"No no.... How can you waste so much energy fighting such a punny monster."
Pheonix was speachless to here those words from his master's. He was standing infront of an 8 feet tall Shadow Fox. A greater monster nearing into the legendary level. And he was about to finish it off. He had used onky 8 moves till then and he was sure of killing it with in a couple of more moves. He simply sighed and took a defensive stans, waiting for the beast to make it's move.
But the cunning Fox had a different idea. It roared and instead of jumping towards the boy, turned and started to run in the opposite direction.
Expecting the outcome, Pheonix took out a hunting knife, imbued it with magic and threw it. The knife flew with the speed of sound and burried into the back of the Fox's head.
Thud... the Shadow Fox took a couple more steps and then fell forward, it's momentum taking its body a few meters further.
"Ah..... coward." Pheonix yelled and then began to skin the Fox. The skin, the teeth and Claws were a valuable items which he collected then dug a small pit and burried the carcass.
As usual, Pheonix was laying on top of the pond water floating. It was almost three years since he started his training.
During this period, he had awakened his magic ability and started fighting with beasts. The highest ranking beast he defeated was an Earth Dragon a peak legendary beast. Which usual required a full dozen fully armored soldiers with a couple of magicians or a full party of A class adventures led by atleast an S Class adventurers.
It was by no means a walk in the park for Pheonix. It took all his strength, skills, his cunning nature and almost his left arm to come out on top of that fight, victorious. And what did the old man say after the battle with the earth dragon.....?
" Fool, how can you be so careless. You are the worst disciple I had ever had. Even your father would have taken the beast down much faster and easier."
That night, Pheonix almost murdered the old man. Almost.....
Pheonix often dreamt about a person or a creature visiting him. It would be so vivid and life like that he used to remember each and every conversation they had.
The creature even told him stories about unknown and far off lands. Which were fascinating but it never gave him it's name. One thing was sure though. Pheonix knew it was not any normal dream and the Person or the Creature visiting him was also not a normal being. It had the most dense death aura he had ever sensed on any other being. But, at the same time it gave off a vast and endless feeling to him making him be comfortable at its presence.
No matter how small or unwanted the topic was, the creature used to give such insights that, Pheonix even thought it as some ancient beast or even may be a demi-god to possess such knowledge. But he never had the slightest inkling that he was actually conversing with the most feared god. The god of Death. "YAMA" as people call him in this world.
---------------------------------------
Boy, your training here is almost complete. We will start our journey in a week. Our First destination would be to reach the center of the Ancient woods. From there we will continue to travel to the other end of the forest. It should take us atleast 6 months. Once we reach outside, we will be traveling to various villages, towns and cities. Afterall, you have to be back in the city by next two years. And it's better to interact and walk amongst people again.
Nodding in agreement, Pheonix finished his dinner, washed the utensils and slept.
"Ha ha ha.... You mean to say the old man is getting irritating day by day?" A booming voice of a vast and unimaginable powerful being asked Pheonix laughing.
"That's right, whatever I do, he will not be satisfied. Whatever I say he would always have a counter argument. He is making me feel frustrated."
"I am seeing a different version of what you are telling me, boy."
Surprised by the comment, Pheonix asked, "How so?"
"The old man cares for you more than he did for your father. He loves you like his own grandchild."
This statement shocked the boy to the core.
"But he aleays yells at me. Finds out my fault. No matter how tiny it is, he points at it and give me a lecture for an hour nonstop"
"He does it to make you strong. Powerful beyond his own ability. He want you to be the most powerful and kind person in this entire world. Unfortunately the age you are in is the time where Kids starts entering into their adulthood. The age from thirteen to eighteen is where you will feel like questioning everything, anyone says or asks you to do. It's not just you, all the kids this age group will act like how you do. My advice is, before talking or acting in anger, take a few deep breaths and think thoroughly."
Even though it was an unbelievable revelation, Pheonix had to accept the worlds from this powerful being. He knew that the person or creature whatever it is infront of him would not lie to him.
At last he accepted it begrudgingly. "Okay, I will do as you say. But still you haven't told me your name?"
The being infront of him chuckled, which sounded like a rumble in the sky." Not yet kid. Not yet..." Then it vanished and when Pheonix opened his eyes, the sun was almost on top of his head.
Panicking, and thinking something bad might have happened to his Master, he jumped out of his bed and sprinted outside the house, his sword drawn from its sheath and ready in his hand.
But, when he came out, everything was normal. The calm air would still be felt. No sign of and violence was visible. When he observed closly, he saw his master floating on top of the water breathing deeply and evenly as if he was sleeping.
Pheonix sighed and sheathed his sword back. Then started to pack his meger possession. A couple of cloths, a few handmade trinkets which he was safeguarding for his sister. And a couple of weapons.
It hardly took his 15 minutes to get ready. By the time he came out, the old man was standing infront of the house with a big smile on his face.
It was creepy. Pheonix felt somewhat afraid and pensively asked. "Master, is there something wrong? Why are you smiling like that?"
Bulan roared with laughter. "Boy, you have the best humour amongst the people I had met. I am simply happy. Today marks the completion of the first phase of your training and the beginning of the second phase.
Honestly son, I never expected to train someone as hardworking and talanted as you. I had to be hard on you to make sure, you don't slack off and develop any bad habit or become lazy. But you had far surpassed my expectations lad. I am proud to say, you had surpassed your father by a long way. Don't feel that you had achieved something. Atleast not yet."
"Satisfaction will stop your progress son. As you know once you are full, you will stop eating futher. Similarly once you feel satified about your growth you will stop growing further. Keep the hunger alive when it come to learning and growing. Come, lad. Let us start our journey." The old man patted Pheonix's back with a warm smile.
Pheonix felt dizzy, unable to move or speak. He was staring at the old man as though he was seeing him for the first time. Then he remembered what the being in his dreams said to him.
That day and that conversion made this angry, hotheaded young man a levelheaded one. And Pheonix never, ever took the scolding or even the smacks he received from the old man to his heart and always worked hard with a smile on his face.