Open Diary

Lucian sat back on the bed, the weight of the small leather diary in his hands feeling heavier than it should. His heart was still beating oddly, a dull pain lingering as a reminder of his reckless action. He looked down at the diary, running his fingers over the smooth cover, wondering about its contents.

'This diary here will show you a way to be yourself.' Gideon's words still echoing in his mind.

'What does that even mean?' Lucian thought, flipping the diary over. There were no markings on the cover, no indication of who it belonged to or what was written inside. He was about to open it when the door creaked open again. This time, it wasn't Gideon.

Galen entered the room, his eyes quickly landing on Lucian who was sitting on the bed.

 "Lucian, what happened? Gideon said you had some... trouble in training?" his father asked, though Lucian could hear the hidden worry beneath his stern tone.

"It's nothing serious dad I just pushed myself a little too hard, that's it" Lucian said while trying to keep his face straight and the heart pain he was feeling hidden.

Galen crossed the room swiftly and placed a hand on Lucians shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You need to learn to be patient, son. Power takes time to master, and strength built on haste will always crumble."

The words hit Lucian hard, reminding him of Gideon's lecture.

"I will remember that dad, sorry for making you worry."

"It's ok as long as you are fine and safe, now are you sure that you aren't hurt somewhere seriously?" Gideon asked as he checked for injuries on Lucian's body.

"Yup not even a scratch, completely fine…yeah completely fine." Lucian said trying to sound genuine while hiding the pain that he was feeling in his heart.

Galen seems skeptical but is quickly interrupted by Gideon who walks in the room.

"He's fine, no needs to worry you go finish your work first, I will send him after having a talk with him."

Galen seems to believe Gideon's words and goes back to finish his work.

"Thanks for not telling Galen about what actually happened."

"It would have been too much of a hassle, the pain in your heart will go away in a couple of days so just stick to reading for some time and until your pain is completely gone no mana channeling training" Gideon says to Lucian and hands Lucian his short sword.

As Lucian and Gideon were returning back home Lucian held the diary wondering what was in it, he wanted to open it but because of Gideon's words he wanted to do it while alone in his room.

As soon as they arrived home he first had to explain his little accident to his mom which in reality was a pretty big accident that nearly killed him, after a whole lot of excuses and eating dinner Lucian was finally alone in his room, Lucian sitting on the bed takes out the diary and begins to read.

As he started to read the first page 'It's been on my mind recently what if I really can't learn to use mana? Will I just be left behind? the people I have called friends, will they all leave me behind? All these thoughts have been eating me alive, I want to keep trying and I do genuinely try my best but it's still not enough."

After reading the first page Lucian was still confused on what or to whom this diary belonged to, it seemed to be a personal diary but if it was why would Gideon hand this over to him.

'Is this Gideon's diary?' Lucian thought to himself curiously and confused.

'Should I even read more or go and ask Gideon about this' But as Lucian thought of asking Gideon, he recalled the memory of Gideon telling him to find out for himself.