A couple of weeks in, and my training is going a lot better than I initially expected it to go. I mean, just because you’re skilled at something doesn’t mean you’re any good at teaching it. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve tried to explain a concept to someone just for them to look at me like what the fuck is going on.

  Anyways, what I’m trying to get across is that I thought Shivror was going to be suck ass at teaching, but in reality, his explanations are clear and make sense. He also points out my mistakes and tells me when and why I’m wrong. His teaching style clearly shows that this isn’t his first time. With how everything’s progressing, we almost have the perfect teacher-student relationship.

  Yes, almost. Knowing me, did you really think things would go smoothly?

  “For the tenth time, your balance is still off!”

  “And for the duodecillionth time, I’m still 50-50! how is that off?!”

  “But you’re not! Your stance keeps slipping a foot too wide! Also, stop making up numbers!”

  “It’s a real number you dumbass! I’ve got that many cookies in Cookie C——-r!”

  “What even is tha-, ugh!” Shivror rubs his head in agitation, clearly regretting all the choices that have led up to this point. It takes some moments before he begins to regain his composure.

  “Well.” He coughs “In spite of your inability to keep your stance in control, you’ve improved quite a significant bit over these past couple of weeks. You honestly make those draconean kids look like idiots, which they are.”

  “Thanks.” Suppressing a grin, I wipe the sweat from my brow.

  It’s already evident that I’ve gotten much more comfortable wielding a sword. My strikes are smoother, their indecisive shakiness heavily reduced.

  Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that I still get continually battered during our regular spars, but the length of our bouts has increased from just a few seconds to around ten. A major achievement if I do say so myself.

  However, because my development can only be measured by comparing myself to Shivror, I have no clue how I would fare in my battle against those beasts. Even if I were to keep at it with this training routine, this feeling of uncertainty isn’t going to budge.

  “Alright, you can take a break now” Shivror declares.

  I drop to the floor and gaze upwards, gasping as I lay my wooden sword aside. The majestic sky, filled with its azure nebulae is almost unchanging. I guess that extends to me as well. It’s been almost a month, yet I’m still here, sprawled out on this same training ground. However:

  “I’m still not ready.” I mutter under my breath.

  “Ready? Ready for what?”

  Shivror’s unexpected reply causes me to jolt back up. How good is his hearing to be able to hear that quiet of a whisper?

  “Uhm- uhm…” I fumble my words. “It’s nothing!”

  “You sure? Because it doesn’t seem like it. Hmm... and if you really think about it, there’s only one thing you could be getting ready for in this place…”

  With a surprise burst of intelligence, for once it seems that Shivror is the one to corner me. Because of the fear of getting found out, I can’t even control the nervous jitters of my arms. Damn it! If I’d spent less time in front of my computer, maybe I’d have better acting skills!

  “Wh-what?” I avert my eyes, not even trying to conceal my quivering voice.

  Crap, I’ve done it now. There’s no way out of this one. Just as I brace myself for my impending doom, Shivror bursts into raucous laughter.

  “Ha-ha! To think it’d only take a few words to make you fold! Ha-eugh!” Shivror chokes on his laughter. “What did you think would happen? That I’d get mad at you for trying to reattempt the Trials? You look like a kid who’s about to get scolded by their parents!”

  Shivror’s light-hearted response erodes my worries away. However, my anxiety is replaced by a realisation of what just unfolded.

  And followed by that: embarrassment and anger. My face heats up with a newfound fury.

  “Says the one who almost suffocated on his laughter!” I lash back. “An old-ass man like you has to laugh at anything to find substance in his empty life!”

  “Ha-ha!” Shivror continues laughing, despite my provocations “And now he acts like nothing happened! This is too much! Ha-fuck!” Shivror crumples as my fist strikes his torso. My fist recoils in pain. Those scales of his are hard as hell. Despite that punch, he continues to laugh crazily, like some sort of lunatic. "And you were trying to hide it? It was so obvious the entire time I didn't even think you were trying to hide it!"

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  After what feels like minutes to me, Shivror finally calms down, still giving out the occasional wheeze.

  “Ahh, that was a good laugh.” Shivror returns to his senses.

  “Your sense of humour has to be really messed up to find something like that so funny.” I reply nonchalantly.

  “Well, that’s what decades of this place does to you.”

  “In hindsight, I guess that makes sense…”

  Letting out a sigh, I grab my sword from the floor.

  “I’m ready to start training again, so let’s go.” I demand Shivror as I turn away, walking over to the dummies.

  “I did think about it seriously you know.”

  His words cause me to circle around, stopping me in my tracks, but I remain silent. His glowing eyes narrow as they turn to the horizon, lost in thought.

  “I honestly do think that you’re ready. I’ve watched you grow day by day, from when you barely hold a sword to being able to strike with reasonable precision. Because of this, I believe you’ll be able to handle the first Trial, regardless of what it is.”

  “Heh?” I say, anger leaking out of my words “How can you be so sure?! You don’t even know what it fucking is! Do you want to see me die again so badly!?”

  “Can you not trust me?” Shivror retains his calm tone, despite my outburst. “I know best, I am the one who taught you, right?” He gives me a grin which I can’t help but find annoying.

  He reassuringly grabs my shoulder, relieving me of my tension.

  “Just don’t worry” he says. “And don’t be so scared about talking about the Trials. 'We don’t bite', as those humans say...”

  “You look like you certainly would…” I chuckle.

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing.” I reply. “But for real though, thank you.”

  Given how I usually act, I’m not sure if I got that across, but I really meant it from the bottom of my heart.

  However, just as I try to walk away, his grasp on my shoulder tightens.

  “Not so fast. What did you call me earlier? A what-ass man? Would you care to remind me?”

  Uh oh.

  The rest of my training was more painful than it should’ve been.

  …

  I’ve decided that if I’m going to reattempt the Trials, it should be as soon as possible. I’ve faced the demon known as procrastination more than enough times, so there's no need to explain why delaying this further is a bad idea.

  Looking back on it, if that conversation hadn’t happened, how long would I have put this off for? It’s not because I wasn’t ready, but it’s because I was being a pussy. What kind of half-assed determination was I training with? Training and training but never reaching my end goal. I was just lying to myself the whole time, and I’m ashamed of it. Good thing I’m back on track now.

  Anyways, maybe I’m being overly hasty, but I plan on leaving tonight. Right now, I’m just looking back at my diagrams and notes, making sure my strategy is firm in my mind.

  It’s kind of funny. It’s almost like I’m cramming for a test the night before—rushing to memorise every detail. No matter how much you’ve crammed, you can’t help but feel like you’ve overlooked some crucial detail. A clinging unease, always nagging at you from the back of your mind.

  Even for me, someone who naturally gets good grades. The feeling never went away. Fortunately, I’ve always found studying easy, and I’m grateful for it. Thank you, my brain.

  Oops, I’m getting off-topic. It’s almost time for me to go. Everyone that would sleep probably is by now. And I doubt Titan is even going to question anything if he sees me outside. Robots aren’t very inquisitive.

  I tuck the diagrams under my bed and head towards the door. Since I wasn’t sure what to wear, I’m in my second pair of clothing. A dark grey V-neck with some equally grey trousers. Since there’s nothing like pyjamas here, this is the best thing for indoor wear and sleeping.

  The door opens with a creak as I carefully peek about. The coast is clear, so under the guise of the night, I make my way down the hill.

  Though it isn’t quite that dramatic, since it isn’t exactly nighttime. The sky looks almost the same, except that the blue nebulae are significantly dimmer. It’s kind of like a nightlight has been turned on. Dark enough to unsettle, yet not enough to conceal

  I pass by familiar landmarks. The boulder that I still visit during the mornings. The fields that provide our bland but nourishing food. The training grounds I’ve recently begun to visit daily. And finally…

  At the end of the path, a massive gate towers over me. Its cold surface is etched with unyielding patterns, and the blue lights glare through the darkness like unblinking eyes. It’s no less intimidating than before, maybe even more so. But I’ve already resolved myself. I can’t turn back now.

  Although the conditions are completely different, this situation feels nostalgic. I took my first steps to change my life those few years ago. And now, I find myself doing the same once more.

  If I’ve done it before, I can do it again.

  Yes, that’s how it should be.

  With a deep breath, I place my hand on the gate.

  …

  It’s a weird feeling, remarkably different compared to my first time. The transportation is instantaneous, however the feeling that something happened in between still lingers.

  My surroundings are instantly replaced, and I find myself in a familiar blue-lit corridor. It is identical to how it was last time. Even the azure flames of the torches are still burning as brilliantly as before.

  The situation is completely the same, the sword and shield are lay out in front of me, in pristine condition. The only difference is that my clothing is what I was wearing before entering, not my school uniform, though that is negligible.

  I pick up my weapons and begin walking down the tunnel. Fear is now a foreign concept; each step I take is full of steely resolve.

  The ten-minute walk to the second gate feels like a blur. I come to a stop as I stare down the colossal gate. Behind this holds the source of all my worries and nightmares.

  But now, there’s nothing to worry about, because I’m going to win. It’s not like before:

  This time I’m ready.

  The gate slides open, sending powerful tremors throughout the tunnel. Paying no heed to them, I march on inside.

  The gate closes behind me with a final resounding thud, sealing my fate. The earth begins to tremble beneath by feet before exploding into a violent burst of dust in front of me. A familiar yet ferocious beast crawls out of the pit, teeth bared as its shadowy aura seeps into the air around it. It stands on guard, as if its purpose is to prevent me from reaching the gate behind it.

  Last time, I couldn’t even kill a single one, but this time, I’m certain.

  I will see what is behind that door.

  With a sharp exhale, I ready my weapons as I surge forward with determination, charging at the beast.