Four years later…
On a cold afternoon in Frostvale, a small explosion suddenly rocked the training field behind the Kade family home. The snow that had been covering the ground melted instantly in the area around the explosion, then froze again as it flew through the air. Several wooden poles where the students were training cracked and snapped, leaving pieces of wood scattered across the icy surface. Among the chaos, a bucket of water flew high into the air before crashing hard onto Gai's head.
Gai fell backwards and screamed loudly, his voice breaking the silence there. He felt around his head as he wiped away the soap suds and water droplets that had trickled down his cheeks. "ARGHH! THAT'S MY BATH BUCKET!" he screamed, his voice hoarse from a mixture of shock and pain.
Damian Kade stood a few feet away from him, his body hunched over and his face down. A thin layer of smoke still curled around him from the small explosion that had just occurred. He took a deep breath and scratched his hair with one hand, trying not to laugh. "I'm sorry, Master Gai," he said softly.
Gai glanced, then slowly stood up, looking at his student with half-angry eyes. He raised an eyebrow and shouted, "Damian! Are you practicing magic, or are you going to blow us all up?" His voice was full of anger that was not without reason. Damian often acted up when experimenting with his magic.
Damian rubbed the back of his neck as he stepped closer. "I was testing the distribution of mana into the sword," he answered quickly, trying to sound firm and professional.
Gai looked at him in surprise. "Mana distribution? Then why did you flip a coin before channeling your magic?!" he asked, as if not believing Damian's excuse.
Damian paused for a moment, staring at the bucket that was now rolled on the ground. He sighed, then turned his head with a half-smile. "They say everything in life is about luck," he said lowly.
Gai snorted. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and furrowed his brows. "Those are the words of a gambler!" he said in a loud tone.
Damian looked away from Gai. "Father said so," he answered without looking straight at Gai.
Gai slapped his forehead with his hand, indicating his exhaustion from dealing with his student's antics. Damian knew his trainer cared—though he often got annoyed, Gai always guided his training so that he could progress safely.
After a while, after a short silence, Gai finally took a deep breath. He fixed his tangled hair tie and swept away the pieces of wood around him. Damian waited for further instructions.
"Next time, if you want to experiment, tell me first," Gai finally said.
Damian nodded. He picked up the bucket and checked to see if it was still intact. It was cracked on one side, but still usable. He put it back in its original place.
"Okay, I'll be more careful," Damian said.
Gai grumbled, but a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips. He then raised the wooden stick he usually used to block attacks from students. "Okay, now let's continue training, but without the explosions," he said.
Damian put the bucket down and shuffled into his training position. He stared at the straw dummy that was starting to tilt on another wooden pole. He patted his trainer's shoulder in thanks. Gai nodded, then stepped into a defensive position.
That afternoon, they spent time practicing quick-moving techniques and basic attacks. No flying buckets or coins. Damian jumped, jabbed, and retreated quickly, while Master Gai calmly parried.
As the sun slowly set, it was already evening. Damian and Gai ended their training with a nod to each other. Gai patted Damian on the back before heading home. Damian gathered wood and buckets, then crammed the bath bucket into the training equipment shed.
That evening, Damian walked home with Gai. They were both silent, but the respect and familiarity were palpable. Damian realized that even though his trainer often got angry, Master Gai was always there to guide him.
It was a typical day at the Kade household—full of small explosions, magic lessons, trainer complaints, and a growing bond between student and teacher.
The next day, the sun is shining brightly in Frostvale, though the air remains cold. A thin layer of snow covered every corner of the training field. Damian Kade stood in the middle of the field, holding an ice sword that he had just formed from his own mana. The shape of the ice sword was now more perfect: the blade was straight with a neat edge, the weight was balanced, and the surface glistened in the sunlight. Damian imagined how practical the sword would be. If it cracked from a hard blow, he could simply reshape it. This ice sword is flexible because I can make it anytime, and it is also strong enough to face any real sword, because a while ago Damian had fought against a real sword belonging to bandits who wanted to rob his mother while she was walking with him, and he had also finally managed to beat the bandits. After several years of intensive training, Damian was now much stronger than before. He could already control his ice magic well, although sometimes he still ran out of mana. In his bedroom, in a wooden closet, there was a white sheath that held his real sword: Setsu'ryū. Damian's father had always emphasized, "If you use Setsu'ryū, use it wisely and properly." Damian realized that this sword was not for experimentation or show-off. It was a serious weapon, a symbol of responsibility, and carried the name of his family and the kingdom of Frostvale.
Meanwhile, solid footsteps sounded behind him. Gairos "Gai" Burakku appeared with a loaf of bread in his hand, his eyes sharp despite his relaxed expression. He stopped a few steps away from Damian and called out, "Today we are practicing rapid movement techniques. Listen carefully: no explosions or flying coins!"
Damian looked at his trainer, then nodded firmly. "Yes, Master Gai."
Gai clenched the bread as he pointed at the ice sword in Damian's hand. "And don't throw a coin before summoning your magic."
"I make no promises," Damian replied innocently, drawing a faint smile on Gai's lips.
Without further warning, the training began. Damian turned his gaze to the straw doll that was stuck to a wooden pole a few meters away. He took a ready stance: legs slightly spread, body leaning forward, right hand gripping the ice sword, left hand ready to channel its ice power.
With a swift movement, he leapt forward, swinging the ice sword in a sharp circular path. His steps were light, almost silent. Gai's wooden staff whistled through the air as he parried the swing. Small sparks of ice flew from the friction of the ice sword, forming fine flakes that fell onto the snow.
Damian immediately spun and jumped back, creating a small ice platform on the surface of the field so he could land steadily. The technique required high concentration to maintain balance and keep the flow of mana steady. After successfully landing, he prepared his next move.
Gai, without lowering his staff, observed Damian. Occasionally, he nodded, indicating praise. "Your speed has increased," he commented briefly.
Damian smiled slightly, his breath still labored. "Thank you, Master Gai. I've also cut down on my explosion experiments."
Gai lowered his staff and looked at him seriously. "Good. But you still have other hobbies that you haven't given up on."
Damian furrowed his brows, feeling a jolt. "Gambling?"
"That's right," Gai confirmed.
Before Damian could answer, a wooden stick gently touched the side of Damian's head, not hard, but enough to make him realize. Damian fell silent and rubbed his head where Gai's wooden stick had just touched.
"This afternoon, we will hone our defensive techniques and distance control. Go take a short break, then come back with the same enthusiasm," Gai instructed.
Damian nodded. He stepped out of the small arena and into a training tent built of thick cloth and wood. Inside the tent, a small table with hot drinks and rags was set up. Damian took a cup of hot tea and inhaled its aroma, calming himself after the intense session.
During the break, his thoughts turned to Setsu'ryū and his father's words. He felt challenged to prove himself worthy of wielding the sword someday. But he also knew that the responsibility that came with that power was not easy.
An hour later, Damian returned to the training field. The snow in the afternoon sun had turned slightly soft. He put his right hand into the small sheath at his waist, feeling the coldness of the ice blade produced by his power. Gai stood waiting for him, the trainer's eyes shining with pride.
The second fight began with an anticipatory drill. Damian was taught to rely not only on speed, but also on reading his opponent's movements. Gai demonstrated a few simple moves, attacking with a swing of his staff, then Damian parried it with an ice sword, producing a fine spark that signaled success.
The training continued until the sun was almost directly overhead, signaling lunchtime. Damian closed the session with a single wide swing, sending a thin wave of ice across the surface of the field. Gai patted his back.
"Today's training is over. Remember, speed is not the only strength. Control, focus, and wisdom are also important."
Damian nodded. "I will remember that."
The two of them stepped off the field, snow sprinkling behind them. Behind all the techniques and small tests, Damian grew more confident: every practice, every lesson, brought him closer to the moment when he would be ready to wield Setsu'ryū wisely and correctly.
That afternoon, the Frostvale sky began to redden as the sun dipped behind the icy mountain peaks. Damian Kade sat on the balcony of his upstairs room, nibbling on a piece of hot cake as he looked out over the training field that stretched out in front of the house. The sweet aroma of the cake combined warmly with the cold wind that brushed against his face.
Suddenly, quick footsteps were heard on the wooden stairs. Damian looked up as Liam Ashveil darted in, waving a long piece of paper. The butler uniform he wore was neat, complete with a small tie and a simple vest.
"Master Damian!" Liam called, his voice full of excitement and a little panic, as if he had just seen a flying dragon. His green eyes were wide open.
Damian smiled faintly. He glanced at his best friend's uniform and asked casually, "Why are you wearing this again, Liam?"
Liam stood up straight, placing the paper on the table along the balcony. "As your personal assistant, I must be ready at all times with a professional appearance!"
Damian took a sip of tea from his cup, looking at Liam gently. "Liam, you are not an assistant—you are my friend."
Liam lifted his chin. "A friend who is in charge of your safety and productivity every day, Master Damian." He smiled proudly.
Damian stroked his hair, then said softly, "Liam, I have considered you as my own little brother since you lived here. I never asked you to be my assistant."
Liam opened a corner of the schedule paper. "Since I was little, I have made up my mind that my job is to protect and accompany Damian Kade, wherever he goes." His eyes stared at Damian.
Damian chuckled. "You are strange, Liam, but thank you for being by my side all this time."
"Thank you also, Master Damian, for being my friend," Liam said briefly.
Liam then explained the afternoon schedule: rapid movement technique practice at seven, breathing meditation at nine, sleep at eleven, and a strategy session at one tomorrow afternoon. He added a small note at the end of the paper, "The card room is available if Master Damian wants to gamble."
Damian took a deep breath. "Thank you, Liam. But please don't sleep outside my room again."
Liam patted his chest. "Security never sleeps, Master Damian!"
The cold night enveloped the balcony. Damian looked at his best friend, realizing that behind the seriousness of the schedule, Liam was always there as a balance, a presence that made his life in Frostvale more fulfilling and fun.
That night, the training room in the Kade family home was silent. The only sound was Damian Kade's breathing.
He sat on a wooden bench and stared at the ceiling, dimly lit by a small lamp.
In the silence, Damian often dreamed of five vague figures. Their faces and voices were blurry, but he felt that they were his old friends who had new looks and names.
"Are you in this world?" he whispered. "Do you remember me? Are you also waiting for our meeting?"
Beside him, leaning on his chair, was the Setsu'ryū sword. Damian held the sword.
He knew he was not yet strong enough to use Setsu'ryū. The sword symbolized responsibility.
Even so, Damian was sure: one day, when he was ready, he would draw the sword without hesitation and keep his promise.
The next morning, Liam quickly opened the balcony door.
He called out, "Good morning, Master Damian! The weather is stable, -3 degrees, and there are no suspicious activities around the house!"
Damian almost choked on the tea he had just sipped. He looked at Liam in surprise and asked, "Are you sleeping in the yard again?"
Liam nodded seriously. "I'm guarding the perimeter. Breakfast is ready, and I also left a gold coin for magic reflex training or if Master Damian wants to play dice."
Damian smiled faintly. "You know I won't stop gambling, right?"
Liam replied, "I know. As long as Master Damian wins, it's fine."
Damian laughed softly and patted his best friend's shoulder.
Liam patted his chest, "I'm Master Damian's assistant—always ready."
That was my day at the age of 14. Magic training. Light combat. Cards. Snow. And one overprotective friend. But I guess… that's precisely why he's so precious.