Run to be a Human

The days began to pass like the wind. Hiroshi had only one job: training his body during the day and his mind at night.

He didn't show off, because his body wasn't properly capable of developing so quickly. For this reason, he concentrated only on specific things, as Hukuro had advised him. Even his diet had been designed according to He's lean body: mainly slow carbohydrates like dark bread and oats, then some dairy products for fats, and few but consistent proteins. The goal was to have a body that would be able to be at least somewhat agile, that could maintain balance on sand without staggering.

* * *

When Hiroshi ran throughout the village, he knew very well that he wouldn't be able to beat Duraan in any way. For this reason, people told him to stop training pointlessly since he would lose anyway. Rania couldn't bear to watch this, so she stayed away all the time.

In the midst of all this discouragement, only one person knew he would make it: Hiroshi himself. His cold mind analyzed everything. The absence of emotions didn't take away his focus, people's words didn't matter. He ran, ran because he had a promise to keep, ran because he had given his word, ran because many lives depended on this match, ran to find the path to being a human being.

* * *

Evening had come. 

The sun had set and it would be dark in another half hour.

"Honey, what's wrong? You've seemed thoughtful for a few days," Evelyn asked her daughter.

"Nothing, mom, just like that. I'm looking at the sky," Rania said without turning her gaze, eyes fixed on the sky.

"Now you're hiding things from your mother? I know very well what's going on in your mind. I live in this village too."

"If you know, why do you ask?"

"Because I want to hear it from your words."

"What do you want to hear from me? Go look after dad, he might need something."

"Your father went to get drunk with his friends, don't worry."

"And why are you here? Don't you have friends?"

"Yes, I do. But right now, my being here is more important."

Rania remained silent for a moment. Her mother sat beside her in silence, like a guardian who knew her daughter needed her. She took her head and placed it on her lap, beginning to stroke her hair. For a few minutes they stayed like this in silence.

Then...

"Mom," she said in a low voice.

"Yes, sweetheart, tell me."

"But why do these boring and unfair laws exist? They don't let people be free. I've seen boys who are study geniuses, but they didn't advance because according to the laws A MAN MUST BE STRONG AND RESISTANT TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY. Okay, it's right that he should protect his family, but at least give him the chance to pursue what he loves! Our village is still living like the old generations. The world has changed, magic has evolved, in the cities there are different types of mages and many other professions, while we don't focus much on magic but only on brute force... except for me, who went away."

"But we also have beautiful things, like how we're all together and work together. No one hates others."

Rania said in a low voice: "You're right. We're a rose that has a very beautiful and fragrant flower, but it also has thorns that are sharp and painful."

"Sweetheart, you're not getting to the exact point," her mother said, smiling.

"What do you mean, mom?"

"Are you worried about your servant?"

. . . 

. .

.

"If I have to tell you the truth, he's not my servant."

"I knew that. By any chance, is he your lover?"

"No, he's just a person. A very strange person, he's a void within himself. You tell him anything, he doesn't react. He's like a stone without emotions. In fact, he himself says he doesn't feel emotions, but I don't believe it because this thing isn't possible. His eyes are deep and empty, I can't stare at them for very long."

Evelyn smiled a little, but didn't let it show. "Then why did you bring him?"

"Because I like his company. We had spent a week before arriving here, but in that week, he was a very different person. As if he had a very dark past."

"Have you ever asked about his past?"

"No, I think it's not the right time yet."

"Good. But that person is working for you even though he doesn't know you, so have faith in him."

"I'm trying to have it, but Duraan is much stronger. He's on another level compared to him. Plus I can't stand that Duraan and his friends bother Hiroshi while he trains."

Evelyn smiled while caressing her daughter's Hairs. "Sweetheart, don't be disappointed. Sometimes miracles happen, just like what happened to me. Have a little faith in him."

"Alright, mom." She said calm in a low voice.

The mother and daughter remained like this for a while before going to sleep.

* * *

So the days passed in training, until one week before, Hiroshi did something unusual: he told Hukuro that he wouldn't come to training this last week. Hukuro asked for the reason, but Hiroshi stayed silent and didn't respond. So unfortunately, Hukuro had no other choice but to say okay.

No one knew what was going through Hiroshi's head. Hiroshi himself was trapped in his mind. No one knew what he would do, no one knew what would happen and why Hiroshi had decided to shut himself in again. What did he want to do and how? There were many questions, but not a single answer.

TIME PASSED AND FINALLY THE DAY OF BATTLE ARRIVED.