After delivering a blow enhanced with a burst of aura, a calm smile spread across his lips, and he formed an expression that said it all:
"It's over."
In the next moment, our swords clashed.
A loud explosion echoed, as if the air itself had torn apart, and I felt my body being violently thrown backward. I crashed into a small snowy embankment, the cold seeping into my bones.
Dian slightly relaxed his guard and said in a calm, yet decisive tone, "Well... for someone your age, you're incredibly strong. But your limits... end here."
As he finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened in surprise, and a single drop of sweat formed on his face. He smiled faintly and said in a tone bordering on astonishment, "How... how did you even do that? Hahaha..."
From behind the remnants of the scattered snow, a beautiful blue aura emerged, calm yet intense, pulsating with life.
It wasn't that Dian was shocked by my escape... but by how the aura had formed and deflected the attack at that precise moment.
In reality, I managed to do it thanks to the ability "The Fold"; freezing time-space for a fraction of a moment, without any impact on the outside world, giving me the opportunity to shape the aura and enhance it in my sword. A... frighteningly useful ability.
Dian stared at me and said, "Huh? How did you manage to do that? Who are you, really? No... what are you, exactly?"
I prepared to launch a swift attack, but Dian suddenly raised his hand and said urgently, "Wait, wait, wait! Let's stop here for now."
He took a deep breath and added with a smile tinged with seriousness, "I thought I could go easy on you... but it seems I might not make it out alive if I do."
"What?" I said in surprise. "So... what am I supposed to do now?"
"Now?" he said simply. "Go back to your room and rest. I'll redo your training program from scratch. Come back tomorrow."
"But what about that skill?" I asked calmly. "When will you teach me it?"
"Ah, that? I'll teach you once you've finished your training here."
"Huh? But won't that be too late?"
"Don't worry about that. That skill is actually quite simple. It depends on the user's understanding and manipulation of the aether. With your talent, you'll learn it quickly."
"Ah... alright then."
Before turning around, I said, "Goodnight."
He smiled and replied, "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
And so, I headed back to my room.
As soon as I arrived, I took a bath and sat on my bed, trying to make sense of what had happened.
Suddenly... the door burst open.
Three people entered.
The first one noticed me, and a sly smile spread across his face. He approached me, saying, "Oh? You must be the new guy. What were you doing at this hour, I wonder?"
I replied simply, "I was training."
"Hoo!" he said sarcastically. "You seem like a hard worker, don't you?"
I sighed and decided to ignore him.
But his expression suddenly changed, and he said in a threatening tone, "Listen, if you want to get through your days here without trouble... you'd better show some respect. I'm the senior here."
I gave him a cold stare, a gaze that conveyed pure intent to kill.
He took a step back, looking flustered, and sweat dripped from his forehead.
I smiled and replied in a calm, respectful tone, "Yes, I understand... Senior."
But that didn't stop him.
He approached me, laughing, and said, "Yeah, that's how you should be obedient. Hahaha!"
Should I beat him up and end this?
He got closer, his face inches from mine, and said, "If I focus on you... your face is quite handsome, isn't it? Ooh~ Do you have a sister? Why don't you introduce me to her? Hahaha!"
No... I'll kill him right now.
I prepared to strike his neck, but one of his companions intervened suddenly: "Hey, my name is Leo. Nice to meet you. You're the new guy here, right?"
He approached me and whispered, "Just... ignore him, okay?"
That was the best option.
The two of them seemed respectful... but the third one? Just a fool.
I sighed.
"Ah... anyway, I should get some sleep."
The sound of knocking on the door repeated, this time violently, almost breaking it.
And the rough shouting that ordered us to wake up every morning...
I had gotten used to it.
That was our daily routine.
Me... and William.
We would run every morning, then have breakfast, followed by strength training, lunch, sword training, and after dinner...
it was time for training with my Master.
Dian said seriously, "Listen carefully, Daniel. From now on, you'll fight me one-on-one, with all your might, every day... until you gain experience and endurance."
He paused and added, "But we'll start this program next month. Got it?"
"What? So... what are we going to do now?" I asked.
He smiled and said, "Follow me."
I followed him.
We headed behind a massive slope located behind the castle, and we descended until we reached a small waterfall.
I stared at it, wondering why he had brought me here, when Dian interrupted my thoughts: "You'll train here from now on."
"What? How am I supposed to train here?" I asked.
He smiled strangely and said with eerie calmness, "Take off your clothes."
"..."
I didn't respond.
I just stared at him, trying to understand what he meant.
"What...?" I started to say.
"Didn't you hear me?" he asked.
"Yeah, I heard you," I replied.
"Then do it."
The problem was that I had heard him clearly...
but what?
I sighed and did what he said.
As soon as I removed my clothes, a biting chill hit me, and my body froze.
I asked him, shivering, "S-so... what kind of training requires me to be naked?"
He smiled and said, "Now... head towards that waterfall and stay under it."
"..."
He must have lost his mind.