Chapter Two: The First Talent on the Planet:

The old man began with the basics of life, which is survival. He instructed Ares to cook, wash dishes, and clothes. Two years passed with Ares doing as the old man said. Now at the age of ten, Ares grew tired of doing the same thing and asked his master:

(Ares): "Master, when will you teach me magic? I've been doing the same thing for two years."

(Master): "You still lack patience as usual. The time will come soon, boy, soon..."

All that Ares did was to strengthen his patience and learn the art of procrastination. After a short while, the master decided to start teaching him the basics. The master called his student Ares:

(Master): "Ares, come here. Let's go to the waterfall in the south of the forest."

(Ares): "Why?"

(Master): "Just come and remain silent."

(Ares): "....."

Upon arriving at the waterfall, the master asked Ares:

(Master): "Boy, do you know what mana is?"

(Ares): "I've heard of it, but I don't know anything about it, Master."

(Master): "Mana is a spiritual energy emanating from within the body. It's renewed by external mana in the open air. If you want to learn and gain power so that no one can defeat you, we'll start with the basics. Go beneath the waterfall and meditate, and I'll then instruct you on what to do."

(Ares): "That sounds easy."

(Master): "We'll see..."

When Ares stood under the waterfall, he felt as if tiny stones were hitting him with force. The master instructed:

(Master): "Listen to what I say, focus well, and don't speak."

(Ares): "....."

(Master): "Focus and inhale deeply, and make the air form a circle in your belly."

(Ares): "I've formed two circles, Master."

(Master): "I told you not to speak and not to lose your focus."

"Two circles? How did he do that? It took me a week to feel one circle, and he's feeling two in less than an hour. This boy is a monster," the master thought.

(Master): "Now distribute them throughout your body. Once done, return home. I'll go ahead of you."

It took Ares nearly five hours to distribute the mana throughout his body. When he returned home, exhausted, he fell asleep as soon as the old man opened the door.

(Master): "You did well today, boy."

Ares woke up startled and terrified. He found himself on his bed, sweating due to the recurring nightmare of his village being destroyed and the death of his family. His master entered the room.

(Master): "The nightmare again?"

(Ares, with empty eyes): "Yes."

(Master): "What's troubling you so much, boy? You'll have your revenge soon."

(Ares): "Yes, I will."

They resumed training. After four years, Ares sensed the last circle, the eighth circle, making him the third most powerful wizard on the planet Alif. But Ares missed one thing: the sword. He was from the village of duelists. Now, at fourteen, he began learning the arts of dueling again and is currently training from the dueling art books his master brought him.