Down System

Chapter 49

ALEERA VERNIZE

"You must be braver than the sword."

Namika would always remind me of this thing whenever we were having our training. She would repeat these words how many times just to strengthen my spirit.

Snowflakes started to fall already. No matter what the season was, I had to practice myself to use different kinds of weapons. And no matter what the mood of my trainer was, I had to still put myself under pressure.

The old woman still had resentments for speaking unpleasant things about her robot; nevertheless, she was doing everything to make it better— to give what I asked for. She would talk to me, but only when it was relevant to the training. She was acting strange towards me, which was giving me the feeling of awkwardness.

I didn't know Namika would be mad at the thing that I knew was only simple. I had no knowledge of showing tenderness to an old woman either. How would I fix this issue I had made?

I hemmed. "About the magical power of Ferno," I said, trying to break the silence. "Do you already know something about it?"

It was a ten-minute break for me, so I took the chance to open up about this topic since Namika was just sitting beside me. I wouldn't be able to talk about it anymore once she left again.

"I'm still observing and investigating," Namika answered in a very cold manner.

"But, what do you think of it?"

"It's a given power," she said. "Gandor gave that strength to Ferno. Like you, he can also make himself invisible, but without using any potion. Just by words and great concentration, he can do things with ease."

I frowned after hearing those words from her. I had a little feeling of envy towards Ferno's capability of doing things. I knew he was mighty and after years or just days, he would even be more powerful. However, this jealousy would only last for some time because I believed that I could be better as well, that I could do more.

"What else more do you know, Namika?" I asked.

"As of now, that's the only thing I've found out, but I'm doing my best to know more. But, I suggest you always go with him whenever he invites you anywhere."

"I will, but I just hate it when he asks me to come out during my class. I just attend school often, and yet I am skipping because of him."

"Your education here doesn't matter anymore, after all."

"I don't think so. In able for me to think wisely, I had to be educated. Studies will also help me gain knowledge on things. I still need it."

"You just have to educate yourself by yourself. Just like me, I didn't finish any degree, but I know many things because I've learned them myself."

"We are different, after all," I said.

"Never mind. Just do what I've told you. Now, take a deep breath because we're going to continue training."

After that, I did not talk anymore. I just stood and obeyed the old woman. It was getting colder outside, yet the sword fighting between me and Namika was getting more intense. I was giving full force in swishing my sword, but I couldn't still put down the old woman's weapon. Since I defeated her, she made the drill even tougher.

Hours after the training, I was able to take my rest again. It was already dark outside when I went to my bed and was about to sleep not until I got bothered by my own thoughts.

On the next day, I would be returning to the school and I was thinking of meeting Ferno again. The last time, I was surprised by his presence outside my classroom. I doubt if he caught me following him or he just intentionally went there to tell me the important thing he was saying. But my question was, did he mean it?

I wasn't able to answer my own question when I got asleep already, particularly because of exhaustion. When I opened my eyes again, the sun was already rising from its place. Since I wanted to go to the house first to meet my mom and dad before going to Ragwarths, I got up in my bed and asked Namika to escort me going there using her big bubble.

"Do you mind me asking you a question?" I inquired while we were flying.

"Just go ahead," Namika said, still in a cold manner since she wasn't okay with me yet. But fortunately, she agreed to take me to the house.

"Have you read the book Namika?"

The old woman shook her head. "I have no time in reading that book. It's not relevant to the future, anyway."

"You sure?"

Namika looked badly at me. "Why?"

"Uhm, nothing. Okay, just don't mind my last question," I said, avoiding my gaze at her.

I was already half of the book, and as I went farther, I started noticing things that I didn't know if significant for tomorrow, but I knew were helpful for today. I badly wanted to finish the story in able for me to complete the puzzle in my mind, but my schedule was so hectic, especially now that I was having training almost every day. Besides, I didn't want to hold the book in front of Namika.

When the two of us already arrived at the backyard of my room, Namika said goodbye to me, since she did not want my mom and dad to see her there. But before she could finally leave, I told her first to get the robot since I would be staying in the house for a week, fortunately.

How I had missed my home!

I walked through the window of my room when the robot was finally taken by the old woman. I went out right away to see my parents, but when I arrived in the dining room, my eyes widened with whom I saw.

That boy... what was he doing here?