A New Training Partner

Van Gen woke early, the morning sun barely peeking over the horizon as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Today was supposed to be another day of training with his father, and he was eager to continue his progress. He quickly dressed and made his way downstairs, where he found his mother already in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast.

"Good morning, Mama," Van said, his voice still tinged with sleepiness. "Where's Dad?"

Seraphina turned and smiled at her son. "Good morning, Van. Your father had to leave early today. There was something urgent that required his attention in the village."

Van felt a twinge of disappointment, but he quickly pushed it aside. *So he's not going to be able to train me today,* he thought. But he didn't let it bother him too much. He'd grown used to training on his own, and today would be no different.

He sat down to enjoy breakfast with his mother, savoring the warm, freshly baked bread and the sweet fruit she had set out for him. They chatted casually about the day ahead, with Seraphina reminding him to be careful if he went out to play.

After finishing his meal, Van packed a small pouch of food to take with him. "Okay, Mom. I'm going to the woods again to play," he said as he slung the pouch over his shoulder.

Seraphina smiled and nodded, wiping her hands on her apron. "Just be careful, Van. Don't wander too far, and come back before it gets dark."

Van nodded dutifully. "I will, Mama." He gave her a quick hug before heading out the door, his heart already set on the training session ahead.

As he made his way toward his usual training spot in the woods, Van noticed something new. Their new neighbors had finally finished constructing their house, and it was significantly larger than his own family's modest home. The grand structure stood out with its intricate stonework and tall windows, clearly the home of someone wealthy.

*Maybe they're rich,* Van mused as he passed by, glancing up at the impressive building.

But as he continued walking, something caught his eye. Standing near the edge of the property was a girl, no older than six, with a fierce and determined expression. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat braid, and her bright green eyes seemed to pierce right through him. She was undeniably cute, with her delicate features and small frame, but there was an intensity in her gaze that made her seem older than she was.

Van didn't pay her much mind, assuming she was just curious about the new surroundings. He continued on his way to the woods, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Sure enough, as he glanced over his shoulder, he saw the girl following him at a distance, trying to stay hidden behind trees and bushes.

*Why is she following me?* Van wondered, but he decided to let her be. If she wanted to see what he was doing, so be it.

When he reached his usual training spot, a secluded clearing surrounded by tall trees, Van set down his pouch and began his routine. He started with his stretches, preparing his muscles for the more intense exercises to come. But just as he was about to get into the rhythm of his training, the girl stepped out from behind a tree, interrupting him.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice carrying a tone of curiosity mixed with a hint of challenge.

Van straightened up and looked at her, a bit annoyed at the interruption. "Stretching," he replied simply. "Why are you following me?" he added, raising an eyebrow.

The girl didn't seem fazed by his question. "To make friends," she said matter-of-factly.

Van sighed. "You can make friends with the other kids in the village. There are plenty of them playing by the river. I'm busy, you know."

"I don't want to," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "I want to do what you're doing."

Van resisted the urge to groan. *Oh my god, what timing,* he thought. He didn't have time to babysit, but the girl seemed determined.

"Fine," he said, relenting. "By the way, what's your name, and how old are you?"

The girl's fierce expression softened slightly. "I'm Elara, and I'm six years old. How about you?"

"I'm Van Gen, and I'm five," he replied, trying to maintain his patience. "Okay, let's start. But remember, I'm not playing. If something happens to you, it's not my problem, and don't tell anyone what we're doing. Understood?"

Elara nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "Understood."

"Alright," Van said, deciding to adjust his routine to make it easier for her. "We'll start with some stretches. Just copy what I do."

Van led Elara through a series of simple stretches, keeping an eye on her to make sure she was following correctly. To his surprise, she picked up the movements quickly, her small frame moving with surprising flexibility and control. Once they finished the stretching, Van moved on to basic calisthenics, keeping the exercises light and manageable.

"Now we're going to do some basic calisthenics," Van explained.

"Why are we doing these?" Elara asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Van sighed inwardly. *Oh my lord, how do I explain this?* he thought. "Listen, I'm doing this to get stronger and to develop my Aether Core," he said, hoping that would satisfy her curiosity.

"Why?" Elara persisted, her curiosity still not quenched.

Van rolled his eyes. *Is she going to keep asking more questions?* he wondered. "Are we going to start what we need to do, or are you going to ask me more questions?" he said, trying to keep his tone light but firm.

Elara seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. "Okay, I won't ask anymore."

Van was relieved and continued with the training, carefully adjusting the exercises for Elara so she wouldn't overexert herself or get injured. To his surprise, she followed his instructions perfectly, mimicking his movements with a precision that seemed unusual for someone her age.

After what felt like a long but productive training session, Van called for a break. They sat down on a patch of grass, and Van pulled out the food he had packed earlier, offering some to Elara, who accepted it gratefully.

As they ate, Van's curiosity got the better of him. "Hey, by the way, how do you follow my instructions so perfectly? You're pretty good at this."

Elara smiled, clearly pleased with the compliment. "My family is from the Crimson Plains," she said, a note of pride in her voice. "We come from a long line of warriors. My father trained me in basic exercises since I could walk. He says I'm going to be strong like him one day."

Van's eyes widened in surprise. The Crimson Plains were known for producing some of the fiercest and most skilled fighters in Aetheria. If Elara came from such a background, it made sense that she was already so adept at physical training.

"Wow," Van said, genuinely impressed. "That's pretty cool. No wonder you're so good at this."

Elara beamed at the praise. "Thanks! My father always says that strength comes from discipline and hard work. He's going to teach me how to use a sword soon."

Van couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Elara. Though their reasons for training were different, they both shared a determination to grow stronger, and it was clear that Elara was just as serious about it as he was.

After they finished their food, Van decided it was time to head back home. "We should head back," he said, standing up and brushing the grass off his pants. "Don't want our parents to worry."

Elara nodded and stood up as well, a look of satisfaction on her face. "This was fun," she said. "Thanks for letting me train with you, Van."

Van smiled, feeling a strange sense of pride in having shared his training with someone else, even if it was just for a day. "No problem," he replied. "But remember, keep this between us."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Elara promised, her fierce expression returning as she made a serious vow.

With that, the two of them made their way back to the village, parting ways near the edge of the woods. As Van walked back to his house, he couldn't help but think about the unexpected turn of events. He had set out to train alone, but instead, he had gained an unexpected companion, someone who shared his passion for strength and discipline.

*Maybe having a training partner isn't so bad after all,* Van thought with a small smile as he approached his home. He felt a sense of excitement for the days to come, wondering what other surprises the future might hold.

As he reached his house, Van felt a renewed sense of purpose. Training was important, but so was building connections. And today, he had taken a step forward in both.