Ever since that day at the conference held by the Lieutenant, Xerxes was inspired not only to grow stronger, physically and mentally, but he also wanted to be strong enough to face his past so that he could look towards the future.
He expressed this to the Truth family, and initially, his request was met with protest. However, over time, he reasoned and explained how much it meant to him and how he needed this. Eventually, Aemon gave him a task.
"In 10 weeks, you are to kill 10 mana beasts. If you are able to complete this task, then I will deem you competent enough for this mission. If you fail, then you are unfit to leave this kingdom."
At first, the task seemed almost impossible; it was a goal so high that he couldn't expect to achieve it. Yet, Xerxes proved to himself time and time again that he wouldn't let himself down. Failure was not an option that could be considered.
From the moment Aemon tasked Xerxes with killing the mana beasts, he trained relentlessly, ensuring that not a single aspect of his foundation was left unpolished.
From the execution of mana to how he swung his sword, to his breathing techniques, Xerxes didn't want any inefficiency in his combat ability, especially after Aemon stressed how important the fundamentals were.
Through this approach to training, Xerxes was able to learn a lot about himself and his habits in battle. He was too persistent, and that was something he needed to adjust. He had to undergo a change that made him adaptable, no matter the opponent he faced.
For his swordsmanship, Xerxes decided to spar with everyone on the outpost. This way, he would be able to experience a variety of fighting styles. Although he noticed that most of their styles stemmed from Conrad's sword style—since he had taught everyone on the outpost—there was one exception.
The only person with a distinct difference was the Lieutenant. He was like Xerxes in combat—he loved battle more than anything, enjoying savagery and barbarism when fighting. Xerxes had more trouble with him than with Conrad, but over time, the battles became less one-sided.
As a result of the sword training, Xerxes and the Truth family acknowledged that Xerxes' body was extremely physically adept, even more so than that of regular humans. He was able to accomplish feats of strength that were uncommon for someone his age, and this only enhanced his swordsmanship further.
In comparison to his swordsmanship, his mana did not excel to the same immense levels. Aemon concluded that the reason for this was due to his body lacking any soul shards that could accelerate the growth of his mana, as they had done for his strength.
The Orc and Goblin soul shards were specifically catered to enhancing physical ability, not magical. Despite this, Xerxes didn't let it hinder his momentum. He began to learn spell after spell and eventually mastered incantationless mana.
For his sword training, Xerxes started to develop something of his own. After observing Conrad's Orion's Hunt style and incorporating Dorian's sword style, he aimed to integrate the two into one, creating a move he could always rely on.
Xerxes wasn't the only one training, though. Leiya was going out four times a week, hunting monster after monster. She often offered Xerxes soul shards related to his element, but he refused—simply because they weren't his kills, and he wasn't ready for that power.
Leiya was inspired by Xerxes' determination, which spurred her to train just as hard as he did.
She had never been one to use weapons, preferring instead to rely on her fists. Throughout her life, she had never had a teacher who was specifically proficient in hand-to-hand combat.
Of course, Aemon was an amazing fighter, but he truly excelled when it came to mana. His execution and thought process were remarkable, setting him apart from other mages.
Leiya made use of the resources and services available to her. She trained with greater intensity alongside her grandfather and, in her mind, created a small competition with Xerxes.
The 10th week arrived in what seemed like a flash. Xerxes had just finished a long day of training, and Leiya was sitting in his room as he prepared for the day. This was the day he would finally go.
"Xerxes, remember what I told you. Take out one of the beast's legs so that it can't move as much. By doing this, you'll be able to control the pace of the fight a lot easier. Honestly, that's my only strategy."
Xerxes polished his sword—a habit he had picked up from Conrad—and sheathed his blade. "I appreciate all the advice you've given me, Leiya. I wanted to ask you something."
Leiya, who was observing the egg that now had visible cracks, brushed her hair behind her ear and said, "Fire away, Xerxes."
"After the mission with the augmented beast is done, in two weeks, I want to do something nice for you. You've helped me grow stronger. You've been... well," Xerxes paused for a moment, then continued, "You've kind of been my rock. I've had no one my age who's helped me out and really understood me."
Leiya turned around and looked back at Xerxes, raising an eyebrow as she tried to figure out what he meant. "What are you getting at, Xerxes?"
Xerxes replied honestly, a smile on his face—a face now marked with a few scars from training. "I'm trying to say you've been a good friend and someone I want to help out. I've started to cherish you, and not just you, but the entire Truth family for all they've done for me. I want to repay that."
Leiya looked at Xerxes, holding eye contact for a moment before attempting to play it off coolly. She scoffed, "It's no problem, Xerxes. It's just who we are. If you want to do something nice, just don't get your ass handed to you after all this training. How about that?"
Xerxes chuckled as he put on the last of his garments. "I'll do my best, Leiya." Xerxes was motivated, but deep down, Leiya felt something strange. Since when did that idiot grow up? He's acting more mature than me, even though I'm older than him!
She would have liked to dwell on her feelings further, but time was passing, and she knew there were only a few minutes left until they all had to convene for Xerxes' assessment. This was one of the biggest days for him. Today would be the moment he could overcome what he had been living with.
He could finally break the shackles of fear placed upon him by monsters.
Xerxes walked out of the room, and Leiya followed. Waiting down the hallway was Aemon, the Seer of the Truth Kingdom, holding his long wooden staff—a staff he only brought with him on important occasions.
Xerxes travelled down the hallway and approached Aemon. The once-awkward bowing was no longer foreign to him. "Aemon, I am ready, and I have prepared everything I need," he confirmed.
Aemon looked down at him and spoke. "I certainly hope everything is prepared, Xerxes, my boy. I have spent a great deal of time preparing you for this moment. Remember, your failure in this task would be a reflection of my failure. In all my years, not once have any of my students failed, and you certainly won't be the first."
Xerxes nodded as Aemon pulled out a small object from his cloak. "This is for you. If you do well, you keep it."
Aemon handed him a ring—a ring specifically used for entering and leaving the barrier. However, this ring was different from the others. It was a ring reserved for the Truth family, one that held merit and value by its appearance alone.
"Are you sure, Aemon? This ring is for your family. I was just an outsider, just three—"
Aemon struck Xerxes on the head with his staff, causing him to wince in pain. "You foolish child, I haven't even said you can keep it. It's only temporary, but it will become permanent if you succeed in this task. Now, don't argue back, and let us go."
Aemon pivoted on his heels and began walking towards the doors. Xerxes put on the ring, admiring its beauty. It had intricate runic markings, some of which felt familiar from his time in the Truth castle, while others were incomprehensible. The ring was blue and silver, with the runic markings glowing white, which made Xerxes admire it even more.
Once he was finished, he quickly caught up to Leiya and Aemon, and they followed Aemon's direction—not to the outpost, due to the swift killing of beasts that occurred there, but to a less guarded point at the furthest edge of the outpost, though still relatively close to the Truth castle.
They arrived at the edge, and Aemon looked back at Xerxes. No words were exchanged, only a nod. Xerxes drew his sword, with Leiya standing close to Aemon. Leiya reminded Xerxes, "Once you go past this barrier, we will be watching from afar. If things start to go really badly for you, Grandpa will step in. So, I'll tell you one last time: you need to kill 10 beasts to be deemed worthy by Grandpa for the augmented beast mission in two weeks. Once you leave this barrier, you have until the end of the day to kill 10. Is that clear, Xerxes?"
Xerxes nodded as he began walking forward. He extended his hand as he passed through the barrier, feeling a strange but familiar resistance—reminiscent of the Star Gate. It was like passing through malleable glass. Once he was through, he opened his eyes and took a deep breath.
The barrier behind him shimmered for a brief moment before vanishing, leaving no trace of the city he had just left. It was as if it had never existed. Xerxes exhaled, his breath misting in the cold air.
Before him stretched the fallen kingdom—home to the beast that had 'killed him', and now his battlefield. Towering trees twisted into unnatural shapes, their skeletal branches reaching for him like the hands of the dead.
A dim, eerie glow bathed the land in ghostly light, casting shadows that moved when they shouldn't. The wind carried whispers, or perhaps the distant growls of mana beasts lurking in the depths of the ruins.
He clenched his fists. Fear clawed at the edges of his mind, memories of his past death threatening to resurface. But he would not falter. Not this time. He stepped forward, the weight of his resolve heavier than the sword at his side.
"This time, I will win. Bring it on, mana beasts."