An hour after Razin's parents arrived at the school, and after Verina and Tark had returned to their room, Razin sat with his parents in his own room.
"So, how do you feel about school?" Oravien asked his son.
"The school is really fun! I have wonderful friends and the teacher is great too!" Razin said happily, before his expression shifted into sadness. "But I've faced a... big and troubling problem."
"Is something wrong? What happened?" Alietra asked her son directly.
"Umm... I'm having trouble activating my energy core," Razin said in a very low voice. "But... but... it's not my fault... I'm going through a difficult situation! I'm not the problem!" Razin said with regret, looking down.
Suddenly, Razin felt a hand pat his head—it was his mother's.
"It seems you've been exhausted these past days, haven't you?"
"I've suffered a lot..." Razin began to shed tears and sobbed. "Everyone expects so much from me..." hiccup "There are voices inside me..." hiccup "I couldn't... I really couldn't..." Razin's crying grew louder with every word.
Oravien was surprised about the part with the "voices," but they didn't focus on that right away. Their priority was comforting their son, who was crying in front of them.
Alietra pulled him into her embrace and tried to calm him.
"I'm sorry... we delayed visiting you, didn't we? That was our fault," Alietra said softly, trying to soothe Razin.
"Calm down, alright? Your father and I will help you with everything you need... just tell me everything you're thinking."
"O-okay..." Razin whispered through his tears.
Alietra looked at her son's tear-streaked face.
"Tell me... what exactly is troubling you?" she said with a reassuring smile.
Razin began to relax with his mother's words. The sudden burst of tears was the opposite of his happiness from minutes earlier—it had to come out so Razin could feel relieved.
"It's been over twenty days since we started learning," Razin began, speaking to both his parents. "There are less than ten days left before the time our teacher gave us to activate the core runs out..." he said as his parents listened. "And I've only made it halfway."
His parents found it strange. Covering half the distance in twenty days wasn't catastrophic. True, it wasn't what they expected from a boy like Razin, but it was still decent.
"And is this the problem?" Oravien asked.
"I'm the last one... everyone is ahead of me," Razin quickly replied, his face sad.
His parents felt their hearts sink at these words. Something was wrong with Razin.
"There's no problem with being last... activating the core isn't a race, as you know," Alietra said as she looked at him.
"I know," Razin raised his voice slightly, then lowered it immediately. "I've already realized that... it's not a race," he said quietly, looking at the ground.
"What exactly is the problem you're facing, Razin?" Oravien said seriously. "A boy who can realize this kind of truth wouldn't be sad so easily now."
"I realized this thanks to my friend, Verina... she's been a huge help to me," Razin said as he looked at his father.
"That girl is special in many ways. Well chosen... besides, I can see she has activated her core, right?" Oravien said.
"Yes... that's true."
"This isn't the time to talk about her," Alietra interrupted seriously. She placed her hands on Razin's shoulders and spoke:
"Tell me, what's the problem... what is bothering you, Razin?"
"I..." Razin hesitated, then continued, "I hear voices in my mind... voices I hear during training. They annoy me, distract me, destroy my focus... that's why I'm not progressing." He spoke in a sad tone.
"Voices... you hear? Distracting you?" Oravien said, his expression immediately turning serious.
"Are you thinking about someone, Razin? Are you jealous of someone... maybe your friend?" Oravien asked sharply.
"I'm not. I've already overcome that stage... I don't envy anyone... or rather... I resist my jealousy," Razin said, looking at his father.
Oravien was shocked at Razin's awareness, yet happy about his great development in such a short time.
"You've realized and learned all this in such a short period," Oravien said, smiling. "I feel like you've become a different person, boy... you've changed so much in just weeks... as expected."
He spoke these words with a smile and patted Razin's head. Razin smiled back, feeling joy at his father's praise.
"The voices... I really don't know what they are. When I start training, I hear voices that cloud my mind and concentration... they tell me to stop... not to learn... that I'll lose..." Razin spoke seriously. "And many words like that. This has been happening for two weeks... and no one has an explanation—not even the teacher."
"You're under pressure. For a boy like you to complete two steps under such immense pressure is remarkable, Razin. Smile for me from now on," Alietra said.
Oravien placed his hand on his chin, thinking.
"Voices... disturbing you?" he murmured softly.
"I'm sorry, Razin... I don't have an explanation for what's happening to you. But maybe... someone is trying to sabotage you for some reason. Maybe because you're my brilliant son, you know," Oravien said jokingly.
"Enough joking!" Alietra said. "Our son has suffered greatly because of this!"
"Ah, yes... sorry," Oravien said, his expression turning serious again.
"This is just a guess, but it could be someone doing this with a technique," Oravien said.
"But aren't techniques tied to material things?" Razin asked in confusion.
"Yes... and by the way, well done—you've really learned a lot," Oravien said, then continued. "Perhaps someone created a tool that helps them interfere with your mind. Don't you think that's possible? I'll discuss this with you as someone who understands me—it's easy for you, Razin, right? You're a genius, after all."
Razin's heart relaxed at his father's praise. He was very happy and comforted by his father's words.
"But... is creating such a tool even possible?" Razin asked in surprise.
Oravien quickly replied, "The limits we know of techniques aren't due to the techniques themselves. They're tied to the natural level of the human mind."
Razin thought: Yes... I suppose that makes sense. Techniques are tied to knowledge and imagination... so that's true.
His thoughts were interrupted as Oravien continued,
"So... to me, techniques have limitless potential... especially if placed in the hands of a genius beyond geniuses." Oravien asked, "What do you think?"
"Yes... your explanation makes sense, father..." Razin said softly. "But will knowing the source help me move forward? My problem, the voices, are still here..." Razin said sadly.
"Yes... I strayed from the main point," Oravien said, adjusting his posture.
Alietra was enjoying listening to her husband and son's discussion. She felt relieved and proud of her son's intelligence.
"Razin... I want to ask you a question," Oravien said in a sharp, serious voice.
"Go ahead," Razin replied.
"What would be your reaction if you failed to activate your core?" Oravien asked seriously.
Razin was silent for a few seconds, thinking of the question and answer. But his father interrupted his thoughts:
"I don't want you to give me the answer I want to hear," Oravien said. "I want the answer you truly believe."
Razin fell silent for a moment and thought: The answer I believe? What would my reaction be if I failed? Ah yes... I'd fall into despair... because I'd have disappointed everyone... I thought my parents would change how they saw me because of my failure... that would be my reaction.
Razin spoke his thoughts out loud, without fear, but in a low voice.
Alietra covered her mouth when she heard Razin's words.
"Everything you just said is wrong," Oravien said sternly, looking sharply at Razin.
"It's not within your control... so you're not to blame at all. Why would you say your failure is because you performed badly? That's what's really holding you back... treating it as if it's your fault."
Razin couldn't reply. He wiped some sweat from his forehead.
"Razin, listen carefully... this is the solution to your problem," Oravien said, and began to speak.
"Failing to activate your core... you have infinite solutions to this issue—if you even call it an issue. If you want to succeed, act as if your success is guaranteed. It's just a matter of time. There are no consequences... no chance of failure. Think this way. If you think your mother and I will be disappointed if you fail, you're terribly mistaken."
"Alright... I understand that," Razin said, nodding.
"And also, if you think your friends will be disappointed if you fail, you're wrong. Your friends are wonderful—hold on to them with everything you have."
"Yes... thank you, father," Razin replied.
"Do you understand my point? You're not in a problem at all. Failure isn't a problem. Success is an achievement. So take your time... resist the voices... rest as you train... don't rush. You won't lose anything either way. That's the way you'll overcome the activation, alright?" Oravien said seriously.
"Yes, I understand completely, father," Razin said, smiling. "Thank you both... father, mother." He smiled. "I really feel relieved after talking with you."
Alietra smiled.
"That's a relief... you're amazing, Razin," she said. "You've changed so much... I feel like you're not the spoiled child I had at home anymore." She chuckled lightly.
"Really?.." Razin smiled and leaned closer to his mother.
"My two friends helped me change a lot... they made me more serious."
"Truly... I don't remember the last time I felt this relieved," Razin sighed. "I feel like a mountain of worry has been lifted from me." His parents looked at him with proud expressions—their son was a source of pride for them.
After solving Razin's problems, they began talking about ordinary things—checking on him, Razin asking about his pets. They spent another hour talking about simple, pleasant matters.
"Razin... I'm sorry we can't stay longer. We'll leave tomorrow morning," Oravien said.
"It's fine... I'm happy even if I only got to speak with you for one minute," Razin smiled, thanking them.
"We'll sleep in the guest room tonight, and tomorrow morning we'll head home. I'm sorry we can't stay longer," Alietra said.
"It's alright, mother. Thank you for everything," Razin smiled.
He hugged his mother happily.
A few minutes later, they left the room. While walking in the corridor, Oravien spoke to his wife.
"Alietra."
"What is it?" she replied.
"In the moment Razin smiled... I could tell he has already surpassed us, hasn't he?" Oravien said, smiling.
"...Yes, I think so. He's a wonderful boy."
"To be honest, I didn't expect this. Razin has exceeded my expectations in every way. He's developed so much and has started thinking rationally about most things. I expected progress, but not this much change in three weeks," Oravien said.
"Yes, I agree... he's truly become amazing. I can't wait to see his future and his strength," Alietra said with a cheerful expression.
—The 21st day since the lecture on techniques ended happily—
The next morning, Razin woke up. His parents had already left the city. According to Razin's plans for the day, he was supposed to go out with Tark and Verina to wander the city.
He met them after a few hours and they went out together. Their conversations that day were filled with positivity. Razin was cheerful and in high spirits after his meeting with his parents.
"It seems last night was very helpful for you, wasn't it?" Verina said, putting her hands behind her back, smiling widely at him.
"Yes... thank you. Thank you both... I feel relieved now. I will succeed for sure," Razin said with a smile.
Verina patted his head.
"Well done."
Razin grabbed her hand and moved it away.
"I didn't allow you to pat my head."
"Why, you fool—no... I won't call you a fool anymore. You've proven you're not one, finally," Verina said with a smile.
"That's good news then, because I'm not a fool."
"So what are we going to do?" Tark asked, wondering about their activities.
They spent hours doing various fun things—trying archery, sparring lightly with wooden swords at the Sword School, eating together.
While walking along a street on the edge of the city, they decided to wander slightly outside. As they walked through the wilderness, they encountered an old man. He looked about seventy, carrying a traveler's bag as he wandered between cities and across the world.
He wore a black cloak, with a white scarf wrapped around him and his neck. He was bald, with yellow eyes.
It was clear he was tired and troubled by something.
"Hello, children," the old man said.
They hesitated for a moment, unsure if they should respond—he looked strange. But Verina made her decision.
"Hello, sir," Verina said.
The old man chuckled lightly, then began coughing.
"Can we help you with something?" Tark asked.
"Yes," the old man replied. "Can you help me look for something? I'll give you a reward in return."
"What is it?" Verina asked.
Razin whispered to her, "Verina, are you sure we should help him?"
Verina nodded in affirmation.
"I'm looking for a red herb called Sunset Herb. Can you help me find it?" the old man asked.
"No problem, but please give us more details," Verina said.
"It's a reddish-orange herb found in the plains of Moraief. I want to use it to make a certain mixture," the old man explained. "I've been searching for months now. My last stop was the city of Levalim, where someone told me the herb grows abundantly in Moraief and its plains. So I decided to give it one last chance and came here." His determination to find it was clear.
"Razin, Tark... shall we try? Maybe it will be fun," Verina said. The two agreed, and so they accepted the task and began searching.
"Thank you, children. If you find it, you'll find me nearby. I'll reward you with anything you want," the old man said.
The children parted ways with him and began searching in the plains of the city.
"So, do we have a strategy for searching?" Tark asked. "Or do we just search normally together?"
"I prefer the second option for now," Verina said, and Razin agreed.
The three began searching normally in the plains near the city. They thought it wouldn't take more than minutes, but things didn't go as they expected.
Every time they found something that vaguely matched the description, they would take it to the old man, but he would say it wasn't the right herb.
Hours passed, night began to fall, and they still hadn't found the herb. They decided to expand their search beyond Moraief's immediate surroundings. Their strategy had been to stay close, but now they changed it.
After some walking, Tark noticed a small cave in a mountain ahead.
"Look... over there," he pointed.
"Let's go and check, maybe we'll find it," Tark said and ran toward the cave, followed by his friends.
They stopped at the entrance.
"Do we really have to go inside?" Verina asked.
"I don't see a problem with it," Razin said, stepping inside immediately.
"Wait a second!" Verina and Tark rushed in after him.
Razin was stunned by what he saw.
There were many herbs gathered in one spot... reddish-orange, glowing and illuminating the cave.
"I found it!!" Razin shouted loudly as Tark and Verina entered the chamber.
As Razin shouted, he lifted his head toward the ceiling in joy and astonishment.
But when he raised his head... he saw something he wished he hadn't.
Suddenly, a beast of energy resembling a spider appeared, with twenty eyes—three of them larger and glowing purple. Its body was white.
The creature leapt from the ceiling, aiming to devour Razin.
At that moment, Verina and Tark had just caught up with Razin. In the same instant he shouted that he found it, they entered the chamber.
And the first thing they saw was Razin looking up at the ceiling, as the energy beast lunged at him. All of this happened in less than a second.
With a quick reflex and fear, Verina screamed, "Ahh!" She raised her hands, opening her palms toward the beast. In an instant, she unleashed a powerful gust of air just before the monster's claw reached Razin's head.
The gust struck the beast, slamming it into the ceiling.
Suddenly, blue liquid filled the place rapidly. When they looked up, they saw the beast impaled by a large blue crystal protruding from the ceiling, piercing its neck completely. The beast was dead, hanging lifelessly from the ceiling.
Razin was shocked by what had just happened, his body covered in the beast's blood.
"W-what... what is this?" Razin stuttered in fear.
"You were reckless! I told you not to rush in like that!" Verina shouted at him.
"You were lucky this time that I somehow managed to kill it—but that won't happen every day!!" she continued yelling, while Tark was frozen in shock at what he had just witnessed—both the beast and Verina's incredible reflexes.
"I'm sorry! Really... I don't know what came over me, I just got too excited!" Razin said, frightened of Verina.
Verina sighed.
"It's fine now, but don't repeat it... Besides, look—we finally found the herb! This is it, without a doubt!" she said with excitement.
"Yes, I think so too!" Razin replied.
They gathered a large amount of the herb into a bag and left the cave, fortunate to come out without injuries. They made their way back to where the old man was... he was resting, lying under a tree at the city gates.
They handed him the herb, and he rejoiced greatly. They asked for a reward, and he provided it for them.
Each of them then returned home... and after some time, Razin trained. He failed, but his spirit was not shaken. His father's words had changed his way of thinking greatly... that was all he needed.
—And so ended the twenty-second day since the lecture on techniques—