After learning his situation from Becky, Lance decided to take a stroll early in the morning. He used 2 weeks to heal his battered body and today he decided to walk out taking a stroll in the perimeter of the village. While strolling around, Lance saw a group of children doing some weird postures. He also notices that some of them are doing heavy lifting using stones. He was intrigued, thinking to himself
" Now I know why those children are so strong they were trained after they got their aptitude test results." He was envious of those children gaining the privilege to become stronger.
"Now I suddenly miss my life on earth" , Lance said, " I can't stand living in this place full of monsters while I am the only one ordinary". Looking depressed Lance continued to watch the children practicing in the field.
While he was engrossed in watching the children practicing in the field, a hand tapped his shoulder giving him a huge fright. Lance hastily turns around like a stepped kitten
"Who's there!?"
When he saw who it was he paled and backed away. It turned out to be his cousin Jacob and behind him were the 4 children who humiliated him last time and even tried to kill him. Jacob laugh at his reaction and teased him
" hahahaha why were you so afraid when you saw me, my dear cousin? Could it be that you're planning something?. Come on, let's play! Jacob smilingly invited him.
Lance was not happy with his cousin's invitation because he can see malice in Jacob's eyes. He was sure that they're up to something bad and he was their main subject. Knowing this,
Lance immediately declines Jacob's invitation " I'm sorry Jacob I just remembered that I have something else to do."
Then backing away, Lance headed in another direction. He immediately went off without looking back because if he did so he might provoke them more. But this move of his indeed provoked Jacob and even angered him.
" Do you think it's rude to immediately leave without saying a parting word to your cousin? Show some respect for once!."
Hearing Jacob's voice at the back, Lance shivered and walked even faster. He knew that they were following him so he strives to locate the mansion. Unfortunately, since he was new to this village adding to the stress and pressure he felt, he arrived in a deserted corner of the village trapped from both sides. He was about to turn back when he saw his path blocked by a group of children led by his cousin.
" Oops, not so fast hehehe" Jacob smilingly shouted at Lance. You shouldn't have declined my invitation earlier, for that punishment is charge" Looking at him like some cornered rabbit, Jacob grinned and smiled in ridicule.
Seeing this transpired, Lance's sweat drifted from his forehead. He had only two options at hand. First, he will let these children do anything to him as long as they keep him alive, and second, he will try to run and head to the forest up ahead". But thinking about the second option Lance has some misgivings. Those children have trained their bodies and we're even stronger and faster than any athletes. He was hesitant to take a gamble but when he thought about the things he experienced last time. His doubt and hesitation faded, he will try to escape from these people. Thus picking the second option, Lance decided to start the plan.
" Big sister, I am here quickly, Jacob is bullying me!". Waving his hand as if he saw his big sister, Lance shouted for help. Of course his big sister Becky is not present, the shout he made earlier was only a decoy to give himself the opportunity to head start.
Having been deceived by Lance, Jacob burst into rage and shouted " Hurry up after him, let's catch that bastard and let him taste my fist!".
Most of the children were startled at first, then hearing Jacob's commanding voice they immediately gave chase. After entering the forest Lance was panting and out of breath. He was hiding in a thick bush, observing the movements in his surroundings. Time passed, no movements were heard, Lance relaxed his nerves when suddenly a shout came from the distance.
"Lancelot! Where are you bastard".
Startled Lance was shocked to hear Jacob's voice and it's growing louder and nearer. Afraid Lance backed away and he accidentally stepped his left leg on an uneven steep surface. He fell from a steep slope, rolling like a marshmallow. Due to the steepness of the slope, Lance's descent was fast but thanks to the roots and leaves he could grab, allowing him to slow his falling speed. Lance hit the ground and lost consciousness. Waking up he found himself in a large cave. He thought that this must be the house of Satan in hell. He struggled to sit up when he heard a voice behind him.
" Looks like you're a woken up kid".
Surprised Lance hastily looked up behind him and saw an old man in his 70 s standing while holding a large pot.
"Who are you!?" Lance questioned the old man.
" Who I am doesn't matter, you should go now kid. Your family must be worried about you".
Flabbergasted for a short moment, Lance replied " I don't have my dad and mom anymore, they're already dead while my big sister is away from home and I still cannot head out because those children might still be around looking for me intending to cause me harm".
" oh? Then you should fight them" replied the old man.
Surprised by the old man's words, Lance complained " how can I fight them when I don't even have the strength and aptitude to get stronger?".
Seeing Lance complain about his misgivings instead of giving some advice the old man tossed a bundle of books to Lance.
" read these and train yourself". " what? Do you want me to read these books and train? I am a sorry old man. I am not crazy but how should I learn them? I don't even have the right aptitude to accomplish the training" shouted Lance.
" Shut up you will never know unless you try". After saying these words the old man headed deeper into the cave.
Lance was left in a trance, he recovered and remembered what the old man had said that he at least had to try. Lance removed the stash binding the books and picked a book to read. He was then engrossed by the content of these books not knowing that this would be the turning point changing his life.