Valor drew back his bowstring, eyeing a distant deer through the scope of age-old wisdom. With a breath as disciplined as his daily regimen, he released the arrow. His lifestyle—a meticulous balance of mental puzzles and physical trials like this—had been a rigorous but rewarding choice.
He adhered to a rigorous and unwavering lifestyle, diligently upholding his physical and mental acuity through daily workouts and a meticulously curated diet consisting solely of the game he hunted himself. Rooted in ancient traditions, this way of life, though considered archaic by some, served as a steadfast anchor, propelling him forward with unwavering focus and an unyielding resolve. It was a path of discipline, shunning the allure of easy shortcuts and demanding excellence through sheer effort. While unconventional to many, this singular approach had been instrumental in preserving his existence.
For the past two years, Valor took care of Ethan and became his mentor, teaching him about a wide range of subjects. Each day, Ethan had to read books on various topics, including psychology, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, nanotechnology, martial arts, and even breathing techniques. At first, Ethan didn't enjoy reading, but his grandfather insisted that he read at least one chapter before leaving the room. Surprisingly, as time went on, Ethan started to find joy in the process and looked forward to discussing these fascinating subjects with his grandfather. They would dive deep into the details, exploring the complexities and intricacies of each topic, fostering Ethan's intellectual growth and passion for learning.
Valor was astounded by Ethan's remarkable progress in reading speed. In just the first week, Ethan could read 600 words in five minutes. By the following week, his speed had increased to around 800 words, and after three weeks, he was already devouring 900 words within the same time frame. It was an impressive feat of three words per second! As the weeks passed, Ethan's reading prowess continued to soar. After eight weeks of dedicated practice, he could effortlessly consume 2,000 words in just five minutes. By the time the sixteenth week arrived, Ethan had achieved an extraordinary milestone, reading an astonishing 3,000 words within that same brief span. The rapid improvement left Valor in awe, recognizing Ethan's incredible ability to absorb information at an extraordinary pace.
With the passing months, Ethan's reading skills experienced steady growth. Immersed in tireless practice and unwavering commitment, he dedicated countless hours each day to honing his abilities. As a result, his reading speed reached an astonishing milestone: he could now consume a remarkable 5,000 words in just five minutes.
While some may have referred to Ethan as a genius, his progress transcended a mere label. After ten months of relentless pursuit, his reading proficiency soared to new heights. He effortlessly devoured 6,000 words within that same concise timeframe, absorbing every written word with unwavering focus. While comprehending complex topics still posed a challenge, his remarkable capacity to retain every word left Valor amazed and deeply impressed. Ethan's journey was a testament to his unwavering determination and insatiable thirst for knowledge.
With an unwavering determination to surpass his previous achievements, Valor urged Ethan to persistently push his boundaries. And within a mere two years, Ethan accomplished an awe-inspiring feat—he could now read an astounding 20,000 words in just five minutes. Valor stood in sheer amazement as Ethan's eyes glided swiftly across the pages, effortlessly absorbing vast amounts of information at an extraordinary pace.
However, Ethan's determination extended beyond the realm of reading alone. At the tender age of twelve, he engaged in rigorous physical training alongside his grandfather. Starting with the challenge of completing just five push-ups a day, Ethan steadily and diligently built his strength. Over time, his once-difficult task transformed into a testament to his discipline and perseverance, as he could effortlessly perform an impressive streak of 200 push-ups in succession. The transformation in Ethan's physical abilities mirrored his unwavering dedication and served as a testament to his unyielding spirit.
Empowered by his enhanced strength and endurance, Ethan ventured into various physical activities, one of which was running alongside his grandfather. Their synchronized strides propelled them forward, enabling Ethan to complete a mile in an impressive time of under six minutes. His cardiovascular fitness and muscular prowess were on full display, highlighting the culmination of his dedicated training.
In addition to his physical pursuits, Ethan delved deeper into the art of martial arts, immersing himself in its teachings and principles. Over the course of two years, his relentless practice and unwavering focus allowed him to develop a profound level of proficiency in the foundational aspects of martial arts. Through disciplined training and guidance from his grandfather, Ethan cultivated a harmonious blend of strength, agility, and technique.
Curiously, Ethan's physical progress also exerted a positive influence on his reading skills. The synchronization between his physical and intellectual endeavors was undeniable. After three years and seven months of continuous growth, his physical prowess was paralleled only by his unquenchable intellectual curiosity. Astonishingly, Ethan achieved an incredible milestone—reading a staggering 50,000 words within a mere five minutes. This equated to an astounding pace of over 150 words per second. His ability to absorb and process information at such a rapid rate spoke volumes about his unyielding determination and unwavering commitment to both physical and intellectual excellence.
Despite the extraordinary feats Ethan had accomplished, he remained blissfully unaware of the magnitude of his abilities. He attributed his accomplishments to fulfilling his grandfather's expectations, always driven to acquire more knowledge and achieve new milestones. Yet, beneath the surface, a yearning for a simple and ordinary life with his family quietly resided within him. The desire to experience the warmth of familial bonds and the simplicity of everyday joys tugged at his heart.
Nevertheless, Ethan's unwavering determination to unlock his full potential persisted. He was fueled by an intrinsic drive to push his limits and become the best version of himself. The pursuit of excellence was ingrained in his being, a flame that burned brightly within him. As he forged ahead, he embraced the challenges that lay before him, forging his path with relentless resolve. While his heart longed for normalcy, he remained steadfast in his quest for greatness, pushing himself to surpass even his own lofty expectations.
One day, when his grandpa called him, Ethan thought it would be another martial arts technique to train. Little did he know, something extraordinary awaited him.
As Ethan asked his grandfather if they were learning a new palm technique, his grandfather's face turned pale, indicating a sense of unease and concern. There was something important that needed to be discussed, and he asked Ethan to follow him.
Together, they walked through the forest until they reached a small house that appeared to be a secret room disguised as a tree. Stepping inside, Ethan was amazed by what he saw. The room had three large sofas arranged around a table with special carvings. But what stood out the most was the feeling of freedom that enveloped the space—an escape from worries, negative emotions, and the outside world.
The wide expanse of the room allowed one's imagination to flourish, and the arrangement of the sofas and table seemed both disorganized and organized simultaneously, creating a paradoxical atmosphere that fascinated Ethan.
His grandfather gestured towards the largest sofa, signaling for Ethan to take a seat. His voice softened as he began to speak, mentioning that he had wanted to tell Ethan something a year ago but had been interrupted.
Ethan's curiosity intensified as he eagerly awaited the continuation of the story. He noticed that his grandfather's tone of speech had changed from the previous year, adding to the intrigue.
Taking a deep sigh, Valor started with a seemingly unrelated question, asking Ethan about his age. This sudden shift caught Ethan off guard, momentarily confusing him.
"I will be fourteen tomorrow," Ethan replied, trying to understand the significance of his age in the context of their conversation.
Then Valor delved into the events of the past, revealing a world-changing challenge that occurred three years and ten months ago. Highly secure locations were hacked, leading to the theft and deletion of a significant amount of data. This included secret martial arts techniques, special awakening techniques, assassination lists, and more—a loss estimated to set humanity's progress back by a century. Shockingly, Ethan's father was revealed to be responsible for this catastrophic event.
Ethan struggled to comprehend the gravity of what he was hearing. His father, whom he had always admired as a brilliant mind in nanotechnology, was now implicated in the destruction of years of hard work.
"You're saying Dad did this? My father, the hero who put me to sleep with stories of nanobots and endless possibilities?" Ethan choked on the words, his eyes meeting Valor's. The weight of his father's deeds hit him like a ton of bricks, crumbling his world in an instant.
Confusion and disbelief overwhelmed him, and he wondered if his father had been coerced or manipulated into his actions.
Valor's face displayed a mix of melancholy and relief as he glanced around the room, before focusing his gaze back on Ethan. He began to reveal the truth, explaining that the room they were in had been built by Ethan's father ten years ago. His father had foreseen a time when Valor's power would become too great to be unchecked and would continue to grow.
For the first time in years, Valor's demeanor changed as he exuded a cold killing intent, causing Ethan to feel a sense of suffocation. Recognizing Ethan's distress, Valor quickly halted his display of killing intent and continued the story.
Valor explained how Ethan's father had given him a small ring, asking him to wear it always. The ring was meant to protect Valor's life when it was in danger, and in return, Ethan's father requested Valor's assistance in raising and protecting his daughter, Ethan's sister. The significance of the ring was evident in the relief Ethan's father had shown when Valor agreed to wear it.
But Ethan couldn't comprehend the meaning behind his father's words. Wasn't his sister safe and sound? Then, fifteen years ago, the unthinkable happened—she was kidnapped. Valor's emotions spiraled out of control as he grappled with the fact that his granddaughter, his little girl, had been taken from them. To make matters worse, Ethan's father began acting strangely, not showing concern for his missing daughter. It was all part of a trap to stop two geniuses.
Valor's eyes turned red, tears welling up before he turned away, gazing at the ceiling as he continued the story. Ethan could sense the weight of the past and the deep pain his grandfather carried.
Finally, Valor met Ethan's eyes once more and apologized, revealing that Ethan's father had teleported him away two years and thirteen weeks ago. It was necessary to protect Ethan and prevent anyone from discovering their identities. The room fell silent as Ethan's tears started flowing uncontrollably, the happy atmosphere replaced by a profound sense of loss and grief.
Recognizing that both he and Ethan needed time to process everything, Valor left the room and encountered Sophie, who had been standing there, witnessing the emotional exchange. Understanding the depth of their sorrow, Valor exchanged a look with Sophie before flying away, leaving her to her own tears and thoughts.
The siblings leaned against the wall, one inside the house, the other outside, and fell asleep, their tears marking a profound sadness that seemed to follow their family. Despite their longing for a peaceful and happy life, the weight of their past weighed heavily upon them.