—-

“Hooo…” a slightly dejected youth released a turbid breath as he opened his eyes, gazing upon a training post. It was battered and nearly falling apart from the repeated relentless training. His physique seemed as if it shouldn’t belong to a child his age. Yet and still it did.

​​

“The days… they aren’t the same but they’re always the same,” he muttered as he tightened his grasp on a wooden sword seemingly heavier than it looked as it caused his wrist and forearms to strain at the same time.

“Lad, you train too much these days. While your diligence is commendable, you should allow your body some rest. Even though you’re young, your rate of recovery isn’t what a Zul Warrior can perform. Should we call it a day, Aaron?” uttered Danyul with a look of concern in his eyes.

Unlike before, the amicable little boy Aaron no longer retained that bright smile. 8 months ago, he entered an unrelenting period of near-emotional solitude. So much so, even the other kids avoided him lest they provoked his ire. He made no attempts to socialize with his relatives.

“I appreciate your concern Uncle, but no. I have to continue. I made a promise and I will see to it that I fulfill it,” adamantly stated Aaron. Raising his arm immediately after, he struck the training post causing it to vibrate. One had to know, this wasn’t the same one they trained on.

It was made from a reinforced ore containing slight absorptive properties as well as a high standard of hardness. To even harm it in the slightly required at least 400 Zuls of Strength. In other words, during this period; Aaron had attained the Rank 7 Mortal Realm!

His rate of advancement was mind-numbing. Of course, this wasn’t solely due to his good talent. While it continued to mature, he trained for days on end without missing one. It was during this time he entered a rapid state of advancement. His inner talent and outer body went through astonishing changes.

“Promise? What promise?” asked Danyul as he approached closer, taking note of the power behind Aaron’s strikes. ‘Did he recently enter the 8th Rank? Isn’t this slightly too quick? Are his foundations good? Both the inner and outer body needs to be trained harmoniously so there aren’t any imbalances.’

“A promise between me and Apollo. So I must train,” replied Aaron as his sights remain locked on the post. His movements seemed to be well trained as his wrist snaked. The post was in the form of a human physique. What he attacked were all the potential vital spots of the target and he did so with chained continuous movements.

“Ah! Wait… tell me. When did you enter the 8th Rank?” inquired Danyul, rubbing his chin thoroughly at his movements, ‘Initial mastery in [Hundred Chain Strokes] while integrating it with the [Viper Tactic]. Interesting. Just how long does this boy train? Those are both high-level Yellow Rank Martial Arts.’

“2 nights before. Spar with me Uncle. This post isn’t able to retaliate. It’ll stifle my growth,” state Aaron before turning towards Danyul. However, a small and soothing voice sounded behind him.

“Aaron… don’t overtrain. Every day you seem to engross yourself in this type of self-mutilating training. I don’t like it,” muttered Lily as she pulled on the hem of his shirt.

Sighing, Aaron shook his head, “I know Lily. But your talent is stronger than mine. Even though we are all treated well, there is still a large disparity. I have to make up for that with hard work. As Grand Elder said, this world is ruthless. So I don’t mind being ruthless to myself anymore,” he responded in return in a certain tone.

“Then…then…I’ll spar with you,” voiced Lily. Her small stature had grown as well in these past few months. However, that wasn’t the only thing; her meridians did as well. Even though she didn’t do as much as Aaron did she was on the same level as him except she was closer to advancing.

“I’ll permit it, live battle is much better than stationary training. Furthermore, this will allow you to realize that as your cultivation advances the disparity between small stage and levels inside a realm grow increasingly large. Only certain means can counteract that,” said Danyul while waving his arm.

Immediately, Aaron and Lily dashed at each other. However, while Arron wielded a wooden sword, Lily was barehanded. But a thin aura coated her hand causing it to seem like it possessed two copies.

‘Oh? Intermediate of the [Serene Mirror Palm]. It seems her heart is still and the Natural Essence attunes with her. A Profound Rank Martial Art. She is indeed as good as her father,’ thought Danyul.

‘Bang!’

The palm and sword collided. Multiple exchanges took place as they switched between their learned arts. A thin aura coated the wooden sword Aaron used but only the tip followed by a flowing aura.

‘Hm, he’s trying to understand the [Sky Breeze Swordmanship] however, that requires too much Natural Essence control. It’s high within the Profound rank.’

Ending the spar, Aaron shook his head. His body felt depleted but Lily’s appearance was still rosy vibrant with energy. The difference in their reserves was apparent. Even though neither of them possessed awakened Dantians, her meridians were thicker and could contain more Natural Essence.

“As you see, a battle between cultivators boils down to their essence reserves and the arts in their arsenal. That’s what increases their lethality. If you chance upon fortuitous encounters blessing you with an exemplary boost in these 2 aspects; you may very well possess the means to combat those above you,” spoke Danyul.

“I see,” nodded Aaron before turning towards Lily and motioning towards her as well, lamenting his “slow” growth, “I’ll rest. My body has reached its limit.”

After speaking, his image retreated. However, Lily frowned at his leaving back as she hooked her fingers. She felt a pain in her heart, “He’s sad… Apollo leaving seems to have broken something inside him.”

“It was more than that. Perhaps, his view of the world is changing as a result,” responded Danyul before closing his eyes with a heavy heart. Even if he disobeyed and ventured to find Apollo, could he reverse this situation?

—-

Before reaching home, Aaron glanced at Apollo’s old courtyard. Clenching his fist, a deep melancholy entered his eyes as he trembled and vowed to himself, ‘I promise you…I’ll do it.’

It wasn’t long before he entered his home, catching sight of his silent mother. She smiled lightly at him and pulled Aaron into her embrace, consoling his weary mind.

“Mom…do you still think Apollo is alive? I… I really miss him. Do you miss him as well?”

Looking out the window into the distance, a gleam flashed through her eyes as she smiled and responded, “He’s definitely alive. This small setback can’t break him. You have to be strong so that upon your reunion you can show him just how much you’ve changed. I’m sure he thinks about you often.”

“I will!” resolutely answered Aaron as his eyes followed her gaze. Standing ramrod straight, he placed his right hand over his chest and made a second silent oath. After this, he was reinvigorated with a newfound resolve.

In turn, Cynthia smiled. ‘You boys, you two will be great. I can see it now.’