A somewhat skinny boy with short black hair was lying on a bed with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

This boy was none other than Quin, and he was not sleeping at all, only lost in thoughts.

Is it really true? Can someone reach that level of power with only a couple of years of proper training? But, that monster… It was so frightening! What if I commit to do proper training? Even if I would have the strength, would I be brave enough to face something like that? It’s so hard to imagine that. Even just thinking about it, I can’t help it but to shake. What’s more, can I even properly stick to training? Constantly doing those exercises would be so difficult and tiring and I’ve always hated them… My stamina also drains so quickly during classes too…

Questions like these flowed through his mind, with no answers, and Quin soon fell asleep.

On this thirteenth day he has made a great step forward. Although he woke up a couple of times shivering and sweating due to various nightmares, he was able to get more than a few hours of good sleep in contrast to previous days.

Waking up, dressing up, having breakfast, joining the other students in the row to school, and then the training class, this was his rather simple morning routine in weekdays.

His mind went around in vicious circles - as they say - repeating similar thoughts to yesterday’s, and only after the exercises ended did he manage to wake up from his thoughts thanks to a rather simple realization.

Wait a minute… The class has already ended, but I... he stopped for a second and observed his body with a hint of disbelief. I did all those exercises but I’m hardly panting... And what’s more I was so lost in thoughts, I think... I just forgot how tiring this should be, realizing this, he began to laugh, granting an indeed unusual and weird sight to others, though fortunately he was mostly ignored.

How many times have I heard about it, and god, how it annoyed me listening to it over and over again? The adults always kept on lecturing me how something, like doing excessive training is just a matter of a right mindset or how you can surpass your limits purely with your mind. Though they also said that it can be really negative as well: if you keep on telling yourself you can’t do something, then you probably won’t be able to do it. All these times I was so sure that it’s something that they made up for us kids as encouragement... Maybe this is what’s happening to me? Could what they said be true? Quin felt like he was finally making a breakthrough, like he could already see the light at the end of the tunnel, and then realization hit him.

So stupid! I was so caught up in hating training and complaining that I didn’t even give myself a chance, and decided in advance that every exercise is too tiring, hard and meaningless. Ever since I can remember, I always loved reading and thought that having enough knowledge will be enough for a comfortable life! Haha... Quin indeed found it hilarious both in a good and bad way, though more importantly, after spending two weeks so miserably and depressed, he truly enjoyed laughing for a change.

The break at noon and the classes afterwards passed quickly, and Quin arrived back home a few hours before nightfall.

Entering the house he found his mother at the kitchen, who was just about to finish making the dinner.

“I’m home,” Quin greeted his mother.

“Hey, how was school?” his mother replied smiling.

“Well, I guess it was okay… Anyway where’s Dad? Is he working late again?” he swept his gaze around searching for him.

“Yes, it is unfortunate, but it seems nowadays he is burdened with a lot of work, probably due those creatures,” his mother sighed, looking a bit sad.

“That’s a shame...” Quin said, sharing his mother’s expression.

Even though during the past months the distance between Quin and his father became even bigger, -- as most kids of his age -- he genuinely loved his father, whom he regarded as the man with the highest authority.

Ever since he could remember, he truly wanted to be acknowledged by him, however it was an indeed difficult task to achieve. Although Quin has been considerably smart in comparison to other children, and was often praised for it, his father being a soldier himself only valued strength, something Quin clearly lacked and was not interested in it.

The more years passed, the more dissatisfied his father became with his son, especially due to realizing that there was no change in Quin’s attitude towards training; even after school and the everyday trainings began. A few months ago it reached the point where his father generally ignored him, even during the small amount of time he spent at home, because as he said ‘he was not going to waste his time on a foolish son like him’.

Finishing his meal, Quin went to his room and lay down on his bed as he began thinking, trying to sort out the whole mess that was inside his head, hoping to finally put those things to rest.

The sun went down and now it would have been completely dark outside, if not for the magical street lamps lighting up the surroundings.

It took Quin for a while, but at last he managed to organize his thoughts, while suppressing his constant fear and was about to draw his conclusions.

After the attack, what I felt was fear and helplessness. Fear of that beast, and helplessness because I wasn’t even able to move an inch at that time. According to the instructor it was pretty weak, and Miss Nyra also confirmed that. We’ve also been told that the gap in our strength can be conquered within mere four to five years, and even in their later stages they do not pose much of a threat individually, of course only if we focus on our training… Until today I honestly doubted I’d ever be able to endure or put up with doing that. I guess after today’s class I can say that I have been really stupid, he started laughing at himself and his past mistakes.

I have been wrong and for so long! I’ve never listened to my parents and the others telling me how important it was to have your own strength… I always thought that I’d be living my whole life in safety, without worry, and if need be, the legions would protect us. But, I’ve just experienced it firsthand how untrue that is, as there’d always be unknown things in this world that is ready to strike us. At least now I’ve finally realized it, the only thing you can always count on is your own strength and power! Even with legions surrounding you, you can still be attacked, you can still be killed and you can never live your life in true safety. If I don’t want to have this terrifying fear to be present in my life anymore, everyday being afraid that something unexpected will happen like that time…Then I have to make my resolve, stopping his laugh, his expression became entirely serious.

From this day onward, no matter what, I will stop complaining and whining and I’ll save my energy for training! I’ll have to completely focus on it, there’s no other way. Since the start of the school I have always been among the weakest and the slowest, mostly in the last group to finish. To top it off, I also wasted those months: while others trained and became stronger, I focused on avoiding the training, and only doing what was absolutely necessary. But not ever again, Quin declared his newfound resolution.

There were no nightmares, no insomnia on that night, just sound sleep. After two long weeks of misery, it appeared that Quin has found his peace at last. Although the incident definitely left a serious scar on his psyche, today he was finally able to take the first steps.

Wow, it feels so good to have finally had a good night’s sleep, Quin thought.

He smiled happily and, after getting ready, he went down to have his breakfast before leaving for school.

At the school the training class has just began, however it was different for Quin, than in the last half year, since this time he was determined and did not lack motivation. Numerous students began their laps, and the distance between them -- and thus their level of strength -- showed in no time, only becoming greater by each passing minute.

In contrast of how it had been before, Quin was not in the last group anymore, but a few groups in front of it. Obviously that did not mean he was anywhere near to the front, as, even the groups in the middle were fairly distant from him. Strength and stamina is not something which are granted in infinite amounts just because someone has a strong resolve. Resolution is indeed an important thing, and no doubt it also influences one’s performance, but without a strong base even the most stable building will fall.

Although it has already been at least an hour since the start of the class, they were at best half through the exercise. Quin managed to maintain his previous position and now he had gained quite some distance from the last few groups. His whole body was covered in sweat and he felt dead-tired.

Thoughts of giving up constantly stormed his mind, but gritting his teeth and reminding himself of his goal, he continued at the same pace. He clearly knew that he could only change his life by perseverance and great willpower -- there are no shortcuts.

While running, he tried to empty his head, focusing only on running itself and not giving any mind to the complaints of his body. Though he was far from being successful in his try, it still had a positive effect.

After the running ended, Quin was panting heavily as he gasped for air, but inside he was truly happy at his accomplishment. Even if it was not that significant, he had to start somewhere. Without much time to rest, the first of the remaining exercises began, then the second, third and so on until it was time for the noon break at last.

Exhausted.

After the end of training class he was absolutely exhausted, and he was lying on the yard for a long time, lacking the strength even to move. By the time he managed to get himself together, it was already time for the other classes.

Later, in the evening Quin was smiling while watching a sheet of paper in front of him at his room.

Alright! This should suffice.

At home, he thought thoroughly about how to make his training the most efficient, thus after he borrowed several books about it from the nearby library, he decided to create his own training plan. Each day -- including weekends -- had various exercises on top of the compulsory ones, furthermore their amount increased each week, not giving him any time to rest.

Thus a new chapter began for Quin, probably the hardest one in his entire life, one bearing great difficulties and challenges.

Edited on 2016. 09. 17.