It was still early; the sun had just risen yet Jude was already up and training.
The servants that occasionally passed by were surprised and whispered among themselves on the strange scene. It was strange to them that their young master was already up so early and that he was even so energetic. Almost all the servants knew that Jude had never appeared much ever since the day his siblings had surpassed him, yet now here he was. What's more is that he kept doing different strange motions over and over that they thought perhaps he really lost it now. However, the guards and the servants that had experience in fighting were fascinated by Jude's strange moves and some purposely passed by rather slowly just to watch.
Jude did not pay much attention to his surroundings as most of his focus was to locate the flaws and fix them. He wasn't trying to improve his magic yet as he believed he first needed to be well versed in close combat. Most people would think mages aren't good close combat fighters, so they would usually never expect a mage going close. Even if they could react to it in time, with his solar lightning energy, he believed there would be few at his level that would be his match.
Ever since his right eye had been reawakened, his training had drastically improved over the last few days. The speed he could improve at was extremely quick, as he only took a few minutes to fully understand the flaws and fix them. He would be even faster, however, the problem was his body could not keep up, thus he had to improve steadily instead of all at once. These past few days he only ate, washed, slept then the cycle repeated itself.
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Jude breathed out and dropped his stance, he was still gasping but it was better than when he first started. He picked up a towel he had the servants leave before and started to wipe his forehead and a little of his back. He absentmindedly wiped while his thoughts were elsewhere at the moment.
His body was starting to get used to the various moves he was doing and he could use about 70% of his arsenal without fear of injury. He was starting to itch to try it on someone but did not know how strong he was so he wanted someone that was sturdy enough and would not die or suffer serious injuries.
During the last few days, he was a bit disappointed his sister never came to see him, but his father had visited more than once. His father was startled as Jude was actually doing something and since he was someone with combat experience he could tell that Jude's bizarre motions weren't just random, they all had a hidden force behind it.
While Jude was still in his thoughts, he didn't know when but he heard very quiet footsteps behind him. He snapped out of it and quickly turned around only to find his father staring at him wide-eyed. His father resumed his normal melancholic expression rather quickly and only cleared his throat before coming closer to Jude and patting his shoulder.
"You're really diligent now. I am relieved that you have started to change after what you experienced." His father put his arms behind his back and walked forward a little with his back facing his son.
"Son, you're 18 already right?"
Jude couldn't see Io's face, so he wasn't sure what he was trying to say, but he gave a quiet yes that he wasn't even sure if Io could hear it.
"I see." His father as if talking to himself, nodded his head.
Io turned to his son, his expression a bit more melancholic than usual and his eyes contained hints of agony. However, he managed to give a small smile.
"Son, do you remember what happens when you turn 18?"
"When...I'm 18?" Jude murmured and started to quickly search his memories.
It was then that a faint memory appeared. The previous Jude had to undergo a trial when he turned 12, but he couldn't even get past the first test so he had to take it again at 15, yet even then he couldn't go far and also failed. When Jude turns 18, he would have to take it again for the 3rd time and this was also his last time. The previous Jude probably never thought of it, but the current Jude thought it was weird. It tested a person's physical and mental endurance and it was near impossible a normal person at his age could even pass that, so it wasn't surprising the previous Jude already failed twice.
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His father never told him what the trial was about, but just that it was extremely important if he passed. However, his father also said it was fine if he didn't pass but Jude could still recall his expression, it was as if it was the only thing that could make him smile genuinely.
Jude nodded his head and his father turned around again.
"Good. In a few days' time, we'll go. Just remember this is the last time, so try your best. Even if you don't pass in the end, it's okay."
It was only for an instant, but Jude could hear a small pause.
He was curious just what was so special about this trial. His memories regarding most of the trial were too foggy as it seemed that the previous Jude didn't really pay much attention when he was undergoing it.
He was slightly anticipating it.
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The day of the trial. Jude was up and ready and currently inside his father's room as this was where the entrance would be.
His father took out a normal looking wooden box and laid it in front of Jude.
Jude knowing what to do conjured a tiny air knife on the tip of his finger and pricked his forefinger lightly.
He hovered it above the box and a tiny drop of blood fell down.
A brilliant array of colors started to flash from the ordinary looking box and slowly it started to open by itself. In the box laid a tiny white bead, without a speck of dust.
His father picked up the bead and gripped it tightly before surging some of his elemental power into the bead. He threw it down when he felt it was starting to heat up.
The bead flashed and then instantly disappeared. A white portal appeared in its spot, the other side was too foggy to see, but Jude knew this was how he could get to the trial.
His father turned to Jude and nodded his head. Jude also gave a small nod and slowly he stepped through. His father never entered with him as it seemed that only he was allowed to enter.
It only took a few breaths of time, but before he knew it he was standing on a snow-white field. The whole area was blanketed by snow like a winter wonderland, but the odd thing was every time he took a step, his previous footprints would vanish.
"So, you have arrived." A voice sounded out from behind him.
Jude's eyes widened and he quickly turned around to see an old man dressed in pure white robes from head to toe. This old man was always the one who would be there to receive him and guide him to the trial. What was even weirder was that Jude could not sense his presence at all! The previous Jude definitely wouldn't be able to, but he wasn't that Jude. With his past life's experience and his special energy, he should at least be able to detect him this close, yet he only just now felt his presence.
"Please follow me." The old man turned around and started to walk.
Jude snapping out of his daze began to follow after him.
The old man led him deeper in, seeming as if he was just walking leisurely, but no matter how hard Jude tried, he couldn't completely catch up.
Jude couldn't see anything besides white, until he saw a faint color of blue.
They arrived at a huge gate, it was the only thing different from all the white in this world. The huge gate was dark blue in color and on the middle of the door was the symbol of a dark flower.
The old man stopped besides the door and looked at Jude.
"Once you enter, the trial will start."
Jude walked closer to the gate and put his hand on the door. He gave it a push yet it did not budge. He knew the trial already began when he first arrived.
He retreated back a few steps and then raised both arms up with his palms facing the door.
A surge of elemental power started circulating in his arms. Two small twisters were surrounding and twirling around his arms and with one quick step he slammed it onto the door.
The door shook slightly, yet there was a slight opening. Jude at the age of 12 couldn't open this door no matter how hard he tried, but when he was 15 he managed to open it enough to squeeze through with effort. Currently, the opening was already enough for him to squeeze through, but he was not going to do that. If he wanted to walk through this door, he would make it comfortable enough at least.
He stepped back again, but this time he concentrated his elemental power onto his right fist. A small hurricane started spinning around his fist and once again he slammed it onto the door. This time however, he maintained a stance, twisted his body in the process and rooted his legs deeply into the ground.
BOOM.
His straight punch shook the door, this time even harder and the door opened wide enough for at least a small family to squeeze through.
Jude feeling satisfied and with a slight smile, nonchalantly stepped into the gate.
The old man who was watching all this had a straight face all this time, but the last move Jude did had shaken him a little and caused one of his eyebrows to raise up.
"Magnificent technique. He has improved, but there are still more trials. This is his last chance as well. Are you worthy or not? We shall see."
The old man disappeared all of a sudden and the door that Jude had opened slowly closed by itself.