Chapter 17 THE PRICE OF CONVICTION
Chapter 17 THE PRICE OF CONVICTION
Aria's POV
He dragged me to the arena with my friends looking rather confused but Ciora had seen him save my life twice so she wasn't necessarily bothered by him, she just didn't like him very much. I followed him begrudgingly, his face back to its normal expressionless status.
The arena stood like a monument in the center of an open field, tall and imposing against the low horizon. Its obsidian walls were arranged in wide arches that ringed the structure. It was an open arena, and the structure was literally built to temper against any kind of adverse weather..Inside, tiered stone seats rise in clean lines around a broad sand-covered floor.
The arena was old, older than the school itself. The truth was that the school was built around it as it was very rich in raw elemental energy that mages use in manipulating several elements. This is why the school itself was one of the best in all kingdoms as it offers growth on every level.
Kael didn't say a word as he dragged me into the center of the arena. The sun was now a big ball of reddish yellow in the sky and it was fading away behind sheets of cloud.
The legendary figure stood before me, scanning my body with his eyes and although I knew what he was doing, I couldn't help but feel a little weird. I brought my hand up and instinctively shield myself. A flash of resentment crossed his face as he saw me pull up my hand and he shook his head.
“I needed to check your form,” he said simply.
I shook my head. “Yeah, and after you did, what did you see? When are we going to actually start?” I was a little impatient and excited. If this powerhouse of a man could actually teach me something, the least of my problems would be bullies.
He looked me in the eye and then began to speak. “I know what you must be thinking,” he said, turning away from me. “ You must think there is a secret cheat to all this, maybe you think I have a skill to teach you that will solve most of your problems, a trick, a bestowal. None of these will happen to you!” he said simply.
“If you want to know how to fight, how to defend yourself, how to unlock your magic, how to do anything that puts you on a level where you can control your own destiny. You need to learn how to be disciplined.”
“Discipline is the most important thing any man, woman or beast can have. The ability to not give up when the going gets tough.”
I glared at him, letting the words sink in. I realized that my initial thought of this being something I could trick my way into was me making a fool of myself.
Why would I think if there was a trick he would even teach me? This stoic man for whatever reason his interest in me was, it wouldn't change him. It was obvious everything he built, he built from his own pain and hard work.
“Now, I want to ask you a few questions. How you answer them will determine if we will continue this or not!”
I frowned. “What quest…?” I began but he gave me a glare so profound, I felt my rib freeze and crack against my heart.
“Will you listen to every single one of my orders without question?” he asked.
“Everyone of them? Even if they are unreasonable?” I demanded.
“Even if they are!” he replied with furrowed brows. His eyes were literally crackling with lightning. It was like standing in the presence of a god.
It was then that I realized what he was doing and it made me step back to think. Within this arena Kael wanted me to forge myself anew. To do that, I would have to convince myself this journey is worth it. He didn't want me to take it lightly. That was the same thing he tested the other time when he asked me to kneel.
Kael wanted to know my conviction. Every single act in the world comes with sacrifice. He wanted to know what I was willing to sacrifice. I looked him directly in the eyes, unblinking — my palm coiled into fists beside me.
“I do!” I yelled.
I could see a sign of relief and pride brush through his divine face. “Even if you feel like you will break, even when you feel like this is worse than hell, will you continue! Will you forge forward?”
“I do!” I yelled again. My conviction was simple. Whatever it takes, I will never be weak again!
“The final question. When the time comes, if the enemy of your progress is you, will you be willing to face it?”
I paused. I wasn't expecting that. After a few seconds I answered again. “I will!”
He smiled. A very sparse one but it was genuine. It was different from the chuckles and scoffs he usually gave me. This one was warm and inviting. I glanced at him again, seeing how handsome he is when you really look beyond the power and all the myths behind him.
“Well, good. Now, trainee. The first thing we need to do is to rework that body of yours.”
“What is wrong with my body?” I said feeling insulted.
He answered without any concern for my feelings. “It is tempered alright. It has been broken multiple times and rebuilt and it has made it stronger. The untapped magic within you also seemed to have enhanced it a bit. All we need to do is channel it. So I will be giving you some regimental exercises you will do twice everyday.”
I nodded in affirmation.
He gave me four different routines and the last one was meditation. He showed me how they were done and told me to try it too.
By the time I got back to my room, my body was sore all over. I reached my entrance only to find Aseryn and the two other girls waiting for me at my door. “Curses!” I muttered under my breath.