The Tournament

The weight of the catastrophe pressed down on Kurt, a constant reminder of the destructive power he wielded. He knew he couldn't let it happen again. He had to learn to control the Astra, to master the energy that flowed through him.

He began to train in earnest, pushing himself to his limits. He returned to the desolate plain, the site of his uncontrolled outburst, and spent hours honing his skills with the energy spear. He practiced summoning it with precision, directing its power with increasing accuracy, and learning to contain its devastating force. He moved from raw, uncontrolled bursts of energy to focused, deliberate strikes. Slowly, painstakingly, he began to master the weapon, to bend it to his will.

He practiced all day, every day, pushing himself harder and harder, driven by a desperate need to control the power within him. He returned home late at night, exhausted but determined, his body aching, his mind focused.

Thomas watched him, his anxiety growing with each passing day. He saw the changes in Kurt, the intensity in his eyes, the way he moved with a newfound purpose. He still didn't know the truth about Kurt's origins, about the strange circumstances of his arrival in the forest, but he couldn't deny that the boy was… different. He had always had a maturity beyond his years, an uncanny ability to understand the world around him, but now, there was something more. A hidden power, a dangerous potential.

Yet, despite his fears, Thomas still saw Kurt as his son. He had raised him, cared for him, and loved him. He wished him nothing but the best, even if he didn't fully understand the path Kurt was now taking.

One day, Kurt overheard news from the village. A grand tournament was to be held in the kingdom's capital, a competition of skill and power, where Astra users from across the land would gather to compete. The tournament was a prestigious event, a chance for nobles to display their prowess and for aspiring warriors to make a name for themselves.

A spark ignited within Kurt. The tournament. It was a chance. A chance to test his skills, to learn from other Astra users, to perhaps even find someone who could guide him further. It was a dangerous idea, a reckless gamble, but Kurt knew he had to try.

He decided to participate.