The morning sun rose gently, casting golden light across Caelum's room. Birds chirped cheerfully outside, filling the air with a peaceful melody.
But that peace didn't last long.
"Wake up, you lazy pig! How many hours are you planning to sleep?" a gruff voice snapped.
Thwack!
A sharp pain bloomed in Caelum's stomach as a wooden staff jabbed him awake.
"Ugh !" he groaned, clutching his gut as he sat up. "What the hell was that for?!"
"Who are you, old man?!" Caelum asked, wincing in pain.
The elderly figure stroked his thick mustache, peering at Caelum with sharp eyes. "You sure do look alike..."
"What do you mean?" Caelum asked, confused.
Thwack!
Another hit landed on his head.
"Ow! Why are you hitting me again?!"
"Don't be rude to your elders, child," the old man scolded, gripping his staff like a weapon of discipline.
Before Caelum could protest, a knock came from the door.
"My lord, are you awake?"
"Yes, come in," Caelum groaned.
The door opened, and Leonard stepped inside only to stop abruptly. His eyes widened at the sight of the old man. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee.
"Good to see you, Sir Sainm."
"Ohh, Leonard! It's been quite a while. How have you been?" the old man asked with a rare softness in his voice.
"I've been doing fine, sir. It's good to see you in good health."
Caelum blinked, completely lost. "Leonard... who is this old man?"
Leonard turned to him, serious. "My lord, this is the man who trained your grandfather lord Azrael.
He is one of the last surviving master warriors of the old era."
The old man grunted. "So... he's truly dead, then?"
Leonard nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir."
"Hmph. I warned him the sin of wrath is not to be taken lightly…"
Then, almost as if remembering something important, the old man straightened his posture. "Ah, that's right. Caelum. Grandson of the Holy Sword Wielder, Azrael Caelum. I have come to take you under my wing. Your grandfather made this request before he passed."
"So this is the old man who trained my grandfather..." Caelum muttered to himself, awe flickering in his eyes.
He knelt with respect. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Thwack!
Another strike landed squarely on his shoulder.
"Now what was that for?!" Caelum groaned, clutching the sore spot.
"Call me Master, boy," the old man said sternly, standing tall with his staff in hand.
"How many days until your Celestara Academy enrollment?" Sainm asked, arms crossed.
"Three months," Caelum replied.
"Ahh... three months, huh?" The old man nodded with a grin. "Good. More than enough time. Pack your things we're leaving now!"
"What?! Already?!" Caelum blinked.
"Did I stutter?" Sainm laughed heartily, walking toward the door. "This won't be easy, boy. Hahaha!"
Caelum watched the old man stride away, his laughter echoing down the hallway.
"Yeah..." Caelum muttered, grabbing his sword.
"I've got a feeling this is going to be hell."
As they left for their journey, Caelum waved to the knights and house staff standing by the gates. The wind carried their farewells softly.
"Leonard!" Caelum called out, turning back for a moment.
"Yes, my Lord?" he stepped forward.
"Let my parents know I've left with Master Sainm. I'll return in three months."
"Understood, my Lord. I'll deliver your message right away. Please, have a safe journey."
"Thank you, Leonard," Caelum smiled.
Just then, the old man's voice rang out, "Boy, we're heading to the Spiritual Realm of the Deity."
Caelum turned to him, confused. "What's that?"
Sainm looked ahead, eyes firm. "It's the sacred realm where the First Deity once walked. You'll train there… and learn to control your powers."
"Is it far?" Caelum asked, tightening the straps on his bag.
"Nah, just about a week's journey," Sainm replied with a slight smirk.
Caelum nodded with determination. "Alright then… let's get going!"
"Hmph, you've got a lot of spirit, boy. But I'll tell you now this journey won't be easy. Hahaha!" Sainm laughed.
"Stop scaring me already, Master!" Caelum shot back, half-laughing, half-nervous.
And with that, the road ahead began one that would change Caelum's fate forever.
As Caelum and Sainm departed from the estate, the morning wind brushed softly against their cloaks. The golden rays of the sun stretched across the horizon, casting long, fading shadows behind them.
Caelum turned back for one last glance at the towering gates and distant figures of knights and workers waving farewell.
"Three months, huh..." he muttered under his breath.
Sainm, already riding ahead, called out without turning, "Don't look back too long, boy. Your future lies ahead."
Caelum nudged his horse forward, catching up beside the old man. "Master… may I ask how you met my grandfather?"
Sainm raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk forming beneath his mustache. "How I met that stubborn fool?"
"Yes," Caelum replied with curiosity in his tone.
"Hmph… I met Azrael when he was seventeen. A noble brat through and through. Proud as a lion and twice as loud. Wouldn't bow his head even if the heavens split open."
Caelum blinked. "Really?"
Sainm chuckled. "Oh yes. He was rude, arrogant, and always picking fights. But he had spirit. Fire in his eyes. I beat that pride out of him one broken bone at a time."
Caelum's eyes widened. "You what ?!"
Sainm let out a laugh. "Don't worry. I only break what needs fixing."
Caelum sat cross-legged, fingers pointed at the pile of wood, sweat dripping from his brow. "Attempt number 150…" he muttered.
Still no flame.
Beside him, Sainm was already fast asleep, snoring lightly.
Caelum took a deep breath. "Alright… just one more try." He focused again energy pulsing through his fingertips. "Fire… come on…"
FWOOOSH
A spark caught then a small flame danced to life.
"I DID IT!" he yelled in pure joy. "Master, I DID IT!"
Sainm jolted awake, eyes snapping open. "Wha huh? You did it?"
He looked at the fire, then burst into laughter. "Haha! I like your energy, boy. You did it, huh? Good job."
Caelum smiled proudly… until Sainm added, "Now put it out and go to sleep."
"Huh?!" Caelum blinked in disbelief. "Then why did you tell me to light it in the first place?!"
Sainm smirked, turning back to his spot. "That was your training. Now sleep."
Even though the fire had no use anymore, Caelum lay down with a small grin. At least I did it…
As he drifted off, a strange voice echoed in his dreams.
"Caelum… come to me. I will give you power no one else can. I will make you… a God."
Caelum's eyes flew open. He sat up, gasping.
The fire was lit again and Sainm was awake, sitting in silence, staring into the flames.
"The voice," he said quietly, "you heard it, didn't you?"
Caelum nodded slowly. "Yes… but I don't know who it was."
Sainm's expression turned dark. "Lucel. The King of Sins. He's trying to manipulate you."
Caelum's breath hitched.
"Don't you dare let him in," Sainm warned with a grim voice. "If you do… I'll have no choice but to kill you myself."
Caelum swallowed hard. "Okay, Master… I understand."
After a heavy silence, Sainm nodded. "Good. Let's hope you don't make me do that." Then he chuckled, tone lightening. "If I'm right, we'll reach the spiritual realm in about six days. Get some rest we move early tomorrow."
The Next Morning
The sun barely peeked over the horizon when Caelum was rudely awakened not by the sun, but by a loud WHACK on his head.
"WAKE UP, YOU SLEEPING DONKEY!" Sainm barked.
"Ow! Why do you always hit me?!" Caelum groaned, rubbing his head.
"Because it works," the old man grinned. "Now go fetch breakfast. I'm hungry."
Caelum blinked. "Wait what are we eating?"
"You're the hunter, boy. Go hunt."
"…What?"
Sainm pointed to the woods. "The forest is full of food. If you're lucky, you might find something that doesn't bite back."
Caelum grumbled as he grabbed a stick, trying to act like a warrior. "Fine! Watch me bring back a whole deer!"
An Hour Later…
Sainm sat beside the fire, eyes closed in meditation. Suddenly, rustling came from the trees.
"I got something!" Caelum shouted.
Out he came dragging a rabbit. Or rather, a rabbit dragging him.
"LET GO YOU EVIL FLUFFBALL!" Caelum cried, being pulled by his sleeve. The rabbit hissed and bit him again.
Sainm opened one eye. "Impressive. You caught a demon rabbit."
"It caught me!"
Eventually, Caelum managed to pin the rabbit down. He looked up, panting. "Dinner is served."
Sainm burst into laughter. "That thing's so small, you'll only feed one leg."
Caelum flopped down beside the fire, exhausted. "Why didn't you hunt, Master?"
"Because I have a disciple now. Teaching responsibility."
"…You mean free labor."
Sainm smirked. "Exactly."
Later
As the rabbit roasted on the fire now thankfully quiet Caelum held his sore arms.
Sainm took a bite. "Not bad… for your first demonic rabbit."
Caelum grinned. "Next time, I'm aiming for a boar."
Sainm raised an eyebrow. "Just don't bring the whole forest chasing after you."
As they laugh together, Caelum stretches and looks up at the sky. "Hey… the forest suddenly got quiet."
Sainm's smile fades instantly. He stands up slowly, hand resting on his cane. "...That's not a good sign."
A heavy silence falls around them. No birds. No wind. Just the eerie stillness.
Suddenly, a gust of wind whooshes past cold and unnatural. The fire flickers violently.
Caelum stands, confused. "Master… what was that?"
CRACK!
A nearby tree splits in half, not cut sliced, clean through.
From deep within the shadows, a voice echoes softly, like a whisper crawling into their ears:
"So you finally came."
Sainm's eyes widen.
"No... it's too early for him to appear "
The wind howls, and black feathers begin to fall from the sky.
Caelum backs away. "W-What's happening?!"
Sainm grits his teeth, raising his staff. "Get ready, Caelum. We may have company…"