CH-10: RAVEN'S TRAINING

Axel ran through the streets, stalls and all sorts of animals, refusing to look back even once until he reached the park. As he reached, he let out a gasp, having grown tired from all the running and hiding. The park was filled with lush green flora, beautiful sapphilyn and vyfil flowers blooming in the bushes and different species of birds chirping. This was the perfect place to sit down and have a romantic picnic, not at all for hardcore training.

"Okay, so...this is the place where Odion and the legion members trained? This is what the book mentioned right? But it I train here, wouldn't I hurt the scenery, animals and most importantly, the people?" – Axel thought carefully, observing the area but that's when his crimson eyes fell on a barren portion of the park. He rushed over to the ground to check and noticed that people were training there. It was amazing how the same ground had a lush park, and a rocky training ground.

"Alright then, time to start training with my new sword, Avenger! Pretty cool name, I think. Well, glad I learnt sword fighting back at my university, as a proper subject! I just need to focus on the psionic training." Axel thought as he started moving around his stolen sword almost professionally.

For the next entire week, Axel trained day and night at the training ground. He would start at dawn and left at twilight. Again, after resting for two hours, he returned to the training ground in the evening and left late at night. He put his heart and soul into the training with full concentration. He also read training guides and manuals for cryokinesis to understand and practice the moves more precisely. He even stopped hanging out with Elias, considering it a wastage of time.

Axel knew very well that he must get recruited. If by any chance he didn't, not only will he fail his quest and lose the chance to carve his legacy, but also his sacrifice would go in vain. Acquiring a fake psionic wasn't easy and considering the fact, that he gambled away his life was indeed horrifying. So, he could not let anything ruin his new life of three years.

The training really paid off, as Axel felt not an ounce of nervousness or anxiety as he stepped inside the gates of the Dorwine Legion headquarters, ready to get over with the trial and get recruited as soon as possible. He wore a black high neck vest over a gray shirt, his sword sheathed in his old scabbard. Axel found a suitable place sat on a wooden bench waiting for his turn to be called.

"Hey there, Odion! Ready for the trial?" – Elias came and sat right beside Axel with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Elias, you startled me! You have to stop sneaking up on people like this." Axel said with a soft smile.

"I haven't seen you in so many days. You wouldn't even come for brunch because of your training. But I bet you trained your best. I hope we get recruited like, um I'm not sure if they uh, consider my skill usefull."

"Elias, don't be so hard on yourself. Metal manipulation is a really cool psionic. Have some confidence brother!" – Axel consoled him for he knew the feeling of worthlessness from his past life but in this life, he was determined to change this gut-wrenching feeling.

As the two continued to chat, they noticed how many people came out of the trial room with a hanging or upset face. Some people were even crying.

"I don't think this test will be that easy! But you know what, I can do it!"- Elias said this at ease and finally calmed down, having found new confidence from Odion.

But just as he spread out his shoulders for relaxation, one of the men called out- "Next candidate, Elias Auclier! Your presence is requested!"

Elias jumped up from the bench in shock and hurry. Axel gave him a good luck smile as an encouraging gesture. He mouthed the words You got this! As Elias bolted out of sight. Axel was very well aware that Elias would get recruited and would soon become the acting general of the Validus Battalion. But as he thought about it, he wondered how so many things had changed in the plot, the early friendship with Elias, the witch, the fake psionic, the mysterious workshop and the stolen sword.

"If already there is this much of a change, I wonder what lies ahead."