Max lay on the floor, his chest burned as if a fire salamander had breathed into his lungs. A dull ache throbbed through his muscles, as if he had spent days hauling a mountain on his shoulders. A groan escaped his lips as he cast a pained gaze to the source of the pain–his Father. He had expected a grueling session, although young, he was no fool. The work to become a knight would be grueling and difficult to bear, but he was prepared. But this...this felt like it could give the Twelve Labours of Hercules a run for their money.
Julius stared down at his notes, oblivious to Max's mental protests. "Okay, Max, we're done with the warm-ups, we can move on." He placed the notes to the side.
'By Heavens, would I see Avalon at such a tender age? I have still so much to accomplish.' A sense of dread washed over Max as his soul seemed to depart his body. He gritted his teeth, despite the protest of his muscles, he forced himself to stand.
Julius nodded proudly. "Now Max, for obvious reasons, you won't get a steel weapon yet. We'll stick with wooden versions until you're ready. Now, this is very important: pick a weapon." A heavy wooden shelf sat against the wall, laden with an assortment of practice gear: swords, spears, shields, katanas, and longswords.
Awe flowed through Max as his gaze passed over the assortment of wooden arms. Like a kid in a candy store, his excitement bubbled over.
"Pick the one that resonates with you the most. Close your eyes and let your heart decide. Don't force it." he instructed.
Max nodded and closed his eyes. He stretched his hands out and listened. A gentle, rhythmic thump of his heart, the warm flow of blood coursing through his veins. His quirk flared, a warm light flowed through him. After moments of searching, his hands landed on two weapons.
He opened his eyes, in his clutches were his chosen tools: a straight saber and a small square shield.
Julius smiled, "True to your nature. Well, we'll be training you on these until the actual weapons will be ready." He grabbed his own wooden saber. "We begin now." Julius shifted into a stance sword held before him, "Now, show me the Knight's way Max."
A grin broke across Max's face, his heart pounded in his chest as he gripped the shield in his left and the sword in his right. He dashed forward, sword raised. "Huzaah!!" he cried, a golden hue flared in his eyes.
Julius calmly side-stepped. Hand snagged the back of Max's collar, sword placed by his neck. "Dead." He released him. "Don't just look at the man, Max. Look at his truth."
"His truth?" Max titled his head
"Your quirk, or at least the aspect you've unlocked, is a common version in our family. It allows us to unveil the truth, in people or animals. Their intent, what they want to do. So..." He steadied his sword., "Don't just look at me, look at my truth. See what I am going to do, then react."
Max nodded. He gripped his weapons and charged again. His eyes scanned his father for any slight opening. A golden aura shimmered around his father's hip. 'There!' He swung diagonally.
Julius smiled, easily blocking the attack. "Much better, but..." With a shift of his blade, Max stumbled forward. He lightly tapped Max's back. "Don't always wait for me to act before you react; you might not be fast enough. Look for the truth actively." Julius reached down and hoisted him back to his feet..
Max's mind whirred, the lesson begining to sink in. He raised his shield, his eyes flared gold as he launched at his father once more.
***
Four hours later
Max sat on the floor, his clothes drenched with sweat. Each breath was ragged and long, searing his throat. His nostrils greedily sucked in oxygen.
"Good work today, Max. You can rest in your room; we'll continue tomorrow. Go freshen up, as we have guests." Julius smiled, although to Max, it looked more like the leer of a demon
A cold chill ran down his back. "Aye... Father," he muttered, trudging upstairs.
A bead of sweat rolled down Julius's temple. 'Did I perhaps take it too far?'
Entering his room, Max immediately crashed onto his bed, letting himself drift into the land of dreams.
Evening rolled around, and Max was still asleep. A soft knock echoed at his door, "Max?" The door creaked open upon not receiving a reply. Peering in, Shizuka sighed at the sight of her sleeping son. 'I told Julius not to go so hard on the training.' she thought.
Shaking his side, she spoke gently. "Max, wake up."
He shifted, his snoring growing louder.
"Max, c'mon wake up. Your friend is here."
He snored even louder.
Shizuka's mouth twitched, before a mischievous idea sparked to life. "Oh Max, there is a great feast downstairs."
Max's eyes shot open, the mention of the "source of life" revived him instantly. He bolted upright, eyes darted to the side as he spoke frantically "A feast, where is the feast?."
"Ah, there shall be a feast when you go change young man. Besides, your friend is waiting. Don't keep her and her parents waiting."
Max blinked, "Oh, Friend Jiro! I shall bathe with haste, and then we shall share a feast together." He sprinted to the bathroom.
Shizuka giggled . If there was one way to wake the boy, it was food.
After a few minutes, Max arrived downstairs, his gaze landing on friend Jiro. "Huzzah, friend Jiro. Here to partake in the feast?"
Jiro nodded, "Yeah."
"Excellent, let us eat." He strutted to the kitchen. "Greetings, Lord and Lady Jiro! Fair blessings to your house."
Mika smiled, already charmed by the little knight. "Oh, greetings to you as well."
Mika elbowed her husband, Kyotoku, who was currently staring daggers at the boy. He coughed, "Yeah…greetings."
Max nodded, oblivious to the glare, as he sat at the table. The Kincaid and Jiro families enjoyed a meal together.
Afterwards, the Jiro family prepared to leave, promising that Kyoka could visit again soon. Kyoka, of course, was more than happy to spend more time with Max.
This schedule would be the one Max followed, but of course, life can be quite cruel to the seemingly oblivious
Omake
After the Jiro family had departed, and with Max asleep. Julius and Shizuka rested on the couch.
"And why was Max so tired that he slept almost throughout the day?" Shizuka spoke, her voice gentle and soft.
A cold chill passed through Julius. Warning signs in his head. He has to thread very carefully. "O…oh, I was just gauging his level so the continuing regime would be adjusted to that. Have no worries, tomorrow won't be quite like today." He explained.
Shizuka narrowed her eyes, "Hmm, it better."
A breath of relief escaped Julius, 'That was close.' He relaxed into his seat, feeling he had successfully escaped a perilous situation.
"Julius, why I'm I looking at a beer bottle?"
"Well shit."
From that day, Max now only had one parent. The name Julius Kincaid never existed.