Chương 7: Training in the forest
Shirei was still in the cafeteria at Lilies Park, seated at the somber table of Cragar's children alongside Marina and Dahlia. The place buzzed with lively conversations about training, lessons, and mythological tales. The air carried the warm scent of freshly baked bread, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Yet, as often happened, the violet-eyed boy seemed distant, almost disconnected from his surroundings.
Marina and Dahlia laughed at some joke, exchanging glances, but Shirei did not partake in their lightheartedness. His eyes stared into the void, reaching for the lost memories in his mind, trying to assimilate these moments into his past. His rigid posture and impenetrable silence formed a barrier between him and the others. Even though he sat beside the two girls, it was as if he were somewhere else entirely.
Marina noticed his absent gaze and slid some food toward him, hoping it might serve as a bridge for conversation.
To her disappointment, however, she watched as the Blendbreed slowly rose from his seat. The blonde girl looked at him curiously, while Dahlia merely shot him a quick glance, her usual mischievous smile lighting up her face.
"I'm going to train," he announced in a low, composed voice.
He offered no further explanation, nor did he bother with any elaborate goodbyes. It was a simple phrase, one he often repeated to himself, as if training was the only thing giving him direction since arriving at Lilies Park.
Marina stood up with him. "Why don't you stay until the end of lunch?"
The other Blendbreeds fell silent and turned to look at him, some with a faint sense of unease.
There was an unspoken law that all Blendbreeds knew as a fundamental truth—Cragar meant trouble. But they could never truly understand his connection to the darkness, not when he himself still struggled to grasp its depth.
Within seconds, a mass of pure shadow began to coil around his body. The temperature in the room seemed to drop by a few degrees as the darkness thickened around him.
"Finish without me. I'll see you soon."
With those words, he vanished, slipping through the Interworld and leaving behind only a murmur of awe and concern.
The daughter of Ien remained still, staring at the spot where Shirei had disappeared, a thoughtful look on her face.
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
The darkness dissipated around Shirei, giving way to the world in between. The Blendbreedwalked with steady steps, crossing the spectral dimension that stretched before him in a chaotic swirl of greens, whites, and blacks. An unreal space, where the earth seemed to dissolve into smoke, and the sky did not exist. The landscape constantly shifted, as if it had no defined shape but was instead made of fragmented thoughts and distorted emotions.
A place dedicated solely to Cragar and his progeny.
The Interworld was a safe path, crossed countless times, a temporary refuge that distanced him from the chaotic world of the living and immersed him in a dimension where nothing held any meaning. As he walked, his face remained impassive, but his mind was constantly in motion.
I could have stayed a bit longer, but I prefer to train now. Sorry, Marina.
It wasn't just to avoid distractions or the noise of the Blendbreeds at Lilies Park. It was a deeper necessity, a need to perfect himself again and again. Cragar had often admitted his opposition to uncalculated effort, yet it was always the same deity who had reminded him repeatedly how crucial it was to become more powerful.
And the only way I know to improve is to train.
There was a challenge that lingered inside him, a silent voice urging him to prove that he was worthy of his mysterious destiny. He had to not only master his abilities but also rediscover his identity. Every time he thought of his potential, he felt a rising pressure, an expectation that rested upon him.
This feeling… I've been sensing it since I arrived here…
It had been his decision to ask to be brought to the park, although he honestly didn't even know why. He had trusted his instincts, hoping they would lead him to uncover something more about his past. He had yet to find any answers, but he felt as though he had made the right choice.
My body is reacting to this place… why?
A question that would remain unanswered for the time being.
As the Interworld began to dissolve around him, Shirei emerged beyond the boundaries of Lilies Park, into a hidden, peaceful area surrounded by tall trees, above which loomed the high walls that marked the safe enclosure. The contrast was stark: from the spectral darkness of the Interworld to the calming serenity of the forest, the Otherworld seemed almost too bright and peaceful. Yet, that contrast perfectly reflected his state of mind: outwardly calm and resolute, but internally in perpetual doubt.
Shirei ventured deeper into the forest, searching for the perfect spot to train. His violet eyes scanned the surroundings with sharp attention, looking for an area secluded enough to ensure he wouldn't be disturbed. He had gathered that there were no monsters within the park's borders, but that didn't mean he wouldn't accidentally come across other creatures.
I imagine there must be elves, dwarves, or nymphs somewhere around here…
The towering trees, their branches intertwining above him, formed a natural canopy. The silence of the place was broken only by the faint rustling of leaves as the wind passed through.
He wandered for about fifteen minutes before finally finding a clearing spacious enough, enclosed by tall trunks that seemed to guard his personal space. Sunlight barely filtered through the thick foliage, casting long, fractured shadows over the soft, damp earth.
Perfect.
With a slow and measured motion, Shirei extended his right hand before him and closed his eyes. He could feel the darkness of the Interworld responding to his call, a surge of energy rippling through his body.
A shadow began to emerge from the darkness cast at his feet.
The Blade of Discord materialized slowly, as if being forged directly from the void. It was a sword of dark metal, its blade originally black but reflecting an eerie, acid-green light.
It was not merely a physical weapon but a conduit for magic. By absorbing mana from the environment, the blade inflicted wounds that not only tore through flesh but also induced sharp, paralyzing pain that gradually slowed the enemy's movements. The agony would then subside little by little, but not before sending the victim into a state of shock.
Shirei regarded the sword calmly. He had wielded it many times during his training in the Underworld and knew its power well. Cragar's first gift had proven useful in more than a couple of situations.
And I never even thanked him for it.
His expression remained unreadable, but he could feel the power pulsing through the sword. The connection between him and the Blade of Discord was absolute, as if it had been forged for him and him alone.
Time to focus now, he reminded himself. Enough distractions.
Before starting his real training, Shirei performed a series of warm-up movements. He was meticulous in his preparation, knowing that every motion was an essential part of his growth. Training put him in the best condition to face any battle and win.
His warm-up ensured he was in peak form for a productive session.
With his feet firmly planted on the ground, he began moving slowly, focusing on his breathing. His body responded seamlessly to his mind's commands. The sword's movements were precise, its weight feeling like an extension of his arm.
Every movement was practiced and repeated to reach the perfect balance between mind and body, ensuring that emotions would not overpower the clarity he needed to maintain. That was the first step of training: taming adolescent instincts and cultivating a proactive mindset.
After completing that phase, Shirei began the real training, gripping the Blade of Discord with both hands.
Every movement was calculated, the perfect representation of a river flowing without obstacles. He started with basic exercises, focusing on slashes and deflecting imaginary attacks, moving the blade with terrifying precision.
The sound of metal slicing through the air was thin and almost unsettling, like a distorted whisper in the tranquil nature. It was a weapon born from darkness, and the power Shirei felt coursing through it made him even more cynical.
More precise, faster.
He continued moving among the trees.
One technique he often used for training was imagining a vast number of enemies surrounding him, cornering him against a wall.
The blade vibrated with every strike, emitting a sinister sound—like an echo.
The leaves of the trees reacted to his movements, while a breeze rose each time the weapon sliced through the air. It was as if nature itself wanted to partake in his training, responding to the presence of the Blade of Discord.
Could there be nymphs here? the Blendbreed wondered. This should be their territory, and it would align with what I read in the books at Cragar's palace.
Shirei decided not to dwell on it and pressed on.
As time passed, his movements grew faster and more refined. In his mind, the cuts inflicted deeper and deeper wounds. He began to lose track of time, his focus sharpening more and more.
His strikes turned into an uninterrupted sequence of attacks that only an experienced Blendbreed would have been able to defend against. The blade slashed through the air with such speed that it resembled a spectral flash of light gleaming between the trees.
His mind was now entirely immersed in the training.
Every strike was accompanied by fleeting thoughts, reflections that washed over him like waves. Perfecting his technique wasn't just a physical matter—it meant finding balance between control and chaos.
It was like dancing on the edge of a cliff without ever falling.
The sun began to set behind the treetops, casting long shadows across the clearing. The atmosphere grew darker, and the forest was cloaked in an increasing gloom, mirroring Shirei's very essence.
But he did not stop.
Every muscle in his body was tense, fatigue was beginning to creep in, but a part of him refused to slow down. His mind was ablaze, fueled by the relentless drive to surpass his own limits.
Again, again, again, and again.
He would become even stronger.
He had to… but for what reason?
He unleashed a series of frenzied strikes. Each time the blade cut through the air, its greenish glow briefly illuminated Shirei's face, highlighting the intensity in his violet eyes.
His hands were beginning to feel tired, the muscles in his arms trembled slightly. Yet, something inside him urged him to keep going.
He had to… but he didn't know why.
He recalled the days spent in the Underworld—the meaningless battles he had fought, the monsters he had mercilessly slain. The feeling of not being enough still tormented him. The fear irritated him. It clawed at the surface of his body every time he fought, but Shirei never let it in.
He couldn't afford to be weak.
Calm. I just need to stay calm.
He continued to battle his invisible enemies, as if trying to vent the thoughts accumulated inside him through the force of his strikes. He wanted to prove—to himself and to anyone who might be watching—that he could master any attack.
Shirei was different.
He didn't consider himself special, but he knew he wasn't like the other Blendbreeds at Lilies Park.
I doubt anyone here lacks memories of their past.
Time kept passing, but it had lost all meaning. Sunset turned into twilight, and then into deep night. The forest, once peaceful and serene, had been enveloped by the quiet intensity of a boy who lived in the purest darkness. Only the eerie green glow of the Blade of Discord still shone persistently, like a lone beacon in a sea of black.
Shirei stopped for just a moment, catching his breath.
His violet eyes, glimmering in the night, were illuminated by the faint moonlight. His breathing was heavy, his body tense from the exertion, but he still had one more idea he wanted to test. He had mentally worked on a new ability—an extension of Spectral Travel—that would allow him to transport only a part of his body through the Interworld while maintaining contact with the original dimension.
Thanks to you, Marina, it seems I really will become a ghost.
If he could master that power—assuming it was even possible—he would be able to pass through obstacles like trees or walls without completely vanishing, becoming an ethereal, intangible being.
Shirei wasn't particularly concerned with the risks, only with the incredible versatility and power he could theoretically wield.
A leap into the void.
He closed his eyes and focused. He visualized the tree in front of him, imagining himself phasing through it like a specter. He took a deep breath, then lunged forward, attempting to send part of his body into the Interworld while keeping the rest in the Otherworld.
The impact was immediate.
A sharp pain shot through his right shoulder as he crashed into the tree's rough bark.
He fell to the ground, breathless.
The failure wasn't complete—he simply hadn't managed to activate Spectral Travel.
He hadn't reached the intangibility he was aiming for.
He stood up, his side aching. He didn't want to give up. He just needed to adjust his approach, to focus his energy better. Taking another deep breath, he tried again, this time attempting to slow down at the last moment. He felt the cold of the Interworld wrap around his body, and as he moved toward the tree, for a brief instant, it seemed like he had successfully phased his arm beyond the surface of the trunk.
Then something went wrong.
His body materialized abruptly, and once again, he slammed hard into the wood, collapsing onto his knees.
He had failed again—but he had made progress.
He kept going, earning himself new aches and fresh bruises. Rubbing his sore arm, he stared at the tree as if it were one of the invisible enemies he faced during training.
He had visualized the technique in his mind over and over, but executing it was entirely different from how he had imagined it.
He decided to try a different approach.
Maybe the key is moving faster… or maybe slower.
He experimented with different combinations, but the result was always the same—he crashed into a tree.
As the minutes passed, he started to question what he was doing wrong.
Sitting against a tree, his back sore and his hands scraped, Shirei closed his eyes and breathed slowly, trying to calm himself.
I'm going about this the wrong way. This technique is supposed to serve as another way to evade attacks, an immediate line of defense, but I'm already trying to use it as I would in battle. I need to start from scratch.
His hands trembled as he pushed himself up from the ground. A voice inside urged him to give up, to leave it for the night, but the Blendbreed knew he wouldn't find peace until he managed to use the technique at least once.
He was always composed, but like all young people his age, he didn't have much patience for long waits.
He wanted to succeed in everything—and he wanted it now.
Being in motion affects my focus. For now, I should try while staying still. The problem is that I won't be able to tell if it's working that way.
The sky above the forest had turned into a black canvas speckled with stars, and the only visible light was the neon-green glow of Shirei's blade, which vanished into the Interworld at his command. With the night, exhaustion settled into his body.
It was time to stop—at least for now.
Forcing more attempts would only make things worse.
I need an outside perspective. Maybe I should ask Dahlia—she certainly has enough free time.
Shirei paused for a moment, observing the silent forest around him as if trying to gather one last shred of energy from the surrounding calm.
With a deep breath, he activated true Spectral Travel, watching as darkness enveloped his body. This time, the transition brought him no sense of triumph or satisfaction. His movements were slow and heavy, almost mechanical, as he walked through the dimension in between to return to the Thirteenth House. The darkness of the Interworld seemed to mirror his mood—gloomy and weighed down by exhaustion.
When he emerged, the house stood before him, as silent as the world around him. The lights were off, and everything was steeped in an unnatural stillness.
Shirei crossed the threshold, careful not to make a sound. He stepped into the small room he shared with Dahlia, finding her already fast asleep in her bed. Her peaceful figure offered him an unexpected sense of comfort. The girl, with her long, wavy black hair framing her pale face, looked so serene—completely unaware of the battles the Blendbreeds in the Mortal World fought every night.
Gently, he stepped closer and pulled the blanket up over her shoulders. A simple gesture, yet one that carried all the protection and affection he felt for her. Even though they weren't truly siblings, even though they had only known each other for a few days, there was a bond between them that he would never allow to break.
"Goodnight, little sister," he whispered softly.
He flinched as the words felt strangely familiar.
I… I've said this before. I… had a sister?
The violet-eyed boy remained frozen for a few moments before finally making his way to his own bed. He sat down, feeling the weight of exhaustion press down on him like an unbearable burden. Lying back, he closed his eyes, letting his thoughts slowly drain away. But just before sleep could claim him, a face flashed through his mind—Marina.
The girl with blue eyes and a short blonde bob was smiling at him, though he wasn't sure why. He wished he could talk to her, maybe share his thoughts, or simply listen to her voice. He had never found it easy to speak with others, but she seemed to understand that about him. Her eyes held no hostility toward him—something the son of Cragar had taken note of.
You're lucky, Dahlia. You have a wonderful friend.
With that thought, Shirei rolled onto his stomach and let Tefine's embrace lull him into the realm of dreams.
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