The screams were gone. He opened his eyes. The crowd had vanished. He was no longer floating within endless darkness, but standing in the corner of a small hut.
A purple-haired elderly man knelt before a child of about ten. The boy wore a pleading expression, while the man held a warm yet unyielding smile.
"Because your place is here."
"But you always say that!" the child groaned. "Every single time! You never let me come with you. Then what's the point of all my training?"
The father sighed and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Listen to me. You don't train so you can run around hunting beasts. There's only one reason to train." He held his son's gaze. "To protect your family."
The child fell silent.
"You can't come with me because I need you here. If I'm gone, who protects your mother? Who protects your little sister? This is why we raise arms. This is why we become stronger. Do you understand?"
