At dawn the next day, Kyle stood on top of the mountain beside the wooden cabin.
He swung his wooden sword rapidly, his breath uneven. After fifty swings, he collapsed to the ground from exhaustion.
The old man standing in front of him said,
"Only fifty swings… How weak you are, Kyle."
Kyle, still lying on the ground, replied,
"Master… I don't have much magic energy. It's normal for me to be like this."
The old man said,
"As I told you, you possess a unique kind of energy. Those people outside are nothing but trash who don't understand."
Kyle raised his head slightly and asked,
"And what exactly is this unique energy I have?"
The old man answered,
"You'll understand in the future."
Kyle said,
"I understand."
'I don't understand anything at all…'
---
Training in the Forest
In the forest, Kyle was doing push-ups while the old man stood in front of him holding a wooden stick.
After a few counts, Kyle fell to the ground again.
The old man struck his stomach with the stick.
Kyle shouted,
"Ouch!"
The old man said,
"You have talent, but you don't know how to push yourself."
Kyle asked,
"How do I push myself?"
The old man replied,
"You train until you feel like you're going to die. Don't stop because you're tired."
Kyle said,
"Understood."
He then started running through the forest, panting heavily. From the top of the mountain, the old man watched him.
'Only the first day… but I'm already exhausted. I have to give it my all. I must become the strongest swordsman in my family. My family has been using swords for hundreds of years on this continent.'
As the sun set, Kyle collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. The old man approached him and said,
"You did well in the running practice, but your swings and push-ups were terrible."
Kyle said despairingly,
"But I have no magic energy… I just want to be like everyone else. At least to have an average or even weak amount of energy. Mine is less than that of a five-year-old child. I feel like I don't belong to this world."
The old man patted his shoulder and said,
"Don't give up. Having little energy doesn't mean you have no chance. In fact… it's the opposite. You have a golden opportunity."
Kyle looked down and said,
"Yes, Master… I'll do my best."
The old man said,
"We'll continue training tomorrow."
---
Inside the Wooden House
Kyle entered a small room inside the cabin and asked,
"Master… is this my room?"
The old man replied,
"Yes. It was my son's room. He was thirty-five when he disappeared ten years ago. I haven't heard from him since."
Kyle said,
"I see… But where will you sleep, Master?"
The old man replied,
"I'll sleep in the bed you were lying on when you fainted, you weakling."
Kyle said,
"Don't be so harsh, Master."
The old man smiled and said,
"Good night. Now, sleep."
He turned off the light and left the room. Kyle quickly fell asleep.
---
Kyle's Dream
He saw himself walking through the forest, holding his mother's and father's hands. Smiling, he asked,
"Do you love me?"
His mother said,
"Yes, I love you."
His father said,
"And I love you too, Kyle."
Kyle smiled,
"And I love you both."
But suddenly, everything turned to darkness.
When he looked again, his parents had become shadowy figures with glowing red eyes.
Kyle said in a trembling voice,
"Mom… Dad…"
They both said,
"You're weak… and you'll always be weak."
Then, two other figures appeared behind him and said,
"Give us back our daughter, you murderer… you weakling."
After that, another shadow appeared beside him and said,
"You couldn't even protect your sister… and yet you want to become the strongest? What a ridiculous dream. You're nothing but a failure."
Kyle screamed loudly and woke up, panting. He took a deep breath and looked toward the window.
"The morning's here… I have to train hard."
---
Explanation of the Levels
In the forest, Kyle sat on the ground before the old man, who sat on a tree stump.
The old man said,
"There are eight stages of power. The first is White, the second Gray, the third Black, the fourth Orange, the fifth Blue, the sixth Red, the seventh Silver, and the eighth and final one is Platinum. Each stage is divided into five levels."
Kyle asked,
"And which stage am I at now?"
The old man replied,
"You haven't reached any stage yet. You're like a child whose inner energy hasn't awakened."
Kyle said,
"Why are you always so harsh, Master? Aren't you supposed to encourage me?"
The old man smiled and said,
"Do you want me to encourage you like the first day?"
Kyle said,
"Yes."
The old man smirked mischievously and said,
"Alright… I'll encourage you."
---
The Chase
Kyle started running at full speed. Behind him, a massive wolf was chasing him around the mountain. Each time he passed by, he saw the old man standing there laughing and mocking him.
Kyle shouted,
"Stop the wolf! Please!"
The old man laughed,
"You're the one who asked me to encourage you."
Kyle screamed,
"I don't want your encouragement! Just stop it!"
The old man said,
"Stop."
He approached the wolf and patted its back. Kyle fell to the ground, exhausted.
Kyle asked while panting,
"Master… do you have a Beast Taming skill? Aren't you supposed to specialize in swordsmanship?"
The old man replied,
"This wolf follows me of its own will. I don't force it."
'This old man is definitely hiding something…'
The old man continued,
"Everyone born in this world has one of four elements: water, fire, wind, or earth. With each element comes a special skill—either unique to the person or their family."
Kyle said,
"So my family uses swords because their skill is connected to it? But… what's my element?"
The old man said,
"You don't have one yet. When you reach the White Stage, like any child, you'll awaken your element."
Kyle sighed,
"Harsh as always, Master…"
---
At Night
Kyle sat at the edge of the mountain, staring at the stars. The old man approached from behind and asked,
"Why are you sitting here?"
Kyle said,
"I just want to look at the stars… and remember my memories."
The old man said,
"Memories? You're only ten years old. You talk as if you've lived a hundred."
Kyle said,
"Why do you always mock me, Master?"
The old man replied,
"That's my way of encouraging you."
Kyle said,
"All day long…"
Then he smiled and added,
"In the next training, I'll give it my all. I promise."
The old man smiled and said,
"We'll see tomorrow."