The next day, after the sun rose and cast its golden lights through The Arena's towers, Cedric was waiting for Ryan's arrival.
Cedric stood on the training grounds. The greenery surrounded him, vibrant and alive.
Ryan walked up, excitement shining on his face.
"Ryan," Cedric said calmly. "Today we will begin your sword training. Get ready."
Ryan nodded.
"First, let's work on the Earthroot Stance," Cedric instructed. "Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly."
Ryan adjusted himself. "Like this?"
"More bend in your knees," Cedric replied. "Keep your weight balanced. Feel the energy from the ground."
Ryan took a deep breath and settled into the stance. He closed his eyes and focused on the vibrations beneath him.
"I can feel it," he said, amazed.
"Good," Cedric nodded. "Now, let's move on to Terra Strikes. We'll practice three movements: vertical, horizontal, and thrusting."
Ryan gripped his sword tightly, still on the Earthroot Stance. "Ready."
"Vertical strike!" Cedric commanded.
Ryan swung his sword down.
"Horizontal slash!"
Ryan sliced the sword horizontally.
"Now, thrusting strike!"
Ryan lunged forward. The tip of his sword sparkled.
"Now we'll combine those strikes into Earthwave Movements," Cedric explained.
"Focus on the flow. Sequence one is vertical, horizontal, thrust. Go!"
Ryan moved through the sequences. Each strike blended into the next.
"Excellent!" Cedric praised. "Now for sequence two: thrust, horizontal, vertical. Let's see it."
Ryan adapted quickly, his movements improved.
"Great job, Ryan. Your progress is impressive," Cedric said with a smile. "Keep practicing. You'll truly understand Earth Swordsmanship."
"Thank you, Cedric. I won't let you down," Ryan replied.
Cedric's smile widened. "I expect nothing less."
Ryan kept practicing the slashes and thrusts movements until the sundown.
He was adamantly determined to master all the new knowledge he just received. After all, he had nothing to do anymore. No excavations, nor deciphering works. He had a lot of free time to spend.
***
The dining hall of the Earth Tower was warm and lively with the chatters of the students, mixed with the clatters of eating utensils. The menu tonight seemed enticing. The aroma of roasting meats and fresh herbs filled the air.
There were fewer students who glanced at Ryan curiously. How relieving, it was never been fun to be the center of student's gossips.
Elijah and Lucas were already at their spot.
Their faces lit up when they saw Ryan.
"Welcome, Ryan! We've been eager to share dinner and show you something," Elijah said.
"Thank you, Elijah." Ryan replied.
Lucas asked, "How is your training? Is it hard?"
Ryan shook his head. "I can't say it's hard or it's easy. I only sure that morning training will suck up my breakfast's energy, same goes with my lunch's energy."
Elijah and Lucas laughed, "So now you refill your energy for the night."
Ryan grinned, "Yeah."
They enjoyed their tender beef and steaming vegetables. As they dined, they enggaged in pleasant small talk.
"I heard you never practice any magical skills or weapon training. I guess you were a normal person before chosen, am I wrong?" Lucas asked.
Ryan nodded, "You could say that, if normal person means those who were stucked on work-eat-sleep cycle."
Elijah giggled. "We never had those. Guess that was boring."
Ryan grinned. "Very. How did you guys ended up as Initates?"
"We got some weird powers since a little kid. Our family abandoned us because of that. One day a Guardian resqued us from orphanage, and brought us here. And now here we are, trained to be Guardians as well." Lucas answered.
"Oh… I see, I am sorry."
"What's to be sorry about? Our lives now are great. We love being able to save the world. We will be heroes." Lucas laughed.
Ryan laughed awkardly. "So after you both master Earth element, what elements you will take next?"
Elijah and Lucas glanced at each other.
'They have the same weird habit,' Ryan thought, 'always looking at each other.'
Elijah answered after an awkward cough, "We can't. We are only able to master only one element."
Ryan's eyes widened, "Why? I thought you all the same like me. Even Fen gave me schedule of what's to master next."
"Fen? Do you mean the Fenrir?"
"Yes."
"Ehem… You see, we all are only in low levels. And you are chosen to be placed at higher level. The gods should have granted you the power to wield all kinds of elements, and maybe other skills as well." Lucas explained.
Ryan was stunned, and didn't know what to say next.
"Oh… I see." He bitterly swallowed his food.
Elijah gave Ryan a wide smile. "It is alright. You might not know everything yet, in time you will."
Lucas said, "Yep, and we all are fine by that. Among Guardians, jealousy of others is considered a bad omen. So we are all fine with whatever. Don't think about it too much."
Ryan exhaled, relieved. "Guardians are truly God's organization."
Lucas added, "Some are jealous, but not much. Be careful of them in case you stumble upon them one day."
"Alright, I will keep that in mind." Ryan nodded.
***
After dinner, Lucas and Elijah took Ryan outside to the field surrounding the tower.
They promised to show him their elemental companions,
Two figures awaited them next to the tall birch tree.
Elijah's beast, a towering Terra Bear, stood there proudly. Its fur shifted between earthy tones. Lucas' creature, a sleek Gaea Wolf, gazed at Ryan with his green eyes.
"This is insane!" Ryan exclaimed, "They are stunning!"
Terra Bear, a majestic earth elemental creature, boasts formidable physical strength. And Gaea Wolf, its earth elemental counterpart, excels in swiftness and tactical strategy.
Elijah gestured at the Terra Bear, "Terrakai, show us your strength."
The Terra Bear raised his paws and effortlessly lifted a nearby boulder.
"Luperra, now is your turn," Lucas said to his Gaea wolf.
The wolf darted around Ryan, his movements were quick and fluid.
"Incredible. Can I have one on my own?" Ryan asked.
Elijah and Lucas, once again, glanced at each other.
"But you have already with Lord Fenrir?" Lucas hesitantly queried.
"Uh… he is only my guardian, though…" Ryan scratched the back of his head.
"Umm… then maybe you can ask him first…You know, in case Lord Fenrir is not willing to have another mystical beast around him." Lucas suggested.
"I will ask." Ryan nodded. He was petting Terrakai and Luperra, who closed their eyes as if acknowledging Ryan as their master.