The world of Flarom was wide and vibrant, shaped by four continents that kept the balance of civilization.
The Human kingdom, largest in number and ambition.
The Elf kingdom, ancient and serane, their magic flowing like rivers older than time.
Beast folks tribe, proud and loyal, scattered in forests and plains across the continent.
The Dwarven citadel, buried deep in the mountains, where steel and fire shaped wonders.
Despite their differences, the continents maintained a cautious peace - trading together, celebrating festivals, and sharing common threats.
But beyond their lands was a place everyone feared to name aloud:
The Demon kingdom.
Home to six rulers whose power alone kept every nation uneasy - a cold war without battles, yet felt in every whispered rumour. The demons remained silent... but silence itself felt like a warning.
And in this vast world, unknown to the continents, a single boy's growth would eventually shake every nation to its core.
Half a year had passed since Toki began to live with Michael and Lucy.
The capital city was peaceful... but Toki's life was anything but.
Every morning, before sunrise, he was already outside, drenched in sweat, pushing his body far beyond its limits. His training was harsh - more like self - inflicted torture than exercise - but he never faltered.
Toki trained Lucy for five hours everyday.
At first she struggled to keep up. He was strict, serious, and completely focused. But little by little, she began to understand him - his rhythm, his silence, his unspoken encouragement.
He corrected her stance by stepping behind her, guiding her arms into place.
She always felt her heart flutter when his hand rested lightly over hers.
" Hold it like this," he'd say, calm and steady.
She nodded everytime, cheeks warm.
Whenever she tripped, he caught her instantly - a hand around her arm, gentle but firm.
She would look up at him, breath caught, and he'd simply say:
" Again."
But she treasured those moments more than she dared admit.
And when Toki said, "Lucy, you're improving fast," she spent the rest of the day unable to hide her smile.
She began to show up early to training just to walk beside him.
She asked questions just to hear him speak a little longer.
She watched him leave for the forest everyday - hidden behind the window - and her chest tightened everytime he disappeared among the trees.
She didn't know what this feeling was.
But she wanted to stay close to him.
Closer than before.
Michael sometimes asked if they needed an instructor, but they simply refused.
After Lucy's training ended, Toki headed straight into the forest and began his real training.
There, alone, he shattered every limit of the human body.
He lifted boulders so heavy that even grown warriors wouldn't budge them, yet he carried them on his shoulders until his muscles screamed.
He swung his katana until the air whistled and the forest itself seemed to part before him.
His red mana pulsed like a living flame, swirling around him as he pushed it further, harder, deeper.
He hunted monsters without hesitation. He analysed them, learned from them, improving from every battle.
Michael once followed him quietly - only once - and what he saw made his blood run cold.
Toki, a boy barely nine years old, was performing feats no S - ranked could match.
" This kid..." Michael whispered, trembling.
" He's only nine... and yet... he may already be equal to the kingdom's strongest adventurers "
It was terrifying.
Terrifying - and awe - inspiring.
One rare day when Michael was home, Toki approached him with a calm expression.
" Uncle Michael " he said, " I'll be gone for atleast two weeks."
Michael nearly choked. "Two weeks!? where are you going?"
"Just a little... special training."
He strapped his katana at his waist, tightening the cloth around the hilt.
"And please don't tell Lucy," he added.
"She'll try to come with me."
Michael sighed heavily but nodded.
He knew Toki wouldn't say more.
Toki bowed slightly, then turned toward the horizon.
As he walked away, Lucy wasn't watching from the window this time.
She was outside, hidden behind the garden shed - eyes lowered, hands gripping her skirt tightly.
She wanted to call out to him.
She wanted to go to him.
But she couldn't bring herself to speak.
Toki didn't look back.
He reached the edge of the enormous jungle - a place so dangerous that even high ranked adventurers avoided its inner regions.
"Last time," he murmured, "I only survived one night."
He stepped forward, eyes glowing faintly red.
"This time, I'll go deeper. Two weeks. No matter what."
Wind rustled through the leaves, carrying distant roars of monsters.
Toki placed his hand on his katana.
"Let's see," he whispered.
"How much stronger I've gotten."