"Today is finally the day!" Elion thought, his heart pounding with excitement.
"Brother, brother! The village chief is waiting. Let's go, let's go! I want to be an amazing warrior, just like Dad!" Valeria's voice was filled with enthusiasm as she tugged at his hand, her eyes sparkling with determination.
"Haha, calm down, Valeria, Elion," Janice said with a gentle laugh, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at her children.
"I'm sure you both will become fine warriors, but remember, safety always comes first. The true job of a warrior isn't just to kill, but to protect. Just like your father protected both of you and me, so we could live in peace here." Her voice softened with emotion as she spoke, her love and pride for them evident.
""Ok!"" Said the twins in union.
"Come on, kids! Most of the others who turned five this year are already waiting at the village center. Don't be late, or the village chief will have our heads!" Jean called out, his voice laced with playful urgency.
A group of children followed closely behind him, their faces a blend of excitement and nervous anticipation.
Elion and Valeria followed Jean and the other children, eventually boarding a small, automobile-like bus powered by mana. The vehicle hummed softly with energy, its intricate designs glowing faintly as it prepared to transport them to the village center.
This was a very different construction than Elion used in his world. However, that was to be expected. In a world constantly at war, technological advancements were inevitable.
War, after all, is often the catalyst for rapid innovation, and in this world, conflict was a constant presence.
'Oh my god, has our village always had so many kids? I thought this was supposed to be a small human settlement, but there are hundreds of kids in the center, all waiting to start training.'
[That's obvious, kid. Alastor is dozens of times bigger than Earth, and mana makes people healthier and more fertile. Having lots of kids is encouraged, especially since we constantly need fresh blood for the ongoing wars.]
[Even though we've lost 80% of the land to the demons, Alastor still has at least 50 billion citizens.]
'I see, that does make sense. You'd expect Earth to be more technologically advanced, but that's not the case. Here, everything revolves around mana, which is a fascinating kind of technology in its own right.'
As Elion and Valeria arrived at the village center, they were met with the lively chatter of hundreds of children.
Excitement buzzed through the air as the kids, all around five years old, eagerly talked about their hopes of becoming warriors and mages. The noise echoed throughout the square until a commanding presence brought it all to a halt.
Standing at the front was the village chief, a battle-hardened man with deep scars etched into his weathered face. His piercing gaze demanded silence, and the children quickly obeyed. Despite his rugged appearance, the chief's age was deceptive; he was at least 300 years old, his life extended by the power of mana coursing through his veins.
"Good morning, young ones," the chief's voice boomed across the square. "Today marks the beginning of your journey. You are the future protectors of this realm, the guardians of our land against the demons who threaten our existence. Remember, the path ahead will be tough, but it is our duty to stand strong. Alastor depends on you, and one day, you will be the ones defending our world from the darkness. Be brave, be vigilant, and never forget why we fight, to protect our loved ones."
The chief's words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the responsibility these children would one day bear.
"First of all," the village chief began, his voice carrying authority, "let's start with the talent test. Mages from the capital have traveled here to assess which of you have a natural affinity for the arcane arts. Those who pass the test and choose the mage path will be assigned to a special class in the village center hall, where you'll be able to further your studies in the mysteries of magic."
He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing with a grim smile, "As for those with a stronger talent in the warrior path, you'll be training with me. I promise you this: I will forge you into fine warriors, worthy of defending our realm."
The chief's smile, coupled with the hard lines of his scarred face, was both reassuring and daunting, promising a future of rigorous training and discipline. The children stood quietly, absorbing the weight of what lay ahead.
Inside his head, Elion was panicking. 'Damn it, Valen. Didn't you say that all commoner villages only train warriors, not mages?'
[It appears that something has changed in the thousand years that I was away. Perhaps you should have been more observant and ventured out more often. I'm sure you would have noticed it.]
'Well, excuse me for not having a social life! Should I train in magic with them if my talent is high enough? Will they find out that I'm already at the peak of the Mind Refinement realm?'
[Don't worry, I'll conceal your mage talent and current realm. Your focus should be on the warrior path for now.]
'Got it, old man.'
"Hey, brother Elion, which path do you want to train in?" Valeria asked eagerly. "I want to be a warrior! I can't stand casting magic from far away. I want to be an amazing warrior who confronts the demons head-on!"
"Haha, I'll go with whatever path I have more talent for," Elion said with a grin. "But it looks like warriors are more common around here. Over a hundred kids have already been tested, and so far, only 13 have shown a talent for magic."
"Oh, that's true. But even if I'm selected as a mage, I'd still want to train as a warrior!" Valeria said with determination.
"Okay, okay, you can do that. Just relax for now," Elion replied with a reassuring smile.
As Elion and Valeria continued their conversation, the time for the tests finally arrived.
At the front of the group, a man in flowing robes, holding a crystal orb that shimmered with an inner light, called them forward. The orb was set on a pedestal, and its surface pulsed softly as if it were alive.
"Step up, child. Place your hands upon the orb," the robed man instructed with a voice that carried both authority and calm.
Valeria, her dark hair bouncing with each step, approached first. She placed her small hands on the orb, her eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. The orb's light flared briefly, and a warm glow enveloped Valeria's hands before it stabilized. The man examined the orb's response and nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Excellent," he said. "You have a strong affinity for the warrior path. Your spirit is vibrant and resilient, a perfect match for the path of a warrior. You will begin your training with our esteemed warriors."
Valeria's face lit up with joy, and she gave Elion a triumphant grin as she stepped aside.
Elion took his turn, placing his hands on the orb with a sense of curiosity. The crystal orb reacted in much the same way it had with Valeria, its light intensifying momentarily before settling. The robed man's eyes widened slightly as he observed the orb's glow.
"You too have shown remarkable talent," the man announced. "It is clear that your path will align with that of the warrior. Your training will be under the guidance of our finest warriors."
He exchanged a proud look with Valeria, both of them ready to embark on the new challenges ahead.
After some time, the tests were finally complete, and the village chief reappeared, his imposing figure commanding attention as he called out to the gathered children.
"Alright, children who will be training on the warrior path, gather around!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the excited murmur of the crowd. "It's time to start your training. Follow me to the training hall."
The children, including Elion and Valeria, eagerly moved towards the chief, their faces a mix of determination and excitement. The chief led them towards a large, sturdy building at the edge of the village. This was the training hall, a place where countless warriors had honed their skills and prepared to defend their realm against the demons.
As they entered the hall, the children's eyes widened at the sight of the vast, open space filled with training equipment, sparring areas, and seasoned warriors who moved with practiced precision. The anticipation in the air was palpable as the chief began to outline the rigorous training they were about to undertake.
"First of all, let me explain the warrior path and how we harness mana to strengthen our bodies," the chief began, his tone authoritative and clear. The children gathered around him, their eyes wide with anticipation as he continued.
"The warrior path is divided into several stages, each designed to refine and enhance different aspects of your physical and spiritual self. You'll start with Body Refinement, then progress through Cell Refinement, and so on, up to Demigod. Each stage not only improves your combat abilities but also increases your life expectancy."
"Currently, I'm the strongest warrior in this village, in the peak of the Muscle Expansion realm."
The chief paused to let this information sink in, then continued, "Whenever you break through a realm, your life expectancy improves. For humans, those who reach the peak of Body Refinement can naturally live up to 200 years. Advancing to Cell Refinement increases this to approximately 500 years. The exact improvement varies depending on your race, but this is a fundamental aspect of our training and development."
He then detailed how mana could be harnessed at each stage to enhance physical strength and endurance, drawing parallels to what Elion had learned from Valen. The chief's explanations were thorough, covering the practical aspects of training and the long-term benefits of advancing through the warrior path.
"All right, let's get started!" The chief announced.
"For now, you'll spend eight hours a day focusing on feeling and harnessing mana. The remaining time will be dedicated to physical conditioning and weapon training."
"First, head over to the weapon selection area and choose the weapon you feel most comfortable with. Once you've selected your weapon, return here and sit down to begin your mana exercises."
"It's crucial to remember that while mana can significantly enhance our physical abilities, it's still essential to train our muscles. Strengthening your body will increase the maximum capacity of mana you can harness, ensuring that your physical power grows alongside your magical prowess."
The chief's instructions were clear, and the children quickly moved to the weapon selection area, their faces set with determination.
The prospect of rigorous training was met with eager anticipation as they prepared to embark on their journey to become powerful warriors.
Elion approached the weapon rack with a sense of purpose. His eyes swept over the array of weapons displayed before him. Valen had mentioned that he might have an affinity for swords, but as he drew nearer, Elion felt a profound and unexpected connection to every sword on the rack.
It was as though each blade resonated with him on a personal level, almost as if they were meant to be extensions of himself. The swords seemed to call out to him, their very essence aligning with his own.
He reached out, and the moment his fingers touched the hilt of a sword, a sense of belonging and potential surged through him.
Elion's heart raced with excitement as he realized that the sword was more than just a weapon; it was a vital part of his destiny. Each sword felt like it had been forged just for him, waiting for him to claim it and make it his own.
'Valen, there are so many types of sword, I feel a strong connection with them all. Which should I choose?'
[That's up to you kid, what do you think?]
'Well, I like the katana and the great sword. I don't know, can't I train in both of them?'
[You could, but mastering two types of swords simultaneously could be overwhelming, especially at the beginning. It might be better to focus on one and achieve proficiency before expanding your skills. The katana and great sword each have their unique techniques and strategies, so it's important to understand which aligns best with your fighting style and goals.]
'Hmm, good point. I'll start with one and see how it goes. Maybe the katana. I've always liked the precision and speed it represents.'
[Sounds like a solid choice. Once you're comfortable with the katana, you can always consider adding the great sword to your training later.]
After selecting the katana, Elion returned to the center near the village chief. Since he was already adept at harnessing mana, he decided to skip that part of the training and focus on advancing his warrior path realm instead.
He followed the village chief's instructions and Valen's guidance, beginning to gather mana and evenly distribute it throughout his body. Each muscle and organ absorbed the mana eagerly as if starved for this vital energy.
Even his bones seemed to cry out in hunger as the mana flowed through them. Hours slipped by unnoticed, and before he realized it, the full 8 hours of mana harnessing had passed.