We had only spent one day since the day we arrived. When tomorrow came, we still had more than a week before the tournament. So we had to make good use of this time and strengthen ourselves.

Although the Prince wanted to get stronger for the tournament, my goal was not to burden Ryuu and the others more. I wanted to get stronger to a level where I could support them, even if I couldn't be as strong as them at the moment.

Since the Prince was not of the mage lineage, he could not receive the training I would receive. So he did not want to waste his time while I was doing my mage training. He went to the forest a little further away from the village and started personal training in his own way.

I followed my grandfather to the chiefs' hall. I didn't know why we were going there or what kind of training was waiting for me. I was just excited. I wondered if I could be as powerful a wizard as my mother. I wondered if Fluffy was good. Countless questions were running through my head as we arrived at the hall.

Although it looked small from the outside, the space we entered was quite big. The surroundings were not bright enough and we could only see in front of us as we continued on our way.

"Where are we going, grandad?" I asked.

My grandfather continued his steps without breaking his stride. At the same time, he answered my question with his back turned.

"I can't inform and educate you about everything in a short period of time like a week," he said. "It takes patience and time to learn about the powers."

"Then what do we do?" I asked.

My grandfather raised his voice a little louder and shared with me the idea he had in mind.

"I will put you in front of the board," he said. "And if they approve you, if they think you are worthy, you will be able to drink the rare crom potion. This will allow you to unlock your powers faster and control them."

I was surprised because the crom potion was only mentioned in the story my mother had told me.

"Ender crom potion," I said. "I thought that was a made-up thing."

"We had to hide it from our people," he explained. "Because it was too difficult to produce. And we swore we would only use it in emergencies."

"You did this for me," I said, touched. "I don't know what to say. Thank you."

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My grandfather interrupted me and said the words I wanted to hear.

"It's too early to thank me," he said. "And if I won't help you, who will I help? You are like my daughter."

When we came to the end of the hall, there were big rows in front of me and an empty space in the middle. My grandfather signaled me with his hand to move to the empty space in the middle.

When I got to the place he pointed to, my grandfather went behind the rows and took his place next to the chiefs. There were a few male and female guards around, and in front of me stood three chiefs.

Although one of the chiefs was my grandfather, my situation was very difficult. I waited in silence for the chiefs to speak and judge me. Soon, the chief on the far right began to speak.

"Born of Pelena," he said. "Grandson of Grong. Daughter of Thrin. Lezlie Ichihara. Is that you?"

"Yes, I am, cheif," I replied.

"Do I understand correctly," he continued. "That your reason for applying to the council is to use the rare crom potion to activate your powers quickly?"

The chief had spoken quite clearly, so I had nothing more to say.

"That's right sir," I said. "I'm here to ask your permission to use the potion."

"And after using this potion," he asked. "What will you use the powers you are trying to activate for?"

"For justice," I replied. "For the peace of our lineage and to end the tyranny of the epics."

"This is for the good of other people," he said. "The question we are asking is why do you want it?"

"My father died before I was born," I explained. "I never knew my father. It was my mother who raised me and taught me what was what. She was always there for me and we were very happy together. But because of a mistake I made, she died."

With tears streaming down my face, I continued my speech. "She died because of me. I never told you. I'm so sorry, Grandpa. It was my fault. She died saving me. I never got the chance to tell her how much I loved her, but even in his last moments, she thought of me. She gave me advice and guidance, always thinking of my well-being. I'm here because I want to make her proud. I want to help others as she did. I want to show her that she didn't die in vain and that she didn't regret saving me."

Even though tears blurred my vision and my voice shook with emotion, I finished my sentence. I had finally expressed everything that had been weighing on my heart and mind for so long. The chief, turned to me and asked one final question: "With the powers you gain, will you protect your descendants and innocent people? Will you use them against the Epics and those who work with them?"

"Yes," I replied firmly. "I will."

There was nothing more to say. My intentions were clear and all that remained was for the chiefs to vote on whether or not I would be allowed to drink the potion.

The chief on the right began the voting process. "Those who don't want Lezlie Ichihara to drink the potion, please raise your hands." The chef who had spoken earlier raised his hand in opposition.

The chief called out again, "All those in favor of our descendant Lezlie Ichihara drinking the potion, please raise your hand." My grandfather raised his hand once more, his optimism shining through.

Now it was up to Furon's father. He hesitated for a moment before finally raising his hand. "I knew your mother," he said softly. "She was a good person and I loved her like a daughter. If you want to follow in her footsteps and honor her memory, then Godspeed, Grong's grandson."

"Thank you," I whispered gratefully.

The chiefs stood to make their final decision. My grandfather stood in the center and spoke loudly for all to hear: "Then it is decided. By a vote of two to one, Lezlie is entitled to drink the potion."