A delicate balance 1.30 - ING. VERSIÓN

Kain was sitting from the side stands watching the training between Viggo and Achilles. Both were boxing, of course, Achilles was holding back and only occupying a minimal part of his strength. Both were throwing and dodging punches. Viggo's punches sounded devastating, cutting through the air, and impacting with force and precision.

Kain from the stands nodded as he watched his son pass under Achilles' fists and dodge. He was unstoppable, until Achilles put a little more speed and Viggo was unable to follow his movements. However, if both remained at the same level of strength, Viggo would never be caught off guard. It was as if he anticipated the movements or looked into the future. Kain refused to think of such a possibility, the boy had his divine power and mana sealed. Now he was just a normal human with a lot of discipline and training. He looked in his way of dodging and throwing punches.

-What do you think?- asked Kain. On his left side sat Ottar and on his right, Jason. Odysseus was sitting one step of the stand above Kain.

-He's accumulating too many internal wounds- said Odysseus sitting with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands intertwined. His gaze was focused on following the movements and analyzing the situation -his strength, speed and precision are brutal. He can almost fight to the maximum of his body's capacity, but thanks to that, he is accumulating too much damage. You have to stop the training-

-I also think the same way, old man- said Jason -even we have difficulty maintaining our maximum performance for so long. Otherwise, our muscles and bones would break. Viggo is young, but I don't give him more than a year before he has a major injury and must stop training-

Kain nodded seriously and thought of the primordial old man –Xiao is carrying out the training, I must talk to him– he said

-Convince him as soon as possible- said Odysseus -he must stop this training or restore its regenerative power-

-It's useless, the old man doesn't want that. The power of Viggo regenerates wounds, but at the same time loses muscle development. His body will never develop if it remains dependent on his power-

-Master- Ottar said. Kain looked at him sideways and Ottar continued -Do I have the same problem too?-

-Not at all, boy- Kain said with a big smile. Raise his hand and mess up Ottar hair. Then he gave him a kiss on the head and continued -your strength comes half from your inner power and half from the falna. You have a system made by the gods that sustains your power. In this case, it will never stop your body from continuing to develop. However, Viggo is different, he only has his inner power-

-Then the falna...? -

-It's not the same- Kain said, interrupting him -Viggo can't get bless from the gods-

-¿Eh?-

-That's right, we tried it out of curiosity when Viggo was little, but it didn't work-

Viggo fell to the ground and left the fight unfinished. Achilles was shocked and came over to see him. Viggo gasped with difficulty as his chest ascended and fell to bring air to his brain. Kain jumped up and stretched out his hand throwing a golden aura that spread as if it were a golden dome that covered more than 30 meters around, reaching Viggo and Achilles. Viggo's breathing normalized, but he was left lying on the floor in an unconscious state.

Kain came to Viggo's side along with Ottar. The latter crooked down and put his fingers near his nostril to see if he was breathing. When he felt the faint air of breathing, he fell off his butt and sat down. His face made a smile of relief.

-Give me permission, boy- Kain said.

Ottar moved to the side, and Kain squatted down. He takes Viggo's wrist and check his pulse. It was still accelerated, but more stable. Kain's eyes lit up emitting electricity and check Viggo's internal state. It was like him, and the boys thought, the wear and tear were abnormal. Viggo was a machine that worked, moved, and always reacted at 100% capacity. Hence his strength was so enormous for someone who only has the strength of a human, without the help of the falna or mana. However, in order to reach that level of strength, he was killing himself in the process.

-Leave it, Kain- said Old Xiao, appearing like a ghost. His powerful and dignified reverberate voice throughout the gym.

-Demon elder- Kain replied with a frown -What kind of training did you give my son?-

-It wasn't me; it was his master-

-He's killing him-

-I know, but trust me- said Old Xiao, slowly advancing until he was close to Viggo. He looked at his face and notice the fatigue in the patches, black from the excessive exhaustion -so far, the boy has faced all kinds of enemies, but always within his means. However, if you put someone as powerful as Achilles to fight, it will demand even more. No wonder he ended up in this state-

-Old man, my son is dying inside-

-Be patient, Kain- said old Xiao, pass his view from Viggo to Kain who was squatting on the side. He looked at him seriously and said -my intention to strengthen the boy, not destroy him. If he, do it as well as I think, in another month he will reach a new level of strength. His opportunities will multiply and in the future he will be able to be stronger than your disciples. Have me faith-

-Take care of my son, old man- Kain said, looking into his eyes. His eyes emitted a murderous and sharp glow -I love my son and I don't want anything to happen to him-

-To achieve a new level of strength, one must go through difficulties. You have lived it yourself-

-I know how to face things- Kain shouted and then under his voice -Viggo is different-

-Viggo is another warrior, he will go through his own hell, whether you like it or not-

They kept their gaze firm in each other's eyes, until they nodded as if reaching an agreement.

-Give it Estus- said old Xiao -watch him and make sure he maintains an adequate level of training. Nothing about facing people above level 3. In a week I will come for him and take him away. It would be nice for him to spend time with his mother because once he passes the test, I will take him for a long time-

-Okay- Kain said, letting out a sigh. He looked aside and continued -Ottar- however, Ottar was looking at Viggo, but his expression was frozen. Then Kain looked at old Xiao and he gradually faded away like a ghost. Once he disappeared completely, Ottar regained his lived expression.

-Ottar, I need you to go get water- Kain said. This time they did hear it. Young Ottar nodded, stood up, and ran out in the direction of the gym bathrooms.

-Master, is something wrong?- asked Odysseus, approaching Kain and noticing the worry on his face.

-No, I'm just worried about Viggo- Kain said evasively. He placed his right palm facing the ceiling, passed his left palm overhead, and a bottle appeared over his right palm. The bottle had an amber color, but thanks to the liquid inside it glowed golden. Kain took Viggo, raised his head and opened his mouth. He then brought the mouthpiece of the bottle to his lips and gave him to drink the contents. Once all the liquid was drunk, Viggo's face returned to normal, losing that extreme tiredness reflected in the dark circles of his brushes and at the same time, the pale skin like paper regained color.

Ottar ran back with a pitcher of water. I leave it next to Kain and he nodded

-Thank you- Kain said, pulling out a cloth from the ring in his left hand. He wit the cloth in the water and then put it on Viggo's forehead -Sorry, guys- he said -there are no more trainings with Viggo, at least for today-

-Okay, old man- said Jason -leave us Ottar, I train him and worry about going to leave him where Freya-

-Not at all, boy, knowing that woman is going to get furious. Come Ottar, you go with me to the house-

-Yes, master- Ottar said with a small smile.

-Master, I told you before to stop Viggo's training- Odysseus insisted -his body will not tolerate it-

-I know, boy, let me talk to Xiao and we'll see what we do- Kain replied, looking away. It seems that Old Xiao didn't want anyone to know what he was doing with Viggo and that's why he stopped time. So he thought it best if no one knew what they had already talked about.

Kain said goodbye to the boys and took Viggo in his arms while Ottar followed him. They left the grounds of the Hera family and walked along the avenue in the direction of Hephaestus house.

-Master- Ottar said as he moved to Kain's side -Is Viggo going to be okay?-

-Yes, boy, you have nothing to worry about- Kain replied.

-That's good, I could be sad if something happens to Viggo-

Kain looked at Ottar in disregard and saw that the boy put on the same sad face as when he was separated from Freya as a child. It was as if he expressed the nostalgia of being away from his family.

-Ottar, worry about you- Kain said in a mocking tone -Viggo is training hard and in the future, he will catch up with you. Maybe at that moment you also get angry like Viggo-

-I would never be angry like Viggo, I would not like to make the master sad-

-It's a relief to hear it- Kain murmured.

In the afternoon, Viggo woke up in the large four-canopy bed in his room in Hephaestus mansion. He put his right hand to his forehead and leaned on his left hand to sit down. His head hurt as if someone had hit him with a stick.

-Wow, how good you woke up- said a sweet voice.

Viggo looked to his left and saw Hephaestus sitting in a chair, still next to the window facing the courtyard. She had a book in his hands, but as soon as notice Viggo waking up, lower it and place it on his lap.

-You had me worried- said Hephaetus.

-I'm sorry, Mom- Viggo said, and he started moving to get out of bed.

-Stop, stop- said Hephaestus, she stood up and walked to Viggo, put his hand on his chest and forced him to lie down. Once Viggo put his head on the pillow, Hephaestus put his hand on his forehead and said -you don't have a fever, but you looked tired-

-I was training, do I think?- replied Viggo with doubts. He remembered boxing with Achilles, but after that, everything was confusing.

-Your father said you had to rest, so for the rest of the week you will stay with me. Plus, no strenuous exercises or soaking in the dungeon-

-¡¿Eh?! -

-Nothing of, Eh?! Young man, you stay in the house. Otherwise, the two of us are going to have a long conversation-

-Mom- Viggo complained in a spoiled tone.

-No, no, and no. I already told you, you stay with me and listen to me, if not, I tell your father to order you-

Viggo let out a sigh, not even knowing why he had been forbidden to train. However, he was only awake for a couple of minutes and then fell asleep. Hephaestus was worried about Viggo's sudden extreme tiredness. She took a cloth from a small table next to the bed, soaked it in a well of water and then put it on his forehead. Then she stared at Viggo and combed his blood-red hair to the side, in a loving gesture that only a mother can have. He saw it so small, so young for this kind of life. However, this was necessary, it was said. Viggo was not like the rest of the demi-gods. It had the potential to grow stronger than anyone who has stepped on this land. At least, so Mr. Xiao assured her to convince her to send him to train outside.

-Rest, son- Hephaestus said in a whisper -I will take care of you while you are by my side- and gave him a kiss on the forehead.