“You’re late, ten laps go!” Ginfrey yelled

  Even though we had come a half hour earlier than yesterday we were still late in the man's eyes. Gritting my teeth I slowly forced my sore body to move. Sean fell in beside me as we shared our struggle throughout the run. The laps felt slightly easier, a little less exhausting, though I didn’t know if that was because we came to a mutual agreement of hate for the old man or if my body was already adapting.

  Finally we finished the last lap, bodies on the verge of collapse but this time we were able to keep standing. Immediately after we fell into a variety of body exercises, pushups, squats, any muscle that could be hit was. We didn’t even bother trying to cut corners since we learned yesterday Ginfrey could see everything we do and would not let even a sliver of poor effort escape his notice.

  Hours later we finally finished our physical training but the worst part was just beginning. Sitting down and focusing on controlling a mental muscle might not seem hard, but it was far worse than training any physical one. Not only would it take forever for the mental fatigue to go away it hurt like hell after you were done doing it for hours.

  “Alright, both of you sit down and do the same as yesterday. Sean, it might take weeks for you to awaken your mana sight so don’t worry about it. Casius, try to hold the brightness to a manageable level.” We both sit down but I can see Sean’s grin knowing he plans on awakening his sight today.

  After Ginfrey puts his arm in my range I activate my mana sight. I wince at the brightness and slowly adjust it until my eyes feel comfortable.

  “Today at your parents request I’ll tell you about the elements.” I perk up at that which causes me to lose focus making my mana sight to activate fully. Quickly I get it back under control and listen.

  “First I’ll talk about the basic four that everyone knows. Earth, Fire, Water and Air. These are the most common elements people awaken but that doesn’t make them weak by any means. Just think of your parents, Casius, do they seem weak? And Sean, what about your mother, is she?” No, neither of my parents are weak, in fact they’re probably strong by most standards if they can hire a personal trainer for me.

  “Good, never underestimate any element even if you have the advantage, never let your guard down.” He seems pretty serious about this.

  “Now, the Rare elements. Life, Ice, Lightning, and my favorite Metal. Do either of you know why metal is my favorite?”

  Sean raises his hand. “It’s because that's your element right?”

  “Correct! Here's a copper coin kid.” He says laughing. “Anyways, once again these elements aren’t inherently better than the basic four, just rarer. But Life is a special one as it has zero offensive magic, it can only heal. Though there is some debate about lightning being slightly stronger, don’t listen to that though, all it is, is flashy. Should be metal…” He mumbles.

  “I’ve always said seeing is better than believing, so how about a demonstration of the metal element?” Suddenly he taps his foot twice on the ground and a silver liquid erupts from the ground beneath his feet, racing up his legs like living metal, eventually solidifying. Now a giant encased in beautiful armor stands before us. It seems like it would be stiff but as Ginfrey moves around I don’t see him being impeded as the metal follows his movements perfectly.

  After a short demonstration he taps his foot again, this time dispelling the armor as seemingly poofs out of existence.

  “Any questions on what I just did?” He asks

  “Did you need to tap your foot for the armor to appear and disappear?” I ask

  “No, I just think it looks cooler. Honestly, I also didn’t need all the liquid when I put it on.” Okay so he’s just showing off, still cool.

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  Seeing neither of us have any more questions he continues, “Lastly and definitely not least, the Epic elements. Light, Dark, Space, and Gravity. Don’t even hope you’ll awaken one, the chances are only one in ten million for you brats to get one. Now always remember, in case you get a rare or high tier element, it doesn’t make you more powerful automatically. Anyone can still beat you, all elements are equal.” He finished, a weighty tone influencing his voice.

  “That’s enough learning for today, get back to work.” He barks out, done with his explanation.

  By now it’s become easier to hold the dial at a comfortable level allowing for my thoughts to drift towards the explanation. So elements aren’t inherently stronger than one another? I guess that means hard work and control are the best ways to become stronger. But how does a core truly tie into it? I know from what my mother said that your core determines your element, but that can’t be the only thing it does.

  “I did it!” Suddenly I’m dragged away from my thoughts as Sean succeeds in activating his mana sight.

  “Really? That was quicker than expected. What is the range of your sight? ” Ginfrey says

  “I think it’s about three feet.” He replies, an evil grin flashes across his face, “Hah, that also means Casius has to do my running for tomorrow.” Great, it’s over for me.

  “Ohh, made a bet did you? Well too bad, you’re still gonna be running kid.” I chuckle as Sean’s face falls.

  “Now Casius don’t think you’re free yet, you need to learn to stick to your word. Tomorrow we’ll double your running.” My face turns pale, realizing this truly might be my last day in this world.

  “Sean, come sit next to Casius and I’ll explain what he’s been doing since yesterday.” Sean moves over, “Alright, Sean activate your mana sight again” Ginfrey says while stepping fully into his range.

  “Ahh! Why is it so bright?”

  “Hahahaha!” I laugh as he quickly turns off his mana sight, furiously rubbing his eyes.

  “That is what Casius is learning to prevent. What you just experienced was Retina Burning. It’s when you look at someone that vastly classes you in power while using mana sight.” That makes sense.

  “Wish you would’ve told me that before I activated it.” Sean grumbles, still rubbing his eyes.

  “Well now you’ll want to learn the method of lowering the brightness even more! Pain truly is the best teacher.” Ginfrey beams, proud of his method.

  Time flows by during our training, I even get a new personal best. I was able to hold the dial at a comfortable level for five minutes. Though I can feel Sean’s frustration as he sits next to me, I’m pretty sure he keeps getting Retina Burn from the way he’s rubbing his eyes constantly.

  “Time to go brats! Sean, get some good sleep tonight, you’re going to need it.” He laughs, speeding off in the direction of the city.

  I turn to look at Sean, “Just had to awaken today huh?”

  “It’s not my fault, I just needed some extra motivation, that’s why I made that bet with you. If I didn’t have the threat of double running for a week breathing down my neck I doubt I would’ve been able to.” He says, an honest look on his face for once.

  “Yea, whatever. When do you think we’ll be able to train with real weapons?”

  “Probably when we’ve built enough strength and endurance if I had to guess. We should ask him tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. What do you think of the elements?”

  “I don’t really know, I just want one that I’ll like. Maybe Light, Lightning, or Space.”

  “Yeah, real humble. Two Epic tier elements and a rare, you’re just asking to be disappointed.” I chuckle

  “I guess if I had to pick from the Common tiers it would be Fire, something about just speaks to me out of those four. What about you?”

  “I would be fine with any really, I’ll become the strongest with any element.”

  Sean let out a loud laugh, “Yeah, and you were calling ME arrogant. Anyways I’ll see you tomorrow”

  “Yeah, later.”

  We split off, both heading home with ideas about what the future has in store for us. Even if he laughs now, it won’t change my determination , I will reach the peak of power.