Seventeen years later...
The sun had already begun its descent, casting a warm glow across the clearing as Brida swung his lumberjack axe with precision and skill. Sweat poured down his brow, muscles tensed beneath his tanned skin, and each swing of the axe seemed to send tremors through the earth. He was a picture of determination, a young man striving to master his craft and carve out a place for himself in the Batang Empire.
"Remember, son," Babida's gruff voice broke through Brida's focused thoughts, "the key is balance and control. Power alone will not make you a great warrior."
Brida took a deep breath and nodded, steeling himself for another round of strikes against the sturdy wooden post that served as his training target. He could feel his father's watchful eyes, studying his every move and gauging his progress.