The Next Day
After Kael regained consciousness, he was in the knights' training ground with Ossban for training.
"Show me your sword," Ossban said to Kael.
Kael showed his sword to Ossban.
Ossban examined the sword and looked dissatisfied.
"Kael, this sword won't last much longer. I guess you've used it very roughly," he said.
Kael, remembering what had happened in the cave, replied in a low voice, "I... I guess so..."
"Okay, for today—look, there are knights around. Take a sword from them, and I'll order a new one to be forged as soon as possible," said Ossban.
"Please... can't this sword be repaired? Actually, the thing is, I personally like this sword. Please," Kael pleaded.
"Okay, I'll talk to the blacksmith," Ossban replied, then continued,
"Now take a sword and start swinging it."
Kael picked a sword from the knights and began to swing it. His technique had clearly improved since before.
"It's not polished. Or rather, I'd say you haven't had time to refine your technique. You rely too much on physical strength—but your body is still just eight years old. So instead of using force, try to control the sword and move it freely. Make the sword a part of your body," Ossban advised.
"How? I mean, how can I feel the sword as part of my body?" Kael asked.
"You're holding the sword too tightly, which restricts your body's natural movements. Your hands can't swing the way you want them to. I use just one hand to wield a sword. When I need more strength, I infuse my aura into specific parts of my body—and that gives me more power," Ossban explained.
"Oh… I think I'm starting to get it," said Kael.
"Nema, bring me that sword," Ossban ordered.
Nema was in charge of the weapons.
Nema brought over a sword—it looked very ordinary.
"Kael, use this sword. Now swing it 200 times," Ossban instructed.
Kael picked up the sword—and immediately dropped it. His hands trembled.
"It's heavy… not just heavy... there's something else about it... what is this feeling?" Kael thought, unable to understand it.
As Kael let go, the sword pierced the ground by about 10 inches.
"Don't drop it, Kael," Ossban said firmly.
Kael looked at Ossban and understood.
"Oh… that was his plan," Kael thought.
"Kael, swing that sword—not just 200 times, but the whole day. Only then will you be able to handle it. Then we'll proceed to Stage 2."
Kael sat down on the ground to catch his breath.
Just then, the trainer in charge of the soldiers approached Ossban.
"Ossban, are you sure it's a good idea to let young Kael use that sword? It's the second-heaviest sword, meant only for captains or higher."
Ossban put his hand on the trainer's shoulder and said,
"I've placed my bet on him. Let's see if it's worth it."
Kael smiled, got up, picked up the sword using brute force, and swung it for the first time.
Ossban saw it, smiled, and walked away to resume his duties.
"Your bet is on the right person, Ossban… you and that child, both are monsters," the trainer smiled.
Kael swung the sword four to five more times and thought,
"It's not working the way I want. I'm doing something wrong."
"Can I use something to make up for my lack of physical strength? Aura... how can I control it like Uncle does? Maybe I should go to that forbidden place... but should I?"
Kael smiled to himself.
"Let's go..."
Kael approached the trainer.
"Umm…"
"Oh, young master! I'm Lem. Think of me as your friend and just call me Lem," the trainer said.
"But you're my senior, so how can I…?" Kael hesitated.
"No need for formality. Everyone calls me Lem."
"Okay, but in return, please call me Kael," Kael said with a smile.
"Alright, Kael. So, what do you need?"
"Ah… actually, I want to go to my room. My grandpa gave me something to do. I'll be back soon."
"Oh, okay! No problem. Go take care of it and return when you're done."
Kael started walking toward the stairs.
[Palace Layout]
_______________________________[LAYOURT]
_____________________|GATE|
_____________[GROUND]______[STORAGE]
__|GATE|________________________[STAIRS]___[MAIN PALACE(SERENE AND IRENA)]
_____________[PALACE 2(OSSBAN)]________[MEDICAL]
"A work, huh?" Lem thought to himself.
Kael wandered through the palace, searching for the room.
"I'm sure it was this way..." Kael muttered.
He reached the third floor and kept looking.
"They all look the same..."
Suddenly, he felt something unusual, like he had passed through an invisible barrier.
"Ahh... something's different," Kael thought. He turned around but saw nothing unusual. When he looked forward again—there it was.
He had found the forbidden library.
Kael entered and noticed that things looked a little different from last time.
[Forbidden Library – Aura Force]
[Layout]
_____________[AURA FORCE(BOOK ON THE BOOK SHELF)]
___[KAEL]
A book titled Aura Force rested on the bookshelf.
Kael stood before it.
"Aura... I've heard about it. This library changes itself… but how? Well, I don't have time to think about that. For now, I'll read this book," Kael said.
He picked up Aura Force.
After reading for some time, Kael began to realize something:
Stamina + Life Force = Energy
This energy can be used in various forms to produce a desired output.
Aura is a kind of fuel that can either increase output or even create new forms of energy—
but it can also be dangerous.
"So… can I use my aura to make up for my lack of physical strength?"
Kael spent only a brief amount of time in the library.
"That's all in this book. Alright then... let's go back," Kael said.
Next Arc: Kael 2nd Stage Arc is starting in the next chapter. Thank you readers for your support.This Arc is going to be more crazy.