"Now that you've received a name, I wonder what your appearance will look like... I'm kind of nervous," I muttered, glancing at the radiant light emanating from Fafnir's evolving form.The brightness slowly dimmed, and a figure began to emerge from within. My breath hitched as I took in the sight before me: a tall, yellow-eyed man clad in a grey shirt and blood-red pants that seemed to accentuate his muscular physique. His presence was commanding, almost larger than life.The man stood tall, raising his arms dramatically. "At last! At last!" he shouted triumphantly, his voice booming like thunder.I froze, blinking rapidly in disbelief. That face, that physique—it looked eerily familiar. My mind raced as recognition dawned on me. The form he had taken... It was based on a manga character I used to read about back on Earth."Woah! That physique... that form..." I muttered under my breath, unable to mask the curiosity and astonishment in my voice.Fafnir threw his head back and let out an obnoxiously loud laugh. "Right, right! Impressive, isn't it?"I snapped out of my stupor, pointing at him with a mix of bewilderment and suspicion. "Where did you get that form from?"Fafnir scoffed, crossing his arms as his piercing yellow eyes locked onto mine. "I've obtained the Book of Knowledge! Ha ha ha ha!"[ I knew exactly what he was referring to—a manga series. But how on Earth did he know about it? ]Shaking off the shock, I walked toward him, extending my fist. "Let's travel this world together, Fafnir," I said with determination, my voice brimming with enthusiasm.Fafnir grinned, his confidence shining through as he met my fist with his own. "Yes, but before we do that, let's deal with your magicores first. Ha ha!""Magicores?" I repeated, tilting my head in confusion.Fafnir's expression turned serious as he nodded. "Now that I have a physical body, you should also have access to my power. However..." He paused, his tone growing more ominous. "Your body is far from a suitable vessel for my magicores."I blinked, scratching my head nervously. "Wait... What do you mean by 'access' to your power? Why would I need to use your body in the first place?"Fafnir's yellow eyes narrowed as he began explaining. "The magicores within me are immensely powerful. They're already residing inside you as part of the bond we share. But your human body is too weak to handle them. If left unchecked, the excess energy will destroy you from the inside out.""What!?" I gasped, stepping back as panic surged through me. "You're telling me I'll explode if I can't control this power!?"Fafnir smirked, unfazed by my distress. "Exactly."My heart pounded as I stared at him, trying to steady my breathing. "Okay... What do I need to do to stop that from happening?"He leaned forward, resting his thumb and index finger thoughtfully on his chin. "You need to learn how to regulate the flow of magicores within you. It's not something that can be done overnight, but if you don't master it, you'll burn out—and trust me, that's not a pleasant way to go."I swallowed hard, nodding despite the knot of fear tightening in my chest. "Alright, Fafnir. I'll do whatever it takes."He smirked again, his confidence unwavering. "Good. Then let's begin."One Week LaterThe past week had been grueling. Fafnir had instructed me to focus on feeling the magicores inside me, their chaotic energy surging like a storm within my body. With his help, I managed to contain and channel a small portion of that power—just 15%. But even that small fraction had taken everything I had to master.As I stood in a clearing, drenched in sweat, my chest heaved with exhaustion. Fafnir, standing nearby with his arms crossed, grinned at me."Well done, boy!" he said, clapping his hands together in approval.I managed a tired smile, wiping the sweat from my brow. "I couldn't have gotten this far without you, partner."Flashback to the TrainingThe first thing Fafnir had instructed me to do was touch his physical body. At first, the request seemed strange, but he explained it with his usual smug demeanor."Touch my body and focus on the magicores that flow through me. You'll use my control as a guide to help regulate your own."It sounded simple enough, but it was anything but.The moment I placed my hand on his arm, an overwhelming surge of energy coursed through me, leaving me breathless. It was as though I had tapped into a raging inferno, one that threatened to consume me entirely."Focus, Human!" Fafnir barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Feel the flow. Don't let it overwhelm you!"I gritted my teeth, sweat pouring down my face as I fought to steady the violent storm within me. With Fafnir controlling the output, I was able to grasp the faintest threads of control, pulling them closer until they felt almost manageable.Hours turned into days as I practiced relentlessly. By the end of the week, I had managed to regulate 15% of my magicores—a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.Back to the Present"Fafnir," I said, turning to face him with a determined look in my eyes. "Even with 15% of your power, I know it's not enough. There are people out there—stronger, faster, more skilled—who could wipe us out without breaking a sweat."He nodded, his expression serious. "You're right. That's why your training doesn't end here."I tensed, already dreading what lay ahead."Now that you can regulate a portion of my power, you can start training with me directly," he said, his yellow eyes boring into mine.I swallowed hard but nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes to get stronger, Fafnir."He smirked, a glint of pride in his gaze. "Good. Because this world isn't kind to the weak, Human. And neither am I."As I prepared myself for the next stage of training, one thing was clear: this was only the beginning of the long, brutal road ahead. But for the first time, I felt a spark of hope. With Fafnir by my side, maybe—just maybe—I stood a chance.