"It's been two months since I started studying and practicing mana usage and in the mean time, I have also studied some of the history about this world from the books in the church's library." monolgued Ace. The village he was in was the Turbana village located in the Enfilia Kingdom on the Eastern Continent.
With the training progressing, Ace started practicing mana manipulation which involved sensing the mana within the body, malaxing it and letting it circulate freely within the body. After his 4 hour session with Maria, Ace did physical exercises with Chris.
"Before teaching you how to wield a sword, we must first hone your body for it to be strong, agile and flexible" said Chris. And so this was Ace's new routine life. Mana lessons with Maria from 8-12 am followed by taking lunch, resting for two hours and then doing physical training from 2-6 pm with Chris.
In the evening after dinner, Ace bathed and after that, he then went straight to bed. But one night, Ace had a dream. "Let's play friend" said the voice as a weird shadow was infront of him which was the origin of the voice. Ace then asked the shadow if it was the one who brought him to this world and it answered "If you wanna know then come find me in the Sezar mountains. But come only if you're strong enough else you will die."
When he woke up, his eyes brimmed with determination. He trained and studied swordsmanship and mana application with more resolve than before for that was the only way to learn the truth.
[17 months later]
Ace who had reached intermediate mana level and knight-class swordsmanship asked Chris if he could accompany him on his hunts. Chris unsure about bringing along an 8 year-old said "Okay fine. But if it gets dangerous, we leave right then and there, okay?" whereafter Ace agreed. And so Ace gained much practice using his skills in real life conditions.
Ace who had completed his training could now depend on his own strength. He thanked his foster parents for their love, caring and teachings as well as miss Maria for taking the time to teach him.
And so one day, Ace decided to go to the mountains to look for the shadow. He arrived at the Sezar mountains, and after looking around, he found a cave. In it were ruins and most walls were covered in ancient runes. As he delve deeper in the ruins the voice of the shadow called out to him until he reached its origin point.
"Nothing?!"exclaimed the young boy seeing only an altar with an old sword sticked in it. "Welcome. Seems like you made it. I am within the sword." said the shadow. "Grab hold of it and pick it up. Only then will I reveal what you're seeking." and so the moment Ace grabbed it, light and energy emerged from the sword. And Ace was then face-to-face with the shadow.