They say, "When you see everything as trivial, you've understood life."
But they're wrong. They don't understand it; they're just tired of it. Life isn't an idea to be comprehended or a puzzle to be solved. It's love and hell, beginning and end, art and knowledge. Knowledge, like life, has no bounds, and its essence lies in what we create. That's why I chose myself, for souls are precious, and one like me cannot be humiliated.
Without warning, the wooden sword grazed my side, scratching my clothes. "Aghghgh!"
"Daniel, focus!"
"Okay."
My grandfather and I had been exchanging blows like this all day, but the intensity had increased. Clark had doubled his strength and was unleashing more power. Had he even realized it? This went on for two weeks.
I focused on my fist, gripping the sword, and thought, "Okay, I'll try it." I stepped back, dodging Clark's attack, and closed my eyes, feeling the surroundings. I could see the spirit in everything, including my grandfather's pure white soul, as expected. After a brief silence...
"Synchronization."
Clark's eyes widened, trying to understand what was happening, but before he could react, I had vanished and reappeared in front of him, fist aimed at his face. His eyes widened further as I advanced at incredible speed, striking him with a blow that sent his sword flying. I adjusted my stance and said with a hint of provocation, "Oh, Grandpa, you need to focus a bit."
...
"Good!" Clark exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face despite the pain.
Honestly, over the past two weeks, every time I hit or injured my grandfather, he would unleash his full power and then beat me mercilessly. I, on the other hand, was using only 70% of my strength, not intending to reveal my full capabilities to avoid trouble. Even with my full power, I wouldn't be able to win against my grandfather currently.
Just as I was lost in thought, my grandfather charged towards me with a swift strike. I didn't react, and the sword was deflected. I hit the wall, groaning in pain.
"Get up!" he commanded.
I knew he wasn't joking. I quickly got up, preparing myself and boosting my strength to 80%. I wouldn't lose.
"Yes, this is how it should be," I said, clearing my mind and focusing.
"...Synchronization."
Before he could finish his sentence, I was already in front of him, delivering a blow to his stomach with three times the power of the previous one. My grandfather groaned, impressed.
Thanks to my Fold ability, I could increase my speed. In reality, my grandfather didn't budge, but I had distributed the force around his entire stomach, making the attack's force rebound.
He stood up with some difficulty and said, "Daniel, leave now."
"Why?" I asked.
"Daniel, if you don't leave... I might really kill you," he replied seriously.
As I left, he whispered, "And your training will be extended to three hours."
I felt a surge of guilt initially, knowing I had hurt his pride, but after two and a half hours of intense training, the guilt turned to resentment. "Damn old man!"
Somehow, I managed to complete the three hours, but I collapsed on the ground afterward, exhausted and in pain.
My strength has increased significantly, and I'm close to surpassing the fifth rank and approaching the sixth. I've also recovered most of my abilities, notably the Absolute Fabric and Cosmic Resonance, both related to magic. The third ability is Balance, which allows me to teleport within a 50-meter radius, proving very useful. Currently, I'm trying to master the Null Law, which allows me to turn incoming attacks into "nothingness" by surrounding myself with a powerful barrier combining aether and spiritual energy. It's incredibly useful against stronger opponents.
As the days passed, Daniel continued training with his grandfather and practicing control over the Null Law. Weeks went by, and his stay had come to an end.
"Ugh, my break is finally over," I said, smiling wryly.
It was just a break, and now I have to return home and prepare for the academy.
As Daniel thought about this, he smiled, remembering something important.
"There's one day left before I leave... Tomorrow night, I'll go get that thing, the main reason I came here."
_Daniel, "Come, let's sit and talk a bit before our last training session."
"Okay, Grandfather."
We sat down in the middle of the training hall, an unusual posture for someone of the duke's stature, as he leaned against the wall, moving his feet.
"Daniel, what do you think about the academy?"
What was this? Suddenly?
"It's just a question."
"Hmm, if I had to say... 'A Prelude.'"
"A Prelude? What do you mean?"
"I mean, I currently consider the academy a stepping stone for what's to come."
He smiled, indicating that the answer both pleased and surprised him.
"So, what do you think? Is it safe?"
"Grandfather, there's no such thing as a safe place. Everywhere you go can hold danger."
"Good answer. Do you know that the academy was actually infiltrated by two demons?"
"Really?"
I didn't know, but it's not surprising.
"Yes, it happened when I was a student. But the dean at the time handled it."
"Your cousin will be joining as well, you know."
"Yes, I know."
"Be careful around him."
I didn't respond, but I thought to myself that I wouldn't warn people; I'd categorize them instead. In my mind, everyone had a role: tool, obstacle, or temporary ally. Even relatives weren't exceptions. The academy wouldn't be a place for learning for me, but a battlefield for sorting people out. Those who were useful would be utilized, and those who weren't... would be left behind.
Clarence sighed, then smiled. "Shall we begin our final fight?"