Chapter 44 - Progress

While the adults were talking and Drannor was staring intently at his first real weapon, Zaos decided to read the magic book. It wasn't a good idea to try to study two at the same time since the symbols might get mixed up in his head, but it was better than doing nothing.

After a while, Sielders and Seres Family left the castle and headed toward their residences since the king gave the rest of the day off to Laiex and Drian. Zaos didn't think he needed a day off, even if that was a special occurrence. So, he decided to train. However, Lyra didn't accompany him.

"Come to think of it… I don't remember father having a day off," Zaos frowned while he was looking around. "What is he doing?"

One didn't have to be a genius to know what Laiex would try to meet with Jeline and Nyana whenever possible. As much as that annoyed him, given that his mother was probably crying in her room, Zaos decided to leave them alone. After all, Nyana didn't have anything to do with that. She was Zaos's sister and didn't deserve to endure the hardships and problems caused by her father. That also made Zaos ponder… did Nyana know that Laiex was her father? The answer was probably no. Most kids wouldn't be able to keep that secret.

"For how long will things be like this?" Zaos asked while he was staring at the blue sky. "The situation certainly won't solve itself. The only thing that can happen is that perhaps mom will feel less pained by it and accept the harshness of the situation… I am also worried about Nyana. Until now, she barely has the chance to leave the mansion… growing up like that certainly can't be good for a child."

While she probably won't be much secure once someone discovers that she is Laiex's daughter, she still has to live her life and learn new things, as a child should. Zaos couldn't help but feel angry because the core of his problems was essentially his father. The next day was the day where Zaos would start with him, so he would have a chance, in theory, to make him feel the weight of his anger.

As usual, the two of them assumed their combat stances, and then Laiex gave the sign of the start of the spar. The very moment Zaos heard the word, he drew the last symbol of Holy Light spell in his mind, and then his left hand began to shine. However, the glow was too weak since it was morning. Fortunately, Zaos plan worked to some extent. Upon noticing that his son activated a spell, Laiex didn't approach recklessly. So, for the first time, Zaos wasn't knocked out instantly. That was some progress… but Laiex knocked him out soon after, even though Zaos tried to fool him once again with the same plan.

"I guess the same trick won't work twice right at the beginning of the fight…" Zaos muttered when he woke up and recalled what had happened. "Not even the increase of health protected me… I guess father's strength really is on a whole different level."

Zaos resumed his training, and at the same time, he began to think about what he could do to extend the duration of the spar. As much as that annoyed him, it was the only thing he could do right now. Once that happens, Zaos will gain real fighting experience, and then he will start to follow the path where he will be able to win the bet.

"There are some wooden helmets in the storeroom. Maybe I should begin to get used to them," Zaos muttered.

Zaos was about to become six years old, and it has been a while since he added some weights to carry around while he trains. That will increase his physical strength over time and increase his defense during the spars. Although that sounded like cheating, he couldn't think of any other plan. Again, a real battle plan to defeat his father will only begin to be created once Zaos learns more about his fighting style.

Later that day, Zaos started his second training session while he was wearing a wooden helmet. At the same time, he began to check on the old magic books of the storage room about more combat-oriented spells in his free time.

"The variety is great, but it will take a while to find something useful. I can't see much use in a combat about a water spell that purifies water or that creates just enough water to fill a cup," Zaos said when he recalled the examples of spells he found that day.

While Zaos knew that most spells could be customized, he wasn't at the level where he could do that freely. So, it seemed like a waste of time to try to customize one when he didn't know at least a good number of spells out there that could be learned and customized.

In the end, Zaos didn't find a single spell in dozens of them that could help him attain his next goal. However, he at least managed to divide the numerous magic books into their respective categories and by their level of difficulty as well. Zaos also didn't make much progress in his physical training, and his father only frowned when he saw Zaos with a wooden helmet on his head.

In the end, Laiex didn't end the spar with a single attack behind Zaos's ear since he would break the helmet if he tried that. However, a single chop on his left shoulder did the trick. For some reason, when Zaos woke up, his shoulder was fine, and there was no sign of broken bones… so it didn't make any sense that he passed out.

In the blink of an eye, weeks passed, and Zaos didn't make any progress in the spars, and in the end, weeks become months. Zaos only managed to make some progress on his seventh birthday…