Max stood in the middle of the training field, sword in hand, staring intently at the target dummy in front of him. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he prepared to strike. With a swift motion, he swung the sword down, but it missed the dummy by a wide margin.
"Ugh, why can't I do this?" Max muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice.
As he continued to try and master the sword, he heard the sound of running water in the distance. He turned his head to see the bathroom window slightly ajar and heard the giggles of his two little sisters, Illyanna and Agnes, inside. He couldn't help but smile at the sound of their laughter. They were always so happy, despite the challenges that they had faced in their lives.
Max's attention was quickly brought back to his training when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him. It was Matterinna, their maid, holding a small vial of liquid in her hand.
"Max, I've got something for you," Matterinna said, handing the vial to him. "This concoction will help boost your energy and build your muscles. It's my own special recipe."
Max eagerly took the vial and drank it down in one gulp. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his body as he resumed his training, feeling stronger and more focused than ever before.
As he practiced with the sword, he felt something wasn't right. He had always been more proficient with his homemade shield, and so he set aside the sword and picked up the shield. With the shield in hand, he felt a sense of comfort and security.
Matterinna watched as he blocked an imaginary attack, moving swiftly and gracefully. She knew that Max had always been a protector, and his proficiency with the shield only solidified that notion.
"Max, can you block real projectiles too?" Matterinna asked.
"Of course," Max replied confidently.
Matterinna summoned a magical circle, and soon it began shooting out multiple projectiles from different elements at Max. He deftly blocked all of them, his movements fluid and precise. But just as he thought he had succeeded, one of the projectiles hit his leg, causing a minor burn.
Matterinna rushed to his side, apologizing profusely. Max shrugged it off, telling her that it was just a scratch. He was more concerned with the fact that he had failed to block that one projectile.
As he resumed his training, he couldn't help but feel grateful for Matterinna and her kind heart. She had always been there for him and his family, taking care of them in every way she could.
"Matterinna, thank you for everything you do for us," Max said, catching his breath. "You're like family to us."
Matterinna smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "You're welcome, Max. You know I'm always here for you all."
Max grinned, feeling content with the world around him. He may not have mastered the sword, but with his shield and the support of his loved ones, he knew that he could protect those that he cherished most.