After Kandita and Nazzares arrived at the house, Kandita immediately started preparing dinner for Nazzares' father, who had not returned yet. "Zaresh, help me prepare dinner, your father will be home soon, right?" said Kandita while preparing the food.

"Okay!" replied Zaresh.

After their training, Kandita and Nazzares prepared dinner for Abail, who was expected to return soon. A while later, after the food was ready, Nazzares immediately asked Kandita to go home, worried that it was getting late. "It's already getting late, it's better if I take you home first."

"Alright," answered Kandita.

Nazzares then escorted Kandita home as the night grew later. Shortly after, as Nazzares returned from taking Kandita home, his father, Abail, arrived home from the military base.

"Screech... click click," the sound of the door opening was heard, it was Abail returning from the military base in the Blora forest.

"Where did the kids go?" he asked, noticing no one was at home. However, he was distracted by the delicious scent he smelled. "Oh wow, this smells like food for me. Alright! Time to eat," Abail said as he saw the delicious food on the table. Unable to resist his hunger, he immediately dug in.

The door opened again after Abail finished his meal.

"Oh, father... you're home! I just took Kandita home," said Nazzares when he saw his father had returned.

"Mm... hey, you and Kandita didn't do anything while I was gone, did you?" Abail asked with a smile.

"Do what?" Nazzares replied, narrowing his eyes.

"You know what I mean! Rawr!" Abail said, winking several times.

"No way! You're just an old pervert," Nazzares retorted sarcastically.

"Ha ha... hurry up, I want grandkids," Abail said while cleaning between his teeth.

"Hah! I'm only 12 years old! I told you to be patient," Nazzares answered, a little annoyed.

"Tch... I'm already 52 years old," his father muttered to himself.

The night passed quickly...

In the still dark morning, Nazzares headed to the training grounds. On the way, he tried to gauge the strength of his mystical technique by throwing a large stone in front of him.

"Alright, I'll give it a try."

Nazzares aimed his hand at the stone. He focused for a moment and managed to move it, even if only for a short time.

Whoosh... Crash!

He dropped the stone, feeling pain in his hand. "Damn... not enough. I need to train my body harder," Nazzares said, unable to fully control his power.

When he arrived at the training grounds, Nazzares immediately took off his shirt and started training physically with increased intensity.

"I need to get stronger, quickly."

-----

Meanwhile, at the Majapahit military base in the western Blora forest, the sound of swords clashing could be heard. The soldiers, with their large and muscular bodies, were training at the Majapahit military base in the eastern part of Blora forest. However, one soldier, who appeared out of nowhere, rushed into the special Admiral's room to deliver an urgent report.

"Commander! The investigation will be conducted tomorrow night. Everything is ready," the soldier reported urgently.

"Alright, make sure all the soldiers are prepared. I will divide the forces into four groups. Each group will be accompanied by one Fatalis," said Master Vitjendra, outlining the plan.

"Understood, Commander. However, there's bad news, Commander," the soldier delivered another piece of news.

"What is it?" the commander asked.

"The elite Bayangkara force assigned to investigate the Raksha portal in the southern beach area was attacked by a group of Raksha, and three of them were killed," the soldier reported firmly.

Admiral Vitjendra's eyes widened, as if not believing what he heard. Then he responded, "What did you say? The Bayangkara is an elite force, and all its members are Fatalis. How could this happen?" Vitjendra was shocked by the news.

"True, sir. But luckily, Queen Masalembo sent reinforcements, minimizing further casualties," the soldier replied.

Vitjendra, troubled by the strange events of the past year, thought to himself, "I don't want that incident to happen again."

He recalled the incident 12 years ago that had killed his good friend, Drukja Abiseka. Then, Vitjendra walked away from the base.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Commander, where are you going?" the soldier asked, noticing that Admiral Vitjendra was leaving.

"In a situation like this, I need to clear my mind. I want to find a quiet place to think," answered Commander Vitjendra as he walked away.

"Understood, Commander," the soldier replied with a salute.

During his journey, he was intercepted by his junior, a Fatalis from the Orc kingdom named Dhruv.

Seeing Dhruv, Master Vitjendra immediately stopped and said, "What is it, Dhruv? Why are you blocking my way?" he asked, slightly annoyed by the interception.

"I've been keeping an eye on you. Who is that human child you’ve been training?" Captain Dhruv had apparently been watching Commander Vitjendra all along.

"He's my grandson," Vitjendra replied with a joking tone.

"You're an elf!" Captain Dhruv responded, unable to believe that an elf could have a human grandson.

"Who knows. I consider him as such. Anyway, it's none of your business," Commander Vitjendra answered wearily.

"Alright... do as you wish," Dhruv replied.

------

Vitjendra went to the training ground as usual. Upon arriving, Master Vitjendra was both surprised and pleased to see that his disciple was so enthusiastic about training. He immediately approached Nazzares and greeted him.

"Zares!" called out Master Vitjendra, who suddenly appeared.

"Master? You’ve arrived, it seems," Nazzares said, surprised by his teacher's sudden appearance.

"I’ll be leaving in a few days to complete a mission. So, for today and the days ahead, I won’t be able to supervise your training," said Master Vitjendra with a firm voice.

"I understand, Master," Nazzares replied, seemingly aware that his teacher was embarking on an important mission.

"As for the rest, I will teach you the basics of martial arts, Sundang Majapahit, and how to channel mystical energy into your weapon," explained Vitjendra.

He continued, "I’ll demonstrate the basic movements right away. Pay close attention." Vitjendra, not wanting to waste time, immediately began demonstrating.

"Ready," replied Nazzares with enthusiasm.

Master Vitjendra demonstrated the basic movements of the Majapahit Sundang martial arts with great fluidity. Nazzares, watching closely, was greatly impressed and captivated by the beautiful movements of the martial art.

Time passed, and Master Vitjendra demonstrated everything, from the basic empty-handed combat movements to using weapons.

After finishing the demonstration, he said to his disciple, "I’ve shown you everything. Memorize it, tomorrow we’ll begin practical training." He spoke with the intent of pushing Nazzares to become stronger.

"Understood, Master," Nazzares replied with eagerness.

"Oh, and here," suddenly Master Vitjendra pulled out a scroll from under his robe.

"What’s this, Master?" Nazzares asked, slightly confused as to why his teacher would give him a scroll.

"This is a scroll of all the Majapahit martial arts movements, every movement of mine is in that scroll," answered his teacher.

"Thank you, Master."

From that moment, Nazzares began practicing the movements, training tirelessly with Vitjendra, whether it was empty-handed combat or using a small wooden stick to practice sword fighting, for days on end.

-----

Practice hand-to-hand combat sundang majapahit

In the midst of the Blora forest, heavy breaths echoed, "haa... haa...", accompanying the retreating steps of Nazzares. His small hands struggled to block the relentless blows from Master Vitjendra.

"Buk! Plak! Dug!" The sound of impact between hands and body rang out, painful, yet Nazzares did not give up. He attacked with all his might, "Whoosh! Buk!", but Vitjendra easily dodged and counterattacked towards his shoulder, "Duk!"

Nazzares staggered, his legs wobbling, but he pushed forward. His tired hands shot out with a straight punch, "Sret!", but once again, Vitjendra caught his wrist and spun Nazzares' body until he fell to the ground.

"Buk!" Nazzares' small body slammed into the earth. His breath grew heavier, sweat streamed down his forehead, creating the sound of small droplets, "tuk... tuk..."

He tried to rise, but his knees trembled. As Vitjendra approached, Nazzares raised his hand, but before he could strike, his body collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

Vitjendra stood silently, looking at the fallen Nazzares, then spoke briefly, "That's enough for today."

The sound of wind echoed again in the stillness, "woosh...", ending the brutal training session.

-----

Practice the majapahit sundang committee using a wooden sword

Nazzares stood upright, gripping the wooden sword tightly in both hands. In front of him, Vitjendra lightly spun his wooden sword.

"Start," Vitjendra commanded briefly.

Without hesitation, Nazzares moved to attack. He swung his sword towards Vitjendra's body. "Buk!" The strike was easily blocked.

"Attack again," Vitjendra said, counterattacking swiftly. "Plak! Duk!" His sword struck Nazzares' shoulder, making him stagger.

Nazzares gritted his teeth and continued. He tried to attack from the side, but Vitjendra dodged and countered with a strike to his leg. "Buk!" Nazzares tripped and nearly fell.

"Don't just attack without a plan. Read my movements," Vitjendra said as he attacked again, this time slower.

Nazzares tried to parry the strike. "Trang!" The clash of wooden swords rang out loudly. His body shook from Vitjendra's strength.

The attacks continued. "Sret! Duk! Plak!" Nazzares tried to hold his ground, but Vitjendra's movements were too fast. His breath grew heavier, his body slowing down.

Finally, Vitjendra's strike caused Nazzares' wooden sword to fall. The young man collapsed to the ground, panting.

Vitjendra lowered his sword. "That's enough for today. You still need to improve your technique."

Nazzares said nothing, only nodding quietly. He knew this was just the beginning of his long journey.

And so, Vitjendra went on his mission.

After Vitjendra left...

On a bright morning, Nazzares was asked by his father to gather medicinal plants. Accompanied by Kandita, they ventured into the forest with a large basket on Nazzares' back.

"How was your training yesterday?" asked Kandita, holding a box in both hands. Nazzares thought the box was for storing plants.

"As usual, quite exhausting, but it seems I've gotten a bit stronger," Nazzares replied, smiling.

"Thank goodness... I have a gift for you. Today is your birthday, right?" Kandita said, extending the box with both hands towards Nazzares.

"What is this?" Nazzares replied, staring at Kandita's face.

"Just open it," Kandita answered.

Nazzares opened the wooden box, which contained a hand-sewn shirt from his beloved.

"Wow, this is really nice," Nazzares said, delighted by the contents of the box.

"I'm glad you like it," Kandita smiled sweetly.

"Thank you so much," Nazzares said while examining his gift.

"You're welcome. Put it on," Kandita, wanting to see Nazzares wearing the gift.

Nazzares took off his old shirt and started putting on the one given by his fiancée. But...?

"Hey, why are you touching my stomach like that?" Nazzares was surprised.

"Why is your body so firm and square? Wait... one... two... three..." Kandita poked Nazzares' body.

Kandita was pressing Nazzares' body because she noticed the change in his physique due to the intense physical training over the past two weeks.

"Hey... stop, that's embarrassing," Nazzares laughed and told Kandita to stop.

"Mm... okay," Kandita replied.

They continued their journey to search for medicinal plants. By noon, they had gathered all the plants and headed back home.

To be continued...