Chapter 14 — Aric’s Passion for the Sword

The first light of dawn spilled across the Silver Wyverns’ courtyard. While most trainees were still asleep, Aric was already awake, stretching and preparing his blade. The chill of the morning air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. His focus was elsewhere—on the steel in his hands, the rhythm of motion, the dance of combat.

Kaelen observed silently from the shadows. He had not instructed Aric to train this early, yet the boy was already moving through drills, repeating strikes and footwork, improvising, and experimenting with techniques Kaelen had shown him.

“Your discipline grows,” Kaelen said quietly, stepping forward. “Few would rise before dawn and push themselves without command or supervision.”

Aric paused, turning toward his mentor. Sweat glimmered on his forehead, and his chest heaved with exertion, yet his eyes burned with determination. “I want to be stronger,” he said simply. “I want to fight anyone, face any challenge, and prove that I can protect the kingdom. I… I don’t want to wait until someone else teaches me—I need to push myself.”

Kaelen’s lips curved into the faintest smile beneath his hood. “Good. Passion alone is not enough. But passion combined with discipline is dangerous—formidable. You are learning the first lesson of the true swordsman: training does not end when others stop watching.”

Aric resumed his drills, now adding his own improvisations. He tested new angles, experimented with the Rising Dragon Slash, and even attempted moves he had not yet perfected. Each strike was sharper than the last, each step more deliberate. Kaelen watched intently, noting both improvement and flaws, ready to correct at the precise moment.

Hours passed. The sun rose high, warming the courtyard, yet Aric did not relent. Kaelen finally stepped forward, allowing his presence to be noticed. “Enough for now,” he said, his voice calm but carrying authority.

Aric turned, flushed and tired but smiling with the satisfaction of hard work. “I’ve been practicing while you were resting,” he admitted. “I wanted to get better on my own.”

Kaelen studied him. “Independence is vital, but so is understanding limits. Growth comes from pushing boundaries—but also from reflection. Every failure teaches more than every easy victory. Remember this.”

Aric bowed deeply. “I understand, Master Kaelen. I will train both with you and on my own. I won’t stop.”

Kaelen nodded, silently approving. The boy’s passion was genuine, unyielding, and raw—but with guidance, it could be honed into true mastery.

As they left the courtyard together, Kaelen’s thoughts drifted to the world beyond the castle walls. Monsters were moving, shadows stirring, and forces yet unknown were already testing the kingdom’s defenses. But with Aric’s drive, his determination, and the Mirrorblade’s mentorship, Kaelen felt a spark of hope.

The path ahead would be dangerous, but the young prince had taken his first steps on a journey that could change everything—for the kingdom, and for the young swordsman who refused to wait for greatness to find him.