CHAPTER 60: COOL DOWN

He did say the training would be brutal.

But what the hell is this?

Is this even training?

And I don’t even train at night. I mean, who the hell trains at night?

Right now, I’m under the warm embrace of the glistening rays of the cleaved moon.

And I don’t think I’d be able to move from this spot.

Man, i’m starting to regret agreeing to this.

Large chains are tied to both of my ankles. And these chains are connected underground— under the sand.

And now I’m doing nothing. Just sitting on the ground in a lotus position in this front yard. My head’s raised up, and my gaze’s fixed on the cleaved moon.

I’ve never really thought of this before but, the cleaved moon.. it’s really beautiful.

"Haaaah, what am I saying. I must have gone mad. There’s nothing beautiful about it." As I whisper, a weary sigh leaves my lips.

He doesn’t want me to run away, that’s the reason he chained me here. I just know it. Because, you just can’t tell me that this abuse is training.

As the minutes pass, my stomach rattles with hunger, and thoughts of Jennette’s wellbeing streams through my mind.

I should have told her that I won’t be able to come back home for a while. That I’m going to train, I wonder.. what would she think if I don’t come back home for more than two days? I don’t want her to worry.

"Tame it." A gruff voice echoes in the dead silence of the night.

And I turn my neck, glancing at the figure standing behind me.

"I thought you’d be asleep by now, what are you doing here. And what do you mean by ’tame it’? Tame what?" I ask. My head’s tilted and my eyes are relaxed.

He lets out a low chuckle, then he yawns, and he walks toward the spot where I’m sitting. And he sits down beside me.

"Tame that hunger, Blank." He says in a stern tone. "And, I never sleep."

My brows curve.

It’s not like I can help it..

"I’ve not eaten since morning. How does one even tame hunger?" I ask in a curious tone.

"Hahaha! How does one ta— you know, Blank. Sometimes, fights with opponents can last for days, weeks even. How would you survive if you can’t even overcome something as insignificant as hunger?" He speaks, then he turns his neck, and his golden gaze locks with mine.

And my lips part slightly as I nod my head. "So, are you saying that I’m not gonna eat anything?" I ask.

"No, you’re not. I can’t cook." He replies.

"Huh?"

"You heard me. I can’t cook."

"Was all that stuff you just said bullshit? Am I gonna starve just because you can’t cook?" I ask again.

"..." ... "Anyway, you’re gonna be eating raw monster meat every week. Pirantrophs are delicious. And you’ll drink water only once a day. That’s all for feeding." He speaks in a blunt tone.

Eh?

The left corner of my lips twitch slightly as my eyes narrow.

And then I let out a resigned exhale, and turn my neck— facing forward, and I shut my eyes.

And I start medita—

"Don’t worry, by the time I’m done honing your body to wield that blade, you’re gonna be thanking me." He says abruptly.

And I ignore him, keeping my breath steady and enjoying the relaxing breeze of the night as it’s probably gonna be the last night I feel at peace like this for a long time.

"Oh! Have I ever told you about my friend Alexander? Haha! I haven’t! That guy, they call him the dignified ruler of fire but he’s just a broken down mess of a hu—"

"Can you please stop? I’m trying to concentrate." I speak politely. My eyes are still shut tight.

"What are you even doing? I’m trying to help you, I figured you must be bored out here alone on your own, so I came to keep you company."

And whose fault is that?!

"Hoooo" I release a long breath.

"So, as I was saying, that guy said he promised himself never to drink again, but you know the first thing he says anytime he meets me? ’Let’s have a drink’! That cake addicted fool! Hahaha!"

Oh God! Why does he keep talking about Alexander?!?!!!

"Can you please shut up?! I’m trying to concen—"

Crack!

He knocks my head with his knuckles.

I yelp, holding my head, "what was that for?!" I yell.

"Kid, don’t speak inappropriately to an elder." He speaks in a calm voice. But his grin is wide on his lips.

And I almost flip a middle finger, but then I remember what happened the last time I did that. And I shut my mouth, close my eyes, and sit down. Listening to this crazy old man babble about Alexander all night.

I swear I’ll smack his ass one day.

***

The darkness fades as my eyes open slowly, and I take in the dripping bright rays of sunlight.

I yawn, stretching my arms and my bones realign with cracking sounds.

"Oh? I was just about to wake you up." K’s gruff voice rings with a slightly mischievous tone.

I unfold my legs, and stand up.

I walk forwa—

Clink!

Oh. I almost forgot that this thing is chained to my ankles, and I can’t move past a certain distance.

And then I crouch, and outstretch my palm, and fire hovers on it, and I start torching the chains with my flames. Hoping to melt them off.

I wonder why I never thought of this until now.

"Ho? Don’t waste your effort, Kid. That thing can’t be melted so easily. I stole— borrowed it from one of the master artisans in the Kafer Empire." He says as he lets out a deep, annoying chuckle.

Tch. He’s right. The steel isn’t budging.

"Now now, look up, check what I’m holding." He says.

And I turn my neck, and my gaze lands on the thing he’s—

Wait.

"What is that?!"