Down System

Chapter 45

ALEERA VERNIZE

"You must be braver than the sword."

When the old woman told me those words, I held the weapon even tighter and exerted more effort in battling over her. It had been days of training, yet my strength was still far from Namika.

The swishing of swords continued airing, and as they rang in my ears, I got more tension in me. As time passed, the fight was becoming more sound. My sweats were running down my body, and it was getting harder for me to catch my breath.

"C'mon, Aleera!" Namika said, still swiping her weapon against mine. "Strengthen your force. Fight!"

As she said, I did my best to put down her sword. I was worn out, yet I was still exerting my best to it because I promised myself to not stop until I defeated the old woman in this challenge.

Namika was a great sword fighter. Despite her age, she still had the strong power to manage the weapon. She knew all the moves and tactics in battle. Where did she get those techniques?

After some time of combatting, I was able to put down the old woman's sword, which made me grin and raise my weapon in ecstasy.

"I won!" I shouted.

Finally, after days of practicing, I got a score. I was really working hard about this, and I was glad I knew it was paid off. But, it wasn't the end yet. I still had to become stronger. I still had to do more.

Namika picked up her sword and went towards me as she beamed. "Well done, young girl."

I bowed and thanked her. "It's because of you, Namika. You never get tired of teaching me even though I am a slow learner."

"You are a fast learner, actually. I'm so happy with the result. But, I just want to remind you that the next day will be tough, so you better prepare yourself."

I nodded. "So, what's your gift to me for winning over you this time?"

"See," Namika smirked. "You want to rest? Okay, you can go to your room and rest for the whole day."

"How about tomorrow?" I said with a grin.

"We'll go back to training, of course."

I groaned.

"Any problem?" the old woman raised her brow while standing at akimbo.

"Nothing," I answered, still smiling at her. "By the way, I'm going now," I said to her my goodbye and ran towards my room.

The moment I arrived from my cell, I immediately changed my clothes and went to my comfy bed. The square I had was located in Namika's mansion; starting the training, she gave me my private space and everything I needed— including food, clothes, and other personal stuff.

Since the day I began living in Namika's mansion, she also started being a mother to me; she would give all my desires and necessities. I was glad she wasn't strict too much, but sometimes I still got annoyed with her for the reason that I didn't know; perhaps because of her words and actions towards me— like she would get mad easily if I cracked a joke. I just chose to understand because her mood might be a fruit of her aging.

I got up and walked towards the window to see the field. It was still bright outside, and that was why I was able to clearly see anything. I did not know the field was that wide and pleasing to the eyes when it was far. During training, I didn't appreciate the place too much, especially that it was giving me a different feeling of exhaustion.

I guessed it was two weeks already since Namika taught me first of using a sword. Starting on that very day, I also stopped going to school and the house due to an overloaded schedule. I also had no communication with Ferelith as well as with Ferno because I had no time to spend with them. But I had no worries since the irritating robot was working for me. I was not so complacent about how she acted using my face, but I hoped she was accomplishing things smoothly, or else, my reputation would be surely ruined.

Before learning combat, Namika told me first of its use. She said in the future, war would be going to happen, and magical powers were not only the ones that would be included but also the use of weapons. So, it would be much better to practice it while it was still early.

But actually, the time was no longer early. To think of a decade, that was too short to educate oneself about everything. These years of training and preparing were not enough for the Goliath that was coming ahead; however, with perseverance, nothing is impossible.

"I thought you're now sleeping."

I was disturbed by that voice which had aroused in the room. As I turned around, Namika greeted me with a wide smile.

"Can't get over the winning?" she chuckled. "Even I couldn't move on about it. I didn't expect it, huh?"

"Not acting arrogant, but you should expect impossible things to happen starting on this day, Namika. I promise to do more and work harder for the future of Hades."

When the old woman already reached me, she wandered her sight first outside and said eventually, "I love the spirit."

"I feel the same way," I laughed softly. "But anyway, I just have a question."

"Alright, I change my mind," Namika said. "Maybe the reason why you're still up is because of that question that's bothering you."

"Sort of."

"Okay, so, what is it?" she asked.

"Ferno goes to school every day," I started mouthing. "He attends almost all the activities in Ragwarths. Did he still have time to train?"

Namika laughed. "So, you think he's training?" Her face turned serious.

I nodded awkwardly.

"Of course, he's not," she said, affirmed. "Ferno is now the strongest human in Hades. Even though he does not train, his power remains. You should know that his strength was something that couldn't be defeated. But I know and I believe, you can."

I swallowed my saliva. What was my capability meant to the mightiest Hadessian?