CHAPTER 68: TRAINING SESSIONS

They emerged onto a bustling street. Before them stretched a lively fair, crowded with people. Cats roamed lazily among the stalls.

"Everyone who lives here has their own purpose," said Oldrich. "Some work for the good of others, some for themselves. In the end, a picture forms. Do you like it, guest?"

"Mm-hm," Lirael couldn’t tear her eyes away from the crowd. "You... you look so much like humans. What do you call yourselves?"

"How? Hmmm... I suppose we make no distinction between anyone who lives in this world. We are inhabitants. Be it a man, be it a cat — we are souls who failed to reincarnate as humans. Tell me, guest, how are we different from you? Why were we divided, if we are the same as you?"

A heaviness settled in Lirael’s chest. Many passersby glanced at her with sorrowful eyes.

Suddenly, Oldrich’s gaze darkened, and his voice turned coarse.

"Girl. I’ve always wondered why I couldn’t become human. What was I lacking? The answer was simple. I was weak. Not strong enough to earn humanity. How stupid is that, don’t you think?

That’s why I’ll tell you this — I hate humans. They don’t value what they have. They don’t value the ground they walk on. They’re fools. So you, girl, you must be wiser... wise enough for me to take you as my apprentice. Understood?!"

"Y-yes!.."

Lirael thought she was staring at someone entirely different — not Oldrich at all.

"Good."

Grumbling under his breath, Oldrich strode forward.

A young woman from his squad approached Lirael.

"Don’t let the commander’s words get to you. Sir Oldrich has... a split personality. When his eyes are white, you’re speaking to Ulrich. When they’re black — you’re facing Oldrich, the killing machine. I’m Mika, by the way. And you?"

"...Lirael. Nice to meet you. So... I’ll be with your squad?"

"With us? No, no. The Onmyoji won’t put you in the military. You’ll train personally under their care. We get a little jealous sometimes, knowing you have that chance. But jealousy is for the weak — and we try to be as little like humans as possible."

Mika gave her a warm, genuine smile.

"Mika... who exactly is your Sir Oldrich?"

"He... whether Ulrich or Oldrich, he’s the kindest Onmyoji there is. Around him, you always feel protected. As a child, Ulrich died in his arms. Their family was slaughtered before his eyes. Unable to accept the loss, Oldrich swore to bring his brother back at any cost.

In the end, Ulrich’s soul was bound to him. Sir Oldrich is the only one who carries two souls in one body. His love for his brother was so strong, he pulled him into himself."

"Brothers that can’t be separated..."

Oldrich glanced at a kitten that had climbed onto his shoulder.

...

"Sir Sigfried, please... take me as your student!"

Sylas knelt before the Onmyoji wearing a lion-shaped helm.

"Boy, what do you want from my strength? You’ve got more than enough muscle as it is."

"In my world, people fear not armored warriors, but those with scrolls. I want to prove that you don’t need magic to achieve your goals. My calling is brute strength!"

"Brute strength, is it?" Sigfried rested his chin on his palm. "And what goal are you chasing?"

"I want to protect my brothers and sisters — to lift my family up! That’s all I’ve ever dreamed of. They gave me love... they gave me the will to live. Back when I didn’t understand that, I did a lot of foolish things. Now I know what I’m looking for and what I need!"

Sigfried chuckled. Rising to his feet, the towering Sylas realized the Onmyoji still stood taller.

"Fight me."

Sylas froze. "W-what...?"

"If you can land even one hit on me, I’ll take you as my apprentice. Show me how strong your will really is."

Nervous but determined, Sylas took a stance. The moment he swung, Sigfried slipped aside and sent him sprawling.

"Ow..."

"You’re not giving it your all. Is your will so weak that, faced with someone stronger, you just give up?"

"No..."

Sylas pushed himself back up. "I won’t give up."

"Don’t rely solely on brute force. Focus. Right now, you’re being ruled by your emotions."

Ruled by emotions...

Sylas exhaled slowly, clearing his mind for the fight.

They clashed again. Sylas hit the ground once more.

"Again!"

Again. And again.

"Again!"

He had to prove himself. He had to hit him at least once.

"Get up, boy!"

Sweat dripped onto the dirt. His knuckles were raw.

Don’t quit... not now...

Images flooded his mind — their old wooden table, dusty house, his mother cleaning every day. Aimer, Tyrion, Sylas — the inseparable trio. And he would protect them, no matter what.

SMACK!

They traded blows. Heavy breaths filled the air.

When Sylas opened his eyes, his fist had connected with Sigfried’s face.

...

I did it... I actually hit him...

"Well done," the lion knight grunted.

Glancing toward the window, Sigfried smirked.

"My path is called the Beast’s not just because I’m half-beast. My strength lies in my sword and my claws. A lion is the leader of his pride — if he can’t earn their respect with his strength, then who could they trust?"

So he really is a lion...

"Sylas, right?"

"Ah... yes."

"Welcome to the pride. And if you’re going to trust your commander, you need to see his face."

Sigfried slowly removed his helm.

Sylas gasped.

Before him stood an actual lion, walking on two legs, speaking like a man. His golden mane was magnificent, his amber eyes sharp, his claws gleaming. Even the way he breathed carried the weight of a king.

"Compared to Nishitani, I was born an animal. I had my own pride. I roamed the outskirts of this land for years. At the end of my life, my soul was reborn. Instead of fading, I chose to walk into a new existence."

"And Lady Nishitani... she was human from the start?"

"That little brat fused her soul with a leopard. Hilarious, really — such close bonds with a wild beast."

...

Meanwhile, I arrived at Sir Payton’s dwelling, wearing a green kimono. I actually liked it — light, comfortable.

"You came after all."

"Where else would I go?" I smirked.

I held a wooden sword in my hands.

"Raise it. Can you recreate it exactly with magic or Light?"

I examined it, then nodded. The wooden blade flared with white fire.

"You can use the Light element offensively. Good. That means you’ll learn quickly."

He approached me and—

WHAM!

His finger, sparking with energy, tapped my forehead. The force sent me crashing onto my back.

"Urgh..."

I’d felt something like this before — when Master Dean used Soul Granting on me.

"Get up. I’ve awakened the power of Mado in you. Its strength will grow as your soul changes under this world’s influence. You’ll have to live here a bit longer to gain more of it."

I scratched my head. "But I don’t feel any flow of energy, like with magic. It’s like nothing changed."

"Mado’s power can’t be seen. It changes the structure of your soul. Using it is simple — just think about summoning your sword."

"Then let’s not waste time."

"Eager for a unique blade, are you? I’m afraid mastering it won’t be quick."

"I don’t care," I said. "I’ll do whatever you tell me, Sir Payton. I want more power."

Because without it, I couldn’t keep my promise to Lirael.

I clenched my fists and met my teacher’s gaze.

"Very well."

From that day, we began training in Mado.

When the first day ended, Claude was waiting in the corridor, arms crossed, eyes full of disdain.

"Why you?"

"What?"

"Taking you as a student — Sir Payton made a big mistake. Shame, really. You don’t deserve the power you’re being taught."

"And why’s that?" I felt irritation creeping in.

Claude’s smile was cold.

"Because you’re trash. Not even human. Worse than that."

"Hm. Your name’s Claude, right? Why stick your nose in someone else’s business?"

"Someone else’s business? Aren’t you the one sticking yours in? You sneaked into our world, and now you’re learning from the Onmyoji themselves. Pathetic. I can see right through your soul — rotten to the core. Atheron, or whatever they call you. Don’t pretend you know everything. Think you’re some grand hero out of a fairy tale? Hmph. This world doesn’t need that."

"Hero? No. I’m no hero. I just like living. And no one gets to take my life from me."

Claude let out a vile chuckle. His cocky tone got more aggressive.

"No, you’re definitely an idiot. I’ll make it simple — Sir Payton is my commander. I won’t let you stain his honor. I’m watching you. Not that you’re likely to even summon the sword."

I stepped past him. Standing shoulder to shoulder, I said:

"Don’t worry. I might be rotten, but I’m not as weak as you think."

I walked away, leaving Claude with a sour look on his face.