Kevin stepped inside, but stopped in awe.
— Wow… Mr. Cyrus… on the outside it looked like just a house, but in here… it's a forest!
Soft light filtered through the treetops, the sound of running water echoed in the distance, and birds sang overhead. The contrast was overwhelming.
Cyrus, unfazed, spoke firmly:
— We're not here to play. We're here to train. You know what each Essence or Aura is capable of, don't you?
Kevin nodded and began to recite, as if repeating a bitter lesson:
— The Celestial cures curses through blessings…
The Neutral is immune to curses and blessings…
The Demonic casts curses that kill little by little…
— He clenched his fists, filled with sadness and anger. — And the Healer… can only heal.
A sharp sound echoed in the hall. Cyrus had slapped him across the face.
— Never speak of your Essence that way again! — he said firmly. — The Healer is the only one that can be manipulated. On top of that, it has the greatest regenerative potential ever seen.
Kevin held his cheek, stunned.
— Manipulated?
Cyrus raised his palm. A green light bloomed, shaping itself into a living, pulsating sword.
— Exactly. You can do this too. You just need training.
Kevin's eyes widened, suddenly full of energy:
— Then let's start!
— Very well. The first phase of your training is simple… — Cyrus gave a faint smile. — A fight. Against yourself.
From the ground, a form began to rise. It was Kevin, identical in every detail — except for the gray eyes with crimson irises.
— That's your copy. — the master explained. — To pass this phase… you need to kill it.
Kevin swallowed hard.
— Alright… I'm going. — he murmured, though his body trembled.
He looked at the double and noticed something familiar in its gaze.
— M-Master Cyrus… does this copy have my family's Anagarete?
Cyrus eyed the creature and laughed.
— Well, well… looks like you inherited the Hagan, same as your cousin. Tough luck for you. Now fight. — and he laughed even louder.
Kevin charged, consumed by anger. But it was useless.
The copy not only fought better, the Hagan allowed it to predict and mimic his every move. Kevin was defeated again and again.
Four days passed. In his room, on the edge of exhaustion, something awakened within him.
His eyes changed. The Hagan had finally manifested.
And with it, Kevin killed his copy.
---
The Lost Years
The training continued.
At dawn, Kevin carried a hundred trees on his back up steep hills.
Then he spent hours molding weapons out of his own Essence. Swords, spears, bows… all forged from healing energy.
When he could finally do all this without effort, Cyrus declared:
— The time has come. The final part of your training.
A dimensional rift opened before him. The air itself seemed to twist reality.
— Step through. — Cyrus ordered.
Kevin crossed over. The new world crushed him. Breathing, walking, moving… everything was four times harder. It took him a whole day just to stand up.
With time, he met people. But the mark of the Anagarete in his eyes drew hatred and fear. They tried to kill him. With no money, Kevin became a mercenary assassin. That's how he lived for fifteen years in that hell.
Until one night, a rift opened before him. Cyrus appeared calmly.
— You can return now. Your training is complete.
Kevin stepped through. His body had rejuvenated, as if only a few years had passed… but in his world, only four years had gone by.
---
The Train Back
Seated at a table in a train car, Kevin finished telling his story. He held a cup of hot chocolate, his eyes distant.
— And that's how it was… Now I'm going back to my hometown. — he concluded, like an old narrator.
Across from him, a young woman with brown hair watched attentively.
— So you're going to reunite with your sister and your cousin… aren't you, sir?
Kevin stood, adjusting his coat.
— Just call me Kevin. And yes… I'm going after them.
The woman smiled.
— I'm Sara. It was an honor to hear your story. Not every day someone strikes up a conversation with me.
He averted his gaze, shy, and simply nodded.
The train slowed to a halt. The doors opened. Kevin stepped out with the crowd.
He drew in a deep breath.
— That smell of coal and smoke… always the same. — he murmured with a nostalgic smile. — It brings back memories.
He made his way to the station exit. But something was wrong.
A massive crowd surrounded the Royal Palace. The commotion was unusual.
— The capital has always been lively… but never like this. — he said, frowning.
Pushing through the people, he entered the palace. The main hall was packed with warriors from different regions.
Kevin sat in a corner, distant from everyone, just observing.
— So many warriors gathered… What could be the reason? — he murmured.
And there, alone in his corner, he decided to wait.