"If there's anything in this world that a person like me hates, it's training. It's the absolute worst, just like everything else."
I awoke...
"Hello... Hellooooo... Solan? Solannnn?... Wake up, child. Oh whatever, he'll wake up eventually."
What the hell is that voice? And why is it so annoying?
"Solan, are you finally awake?"
"Ugh, what do you want, Kayros?"
"You already know you should be awake right now. Do I even need to explain why, child?"
"Yeah yeah, whatever, I'm up."
"Alright, child, I'll leave you to do what you need to."
And just like that, Kayros's voice disappeared and faded out...
Weird. Anyways, it's been a couple of days since I did the Trial of the First Flame, and I finally feel normal again.
I was bedridden for a while from what I heard, and I can tell I've gotten myself into a mess with Kayros. Why the hell is he here?
Ah well, whatever. It is what it is, I guess.
"Ah, Father, it seems Solan is up and he seems to be in good condition!" a voice said as the door slammed wide open.
"Yes it does, Mortain. How fortunate—it seems Solan really is blessed."
Oh, it's the old man and the gramps. How annoying. Gotta deal with this, I guess.
"Father!" I exclaimed as he picked me up.
"Solan, I'm so glad you're alright. You had us all worried."
"Mortain, don't be so rash as to immediately pick the boy up, especially after he's been bedridden for days."
"You're absolutely right, Father," he said as he put me down on the bed gently.
Mortain's face got serious and he turned towards grandfather.
"Father, since Solan seems to be alright, I am thinking of heading back to the estate with Solan."
"Yes, that seems reasonable. Don't worry, I'm not angry, nor will I refuse it, Mortain. I'm not as horrible as to rip away a literal baby from his mother for this long."
"Alright, me and Solan will be departing sho—"
"You will depart tomorrow morning. Solan needs to rest some more. Don't be foolish, Mortain."
"Of course, Father, I was not thinking."
"I'll be taking my leave now, though. Spend some time with Solan."
"Yes, Father."
Well, that was one hell of a conversation. I could feel the tension.
Father then sat down on a chair not too far away, looked up, and sighed loudly.
Man, that guy has some resilience. It's honestly a bit bewildering to me. Why does he try so much? Why does he try at all? He makes no sense. All this responsibility and bullshit will eat him alive. It's all just pure stupidity. I'll never understand this man.
Huh. Why'd I get so worked up? Whatever, I'm gonna go back to napping for a bit. I'm feeling tired anyways. The body of a baby really does suck a lot.
"Solan..."
"Huh? Not this again. What is it, Kayros?"
I opened my eyes to see a purple flame once again, and it had eyes this time... yellow eyes.
"Oh, you responded rather quickly, child."
"Yeah yeah, whatever. What is it?"
"Aren't you going to ask where we are? Aren't you curious?"
"I've played enough games and read enough manga to know this is some sort of dream world or something of that sort. I'm not stupid."
"Well, that's rather surprising, but well, alright. Solan, I brought you here so that you may train your mind."
"Train my mind? Like how?"
Damn, this thing is getting on my nerves.
"I can hear your thoughts, Solan. Try to be kinder—I am doing my best to help you, after all."
"Well, that's some bullshit. Leave my thoughts alone."
"We're getting off topic anyways."
"Basically, for this part of training, I'll be running different kinds of... simulations for you, and you're going to have to use mana to, well, go through them. This will increase your mana capacity. I'll start it off simple and easy, and we'll work our way up. Since your mind is young, I'll make sure to protect it and tone the trials down."
"Whatever. I clearly don't have a choice, so do what you want, Kayros. I'm ready, I guess."
"Perfect, Solan. Good luck. Close your eyes..."
Kayros then disappeared.
And I felt a huge pressure in my head, and I closed my eyes.
I could tell this was the beginning of a harsh and grueling set of training...
Damn you kayros.