Chapter 6: Training

To say there was chaos would be an understatement, literal pandemonium was happening in the human domain. News channels were making headlines about the Herald of Eryssia who just appeared for two weeks straight. The church of Eryssia was not one to be left behind as they began to proclaim that this was the will of the goddess and that religious nonsense. People began to worship the kid as if they were the messiah coming to judge them for their sins.

Now what was our protagonist doing as the chaos was unfolding, well he was having his own crisis to deal with.

"Still can't believe I'm in that novel." He thought still in shock.

Lucien was sitting in a school bus contemplating the revelation he just discovered. It was around three in the afternoon and Lucien was coming home from school, he attended a local elementary school where he attended together with his sister though she wasn't with him as she had to stay longer since she was in the grade 3.

On the bus the other kids were discussing with their friends about the Herald that appeared recently, trying to show off their miniscule knowledge. It's been two weeks since his awakening and he was sick and tired of hearing all about this.

The other day he caught his father talking with Uncle Brian about how the other races domains have also gained the Herald of their major gods. This came as no surprise to him as he confirmed that he had been reincarnated into that novel.

Echoes of the Cataclysm a novel where the main character, Asher Blake together with the Heralds of the other races try to stop their world's destruction by facing the final boss. Zorathix, the Veil of Malediction, Harbinger of Chaos, The Unmaker of Realms, Lord of Fractured Souls. It was a novel he enjoyed reading in his spare time during the war in his last life but sadly he never got to finish.

He began to go through his memory remembering the plot as it would be important in the future, especially the cult trying to summon Zorathix. Cult of the Fractured Veil, they will surely be his main opposition. Soon the bus began to pull up neighborhood, stopping right at his house. He got off and noticed his mum waiting for him at the front door, he quickly ran up to her and he was enveloped in a warm hug.

"Did you have a good time at school?" Reyna asked him as they separated.

"It was okay." He answered as he took of his bag handing it to his mother.

"Reyna just shook her head and spoke again

"You father is waiting for you in the basement don't keep him waiting,"

Lucien nodded his head as he ran off to meet his father. As soon as he awakened his father began to prepare for his training and today was the day they would start. Lucien's father was a leader of a squad of awakened at the Dawnstriders guild and thus had plenty of experience working there for nearly 15 years.

The hum of the containment field echoed faintly in the brightly lit training chamber. Blue and white light strips lined the ceiling, casting an artificial glow over the sleek, metallic walls. The room, deep beneath the family's house, was equipped with state-of-the-art training modules, combat dummies, and monitoring systems. At its center stood a small boy, just five years old, his raven-black hair glinting under the lights and his ruby-red eyes filled with determination.

Lucien clutched a lightweight training spear, its carbon-fiber shaft cool in his hands. Though the spear had been adjusted to match his size, it still felt awkward in his small grip. Opposite him stood his father, Mathew. Clad in a lightweight combat suit that glowed faintly with energy lines.

"This isn't a game, Lucien," Mathew said, his voice carrying the weight of command but softened by paternal care. "What I teach you here isn't just about the spear. It's about discipline, focus, and control over yourself. Without that, no amount of power will save you."

"Yes, Father," Lucien replied, standing as straight as his small frame allowed.

Mathew tapped a console on his wrist, and the room's gravity shifted slightly. Riven staggered for a moment before adjusting.

"First lesson: Adaptation. In combat, the environment is rarely in your favor. You must learn to control your body—and your mana—no matter the conditions." Mathew walked toward his son, his boots echoing softly.

Lucien frowned, tightening his grip on the spear. "But I don't know how to control mana yet."

Mathew knelt to meet his son's gaze, his expression softening. "You will. But first, we build the foundation. Close your eyes."

Lucien hesitated but obeyed, shutting out the room's artificial hum.

"Good. Mana flows through you like a second pulse, connected to your will. Feel it. Don't force it. Just listen."

For a long moment, there was silence, broken only by Lucien's shallow breathing. At first, he felt nothing. But slowly, faint warmth stirred in his chest—a subtle rhythm that wasn't his heartbeat. His eyes snapped open.

"I think…I felt it," he said, excitement creeping into his voice.

Mathew nodded, pleased. "Good. That's your core. It's small now, but with training, it will grow. Mana will strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, and fuel your spear techniques. But only if you master it."

He stood and gestured to the spear in Riven's hands. "For now, let's focus on balance. Show me your stance."

Lucien spread his feet apart and held the spear horizontally, but it was clumsy. Mathew immediately stepped behind him, placing his large hands over his son's small ones.

"Too wide. Bring your feet closer. Yes, like that. Now, grip the spear firmly but don't over-tighten. It should feel like an extension of your arm."

Lucien adjusted, his father's guidance steadying him.

"Better," Mathew said. "Now, let's see if you can keep your stance under pressure."

With a flick of his wrist console, a low-energy pulse shot out from a nearby training module. It struck the ground near Lucien, and the boy wobbled but managed to stay upright.

"Not bad," Mathew said. "But you'll need more than balance. The spear is both a weapon and a shield. Let's see if you can block."

Another pulse fired, this time directly toward Lucien. Startled, he raised the spear instinctively. The energy blast hit the shaft, vibrating through his hands but dispersing harmlessly.

"That was...loud!" Lucien exclaimed, his hands trembling slightly.

Mathew chuckled, a rare sound from the stern father. "Good reflexes. But a true warrior doesn't just react. He predicts."

Over the next hour, Mathew guided Lucien through basic spear movements: thrusts, sweeps, and parries. Each motion was precise, efficient, and purposeful. Riven stumbled often, his small frame unused to the exertion, but he pushed on, driven by the pride in his father's eyes.

Finally, Mathew called for a break. He handed Lucien a flask of electrolyte-infused water and knelt beside him.

"You're doing well," Mathew said, ruffling his son's hair. "Better than I expected for your age."

Lucien looked up, his ruby eyes sparkling. "Do you think I'll ever be as strong as you?"

Mathew's expression grew serious. "Strength isn't just about power, Lucien. It's about knowing when to use it—and when not to. You're young, but you have potential. And potential needs time and effort to grow."

Lucien nodded, his small hands clutching the flask tightly. "I'll work hard, Father. I promise."

As the break ended, Mathew stood and activated a holographic display on the wall. A schematic of a spear appeared, along with energy patterns flowing through it.

"This is your next lesson," Mathew said. "Mana channeling. Right now, your spear is just a tool. But when you infuse it with mana, it becomes an extension of your soul."

He picked up his own spear and demonstrated, the weapon glowing faintly as energy coursed through it. With a swift motion, he struck a training dummy, and the impact left a scorch mark on the metal surface.

Lucien's eyes widened. "Can I do that too?"

"Eventually," Mathew said. "For now, let's start small. Focus on the warmth in your core. Imagine it flowing down your arms and into the spear."

Lucien closed his eyes again, gripping the spear tightly. The warmth he had felt earlier returned, but it flickered like a fragile flame. He tried to guide it toward his hands, but it fizzled out before reaching the spear.

"I can't," Riven said, frustration creeping into his voice.

"It's not about forcing it," Aldric said gently. "Mana responds to intent. Think about protecting someone you care about. Focus on that."

Riven frowned, his young mind searching for the image that would anchor him. Slowly, he thought of his mother and little sister, their smiles filling his mind. The warmth returned, stronger this time, and a faint glow enveloped the spear's shaft.

"I did it!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.

Mathew smiled, his pride evident. "Good. Hold onto that feeling. It's the first step to mastering your power."

As the session continued, Lucien's strikes grew more precise, his stance steadier, and his confidence stronger. By the end, he was exhausted but exhilarated, his ruby eyes alight with determination.

Mathew knelt beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You did well today, Riven. But remember, this is just the beginning. Strength comes with time, and you have a long road ahead."

"I understand father." His voice steady despite his deep exhaustion.