weight on his back. Over the next few days, Nazzares' physical conditioning would continue until he was truly ready to increase the intensity.

On another day...

Nazzares was doing push-ups with his master sitting on top of him. "Arrgh, arrghh," Nazzares’ breath was heavy after doing several of them.

"Hey, hurry up, stop being spoiled," Master Vitjendra teased.

"Alright, Master," replied the disciple, his hands already trembling.

By midday, they took a short break. During the break, a question came to Nazzares' mind. "Master, why did Raksha have a hole in his chest yesterday?" Zares asked, still unclear about what a Raksha was.

What is Raksha...?

Nazzares, curious about Raksha, remembered that when he was younger, his mother only told him that the creature was frightening. Master Vitjendra then explained that Raksha was a creature from another dimension, specifically from the Ashura dimension. They are bloodthirsty beings that attack anything in their path.

After hearing his master’s explanation, Nazzares seemed unsure, but he dismissed the thought and said, "Hmm, okay Master, I understand."

Glancing at his disciple, the master replied, "Good, if you understand."

Nazzares was very happy to hear new things from his master. Because he had asked so many questions, Master Vitjendra quickly instructed him to continue his training.

"Continue your training. The break is over."

"Alright, Master." Zares resumed his physical training, now with an increased intensity.

A while later, as the evening approached and the sky turned orange, when his master told him to stop and head home, Zares fainted from exhaustion.

"BLUGH!" With quick reflexes, Master Vitjendra caught his disciple’s body.

"You spoiled child! It seems your father pampered you too much," said Master Vitjendra, who, seeing his disciple faint, immediately carried him and took him home.

At Abail's Residence, Night

The night felt quiet in the small village. Only the sound of crickets accompanied the conversation of two men in the living room of Abail's house. The oil lamp in the corner of the room emitted a dim light, casting faint shadows on the walls. Meanwhile, Nazzares was fast asleep in his room.

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Guru Vitjendra sipped a cup of warm tea prepared by Abail, his smile spreading as he looked back at his old friend.

"I can't believe you're the son-in-law of my friend. The world is really small!" Vitjendra said, laughing lightly.

Abail smiled faintly. "I never expected it either, Sir. When we first met, I didn’t even realize it was you."

Vitjendra laughed heartily. "And look at you now, older than me! Hahaha! But tell me, Abail, why did you choose to live in such a remote village?"

Abail's expression slightly changed, as if reminiscing something. "It was my wife's request, Sir. After the incident 12 years ago, she wanted us to leave it all behind... to live peacefully, far from the crowds, and spend time together."

Vitjendra nodded slowly, his eyes distant. "I understand. That time must have been hell for anyone. Your choice was wise, though I think it's a great loss for the kingdom—losing a talented healer like you."

Abail lowered his gaze, giving a slight smile. "You're exaggerating, Sir. The kingdom never runs out of talent. I’m just a small part of it."

"Heh, you're too humble!" Vitjendra leaned back in his chair. "But I know one thing, without your healing, many of my men wouldn't have survived their wounds."

"It’s my duty, Sir," Abail responded politely. "But... is the situation really that bad now? Such wounds usually appear if the Raksha are strong enough."

Vitjendra's expression hardened. "I don’t want the events of 12 years ago to repeat, Abail. All the kingdoms in Nuswantorra are on high alert now. They're inspecting every suspicious place, especially areas inhabited by mystical creatures. Including the forest around this village."

"In that case, I must be more careful," Abail murmured, looking at the floor.

Vitjendra nodded. "And about Nazzares... You don’t mind if I train him, do you? I see great potential in him. He could become a great Fatalis someday."

Abail looked up, smiling proudly. "It would be a great honor, Sir. If you train him, I’m sure he’ll be like you."

"Hahaha!" Vitjendra laughed aloud. "Don’t praise me too much, Abail. Think of me as your family. I’ve already considered your wife like my own daughter."

"Thank you, Sir. It’s a great honor for our family," Abail replied in a soft but sincere voice.

Vitjendra set down his teacup and stood up. "Alright, it’s getting late. I must return to the base to ensure everything is running smoothly."

Abail also stood and bowed respectfully. "I have also received orders to supply potions to the base. I will carry it out to the best of my ability."

Vitjendra patted his shoulder. "I leave everything to you. See you, Abail."

"See you, Sir."

Guru Vitjendra walked out of the house with confident steps. The moonlight illuminated the path that led him back to the military base of the kingdom.

---

The Next Morning

In the morning mist, Kandita was already on her way to her future husband's house, talking to herself along the road. "I’ll make grilled chicken today. Nazzares will definitely love it." Smiling, Kandita headed to Zares' house, carrying ingredients for him and his father.

However, when Kandita was almost there, she saw Nazzares and immediately called out to him. "Hey, Zares!" then asked, "Where are you going? I’m going to cook for you," with an inquisitive tone.

"Eh..!! Kandita..!!" Nazzares answered while turning to look at her. "Oh yeah, I haven’t told you yet. Well, since you’re here," he continued.

With a tilted head, Kandita asked, "What is it?"

"I’ve been training to become a Fatalis with Guru Vitjendra. The Fatalis who helped me when I was in the forest!"

Kandita, hearing that, immediately fell silent and pouted, recalling a story about the Fatalis. Then, she said something to Nazzares, "Fatalis? Oh yeah, your mother was also a Fatalis, right? That means you’re a Fatalis too," Kandita said with a pouting face.

Nazzares, seeing Kandita’s pout, asked, "Hey, why’s your face all pouting like that? What’s wrong?"

"You haven’t changed your mind, right? After you fully become a Fatalis? I’ve heard that a Fatalis can only marry a woman who’s also a Fatalis," said the lovesick girl, her bottom lip jutting forward, and her eyes red.

Nazzares tried to calm Kandita down by saying, "Hey, don’t worry... Even if you're not a Fatalis, I will still choose you as my only wife." He said this with the innocence of a twelve-year-old who didn’t understand anything about marriage.

"Can I trust you?" Kandita said, holding back tears.

"Of course! Stop crying. In three years, we’ll get married, won’t we?"

"Yes, but still, I’m afraid you’ll change your mind."

"Don’t worry, I promise there will be no other wife or woman besides you," Nazzares said to reassure Kandita.

"Alright," Kandita said, wiping her tears. Suddenly, she kissed Zares on the cheek.

Nazzares was taken aback. "Eh? What was that?" Zares stood stunned, his face turning red.

CRACK (the sound of a door opening)

Not long after, Abail emerged from the house and said, "Oh, my daughter-in-law... Looks like you’re going to cook some delicious food today."

But there was something odd about their behavior, and he asked, "But why are both of your faces so red?" Abail asked, surprised to see Kandita at the house with Nazzares.

"It’s nothing, Father," Kandita replied with a smile.

"Hmm… Alright, looks like I’ll leave the house to you," Abail said, preparing to leave.

"Where are you going, Father?" asked Kandita, noticing Abail was bringing some supplier for a trip.

"I’m going to the military base to monitor the supplies of medicine there."

"When will you be back?"

"Maybe at night."

"Night? Isn’t the kingdom forbidding us from going out at night for now?" Kandita replied with a bit of worry.

"Don’t worry, a Fatalis and a royal soldier will escort me to the village gate."

"Thank goodness. Alright, be careful, Father. I’ll make you a delicious dinner when you come home."

"Yes, I can’t wait to return. Daughter-in-law, your cooking is the best. Well then, I’ll be going now."

"Hey, Zares, take good care of my daughter. If not, I’ll kill you," Abail said while putting an arm around Zares’ neck in a threatening manner.

"Be careful, Father," Kandita said, waving her hand.

---

After Abail left...

"Zares, after this food is cooked, where should I deliver it?"

"Don’t worry, just make delicious food. I’ll pick you up at noon. Take good care of the house, alright? I’m leaving now. And make food for my teacher as well," said Zares, preparing to leave.

"Alright." Kandita replied.

Nazzares immediately leapt between the trees, and Kandita, who saw this, was amazed.

"How can he do that? Wow... Hmm, never mind, I’ll just cook, na-na-na-na," Kandita said, watching Nazzares, and then entered the house.

To be continued...