The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the rugged terrain as Sam stood once again at the base of the mountain. The morning air was crisp, the kind that woke you up and made you feel alive. Sam, however, felt anything but energized. His muscles ached from the previous days of relentless training, and his mind was clouded with doubt.
Oswin approached him, his eyes sharp and focused. He carried with him the same stern expression that had become familiar to Sam over the last few days. Sam had seen Oswin's strength firsthand, and he knew better than to question his methods, but the climb had seemed impossible the last time, and now, facing it again, the mountain felt even more daunting.
"Back again, Sam," Oswin said, his voice steady and calm. "I can see the hesitation in your eyes. You're thinking about how you failed yesterday."
Sam nodded, his jaw clenched. "It's not just the climb. It's the fact that I couldn't even get close to the peak. And without my magic, I feel… powerless."
Oswin regarded him for a moment before speaking, his tone shifting to something softer, almost fatherly. "Sam, power isn't just about magic. It's about resilience, strength, and the will to push forward even when every part of you is screaming to stop. Magic can be a crutch, something you lean on, but true strength… true strength comes from within."
Sam looked at Oswin, his frustration evident. "But how do I find that strength? How do I push through when everything feels like it's against me?"
Oswin stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Sam's shoulder. "It's not about finding strength, Sam. It's about realizing that it's already there. You've faced hardships before, more than most your age. You've fought through pain, loss, and fear. Those experiences have made you stronger than you know."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "This mountain isn't just rock and stone. It's a symbol of the challenges you'll face in life. Climbing it without magic isn't about reaching the top. It's about proving to yourself that you can overcome any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it seems."
Sam stared at the mountain, his heart pounding in his chest. Oswin's words stirred something inside him, a deep-seated determination that had been buried under layers of doubt and exhaustion.
"You have twelve days, Sam," Oswin said, his voice filled with resolve. "Twelve days to push your body and mind to their limits. I'm not asking you to climb the mountain today. I'm asking you to take one step at a time. Each day, you'll get stronger, faster, more resilient. By the end of these twelve days, you won't just reach the peak—you'll conquer it."
Sam took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Oswin's words. "I understand."
"Good," Oswin replied, a rare smile touching his lips. "Now, let's get started."
The next twelve days were the most grueling of Sam's life. Each morning began with the same routine: Oswin waking him before dawn, pushing him to run the length of the mountain's base, then forcing him to begin the climb. The collar around his neck prevented any use of magic, making every movement, every pull of his muscles, that much harder.
On the first day, Sam barely made it a quarter of the way up before his legs gave out, sending him tumbling down the rocky slope. But Oswin was there, his stern voice cutting through the pain.
"Get up, Sam! You don't have the luxury of giving up!"
Sam gritted his teeth and pushed himself to his feet, every fiber of his being screaming in protest. He started the climb again, his hands bloody and raw from gripping the rough stone, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
By the end of the first day, Sam collapsed at the base, completely spent. But Oswin didn't let up. He made Sam run laps around the base to build his stamina, then practice strength exercises designed to push his limits even further.
The second day was much the same, but this time, Sam managed to get a little further before his body gave out. Each day followed a similar pattern: climb, fall, get back up, and try again.
On the fifth day, Sam finally reached the halfway point. The climb had become less about brute strength and more about finding the right handholds, conserving his energy, and using his body's natural momentum. Oswin's training had begun to pay off, and Sam could feel his muscles growing stronger, his mind sharper.
But the real breakthrough came on the seventh day.
Sam had been climbing for hours, his body aching from the strain. He was close to the halfway point again when he slipped, losing his grip and falling several feet. He slammed into the rock face, pain shooting through his side. For a moment, he lay there, panting heavily, the temptation to give up nearly overwhelming.
But then Oswin's words echoed in his mind: "It's not about finding strength. It's about realizing that it's already there."
With a determined growl, Sam pushed himself up, his fingers digging into the rock. He could feel the strength in his arms, the power in his legs, and the fire in his heart. He wasn't just climbing the mountain—he was fighting it, and he refused to lose.
Gritting his teeth, Sam resumed his climb, each movement precise and deliberate. The pain in his side faded into the background, replaced by a surge of adrenaline. He could feel the peak calling to him, and this time, he wasn't going to stop.
By the end of the seventh day, Sam stood just below the peak. The air was thinner here, and the wind howled around him, but he didn't care. He had done it. He had nearly conquered the mountain.
Oswin, who had been watching from below, gave a nod of approval. "You're almost there, Sam. But don't get complacent. The hardest part is still ahead."
Sam nodded, his gaze fixed on the final stretch. "I won't."
The next few days were spent refining his technique, honing his strength, and mastering the climb. Oswin pushed him harder than ever, but Sam met every challenge head-on. He knew that the final climb would require every ounce of strength and determination he had, and he was ready.
On the twelfth day, Sam stood at the base of the final climb, the peak looming above him like a silent sentinel. Oswin had removed the collar, allowing Sam to access his magic, but he didn't use it. He didn't need it. He had proven to himself that he could do this with his own strength, and now it was time to finish what he had started.
The climb was brutal, the rock face nearly vertical, the wind battering him from all sides. But Sam didn't falter. His muscles burned with exertion, his hands raw and bleeding, but he kept going, each step bringing him closer to the top.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sam's hand closed around the edge of the peak. With a final burst of strength, he pulled himself up, his body trembling with exhaustion.
He had done it. He had conquered the mountain.
Sam stood at the peak, the wind whipping through his hair, his chest heaving with each breath. The view from the top was breathtaking, the entire landscape spread out before him in a vast panorama. But more than the view, it was the sense of accomplishment that filled him with a deep, profound satisfaction.
Oswin appeared beside him, his expression unreadable. "Well done, Sam. You've proven that you have the strength, not just in your body, but in your heart. Remember this feeling, this victory. It will carry you through the challenges ahead."
Sam nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Oswin. For everything."
Oswin gave a rare smile in return. "You've earned it. Now, let's get back. You still have much to learn."
Later that evening, after the day's grueling training, Sam found himself soaking in the bath again, this time with Alan and his father. Despite the exhaustion, there was a sense of camaraderie and light-heartedness among them.
Sam's father, Ethan, was recounting a story from his younger days, embellishing the details to make it sound more heroic than it probably was. Alan was laughing, and even Sam found himself chuckling despite the soreness in his muscles.
But as the conversation wound down, Sam's thoughts drifted back to the Shade Society. He glanced at his father, who seemed to sense the shift in his son's mood.
"You're thinking about the Shade Society again, aren't you?" Ethan asked, his tone gentle.
Sam nodded. "Yeah… I guess I'm just trying to understand why you left."
Ethan's smile faded slightly, and he looked at Sam with a mix of pride and concern. "You'll understand in time, Sam. The answers you seek… they're not simple. But you're getting stronger every day, not just in body, but in mind and spirit. When the time comes, you'll be ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead."
Sam met his father's gaze, seeing the depth of wisdom and experience in his eyes. "I hope so, Dad. I really do."
Ethan reached over and patted Sam on the shoulder. "I know so, son. I know so."
As they continued to relax in the bath, Sam felt a renewed sense of purpose. The training had pushed him to his limits, but it had also shown him that he was capable of more than