23. Training with Aedrin

After catching his breath, Kael turned his eyes to Aedrin. He knew that today he would face the first challenges of his training, but as Aedrin had said, this was only the beginning. He was beginning to feel the power within him more and more, but that power had to be controlled. So he had to take every step carefully.

Aedrin smiled slightly as he watched Kael catch his breath. "Your physical endurance is improving, but another test awaits you now," he said. "The real battle always begins with the mind."

Kael looked up at Aedrin for a moment at this explanation. A mental test? Aedrin continued. "Your body may be strong, but it is only a tool. The real power is in your mind. So today's test will measure your mental focus and how you make your decisions."

Kael paid a little more attention. This was not what he had expected. But he realized that to survive as a witcher, he would have to fight not only with his body, but also with his mind. Aedrin took a step back and walked over to the few stones in the area. "The mental test will be a kind of battle simulation," he said. "I will surprise you with a series of sights and sounds, but the important thing is to be able to make a clear decision without panicking."

Aedrin pointed to symbols set between several large stones. As Kael looked at the special markings on the stones, he realized that each one had a different meaning. "These are symbols that will test you," Aedrin said. "Each one symbolizes an attack by a creature or a moment of decision. Some creatures will appear before you, others will only be in your mind. Only if you make the right choices will you succeed."

Kael listened to Aedrin's words without taking his eyes off the icons. A witcher had to learn to deal with the darkness in his mind, just as he had learned to fight in the darkness. Mental focus was as important as preparation.

As Aedrin watched Kael, he added solemnly, "You must know that the battle will challenge the mind, not the body. This simulation will teach us how patient you are and how to approach the creatures."

Kael studied the symbols between the stones carefully. He was trying to get an idea of how long he could last in battle. But Aedrin's words complicated every thought in his mind. Every decision held the risk of a mistake.

"Are you ready?" Aedrin asked seriously as he watched Kael.

Kael nodded, pushing aside his fear. "Yes."

Aedrin pointed out that there were symbols between several stones in front of Kael. Each one represented a mental challenge that Kael would face. Kael studied them carefully, concentrating on the stones. Each one symbolized a different monster or moment of difficulty. As if reading what he expected in his eyes, Aedrin said, "Remember, mental battles are always more complex than physical ones. You have to control your mind, not just your body."

Kael's body froze for a moment as the first creature appeared in his mind. A Yeti, a powerful and ruthless creature from the depths of the dark forests. Its eyes seemed to touch Kael's deepest fears. Kael's breathing quickened, his heartbeat increasing rapidly. His mind wandered for a moment as fear gripped his body. It was then that he realized he needed to understand how much a witcher could truly endure.

Aedrin's voice came like a guide, piercing the haze in Kael's mind: "You must act quickly, Kael. The Yeti is watching you, but a warrior like you must have a strong mind. If you are afraid, it will defeat you. Put fear out of your mind. Focus."

Kael focused his eyes on the symbol. Fear was a barrier to face any creature. But Kael had to overcome it. Slowly he began to clear the thoughts in his mind. As he visualized the Yeti icon in his eyes, he examined every single detail. In his mind, he weighed the creature's steps, its movements, and the ways in which it hurt itself. The Yeti was strong, but Kael was smarter.

Instead of fighting, he chose to strategize. He knew not to underestimate the Yeti's power, but he had to use his mind to carefully plan each move. Kael mentally tried to find a way to fend off the creature, calculating every possibility, planning every step. Finally, he trapped the yeti in his mind.

Suddenly he felt the Yeti come out of the big path and attack him at full speed. But as Kael set his mental trap, the Yeti fell to the ground. At that moment, Kael took a deep breath. Fear was now replaced by calm. Aedrin nodded slightly as he watched Kael pass successfully. "You've made a good start," he said, "but you're still very early in your journey."

At the second icon, Kael was confronted by another ghoul. This time, however, it was different. This creature was not only outwardly frightening, but also contained a mental trap. As Kael faced this creature, he felt a strange fuzziness in his head. Not only was the ghoul causing mental turmoil, it was also attacking Kael's subconscious. In his mind, the darkest memories and fears he had ever imagined came to life. Kael needed to control that fear.

As he looked into the ghoul's eyes, the fears and mistakes of the past came to the surface. The time spent with his family, his Jedi training, the disappointment in his Master Mace Windu's eyes... It all flashed through his mind. He felt weak, a failure. The whispering voices of the ghoul as it slowly approached deepened the dark thoughts in Kael's mind. "You are lost, Kael," the ghoul whispered. "Which side do you belong to? Do you know your true identity?"

This was Kael's greatest fear: to question who he was and what he believed. As this question echoed through his mind, Kael risked losing his resolve. But Kael took a deep breath and decided to use this moment as an opportunity. Remembering him inner strength, he cleared the dark thoughts from him mind one by one. Breaking the chains of the past, he accepted his identity. "I am Kael," he said, pushing away the fears that echoed in his mind. "And I am complete in every way."

The ghoul continued its usual rapid approach, but Kael had found peace in his mind. The Ghoul's mental attacks tried to grow stronger, but Kael's mind and inner resistance were stronger. He had suppressed his darkest thoughts, and then the ghoul disappeared.

For a moment, Kael felt a slight emptiness in his mind. Mental battles were more complicated than physical ones, but now he understood better how strong he was. And the test was not over.

The last symbol was a griffin. This time, the mental battle would be much harder for Kael. The griffin was a symbol of both worlds: a combination of physical and mental strength. Facing the griffin meant not only fighting an external enemy, but also testing the balance of power within Kael. Both his body and his mind had to unite.

The Griffin tried to disrupt every thought in Kael's mind as he flew. This time it was faster, more complex. As Kael tried to predict his movements in his mind, to strategize, he felt the need for physical and mental harmony. He had to think fast, make the right decisions. Every moment had a strategy, every step had a purpose.

Without losing focus in his mind, he developed a plan against Griffin. Slowly, with a higher will, he used his mental strength. Each movement was a step closer to Griffin's speed. And finally, he was able to overwhelm the Griffin with his own mental strength.

It would be impossible for him to defeat a griffin with his real strength, but the result of this test showed that he had the will to do so.

At the end of the test, Kael took a step back. He slowly opened his eyes and inhaled deeply.

Aedrin saw the determination in Kael's eyes. "You did it, Kael. But remember, this is only the beginning. The real battle begins in your mind, always."

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