In the end, Zaos didn't manage to get a wink of sleep. However, his head didn't stop thinking about the whole situation of his family. Above all else, he was worried about how Lyra would take that. Maybe she already knew everything and was putting a strong front, but perhaps that wasn't the case, and knowing how weak she was physically, the truth might be too much for her.
"I have to keep quiet about this," Zaos thought when the sun started to rise, and he was preparing for another training session. "Even if it is true, nothing good would come out by asking questions to him. I just have to keep acting the same as always… and pray that mom won't notice anything once she meets Nyana."
In the end, Zaos woke up his mother. As usual, that morning, they headed to the garden before breakfast, and another training session began while Lyra was slowly getting rid of her sleepiness. Unfortunately, while Zaos improved his stance, he didn't hear that voice. His Swordsmanship level didn't increase… so he was probably missing something.
"I guess since that is a stance to parry projectiles, I actually need to parry something to make it work," Zaos concluded. "For the time being, I won't have to worry about that, but the next lesson might be related to putting that stance to good use."
Although just thinking about his father was enough to make Zaos get angry, he couldn't mix up things. Right now, he was also teaching him Swordsmanship. So while he probably did something unforgivable, Zaos couldn't disobey his instructions due to it. Not only that would be dangerous, but Lyra also probably would notice that something was off.
Somehow, the next time his family had dinner together, Zaos managed to keep his composure. Only because he tried to focus on eating, he probably would slip something up if he talks too much. Since Laiex wasn't a chatterbox either, things proceeded favorably.
At some point, Zaos felt that he became pretty good at trying to forget that subject, but also, at some point, he began to feel bad for his mother. Not only was he hiding something from her, but he was also acting as if she was made of glass. While he was trying to save her from some bad things, he also tried to keep himself since seeing her heartbroken would be unbearable. Yet… she still decided to let her think that her husband was someone faithful, and that clearly wasn't the truth.
"I am going to lose my mind at this rate…" Zaos said and then sighed.
While Zaos was having a fight with his conscience due to that, one month passed. He finally reached a point where he could keep running and then stop and keep that posture for a while without breaking due to his tiredness. So, he informed his father. As expected, Zaos had a hard time talking with him in front of his mother.
"So, you think you are ready for the next phase," Laiex said with his arms crossed while trying to look imposing.
"… Yes," Zaos replied.
"All right, today I am going to help you with the next phase," Laiex said. "If I conclude that you are ready, I will call someone else who will help you train for a while. Move to the other side of the training ground."
Zaos silently obeyed that command and then moved to the other side of the training grounds, which was two hundred steps away from Laiex. In any case, Zaos couldn't help but wonder what could happen since Laiex certainly didn't have a throwable projectile with him.
"Assume that stance," Laiex said. "Your job is simple; you need to keep your sword in your hands while I try to hit it. If you manage to keep the weapon in your hand even a single time, you pass."
Laiex pointed his hand toward Zaos, and Lyra couldn't help but show a look of worry on her face. It looked like Laiex would use magic, and that was a first. In any case, he certainly was confident in his aim since he decided to start the training session at that distance.
Although Zaos still had to close his eyes to use a spell and draw the symbols, Laiex didn't do that. He just took a single deep breath, and then a small stone appeared in front of his hand. The stone flew toward Zaos's sword at an unbelievable speed and hit right in the middle of it. The impact made Zaos's right hand tremble, but at least the stone turned into dust after the impact since Zaos failed at keeping his sword in hand.
"Ouch," Zaos said while looking at his throbbing hand.
"Keep your hand relaxed, but then strengthen your grip once you notice the attack," Laiex said. "If you aren't fast enough to notice that, you shouldn't keep your wrists relaxed all that much."
"… Yes," Zaos said while he was picking his wooden sword.
Despite his looks, Laiex sure wasn't as harsh with comes to training as he looked like he was. Or maybe he was going easy due to Zaos's age. Regardless, now Zaos knew that he didn't have to fix his stance according to the attack. Laiex would be responsible for the aim, so he only had to make sure to endure the pain.
In the end, the second projectile hit the same place on the wooden sword, but Zaos clenched his teeth and strengthened his grip. This time, the sword didn't fall, and Zaos also had another pleasant surprise.
Your Swordsmanship has reached level 02.
Health: 08/08
Mana: 28/48
Stamina: 26/28
Strength: 04
Magic: 24
Endurance: 14
Resistance: 24
Focus: 01
Sorcery Lv 04, Swordsmanship Lv 02
Lesser Heal
"Hoh, you did it sooner than I thought," Laiex said. "You completed the second phase of your training. Tomorrow, a wizard will come to help you with your training. I will pay him to come twice a day for a month, so make sure to learn as much as possible."
After saying that, Laiex left again… Zaos was having a really hard time controlling his anger due to that attitude.