TRAINING

A week had passed since I first met Merlin, and each day, we met in the forest to help me awaken my dormant power. But despite following his every instruction, nothing was happening. I had put in all my effort, but my abilities remained locked away.

Merlin stood off to the side, watching me as I sat cross-legged on the ground, attempting to meditate. Frustration bubbled up inside me as I let out a sigh. "I think this isn't working," I muttered, coming to a halt in my focus. "Is there anything else we can do?"

Merlin scratched his chin, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "No… There isn't. You first need to awaken your power before we can start training properly. Meditation is the only method I know that might help you access it."

I stared at the ground in disbelief. "What? So you don't know a way for me to awaken my power? I thought I could get stronger when I met you, but it seems I was wrong," I grumbled in despair, letting my body slump back against the earth, gazing up at the vast sky above.

Merlin stepped closer, his tone gentle but firm. "Of course, I can help you get stronger. But only if you can tap into your power. Right now, with no mana in your body, there's nothing I can do."

I sat up straighter, a feeling of resolve slowly replacing my frustration. "I just need to awaken my power. Who knows what's happening to the other humans right now," I thought to myself, trying to focus again.

The sun sank lower in the sky, and I tried again and again to reach that elusive connection within me, but nothing happened. Eventually, as darkness began to take over the forest, I stood up. "Hey, Merlin. I'll see you tomorrow," I said, feeling defeated.

I began walking back home, the weight of my failure heavy on my shoulders. Lost in thought, I kicked a rock in frustration, only to stub my toe hard against it. "Ouch!" I exclaimed, wincing in pain.

Merlin's voice called from behind. "Don't let that frustration consume you. I'm sure you'll awaken your power if you continue to work hard. It just takes time."

His words gave me a sense of hope, and I couldn't help but feel a little more determined. I may not have been where I wanted to be yet, but I couldn't afford to give up.

As I walked, I couldn't help but wonder about Merlin's circumstances. "Do you have a place to stay, Merlin?" I asked curiously. "You can stay at my house if you want."

He smiled softly. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

I nodded and said, "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."

When I got home, everything seemed oddly quiet. I searched the kitchen, the living room, and even outside, but my mother was nowhere to be found. She never went out without telling me—she usually asked me to fetch things for her when she needed them.

A rising sense of worry crept over me. "Where could she be?" I wondered, my concern growing. I hurried out, hoping to find her somewhere on the streets, but she was nowhere in sight.

I walked to the city, desperately hoping I might see her along the way, but it was as though she had vanished. "Maybe she's back by now," I muttered to myself, trying to stay calm.

But when I returned home and found she still wasn't there, panic set in. My thoughts spiraled. "What if something has happened to her? What if she was captured by demons?" I rushed out of the house again, running toward the city, my heart pounding with dread.

The city was alive with activity, filled with races of all kinds—elves, dwarves, and vampires, among others. But the most striking thing was the presence of the demons, their magic lighting up the night as though it were midday. I had no idea where to begin my search.

During my search, I overheard a conversation that sent a chill down my spine. A vendor, his face grim, spoke to a passerby, "Haven't you heard? Yesterday, the demonking made an announcement. They're going to host a 'festival'—a cruel one. They're capturing all the women to sell them as slaves in the new market inside the castle to the other races."

I froze, my mind racing. My mother could be among those captured. I hadn't been around to hear the news, having spent most of my time training in the forest.

Anger flared in my chest as I spoke to the vendor, my voice low and dangerous. "Thank you for the information," I said, turning on my heel and walking away. "But this… this is madness."

The words burned in my mind. "Dammit! The Demon King has gone too far. Anyone who touches my mother is as good as dead."

Despite my fury and desperation to save her, I knew I wasn't strong enough to face the demons on my own. I needed help. I rushed back to the forest to find Merlin, hoping he could assist me. But when I arrived, he wasn't there.

"Where could he be?" I muttered, feeling more helpless than ever. "Maybe tomorrow," I said to myself, taking one last look at the empty clearing.

I returned home, defeated and exhausted, collapsing into my bed. The weight of worry about my mother consumed me. "Don't worry, Mom," I whispered to the empty room. "I'll come for you. I promise."

The next morning, I awoke determined. I was going to find Merlin. I prepared myself and rushed to the forest, determined to plan a way to rescue my mother before it was too late. But when I arrived, Merlin was nowhere to be found. I shouted his name, frustration boiling over. "Where are you, Merlin?!"

I waited, but no answer came. Panic clawed at my chest. "What's going on? Where could he be when I need him most?"

Feeling the weight of my situation, I headed into the city once again, where the streets were filled with joyous people preparing for the festival. The air was thick with celebration, but for me, it felt suffocating. I knew I had little time left.

END OF CHAPTER