Lucien finally reached the top of the mountain.
His legs were shaking and his breathing was heavy. Sweat ran down his face as he tried to catch his breath.
Master White looked at him calmly.
You did well. Get some rest. Your training will begin tomorrow.
Lucien nodded and slowly stood up. As he looked around the top of the mountain, he realized something strange.
There was nothing there.
No village. No people. No other houses.
Only a small wooden house stood on the mountain.
Lucien looked around again and suddenly understood.
So it will only be the two of us living here.
Lucien sighed quietly.
I should get some rest and look around tomorrow.
He walked toward Master White's house and stepped inside.
The house was very small.
Lucien looked confused.
Master White noticed his expression.
Are you surprised? Did you think I was living in some kind of mansion?
Lucien quickly shook his head.
No sir.
Master White pointed to a corner of the room.
Sleep there. That is where your father used to sleep when he trained under me.
Lucien nodded.
Yes sir.
He lay down and quickly fell asleep from exhaustion.
---
The next morning
Lucien suddenly heard a voice.
Wake up.
Lucien slowly opened his eyes.
Master White stood over him.
Your training begins now.
Lucien stood up and began wondering what his master would teach him first.
Suddenly his stomach made a loud sound.
Lucien rubbed his stomach.
I am starting to get hungry.
Master White looked at him.
Good. The timing is perfect.
Lucien looked confused.
You will go down the mountain and hunt.
Lucien was surprised.
I am going down the mountain to hunt? I thought I would train with you today.
Master White crossed his arms.
This is your training.
From today onward, you will hunt our food. Or were you expecting me to hunt for you?
Lucien stayed silent.
If you cannot even do that, then you are not worthy of my training.
Your training begins now.
Be back before afternoon.
Before Lucien left, Master White continued speaking.
There are three types of monsters in the forest.
Ironhide Boars
Razorwing Hawks
Thornback Treants
Lucien listened carefully.
Ironhide Boars are beast monsters. Their bodies are covered with thick skin that is harder than normal hide. They are aggressive creatures, but their meat is very delicious. Their weakness is the neck and underbelly.
Razorwing Hawks are flying predators. They attack from the sky with incredible speed.
Thornback Treants are forest guardians. They look like trees but can move and attack with powerful wooden arms.
Lucien nodded and began walking down the mountain.
---
Inside the forest
Lucien searched for monsters for a long time, but he could not find any.
Hunting was harder than he expected.
After several hours he finally decided to rest.
While sitting under a tree, he remembered something he once read in a book.
Ironhide Boars love strong smelling food.
Lucien stood up.
He began searching the forest for fruits and mushrooms. After finding some, he crushed them on the ground in several places.
The scent quickly spread through the forest.
Lucien hid behind a tree and waited.
After a few minutes he heard heavy footsteps.
An Ironhide Boar appeared.
The creature walked toward the crushed fruit and began eating.
Lucien watched carefully.
Only one Ironhide Boar had arrived so far.
This is my chance.
Lucien slowly moved forward.
He raised his weapon and struck the monster directly in the neck.
The Ironhide Boar screamed and collapsed onto the ground.
The loud sound echoed through the forest.
Lucien quickly looked around.
Before the others come, I should leave.
He lifted the Ironhide Boar onto his shoulder and began climbing back up the mountain.
While climbing, he could hear the sounds of other boars running through the forest below.
Lucien sighed in relief.
I was lucky today.
Climbing the mountain while carrying the heavy monster was extremely exhausting.
This is harder than I imagined. If I keep doing this every day, I will probably get used to it.
After some time he finally reached the top.
Lucien dropped the Ironhide Boar on the ground and lay down, breathing heavily.
Master White looked at him.
You returned sooner than I expected. I thought I might starve today.
Master White began roasting the Ironhide Boar.
Lucien looked surprised.
We are eating it like that?
Master White nodded.
This is also part of your training.
After they finished eating, Master White handed Lucien a wooden sword.
Your sword training begins now.
---
Sword training
Lucien held the wooden sword.
Master White stepped closer and adjusted his stance.
Your feet are wrong. A swordsman must always keep balance.
Lucien corrected his position.
Now swing the sword.
Lucien swung the wooden sword downward.
Again.
Lucien repeated the movement.
Again.
Lucien continued swinging.
Hundreds of swings later, his arms began to shake.
Master White watched silently.
A sword is not just a weapon. It must become part of your body.
Lucien continued swinging until the sun began to set.
---
For the next three months, Lucien repeated the same routine.
Every morning he hunted Ironhide Boars.
After returning to the mountain, he trained with the sword until sunset.
Day after day he repeated this training without rest.
Three months later, Master White finally spoke.
You learn faster than I expected.
Lucien looked at him.
You learn from your mistakes and improve. Your father was the same.
Your father was one of my best students.
You are very similar to him.
Lucien smiled slightly.
Master White continued.
From today onward, you will spar with me.
Lucien's eyes lit up.
That sounds much better.
Lucien then asked something he had been wondering for a long time.
Master, during these three months I have never seen Razorwing Hawks or Thornback Treants.
Master White laughed.
That is because they do not come near this mountain.
I chased them away and made this place the territory of the Ironhide Boars.
Lucien looked curious.
Why?
Master White shrugged.
Because they taste terrible.
Forget about that. Bring your sword.
Today you fight me.
Master White picked up his wooden sword.
Come at me.
Lucien took a deep breath and rushed forward with incredible speed.
He swung his sword.
Master White blocked the attack easily.
Lucien attacked again and again.
Each strike was blocked.
Master White moved calmly, barely using any effort.
Lucien suddenly saw an opening.
Now.
He rushed forward and attacked with full strength.
But Master White moved instantly.
The wooden sword struck Lucien's head.
Everything went dark.
---
When Lucien woke up, Master White was standing beside him.
Figure out your mistake yourself.
The next day Lucien hunted another Ironhide Boar and returned.
Then he sparred with his master again.
The result was the same.
Lucien was defeated once more.