Chapter 3: The Path to a Sentinel
As they stepped outside, Kael squinted against the bright morning sun. Had he really been unconscious all night? The crisp mountain air was different from what he was used to—thin, yet invigorating.
Kazuki came to a halt, standing at the edge of a massive plateau. The ground beneath them was part of a colossal mountain, its peak seemingly cleaved in half, leaving behind a vast, flat training ground.
Kazuki turned to him and tossed a wooden sword in his direction.
"This is where we'll fight," he said simply.
Kael caught the wooden sword, gripping it tightly. His fingers tensed around the rough handle as he looked at Kazuki.
Meanwhile, in the prison…
Sistine sat in the dimly lit cell, her body still, but her mind in turmoil. Her wide eyes reflected pure shock, disbelief etched across her face. Something had happened—something she never expected.
"Attack me," Kazuki commanded.
Kael hesitated for a moment, but then, his resolve hardened. If he wanted to get stronger—if he wanted to save Sistine—he had no choice but to fight.
With determination blazing in his eyes, Kael lunged forward.
The scene shifted back to Kael.
He woke up in the same hot spring as before, the warmth of the water surrounding him. For a moment, he was disoriented, but then the memories came rushing back. He had lunged at Kazuki—only to be knocked out cold in an instant.
And to make matters worse, Kazuki hadn't even used a weapon. Kael had wielded a wooden sword, yet when he was defeated, Kazuki had been completely unarmed.
Just as Kael processed this humiliating realization, Kazuki's voice cut through the air.
"Your reaction time is too slow," he said, his tone firm yet composed.
"If you want to save Sistine, you need to hone your instincts—make them sharp, razor-fast."
Kael clenched his fists. He had barely stood a chance. If he wanted to stand against real opponents—against the Sentinels guarding Sistine—he had to grow stronger.
Surprisingly, his body no longer ached. His wounds were gone, as if they had never existed. His strength had fully returned.
And with no time to waste, training resumed.
Kael's training was brutal. Every moment was a struggle—every strike he attempted was effortlessly deflected, every movement countered before he could even process what was happening. He was thrown, disarmed, and knocked down more times than he could count. His body ached, his muscles burned, and yet, he kept getting back up.
Kazuki showed no mercy. He struck with precision, exploiting every flaw in Kael's stance, every hesitation in his attacks. It was hell. But Kael endured.
Slowly, painfully, he adapted. His movements became sharper, his reflexes faster. He started predicting Kazuki's attacks—just barely, but enough to react. The first time he managed to counter, even for a split second, Kazuki gave a small nod of acknowledgment. It wasn't praise, but it was something.
Time passed in a blur of strikes and exhaustion. Kael lost track of how many times he fell, how many times he gasped for breath. But he refused to stop.
Then, after two days, it finally happened.
Kael saw an opening—small, almost imperceptible, but he seized it. His wooden sword grazed Kazuki's silver robe. Just a touch. But it was real.
He did it.
Kazuki stepped back, brushing a hand over the fabric where the strike had landed. There was silence. Then, he spoke.
"Good this part of your training… is complete."
Kael exhaled, his grip tightening on his sword. He had a long way to go. But for the first time, he had proof—he was getting stronger.
Kael had now developed reflexes worthy of a Sentinel. He could react in an instant, move with precision, and counter without hesitation. But that was only the beginning.
His next goal was to increase his innergy.
Of course, Kael had no idea what that even was. Kazuki had to explain.
"Innergy exists in everyone," Kazuki began, his tone as steady as ever. "It's the energy we use when we fight. It fuels our strength, our speed, our endurance. The stronger your innergy, the stronger you become."
Kael listened intently.
"As long as you train properly, you can increase your innergy. But…" Kazuki's expression darkened slightly. "That doesn't mean it will grow infinitely. Everyone has a limit. Some people are born with vast reserves, while others struggle to develop even a fraction of that power."
Kael frowned. "So it's just… energy?"
Kazuki shook his head. "It's more than that. A Sentinel's innergy is the foundation of their strength. Without it, you're nothing."
Kael absorbed the words carefully. He had come far, but without innergy, he couldn't hope to stand against real Sentinels.
And if he wanted to save Sistine—he had to push past his limits.
Kazuki continued, his arms crossed as he explained, "There are three ways to increase your innergy. The first method—carrying a massive boulder while running uphill. You have to use your innergy to support your body, or else the weight will crush you."
Kael's face paled slightly. That already sounded insane.
"The second method—training nonstop without food. By forcing yourself to maintain innergy usage without any nourishment, you'll be forced to rely on innergy alone. If you can't, you'll collapse."
Kael swallowed hard. That one sounded just as bad, if not worse.
Kazuki smirked slightly. "And the third method… well, it's a bit more complex, so I won't teach you that. At least not yet."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Wait, what's the third one?"
"You're not ready." Kazuki dismissed the question, then glanced toward the sky. "Speaking of food…" He turned back to Kael.
"You haven't eaten anything since you got here."
Now that he mentioned it, Kael realized just how empty his stomach felt. With everything that had happened—the summoning, the fight, the training—he hadn't even thought about food.
Kazuki sighed. "Before we start the real training, rest for a bit. I'll get some food."
Kael let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. A break. He'd definitely need it for what was coming next.