Five years had passed since the day Luzbel saw his dreams of learning magic dashed by the refusal of his mother and Roland.
In the intervening five years, Luzbel had experienced remarkable growth. The boy of yesteryear had grown into a young man with a determined gaze and elegant bearing. At 10 years old, he stood out among the others with a distinguished appearance and a magnetic presence that radiated confidence and curiosity.
His dark hair, now a little longer, fell in unruly locks over his forehead. Her golden gaze, intense and full of determination, reflected her yearning for knowledge and power. The features of her face, defined and youthful, showed a perfect combination of her maternal heritage and her father's angelic influence.
Her body, taller and more athletic than before, exhibited an upright and athletic posture. The constant practice of protection work and training with Roland had strengthened his musculature and given him an innate agility. Although still in the process of development, his bearing showed promise of strength and courage.
At the moment the young man found himself deep in the forest early in the morning.
Despite his constant effort to study and practice on his own, his magical abilities were still limited. He could only conjure small, thumb-sized fireballs capable of creating insignificant burns.
Frustrated by the meager progress and difficulties of self-learning Luzbel stood in the forest, studying his own abilities. He watched angrily as a large stone showed the marks of the small burns it had caused with its weak flames.
Helplessness and rage gripped him. He considered abandoning his efforts to learn magic and settling for the fate his mother wished for him. As the sun began to peek over the horizon, enraged, Luzbel ran back home, sneaking into his room through the half-open window he had left, careful that someone would notice.
***
The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, tinting the sky in shades of gold and pink as Roland and Luzbel prepared for their morning training session. The yard of the house was covered with fresh grass, providing a soft, firm surface for their movements. The first rays of light caressed their faces, providing a comforting sensation.
Roland, clad in his training armor and wielding a wooden sword, adopted a defensive stance, ready to teach his young disciple the secrets of swordsmanship. Luzbel, with an expression of concentration on his face, held a similar sword, ready for the challenge.
"Remember, Luzbel, the key to the sword is control," Roland said, his voice gravelly and full of experience. "Do not be driven by brute force, but use your movements with intelligence."
Luzbel nodded, focusing his attention on Roland's fluid movements. Following his lead, he stepped forward, swinging his sword with grace and determination.
The two warriors began to move around the courtyard, executing a series of attacks and defenses. Roland's sword glided gracefully through the air, blocking Luzbel's attacks masterfully, while the young prodigy showed flashes of skill and quick reflexes.
"Very good, Luzbel! I see you've improved over the years," Roland praised, his face showing a mixture of pride and satisfaction.
Luzbel smiled, enjoying the thrill of the fight and the challenge presented by his mentor. "Thank you, Grandfather Roland. Your teaching has been invaluable to me. I hope someday I can match your prowess with the sword."
The sound of clashing swords filled the air as Roland and Luzbel continued their martial dance. Each move was calculated and precise, each block and counterattack performed with a combination of agility and strength.
As the training progressed, Roland took on the role of master, correcting Luzbel's subtle mistakes and encouraging him to perfect his technique. Energy and passion flowed between the two warriors, fueling their progress and strengthening their bond.
After an intense session, Roland and Luzbel finally lowered their swords, their bodies covered in a light sweat. Both were breathing heavily, but their eyes shone with determination.
"You are making progress, Luzbel," Roland said, his voice echoing with admiration. "Your dedication and skill amaze me every day. I am sure you will become a formidable swordsman."
***
After the morning's intense training, Luzbel and Roland found themselves in a secluded corner of the courtyard, deep in conversation before heading to their well-deserved breakfast. Curiosity burned in the heart of Luzbel, who could not resist the temptation to ask why a knight of the army had ended up in such a remote corner of the world. "Grandfather Roland you always say you were a knight and everyone in town calls you that, but then why is a knight in this little town where no one knows anything about mana?"
With a wistful look in his eyes, Roland began to unravel the threads of his story, weaving a tale full of pain and longing. He revealed how he and his wife had been born and raised in that very village, a place removed from the hustle and bustle of the kingdom. He told the beautiful story of their love and how they had brought a daughter into the world, a treasure that filled their lives with joy and hope.
However, the shadow of tragedy loomed over them when illness snatched his beloved wife from his arms. Roland, called to serve in the army, could not be at her side in those last moments, and guilt and regret became constant companions of his soul.
But the tragedy had not ended there. Roland narrated in a halting voice how he had a fight with his daughter because of his wife's death, creating a distance from his daughter and the town. Yet his daughter had found love in a young man from the village and had become pregnant, creating hope for a new generation. However, darkness emerged from the depths of the forest as a horde of goblins attacked without mercy, taking the lives of his daughter and son-in-law in a cruel flash of violence that took many lives in the village.
Sadness and grief filled Roland's heart as he shared this tragic story with Luzbel. His eyes glistened with the burden of memories and grief that had not yet fully faded. The old knight had found in that fateful moment a breaking point in his life. He collapsed mentally, plunged into remorse and devastation.
It was then that a new flame was kindled within him. Roland made the decision to leave his army post, leaving behind the battlefields and fleeting glories, to devote himself to protecting the people his daughter and wife loved so dearly. In that decision he found a new purpose, a way to redeem his soul and honor the memory of those he had lost.
As he listened intently to Roland's story, Luzbel felt the knot of understanding tighten in his chest. The young warrior grasped the depth of pain and loss that had driven the old knight to vow to protect the inhabitants of that remote corner of the kingdom. A respectful silence filled the air as they both processed their shared sadness.
Just at that instant, the booming voice of Lilith, Luzbel's mother, echoed in the distance. "To breakfast!" Her call cut the tense moment short and the two headed inside the house.