Training in the mountain

After leaving Eldoris, a small village within the wide borders of Heloria, the duo journeyed straight to Draconia. The trip took three days despite travelling with a merchant caravan. Once they arrived within Draconia's borders, they didn't head straight to the city but instead stayed at a small house on its outskirts for various reasons.

The primary reason for avoiding the city was protection. In Eldoris, Dan faced discrimination for being blind, so it was feared that in a city with a population ten times larger, he would encounter even greater hostility.

Despite knowing the reasons, Dan was puzzled about living in a modest house while a vibrant city lay ahead. During their journey, Valerie agreed to teach Dan how to fight and master Ryo, on the condition that he would handle the meals until they parted ways. Essentially, Valerie was teaching him to hunt.

After some cleaning and organising, they settled into the house, ate, rested, and began training. Outside, Dan sat cross-legged, listening to Valerie as she paced back and forth, giving lessons.

"So, Dan, you must be wondering why I decided to teach you all of a sudden, right?" Valerie asked, making Dan nod in confirmation. "Well, the truth is I'm quite lazy, and I need someone to handle the heavy work, and that someone will be you. So, let's begin." Valerie sat cross-legged, facing Dan and looking into his milky eyes.

"What do you think Ryo is? Based on what you feel and what you see, what do you think Ryo is?" Valerie asked, leaving Dan speechless, though she demanded an answer nonetheless.

"I think Ryo is everything because it is present in every single lifeform we've met so far," Dan answered.

"Bingo," Valerie exclaimed. "You're quite knowledgeable for your look." Valerie chuckled, and Dan wore an annoyed look on his face.

"Well, that's the first step, Dan—identification. You need to know what you want to learn and what you are up against," Valerie cleared her throat and continued.

"There are four ways to use Ryo, and as mother nature decided, you are only born with one. With training and time, you can learn another if you choose. And that brings us to today's task: identifying which class you fall under." With her index finger, she began drawing four circles on the ground.

"The first class is Catalyst…" Valerie drew a circle inside one of the circles. "…These individuals can boost their physical abilities. Never engage them in one-on-one combat; you will lose." Valerie looked at Dan to ensure he was listening, and he was staring at her with his mouth wide open.

"The next class is Conjurers…" She drew multiple smaller circles around the big circle. "…They can transform their Ryo energy into any form of matter. Befriend them if you can because you won't like being their enemy."

"Next are Emitters…" Valerie drew a larger circle outside the original circle, with a sharp point at the head, resembling a fireball. "…These people can enhance the durability of inanimate objects. They are very creative. And finally…" She left the last circle undrawn.

"…the Manipulators. Personally, I think they are the most fearsome because, upon physical contact, they can make you do things that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Avoid them." Valerie concluded and stood up, dusting herself off.

She walked toward a tree and plucked a leaf. "Now let us see which class you fall under." She handed it to Dan. "Try concentrating on the leaf, pour your energy into it," Valerie directed. "If it hardens, you're an Emitter. If it changes form based on temperature, you're a Conjurer. If it decays, you are a Manipulator. If it changes colour, you are a Catalyst. So, remain calm and focus." Dan closed his eyes and held the paper tightly with both arms.

After a few minutes of focus, Valerie examined the leaf. It hadn't undergone any physical change, it didn't decay, change colour, harden, or alter in temperature.

"Wait a minute, you haven't been exposed to Ryo by any means?" Valerie asked. Dan shook his head in response. "Then we have to start training immediately. Follow me," she said, heading into the forest. Dan stood up and followed her. As they passed through the trees, the temperature dropped, and a thick fog appeared.

"When did this fog appear?" Dan muttered, closing the gap between him and Valerie.

After a long walk, they arrived at the base of a mountain. It was cold and foggy, reducing visibility to just a few feet. Dan wondered why they had come here and how the mountain had suddenly appeared. There was no sign of a mountain on their way to the city, nor any record of one near Draconia.

"This mountain is six to seven thousand feet tall. Your mission is to reach the top and descend the other side. There are no traps, but there is food, water, and dangerous beasts. However, they are blind, so it shouldn't be too difficult. It takes at least six hours to climb up and come down the other side. Your task is to survive."

"Wait a minute, Master. What is going on? How did we get here?" Dan was still in shock.

"You're asking too many questions. Don't you want to train anymore?" Valerie asked.

"I want to train, but…"

"Then that's settled." Valerie patted his shoulder before disappearing into the thick fog. "…Survive, no matter what…"