Valieon was jolted awake as a sudden splash of cold water drenched his face.
He shot up in bed, gasping. "What the hell?!"
Standing over him was Sensei Zephyre Kaine, holding an empty wooden bucket, completely unfazed.
"Get up," Zephyre said. "It's time to start your real training."
Valieon groaned, rubbing his eyes. "It's still dark outside… What time is it?"
"Four in the morning."
Valieon blinked. "Four?! You're insane, old man."
Zephyre smirked and gestured behind him. The dim lantern light revealed an enormous stack of books—at least five thousand of them, thick and ancient.
Valieon's mouth fell open. "What… is this?"
"Your first task," Zephyre said. "Read these books. By nightfall, I'll ask you questions about them. For every wrong answer… 814 push-ups."
Valieon's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "Eight hundred and fourteen?! Are you out of your mind?!"
Zephyre shrugged. "You need to understand the fundamentals of martial arts, magic, and history. These books will teach you that."
Valieon crossed his arms. "No way. There's no chance I'm reading that many books in a day."
Zephyre remained unfazed. "Hidden within those pages, you may uncover the truth about why you're forbidden from training in magic."
Valieon paused. His defiance wavered as curiosity gnawed at him. He studied his master's face, then exhaled sharply. "…Fine." Even if he didn't want to, he had no choice.
---
Hours passed as Valieon flipped through the dusty pages. He read about the Power that Created the Universe, the Gods, the Hereditary System that decided the fates of countless beings. He read about the oppression, the torture the gods inflicted on the weaker races, and the way they ruled through fear.
He turned another page and saw a title that made his breath hitch.
"Cosmic Myth" – by Shin
Valieon's fingers traced the faded letters. A book written 36 million years ago.
He read the first few pages, but instead of answers, he only found mysteries. It spoke of an entity called the Cosmic Sovereign—a being of immeasurable power that was never allowed to exist. The gods themselves had erased its existence from history, calling it a mere legend.
His heartbeat quickened.
Could such a thing be real?
He placed the book to the side, deciding to return to it later. For now, there was more to learn.
---
He read about the Demon Realms, the Abyssal Lands, the Great Wars between Gods and Demons, and how the gods, fearing the demons' strength, sealed their most powerful champion inside a weapon.
Forbidden martial art techniques…
Cursed bloodlines…
A history of deception, betrayal, and lost truths…
By the time he reached the last book, the clock struck midnight.
Zephyre entered the room, carrying a tray of food.
Valieon's stomach growled, but his excitement vanished the moment he saw what was on the plate.
Meat.
His expression darkened. "I don't eat that."
Zephyre raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I love animals. I've never eaten meat in my life, and I never will."
For a moment, the old master just stared at him. Then, with a small nod, he turned and replaced the meal with a platter of fresh fruits.
"I respect that," Zephyre said simply.
As they ate in silence, Zephyre suddenly spoke again. "Those books you read today… they aren't public knowledge."
Valieon's grip on his fork tightened. "Then why did you make me read them?"
Zephyre smiled faintly. "Because you needed to."
Valieon's mind raced. What was his master hiding? Why did he go to such lengths to make him read forbidden history?
Then he remembered the push-up punishment. He looked at Zephyre and asked, "So… how many questions do I have to answer?"
Zephyre leaned back. "No need for that anymore."
Valieon blinked. "Wait… what? Why?"
The old master didn't answer.
Instead, he just smiled.
And for the first time, Valieon realized… there was something far greater waiting for him ahead
-End Of Chapter 4-