Frederick was just asking a question- an innocent question within which held no malice. But to Abe, to answer that simple question was to relieve the memories of a once forgotten nightmare. Years ago, the twins and Abe had been 'invited' to this training ground. They had suffered under the merciless training of their captain for two years. They hadn't been here for a year. Yet Abe still remembered the pain of the training. He shivered at the thought of having to go through it again. His brave words about catching up with Mane miles away from his mind.
"Do we get to be the trainers this time?" John asked in an excited manner. The little kid didn't have Abe's perception. He was yet to realise that there was no way Mane would bring them here as the trainers. After all, they were all here to train- Mane included. The only reason the blue eyed boy usually took on the role of the trainer was because none of them posed a challenge to him- individually.
Frederick and Selina were equally perplexed by John's words. They looked at the twins who had their faces flushed red in excitement. However, when they looked at Abe they didn't see any of such enthusiasm. There was only dread on the young prince's face. His expression was enough to inform his two seniors of the brutality and intensity of the training.
"No, you're not in charge of the training. We are all part of this training. I will act as the trainer for this session just as I usually do." Mane snickered at the twins, as he orated smilingly. His words took away their excitement, replacing it with fear. Jake hid behind Frederick, his pale face enough to incite feelings of pity in any who saw him.
Abe smiled wryly at their reaction. Seeing that the twins had finally caught on, he felt pity for them. It was clear from their reactions that they were still scarred by the 'training' they had undergone.
"I know the training is difficult. But the results are amazing. Such a profitable training regime shouldn't be abandoned. Abe, Jake, John. Why don't you take Fred and Selina to the changing room to prepare? And let them know what the training entails while you're at it. I have to prepare myself as well. Give me about fifteen minutes to get ready."
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"So what is the training like?" Fred asked while donning a long sleeved compression shirt. Selina was on the other side of the room, separated by a simple wooden partition which acted as the wall. The layout of the room made it simple for both sexes to converse even though they couldn't see each other.
"Yeah. I am curious as well" Selina concurred.
"Well it is simple really. We are going to fight." Abe said while straightening his top.
"A fight? If only it were that simple." Fred said while helping Jake put on his sneakers.
"Because it is not. We have just one opponent- Brother Mane." This time it was Jake who answered. His face was calm, unlike the unease and fear he portrayed earlier.
"That explains the fearful looks you had on. That doesn't seem fair though. From my recent understanding of the wielding realms, the profound realm is above the above-mortal realm right?" Selina asked, removing the make-shift partition in the process.
"Yes. It is indeed not fair, and very much unlike Mane. There's more to this, isn't there?" Fred asked while staring at Selina. She had also changed into a pair of compression top and shorts. The tight clothes perfectly highlighted her figure, displaying her pretty curves for all to admire.
"Brother Mane isn't that unreasonable. He is able to deplete himself of all profound and above-mortal realm energy. He limits his energy to the mortal realm. That is why he needs such a long preparation time." John answered while tying his shoe laces.
"Oh I see. So what's the big deal then? There are five of us and just one of him. Handling one mortal realm wielder should be a piece of cake. That is unless he leaves his cultivation at the peak of the mortal realm, which I highly doubt he would do" Selina said while brushing her long black hair.
"It is not so simple. Since Mane was able to handle an entire pride of peak mortal realm mountain lions, it insinuates that his battle capabilities are amazingly high. If I am not wrong, he'll likely reduce his energy to around the fourth level of the mortal realm. And the twins and Abe there would also have to reduce their energy to that of the mortal realm, right?" Fred spoke, still ogling at Selina.
"Yes and no. Yes, Mane would reduce his energy to the mortal realm. From our past experiences, it would be very likely that his energy would remain in the mid stages of the mortal realm. But no, we wouldn't have to reduce our energy levels."
Abe's words startled the newbies. If this information was true and reliable, why did the three boys look so terrified of this duel? It was obvious that Mane was the one at the disadvantage here. Or at least, that was how it looked like from where they were standing.
"You'd think, wouldn't you? If it were so simple, we wouldn't be so scared now, would we?" Abe sneered at the duo. Just like the twins, he saw the perplexed looks on the faces of the new entries. He found it laughable that they thought life was that simple, for it never was.
"Mane's battle awareness isn't his only strength. His understanding of wielding is insane as well. Over here on Zandor, you've probably been fed some hocus pocus about how a person is only able to perceive a law based on his/her bloodline."
Selina and Fred nodded at Abelard's words. Though it was Selina who understood what the younger boy was trying to say first.
"You're saying…" She stuttered in surprise.
"Yes. It's totally untrue. A truly talented person is able to perceive laws outside his or her bloodline restrictions. The bloodline is basically like an added bonus- an add-on. It isn't a foundation. How else do you think Mane was able to challenge the 'Forest of Gloom' single handedly? And not just survive, but thrive. The twins and I have also perceived some things outside our bloodline abilities. The moment you open your mind to the fact that wielding is limitless, you would too." Abe stated calmly.
"I see. So what are they? And Mane's as well?" President Frederick humbly asked, eager to know more. His focus on Selina's pretty appearance had long been lost. Selina's curiosity was just as rich as his.
Abe smiled mockingly at their eager appearance, thinking to himself that ignorance was truly blissful. He knew that feeling well. It was the same way he felt the first time he came here.
"Don't be inpatient. You'd see when the 'spar' begins. Trust me, curiosity would be the last thing on your minds then."