(Chapter Five) New Dawn, New Training

Gray awoke from his slumber before the rooster even crowed. Standing up slowly, Gray activated his wind magic and started fumbling around in the dark. It was going to take awhile to get used to his vision loss. After several minutes, he finally found his training gear and slipped into it with varying degrees of difficulty. While trying to get his pants on, he tripped over his own leg and fell face first into the cold wooden floor. "Oof. Son of bitch," He muttered under his breath and stood back up slowly. Carefully and after four tries, Gray finally managed to dress himself properly.

"Now the only hard part is getting to the field," He sighed helplessly and shrugged if off as he started his morning stretches. Ten minutes passed of stretching and his body was ready to go. Starting off slowly at first, Gray began making his way down the halls of the infirmary. A trip that should have only taken two minutes, took Gray ten, but he was getting faster. His brain started to interpret the distance between each echo. It was amazing that his brain was adapting so fast.

Eventually, he felt a cool wind on his face and he knew he found the exit. Sending out his wind to feel, Gray started making his way to the field. The smells started getting stronger and the noise was getting louder. He actually felt like he could 'see' again. Gray started to pick up his pace, going into a light jog. It was harder to sense things because he had less time to react. Jogging was indeed difficult for him so for now he wouldn't go any faster.

After about thirty minutes, Gray finally arrived at his destination. Before he began combat training, Gray stood still for awhile, sending his wind out to get a feel for the area. Nothing seemed wrong at the moment and the air around the field was still. Gray reached his hand out and his giant lance once again appeared. Gray walked slowly towards a nearby and tree and looked up at the branches.

Just above him, he heard the chattering of a woodland creature. The wind started to form an image of the branch and the creature in his mind. He could see it up there moving around as if nothing was wrong in the world. Gray brought his lance back as far as he could before chucking it with all his might. The lance flew straight and a loud screech informed Gray that he had hit his intended target. The lance and the creature both fell to the ground in front of him. Nodding in satisfaction, Gray picked up his lance and carried the creature to an open field.

Gray chucked the creature into the open field and sat down to wait, practicing his other senses while he did. Something heavy stomped nearby and Gray jumped to his feet, grabbing his lance at the same time. Another loud footstomp grew closer and a huge beast appeared. It stood at twenty feet tall and was made entirely out of wood. Carefully this creature began to sniff the dead creature Gray had just killed.

"Wood Dragon, just in time for dinner," Gray was trembling with excitement at this encounter. The thrill of being scared was so euphoric. With his eyesight, he could easily kill this thing, but without his sight this would be a challenge. His heart was beating rapidly as he charged at the dragon. "Oh savage winds that blow so swiftly, make my strike as fast as lightning," Gray shouted and a huge burst of wind surged behind him, increasing his speed three fold.

The Wood Dragon looked up and bellowed angrily at this intruder. Gray was quick but so was the dragon. He swiped his tail down down towards the ground, cutting off Gray's attack. Using the lance and his momentum, Gray pole vaulted over the dragon's tail. He flipped forward and brought the lance back over his head. He started to slam the lance downward at the dragon, aiming for his underbelly. The dragon, aware of his weak spot, swiped a talon at Gray. Forced to give up his attack, Gray brought Gáe Bolg in front his body. He suffered no damage but was forced backwards.

"Tch. This is a lot harder than I thought. It's too late to turn back now though," Gray said as he spit out a mouthful of blood. "What I wouldn't give for just one of my eyes," He joked and slowly rose to his feet with help from his lance. This wasn't going well but he had to try. This was now a life or death situation. "Oh Wicked Wind that bellows loudly, answer my call and slice my enemies to ribbons," Gray chanted and four blades made from air sliced at the dragon's weak point. It let out a pained growl and turned to flee from combat.

Gray collapsed to one knee as he watched the dragon flee into the forest. "Damn, I can't believe I let him get away," He cursed at himself for not learning faster. He had to progress much quicker otherwise he could be kicked from Mystic Shadow. Falling backwards, Gray hit the ground and let out a heavy sigh, breathing heavily. This would definitely be a lot harder than he originally thought. Gray laid there thinking for a long time before the growling of his stomach disturbed his thoughts. "Guess I should head back now," He sighed and looked at the woods where his prey had fled.

He wanted to follow it and try to fight it again, but he knew his own limits. This would be impossible at his current level. Gray heard movement coming towards him but he just laid there. He was too exhausted to move but he still had enough energy to defend himself if it came to blows. "Gray! Where are you? You should be in bed right now resting," This angelic voice turned violent and Gray froze in place.

"Fuck, Princess Vera," Gray bit his lip and tried to stand up but his strength had yet to return. Gray started trembling as her footsteps got closer. Lord only knows what she would try in his weakened condition. Her footsteps started to fade and Gray let out a sigh of relief.

"Gray," A soft voice whispered in his ear and he froze before turning to look at the voice's creator. Vera's beautiful smile and sapphire hair were right in front of him.

"Princess Ward, I thought you were supposed to be away for another month?" Gray asked turning away from her face. She had only grown more beautiful in her absence. Gray's face turned the tiniest bit red when he felt her breasts squishing into his arm. He started to squirm a little uncomfortablely but she already locked both her arms around his right arm.

"I needed to see you again, so I came home early," She said nonchalantly. "This is nice. It's a beautiful cool morning, nice for cuddling," She spoke softly and before long she was passed out and cuddling Gray. 'Well, guess I'm screwed for a couple hours.' Gray thought to himself and shook his head slowly before closing his own eyes.