Whatever, i will find out eventually.
The magic training had left my mana pool almost bone-dry. Its as if, I can literally feel an empty space inside my body. But Boran wasn't finished yet. Before I could even ask for a water break, he thrust the wooden sword back into my hands and pushed me for one final hour of swordsmanship.
*PANT* *PANT*
I collapsed onto the obsidian sand, my chest heaving as if I were trying to swallow the entire atmosphere. My vision swam with the orange hues of the setting sun.
Four hours. Four hours of high-intensity physical and magical training was just drilled into this fragile six-year-old body by these two brutes.
"Come on, kid. How can you get tired with just this much ? This is only your first day!" Boran said.
"...Pant... Pant.. Oh, come on," I wheezed, wiping sweat and grit from my forehead. "How much did you train on your first day?"
Boran puffed out his chest, a look of smug, fiery pride crossing his face. "On my first day? I trained for six hours straight without sitting down."
"And did you just train with your weapon?" I asked, looking up at him with a tired but sharp gaze. "Or did you spend half that time working on seven elements of magic as well?"
The smugness evaporated instantly. Boran's expression went dead, his bravado popping like a pricked balloon.
"....My weapon and my body," he muttered.
Of course he did.
If it's just about physical training even I might pull it off but training physically and magic together is harder. Since, spending mana can make a person exhausted.
This is why I like simple minded people. They are easy to tease.
"How old were you when you started ?" I asked again.
"...Ten" and he answered.
Of course he was.
I know a conversation like this which is full of mocking and teasing is not normal between a kid and an adult. But most adventurers, especially these two are like that. Easygoing and fun to be with.
CLAP
"Alright boys, enough. Today's training ends here," Vivi announced, stepping between us. She looked down at me, her black eyes softening slightly. "Tyler, go home. We'll continue this tomorrow."
"Alright," I whispered, forcing my trembling legs to lock so I could stand.
"Good job today, kid," Boran said, reaching out and giving my back a firm pat.
For a second, I felt a surge of warmth.
Wait, was I wrong about this guy?
Is he actually a kind, supportive teacher beneath the gruff exterior? Maybe I misjudged him...
"Make sure you come on time tomorrow, even early, if possible." Boran added, a predatory, sadistic smile stretching across his face. "Now that I know you can handle this much, we can really start the training."
Nope. I was right the first time. This man is a heartless monster.
SMACK
"Ok ok, let the kid go now, Boran. don't scare him." Vivi gave Boran a 'Gentle' Smack on his head.
"Ouch... Vivi... Was that necessary ? I was just showing him my love" Boran said while rubbing the back of his head.
"It was necessary" she replied.
Ignoring their bickering, I slipped out from there without making any sound.
Hooh... Finally got out.
I got out of the training field and charged straight towards Arbutus Palace with Mike, who has been waiting for me the entire time, following behind me.
"How was Today ? Your Highness." Mike asked
"Today was... tiring," I muttered as we began the walk back to the Arbutus Palace.
***
I stayed still at the center of the Thirteenth Field, the laughter died down. I kept my eyes on the exit even long after Tyler's small silhouette had vanished into the twilight.
"Vivi" Boran called out to me and I looked at him.
Boran's voice was stripped of its usual boisterous edge. He was staring at the patch of sand where Tyler had collapsed just minutes ago, his expression uncharacteristically grave. "What do you think? Really?"
"The same as you. He definitely has the [Genius Of Magic] Trait and seeing his training with you... He also has the [Master Of Sword] trait, At the very least" I told him the conclusion that I've reached.
"Yes but, only If he's telling the truth," Boran muttered in a doubtful voice., his hand tightening on the hilt of his weapon. "Two days, Vivi? Come on. Even for a Regulus, that's... it's impossible. He could be bragging to get a rise out of us."
I looked at him as if looking at an Idiot.
"Do you seriously doubt the kid ? Do you seriously think that boy cares about our attention? " I said with annoyance.
"Not sure. But you know how kids are."
"I know that kids of his age love to brag to attract attention but that kid is different."
"Different ?"
"...Yes, that kid is unlike his peers. I can't put a finger on it but he doesn't have the usual innocence and naive nature of a kid. And he has no reason to lie. And don't forget about his age. even if he has trained for two months and not two days, That's still impressive. That means he started training even before turning Six." I said in defence of Tyler.
Boran let out a short, sharp whistle. "Wow... are you attached to the brat already?"
I stayed silent, the wind tugging at my silver hair.
"Is it because of his mother?" he asked softly.
".... That's part of it." I said, not denying it.
"Haaa... Man.. Eli sure is good at making friends. Quite unexpected for someone in her line of work." He said.
I looked at him and said "Because of his father's incompetence, the kid has never experienced a father's love. And while knowing Gil, I know I should not be concerned about them but what if.... What if the mother and Son are facing bullying from the queens in their own home."
"....True. but hey, You know how Eli is. She won't let herself or her child get bullied. Besides you saw the kid. Those aren't the eyes of someone who has suffered from bullying" He said, trying to reassure me.
"No," I countered, my voice hardening. "The eyes he had..... Those are the eyes of someone who seeks strength at any cost. But.... why does a six-year-old seek the power to kill at an age when he should be playing in the mud? huh ? Even for a Prince, that kind of drive doesn't grow in a healthy garden, Boran. It can only grow in a desert where the only alternative is death."
After a brief pause i continued "and if you really believe what you just said to be true, then you clearly don't know Eli, not at all"