Renan could be seen walking through the long, dimly lit hallway of the castle, his footsteps echoing slightly against the polished stone floor. His clothes were torn apart in several places, revealing his body and dried blood that had seeped into the fabric, giving the impression that he had either gone through something incredibly rough or had been thoroughly beaten. His once-pristine white haori was now barely holding together, and his pants were just as tattered. His hair, still as pristine as snow, swayed gently with each step he took, but his expression was dark as he trudged forward, lost deep in thought.
’I hate it,’ he said inwardly to himself.
’I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it,’ he repeated the same sentence again and again, his mind drowning in those very words, refusing to think of anything else.
’I hate feeling pain,’ he whispered in his mind, his voice laced with utmost sincerity. He had never said anything more truthful in his life than these words right now.
"Huh," he sighed heavily, trying to relax, though the soreness in his muscles made even breathing feel like a chore. ’It’s been one whole year since my training started with Mother, and not a single day has passed where I didn’t hate it—or rather, hate the pain that came with it,’ he thought bitterly, clenching his fists.
He knew this training was meant to prepare him for the war that was bound to happen sooner or later. He understood that it was necessary, that he needed to be ready, stronger than anyone else, but none of that changed the fact that he despised feeling pain.
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For a while, there was even a time when he started to resent his mother if only a little. But thanks to Grandmother Nymeria, who helped him understand the true reason behind this brutal training, he had come to terms with it. He no longer held any ill feelings toward Namari, but even with that understanding, his hatred for pain hadn’t lessened in the slightest.
’But at least I only have to endure it for one more year,’ he thought, feeling a small spark of relief. ’Just one more year, and then it will finally be over.’ He clung to that thought like a lifeline, using it as motivation to keep going.
Lost in his thoughts, Renan finally reached his room. The moment he stepped inside, he wasted no time heading straight to the bathroom. He peeled off his torn, bloodstained clothes and stepped into the warm water, letting out a deep breath as the heat soaked into his aching muscles. After scrubbing away the grime and washing out his hair, he stepped out and changed into a fresh set of clothes.
Now dressed in a loose, white haori that matched the color of his snowy hair, Renan walked out of the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. His gaze trailed over his reflection—his waist-length white hair cascading over his shoulders, his sharp, blood-red eyes staring back at him. His haori hung loosely off his frame, leaving part of his chest exposed, showcasing the results of his rigorous training. His once-soft features had sharpened, making him look far more mature than before, and his body had become lean yet well-built. Dressed in black pants that fit him comfortably, he now stood at five-foot-seven, taller than before, though he still had some growing left to do.
"Damn, I look like I came straight out of some girl’s fantasy," he muttered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Not that I mind. After all, who wouldn’t want to be ridiculously good-looking? Definitely not me," he chuckled before shaking his head and turning away from the mirror.
As he sat on the bed, another thought crossed his mind. ’Oh, right, I forgot to explore my space element today,’ he realized. ’Well, I guess I can do it now.’
With that in mind, he closed his eyes and began focusing his energy, channeling his mana as he experimented with his space element.
’Hmm, the space element truly has immense potential,’ he mused. ’Other elements are powerful as well, but compared to space, they feel like they’re one or two levels lower.’
As he concentrated, he attempted to create a small dimension—an isolated space that would look tiny from the outside but be much larger within. However, the attempt failed.
’Another failure,’ he thought as he stared at the empty space before him, clicking his tongue in mild frustration.
’Well, no need to rush. It’s not like I’m running out of time,’ he reasoned, lying back on the bed. He closed his eyes, trying to will himself to sleep, but after ten minutes of tossing and turning, he opened his eyes again and let out a quiet sigh.
’I don’t feel sleepy,’ he thought. ’Maybe a short walk outside will help.’
With that decided, Renan sat up, and with a mere thought, a thin black line appeared in front of him, gradually expanding into a door-shaped portal. The door silently swung open, and without hesitation, he stepped inside.
Just as Renan disappeared from the castle, Ruston, who was lounging on a couch in his room, immediately sensed it. His red eyes narrowed as he was about to go after Renan, but before he could move, Belinda, who was sitting on the bed with a book in hand, stopped him.
"Ruston, let him go," she said without looking up from her book. "He’s strong enough to take care of himself now. At most, he’ll just be wandering around the outskirts of the empire, so there’s no need to be concerned. And even if spies are lurking around, they’re weak—nothing more than practice dummies for him."
Ruston hesitated, but Belinda continued, "Besides if there really is a threat, he can always teleport back or send a message to me. So relax."
Hearing this, Ruston sighed and leaned back against the couch. "Alright," he muttered, closing his eyes again.
Meanwhile, Renan had just arrived in a secluded area filled with tall trees and thick bushes, the scent of damp earth filling the air.
’Hmm, Grandpa didn’t follow me this time,’ he noted. In the past, every time he teleported out of the castle without protection, Ruston would immediately appear beside him. ’I guess this is his way of telling me I can go out on my own now,’ he thought, glancing around his surroundings.
’Oh well, I originally teleported outside the empire to avoid him catching me, but since he’s not coming, I might as well head back to the city and look around.’
Just as he was about to teleport again, a sudden rustling noise caught his attention.
*RUSTLE*
*RUSTLE*
Renan’s ears perked up as he immediately turned toward the source of the noise. His instincts flared up slightly, putting him on guard.
"Who’s there?" he asked sharply, his crimson eyes scanning the dense bushes ahead.
More rustling.
*RUSTLE*
And then, slowly, a human figure emerged from the shadows, their body wrapped entirely in black clothing, leaving only their eyes visible. There was something eerie about the way they moved, something dangerous lurking in their stance.
Renan narrowed his eyes. "Hmm… a human," he muttered, staring at the figure before him.