You might wonder why Valen is training with Esta. The reason is simple: training. Valen trains with Esta because Esta is a pure warrior who relies on a magic-nullifying sword and his physical body. This means Esta can nullify magic and crush enemies. Therefore, Valen needs a competitor like Esta, who depends on physical strength, to train in combat and enhance his physical fitness, even though Valen doesn't want to show it.
Valen: "Who are you?"
Esta: "Oh, sorry. My name is Esta, and I want to become the Emperor of Magic."
Valen was surprised by Esta's directness and lack of concern for those around him.
Valen: "I remember now. Aren't you the one who didn't get his own magic book?"
Esta: "What! I did get my own magic book."
Esta showed his magical book, which appeared to have been burned, but its distinctive aura couldn't be hidden.
Valen smiled slightly: "Good, congratulations on your magic book."
Esta was amazed because someone with great power like Valen didn't mock him despite his lack of magical ability or a magic book.
Valen: "Come on, why are you so shocked?"
Esta: "Sorry, you're the second person who hasn't laughed at my dream."
Valen: "Listen, Esta, you might be short, loud, and without magical ability, but remember, as long as you keep striving towards your dream, the world will open doors for you. Just don't stop dreaming and show me that you'll become the Emperor of Magic."
Esta was moved to the point of tears, as he had never found someone who supported him so sincerely before.
Esta: "Yes, I'll pursue my dream even if it's the last thing I do. By the way, what's your name?"
Valen almost fell to the ground in frustration because he hadn't thought to ask Esta's name.
Valen: "My name is Valen, which is connected to the ancient ruler and symbolizes flame and power."
Esta: "Wow, so your name is related to the ancient ruler. That's cool."
Valen: "Why are you shouting? I should call you the Emperor of Roar in the future instead of the Emperor of Magic."
Esta: "Why?"
Valen: "Because you're loud, and also your name symbolizes kindness and power."
Esta: "Do names have meanings too?"
Valen: "Yes, every name has a meaning."
Esta: "What about Yuno?"
Valen: "The name Yuno means superiority and protection."
Esta: "Valen, you know a lot. How do you know so much?"
Valen: "Of course, I need to know a lot. And you, what do you know?"
Valen thanked his studies in his past life for his knowledge.
Esta: "I don't know much."
Valen almost fell again, feeling that staying with Esta might affect his intelligence.
Valen: "Can you really become the Emperor of Magic with this level of intelligence?"
Esta: "I will become the Emperor of Magic and surpass Yuno and marry Sister Lily."
Valen smiled like a hero from another world. Suddenly, Esta asked:
Esta: "Valen, do you want to be the Emperor of Magic?"
Valen was stunned by Esta's question. He hadn't set such a grand goal but didn't aspire to be the Emperor of Magic.
Valen: "No, I want to discover this world and what's in it, what's beyond the sea, what's in the sky, and what's beneath it. I want to know the truth that completes a person, and I want to be there."
He pointed his finger towards the sky.
Esta: "Where exactly is 'there'? There's just the sky."
As usual, Esta's intelligence astonished everyone.
Valen: "I want to be above everyone and the strongest magic user, so even if the world stands against me, I'll burn everyone in my way and become the greatest magician of all time."
Valen's voice was serious, and his appearance was serious, making him look handsome, but next to him was Esta with a muscular mind.
Esta: "Then I must become strong and surpass you to become the Emperor of Magic and surpass Yuno."
Valen almost fainted due to Esta's intelligence.
Valen: "But I don't want to be the Emperor of Magic."
Esta: "Isn't the Emperor of Magic the strongest person?"
Valen decided not to clarify because he felt that talking to Esta might make him look foolish and waste his time.
Valen: "Well, whatever, I need to start training."
Esta: "Training? Do you want to train together?"
Valen felt he had finally achieved his goal after this long conversation.
Valen: "Okay."
Thus, Valen and Esta began their training.
They started with a warm-up (30 minutes): light jogging around the training area to increase blood flow and stretching exercises to prepare the body for intensive training. Then strength and fitness exercises (1 hour): bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and squats, which turned into a competition between Valen and Esta. One thing was clear: Esta was one of the physical demons, as his body was ordinary without any special lineage or magic, while Valen faced problems due to his Aelf lineage.
After that, weight training (30 minutes): lifting light weights to build strength. Then endurance training (30 minutes): long-distance running exercises. Balance and flexibility training (30 minutes): balance exercises like standing on one foot and flexibility exercises like yoga or deep stretching.
**Noon:**
Lunch break (1 hour): A meal rich in proteins and vitamins, such as fish with vegetables and fruits. Don't ask how they obtained it, as they divided the task: Valen fished from the river, and Esta gathered vegetables and fruits from the forest. Valen used flame magic to heat the river and attract the fish into the net, while Esta faced problems entering a bear's den.
After a hearty meal, the training resumed. Valen was busy crafting weapons, which took 1.5 hours:
- Katana: Shaping and strengthening the wooden sword.
- European sword: Crafting a flat sword with a handle.
- Bow and arrows: Crafting the bow and testing its accuracy.
- Spear: Making the spear and practicing with it.
- Training dummy: Setting up a dummy as a target during training.
Combat skill drills (1 hour): Training basic combat techniques using weapons and boxing, writing theories, and correcting mistakes. Meanwhile, Esta continued to train his body as he only had a magic-nullifying sword. Valen would help Esta establish proper basics and assist in finding a suitable teacher later.
Fire Magic Training (1 hour): Techniques for using fire magic. Practicing controlling and directing the flames with precision.
Afterward, they fished for more fish. Valen took his share and gave the rest to Esta, understanding the church's circumstances and offering help.
In the evening, when Esta returned with a basket of fish, everyone was in shock. Father Rossi initially thought Esta had stolen them, but after an explanation, everyone understood the situation.
During dinner, the church was lit, and the sounds of children laughing filled the air.
At the dinner table:
Rossi: "Esta, tell me about your new friend."
Esta: "You mean Valen? It's a long story. When I went to train in the mountains, I met him while he was casting a spell so powerful that even Yuno couldn't do it. There was destruction everywhere. Afterward, I spoke with him, and he was unlike anyone else. He didn't mock me or belittle my dreams. He said, 'Listen, Esta, you may be short, loud, and without magical ability, but remember, as long as you keep striving towards your dream, the world will open doors for you. Just don't stop dreaming and show me that you will become the Emperor of Magic.' So I will prove to everyone that I will become the Emperor of Magic.'"
Lily: "Your new friend seems strong and smart."
Yuno: "His name is Valen."
Esta: "Yes, Valen, who is associated with the ancient ruler and symbolizes flame and power. Also, my name has a meaning that symbolizes kindness and power, and Yuno's name also has a meaning."
Yuno: "My name?"
Esta: "Yes, it symbolizes superiority and protection."
Yuno: "That's clear. I'm superior to you and will protect you."
Esta: "Huh, say it again."
Yuno: "I'm superior to you and will protect you."
At that moment, Father Rossi was silent and deep in thought, noticed by Lily.
Lily: "Father Rossi, why are you silent?"
Rossi: "Oh, nothing."
Lily: "That's good."
Rossi: "Did he tell you his dream?"
Esta: "Yes, he said he wants to explore this world and what's in it, what's beyond the sea, what's in the sky, and what's beneath it. He wants to know the truth that completes a person and to stand in the sky above everyone and become the greatest magician of all time."
Everyone felt that Valen was ambitious. Lily and Yuno understood the situation, but Father Rossi's thoughts remained unknown.
Late at night, Father Rossi was praying and making a wish.
Rossi: "This world is about to enter a new era."