After Celvar explained a lot about the world we live in, we immediately started our first training lesson.
Location: Celvar's Backyard.
On a sunny, warm day.
Listen closely, Von. When you punch, you need to move your hips and feet with the punch... Now punch.
I clenched my hand and punched...
Nice, kid, now that's the weakest punch I've ever seen, Celvar said.
I was disappointed in myself, but I'd always known I was weak. It wasn't anything new to me.
Listen, kid, we need to start by building up your body. Do 150 pushups as a start.
W-What?? 150... I thought, but I went down to start doing them. I didn't want to give up so easily. I couldn't remember my old life, but I didn't think I'd done many pushups.
One... two... three—
And then my body collapsed.
That's all I can do, Celvar.
Celvar looked disappointed but didn't give up on me.
It's okay, Von. We can improve that, but it will take too long.
Argh... I guess there's one solution for that, he said. Listen, kid, it normally takes around three years to build your body to a good level. We need to speed this up. That's why I'll use some magic on you to reduce those three years to just three months. All I need is for you to accept. What do you say, Von?
Magic... even that exists in this world.
Alright, Celvar, if this helps, then no problem.
I thought, Actually, this will help a lot. But shouldn't something like that cost a lot of money?
Just stay still, Von... Celvar closed his eyes, placed his hands in front of his heart, and made a triangle shape with his fingers. He didn't say anything, but a blue light circled my body for a second and then disappeared.
Alright, that's it, kid. Now go back to doing your pushups. It'll be your task for the whole day.
Wait, that's it? Did you already do your magic thing?
Yes, Von, don't worry. Just do as I said.
Okay.
He went inside the house, and I went back to doing pushups. Nothing changed in my performance—it was still very bad. This time, all I could do was two pushups.
---
Day 2:
Alright, kid, just do squats today.
Okay, Celvar.
---
Day 5:
Go running today.
Okay.
---
Day 14:
Pushups.
Okay.
---
For a month, all I did were basic workouts: pushups, squats, and lots of running. Celvar had me throw some punches on the first day, but never again.
Alright, Von, you finished the first stage of your training...
Nice, so I'm ready to go to the adventurer school? I asked, feeling a little happy.
Yes, Von—just nine more stages...
Wait, wha—okay.
My smile faded as I realized how much more training I still had to do.
Listen, Von, I know it sounds difficult, and you're right—it is. But to join an adventurer school, you need to be very strong. Not just physically; you also need to learn martial arts and some magic.
Celvar, as I said before, I'm ready to do whatever it takes.
Call me Master from now on, Von. You've earned it after your month of training.
Yes, Master.
---
Location: Country Zodrias, in the Vamias Family's Castle.
Mother, please let me go discover the world. I've been stuck in this castle for too long.
No, Aldric, I can't let you outside into that scary world. You are my son and the future King, after all. You're the future protector of this family, Aldric.
But what about my siblings? Why are they allowed to go outside?
You are the smartest of your siblings, the only one who passed all the kingly tests; your siblings are just failures. That's why they can go outside. Don't be like them, son. Understood?
Yes, Mom, I replied, feeling a pang of loneliness in my heart.
---
Date: 04.07.1457.
Location: Zoda.
I hope the kid is doing well. He's been gone too long. Did I give him enough money? I should've given him some clothes and water. I need to stop worrying about the kid. I'm sure Von is doing alright. I still feel bad for kicking him out.
---
Location: Bosoru.
And... one hundred... argh, I collapsed.
Nice, Von! You made it. You achieved 100 pushups in a row!
Master Celvar seemed happier than I was, about my progress.
It's all thanks to you, Master. You helped me a lot.
Now, ready for Stage Two, Von?
Yes, Master, of course.
And so, we went back to training. Life wasn't bad. We did the same things over and over: we trained, then prepared food, and had some fun. Celvar seemed happy to have someone to teach, and I appreciated it very much.