After the hero decided to train in the Law of the Cosmos, the master told him:
"Go and sleep now, for tomorrow we begin the true training."
I went to bed, my mind drowning in dark thoughts: Will I really be able to master the Law of the Cosmos? The same law my grandfather himself failed to learn? How could I possibly succeed?
I forced myself out of those shadows of doubt and whispered: I am Arian… I can do this.
And with exhaustion pulling me down, I fell into a deep, heavy sleep.
I woke to the voice of my master calling:
"Take this food and eat. Prepare your strength, for ahead lies training like madness itself."
I ate quickly, then followed him outside the cave. "Come," he said, "I will take you to the training grounds."
We walked for a while until we reached a vast, empty plain. The master stopped and declared:
"This is where we will train. But before we begin, there are things you must know.
First: you have only two years to train. When those two years end, the village's barrier will collapse—and humanity will vanish from the earth.
Second: your training will be divided into three paths. Mental training comes first, then physical training, and finally… cosmic training.
Across these two years, we will journey through three realms. Each realm holds mastery over one path. The Realm of Aelf for the mind. The Realm of Giants for the body. And the Island of the End… for the cosmos itself."
I stared at him in shock. "Then why bring me here?"
He answered firmly: "Because first, I must teach you the Technique of Disguise. All three realms despise humans—you cannot survive among them without it."
The master stepped closer, pulled a book from his robe, and placed it in my hands.
"This is the technique. Begin your training on it now. You will not return to the cave until you have mastered it."
Before I could even speak, he vanished.
I took a deep breath and opened the book. At once, all of its knowledge surged into my mind, as if I had memorized every word in an instant.
I sat for hours, practicing what I had learned, until I imagined a beast before me. Suddenly, light burst inside me—I transformed into that very beast!
But I didn't know how to change back. Panic struck me, and I ran until I found the master.
"Release all your energy from your body," he instructed calmly, "and focus it into your mind."
I obeyed—and in an instant, I returned to my human form.
"You mastered it this quickly?" he said in astonishment.
"I don't know how," I admitted. "The moment I opened the book, everything entered my mind at once."
He frowned but nodded. "It doesn't matter. What matters now is that you prepare. Tomorrow, we leave for the first kingdom."
As we ate together, I asked:
"Master… why does Ghram want to destroy the Earth?"
The master looked into the fire with sorrow.
"Ghram does not wish to destroy the Earth itself. He seeks to wipe out humanity, and replace it with his beasts. The natural law of this cosmos allows no more than three races to exist. If he succeeds… everything ends."
He paused, then added:
"Your duty is not only to defeat Ghram, but also to seal the rift that opens the worlds to one another. If left open, his followers will pour endlessly into our world."
I was stunned. "And how will I ever seal such a rift?"
"You will know," he said, "once you master the Law of the Cosmos."
Then he stood. "Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow's journey will be long."
I lay down once more, doubts circling in my mind. Can I truly bear all of this?
But I pushed the fears away… and at last, sleep claimed me.