“How do you feel?” asked Gustav as he approached with Ethel in his hand. As soon as the small, black griffon felt himself released, he instantly jumped from the old man’s hand and rushed at Nero without forgetting to look at Tiona with caution and warning. Even though he already felt that everything was fine and Nero became stronger, Ethel just couldn’t understand human relations yet. He was too small.

“Fine,” said Nero as he tried to stand up. “I feel myself much better than before. As if I just became stronger and faster. Besides, I can feel a small amount of inner energy, moving in my body.”

“Good,” said Gustav as he approached and patted Nero on his shoulder. “You have just evoked your source, it’s the beginning of your martial arts path. Remember, you are no longer human you were before. The more you develop your strength and improve your source, the more power, inner energy, and longevity you will get. You are a first rank squire, and that means your training will only get harder so that you could continue to grow in rank and breakthrough to the next realm,”

“By the way, teacher, can you explain to me what is happening with me right now and how many ranks or realms are there?” asked the boy with a clear curiosity in his eyes.

“Sure,” said Gustav as took his tube and started preparing for a small story. “Right now, your source, which has just evoked, is changing and improving your physics, strengthening muscles, bones, and other body parts. In short, it prepares your body for inner energy. There are five ranks in the squire realm. Right now, you are a first-rank squire with a minimal amount of inner energy.”

Gustav explained as he ignited his tube. Nero used a short pause to ask his question.

“What is the difference between these ranks, and how can I improve my rank?” asked the boy.

“There are many differences between them,” said the old man as he looked at Nero. “If you continue to train and constantly reach your limits, overcoming them, your source would improve and strengthen together with you. The more you improve in controlling your inner energy, the faster your source would reach its limitations when it will change. In short, when it happens, your inner energy reserve and overall physical strength, agility, stamina, and other factors will improve. Sometimes it can happen because of an external factor, affecting you fast like today, but it can also take some time when it happens slowly. That’s why people close themselves in the solitude meditation when they feel like they are close to a breakthrough.”

“How can I control my inner energy?” asked the boy when he finished listening to his teacher with a careful face.

“With a meditation technique. Almost everyone who practices the inner energy needs it to learn how to control their inner energy and use it. Your future progress depends drastically on the type of meditation technique you would use. It, in combination with your battle technique, will decide how powerful warrior or knight you would become.”

“Will I get them?” asked Nero with a burning flame inside his eyes, which intensified when Gustav nodded.

“I will give you your meditation technique as soon as your source would finish changing your body. Regarding the battle technique, it’s too early. You will one only after your 1st transformation when you pass through all 5 ranks and will enter the next realm. Only then, when your body, skills, and inner energy will be polished enough, you will decide which battle technique to use.”

“How many realms are there, after the squire realm?” asked the boy with curiosity in his eyes.

“Can’t wait already?” said the old man with a slight smile on his lips. “The next realm, following yours, is called knight’s or warrior’s realm. It has four ranks which are much more difficult to pass than in the squire realm,”

“What is next?” asked Nero as he attentively listened to his teacher.

“The next one is Great knight. But, it’s too early for you to know about it. Become a knight first, and then come, I will tell you the rest,” said the old man, making Nero release a sigh.

“How strong are you and mother?” asked the boy as he moved his glance at Tiona, who smiled when she heard him.

“I am a Great knight, son,” said Tiona with a proud expression on her face.

“I am a Great mage and a beginning Great knight,” said Gustav.

“Wait,” said Nero when he heard his teacher. “Is it possible to combine both magic and inner energy?”

Both elders smiled when they heard him.

“It is. You can not only do that but also learn about related fields that appeared from using magic and inner energy like Alchemy, Enchanting, Blacksmithing,”

“What about taming?” asked the boy.

“It’s different. Taming isn’t for everyone. Only a few people with such talent can learn a basic taming technique. A talent is a must in that field. Others without that talent will get nothing. That’s why others failed when they tried to tame a wild griffon. Unlike your ancestors, who had tremendous talent and a unique taming technique, they had no chances,” explained Gustav as he threw his glance at the small Ethel.

“I think that’s enough for today. You need some rest. Relax and enjoy your week-long break. I guess that would be enough for your source to finish changing you,” said Gustav, as he patted Nero’s shoulder. “Sleep, rest or do something else, but don’t train during this time. Understood?”

Nero nodded to his teacher and, after bidding goodbye to his mother, he and Ethel left, disappearing behind the trees.

As soon as Tiona saw her son disappeared, she turned and looked at Gustav.

“Have you seen it?” asked the mother with a delighted smile on her lips.

“Yes, my lady. Nero is a true genius. Besides, a natural talent for taming, his inner energy has a unique speed attribute. I guess he will become a terrifying warrior with his chosen weapon. His future opponents can already start counting how long they left to live,” said Gustav, as he looked at the proud mother.

“How will you train him from now on?” asked Tiona, another important question she had in her mind.

“I liked your approach, my lady. His new training will become much harder than before. I will not only train him but also test his will, skills, and his inner rod. I promise, when Nero grows up and prepares to leave, he will become a strong, clever, and experienced warrior. He won’t become easy prey,”

“That’s everything I can ask from you, counselor. I am sure that a man of whom my husband told me so many good things will teach him right,” said Tiona as she threw a grateful glance at him. “By the way, when do you plan to teach him about taming. Isn’t it already a right time for him to learn some basic techniques?”

Gustav only shook his head at her question.

“We both know that Nero has a tremendous talent in taming, but he still needs to improve in other spheres. I plan to teach him about taming after his first transformation when he will become a knight. I have seen many talented tamers who relied on their talent too much and usually ended dead when they met a really strong opponent. That won’t happen to my disciple.”

“I see. You have a point, counselor. I will leave my son’s training to you,” said Tiona, as she started moving away.

“My lady, what about your condition? Has it improved?” asked the old man with a worry in his gaze. Tiona paused and turned, shaking her head.

“It’s still the same. Though I recovered from my wounds, they destroyed any hope for future progress. My source just can’t change anymore and I will forever stay in my current realm. Even some rare herbs and alchemical resources failed to change my situation,” said Tiona, as she released a bitter sigh.

Gustav felt so conflicted when he heard her. Of course, he tried to help her but failed. His basic skills were just not enough, and only more experienced alchemists could try to help her. But Tiona just couldn’t leave her small and growing son to leave, looking for a cure. At least before Nero would become strong enough to protect himself.

“Gustav,” suddenly said Tiona, returning his focus at her. “I have less than a hundred years left.”

As soon as the old man heard her, his mind shook from shock.

“But you are 2 times younger than me,” said the old man, watching how Tiona nodded at his words.

“I made many sacrifices to protect my son when he was in my womb and chasers looked everywhere for us. A portion of my longevity was a fair price to kill them and escape alive,” said Tiona, as she released a sigh and focused her gaze on Gustav. “There will be a time when I will leave. Please, help him, he will need your wisdom and experience. Consider that my and my husband's last wish.”

As soon as Gustav heard her, he immediately fell on his knees and put his arm in his heart.

“Rest assured. I, Gustav, will do everything in my strengths to help my disciple, the only legitimate heir of our kingdom.”

Tiona nodded with relief and turned around, leaving the old man behind.

...

..

.

At the same time, far away from the village.

“Repeat,” ordered a man in raven-like uniform and with a clear aura around him as he looked at the old man, dressed in the strange uniform with a big mysterious eye that made goosebumps pass through his back.

That old man calmly sat on his chair inside an interrogation room, not caring about the fact that Kingdom’s security service was interrogating him. It felt as if he was sitting on the bench in the park below the sun. Even in a threatening tone, the high-ranking officer used didn’t make a single muscle move on his face. He behaved as if he came here himself, and few knights and mages never caught him to interrogate.

“You will find her there,” said the old man with a deep male voice.

“How did you learn about it? Many years have already passed. We carefully checked the whole kingdom, but didn’t find her,” said the officer as he narrowed his eyes.

“You may ignore me, Robert, but we both know how you will act. Don’t waste my time, boy,” said the old man as he stood up. Robert tried to touch his sword only to feel enormous pressure on him and could only watch how the mysterious old man broke his shackles and casually moved towards the door.

“What ...” started Robert when he was interrupted by that old man.

“Thank your luck. Debt from the past is what made me come to you. If you succeed on that mission, your life will change in the way you always dreamed about,” said the old man with a clue in his words as he turned and disappeared behind the door.

Only when the old man left, Robert released a relieved sigh, wiping his cold sweat. He has just talked with a terrifying monster that gave him intel for which all his comrades in the Secret service would kill for. He couldn’t lose such a chance.