The next morning arrived quietly, sunlight spilling through the palace windows like liquid gold.

  For once, Sky woke up before the knock.

  He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, then broke into a grin.

  He couldn’t wait.

  Instead of staying in bed like usual, he hurried outside and asked the royal guards to accompany him. A few minutes later, he stood in front of Zeto’s door, barely containing his excitement.

  Knock. Knock.

  “Mr. Zeto! Good morning! It’s Sky!”

  Inside, Zeto had just reached for the door handle to leave when the knock stopped him. He opened the door and blinked in surprise at the sight of Sky standing there, bright-eyed and energetic.

  “Whoa, Sky! You’re really early today. I was just about to pick you up.”

  Sky laughed, shoulders bouncing with excitement. “Haha! I couldn’t wait! I want to see more magic again— and this time, I want to use it myself!”

  Zeto chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe. “I had a feeling you’d say that. But did you even sleep? Or were you thinking about it all night?”

  Sky scratched his cheek, giving a sheepish grin. “Haha… well, to be honest, I kept thinking about everything over and over, so I couldn’t really sleep. But I think I got enough rest… I guess! Haha!”

  “You’ll need all the energy you can get,” Zeto said with a small smile. “Starting today, your real training begins.”

  Sky froze, eyes widening. “W-Woah! Really?! What kind of training will I do?”

  Zeto only smiled, clearly enjoying the suspense. “You’ll see soon enough. For now, let’s go meet the king.”

  “Okay! Let’s go!”

  After thanking the guards, they headed through the palace corridors until they reached the grand hall, where the king was already waiting. With a warm greeting, he led them toward the place where Sky’s training would begin.

  The massive doors slowly opened.

  Sky expected a simple room.

  Instead, his breath caught.

  Before him stretched a vast training hall, filled with water and enormous open space. People were training everywhere, each engaged in their own unique form of practice. There were even children—some about Sky’s age—already using magic with ease

  As soon as the king entered, everyone stopped and bowed.

  “Good morning, Your Majesty.”

  A gentle smile crossed the king’s face. “What a wonderful morning to see all of you here. Please, don’t mind us—continue your training.”

  As they resumed, whispers began to ripple through the hall. Curious eyes drifted toward the unfamiliar visitors, then settled on Zeto.

  Recognition spread quickly.

  “Is that Sir Zeto from the Luwalhatiya Kingdom?”

  “It really is… the vice captain of the Empire’s holy knights!”

  “Zeto—the Star of Luwalhatiya!”

  “I can’t believe he’s here…”

  “He looks even cooler in person!”

  One by one, they bowed toward him.

  “Good morning, Vice Captain Zeto!”

  Zeto gave an awkward smile, clearly not used to the attention. “Oh… good morning.”

  Beside him, Sky stared with wide eyes, barely able to contain his amazement. “Woah, Mr. Zeto! I didn’t know you were this popular! You’re really famous!”

  Zeto laughed helplessly. “Even I didn’t know it was this bad.”

  The king’s laughter echoed warmly through the hall. “That’s Zeto—the Star of Luwalhatiya for you!”

  Sky looked at him with sparkling admiration, while Zeto stood there, half embarrassed and half flattered, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Watching him, Sky felt a surge of determination rising quietly in his chest.

  Someday… I’ll stand like that too.

  King Maelyo guided Sky and Zeto around the area, explaining everything along the way. His calm voice carried easily through the open grounds, steady and reassuring.

  He described the various training programs Sky would undergo and explained that the children Sky saw using magic were called the Blessed—those born with innate magical power.

  People like them were rare, he added, which was why they were gathered in the palace, to be properly guided and to fully hone their abilities.

  Sky stared in awe, his eyes sparkling as he watched spells flicker across the training fields. Excitement bubbled inside him, warm and uncontrollable. He couldn’t wait to become like the others his age who could already wield magic.

  King Maelyo stopped near a set of training gear and gestured toward it with a small smile.

  “And as per Zeto’s request, these are the training equipments you’ll be using. Zeto specifically asked for these, as today is also the day he begins training your physical strength.”

  “Oh, nice! Thank you very much, King Maelyo. Everything we need is here,” Zeto said, clearly pleased.

  “Ha ha! No worries at all. Just tell us whatever you need, and we’ll provide it immediately. After all, we’re training our hero here—everything must be perfectly prepared!”

  The word hero drifted farther than expected.

  Nearby people paused, their attention snapping toward the group as whispers spread like ripples.

  “Did the king just say that kid is the hero?”

  “I think I heard that too.”

  “A hero… that young?”

  “He looks so small.”

  “Can he really save us?”

  Sky felt their gazes before he even met them, a strange mix of pride and nervousness tightening in his chest.

  King Maelyo raised his voice, effortlessly drawing everyone’s attention.

  “Everyone, allow me to introduce this young man.”

  He gestured toward Sky.

  “His name is Sky. I do not know how long he will be training here, but I ask all of you to be kind to him. He is the Summoned Hero of our Empire.”

  For a brief moment, silence hung in the air—then the crowd erupted.

  Some faces shone with relief and admiration, while others, especially children his age, looked skeptical, quietly measuring him.

  Sky stepped forward, heart pounding, and bowed deeply.

  “Good morning, everyone!

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  My name is Sky Seiya Yagami Amain.

  It’s nice to meet you all!”

  “Good morning, Hero!”

  “You are our hope!”

  “We’re counting on you!”

  Their voices washed over him, heavy with expectation yet strangely encouraging.

  “Haha ha! Alright then,” King Maelyo said, clapping his hands once.

  “Let’s have breakfast first. Training will begin afterward.”

  The three of them shared a meal together, though Sky barely tasted the food. His mind was too busy replaying everything he’d just heard.

  Not long after, his true training finally began.

  Before anything else, he was handed the weighted equipment Zeto had requested. The moment Sky put them on, his eyes widened as his body sank slightly from the sudden heaviness.

  “W-Woaaah…! So this is it—my real training! These are weights meant to strengthen my body, right, Mr. Zeto?”

  “That’s right, Sky. Magic alone is meaningless without a strong body to support it. If you wish to wield great magical power, your physical strength must first match it.”

  “I—I’m really excited!” Sky clenched his fists, brimming with energy despite the weight dragging at his limbs. “This is amazing! So what do I do now?”

  Zeto let out a short laugh. “I just hope you can keep that enthusiasm until the end. The goal of this training is simple—surpass me in physical strength. And until you do, those weights will stay on.”

  Sky froze.

  “W-Wait—what?! Surpass you?! That’s impossible! I’ll be stuck wearing these forever!”

  “That’s an order from the Empress,” Zeto replied calmly. “Our fate rests in your hands. All we can do is pray the forces of evil are patient enough to wait.”

  “Oh… cheese… I get it now,” Sky muttered, exhaling slowly as the weight of responsibility settled in. “I need to become strong—fast. I can feel the pressure already.”

  Zeto’s expression softened. “That pressure is exactly what made me who I am today. I embraced it as eustress, not despair. And in doing so, I grew stronger.”

  "Hahaha!”

  King Maelyo’s booming laughter echoed across the training grounds, warm and full of excitement. His eyes gleamed with genuine anticipation.

  “I hope that one day I’ll have the chance to cross fists with you myself and witness that strength firsthand!”

  Zeto scratched the back of his head awkwardly, clearly unsure how to respond to such enthusiasm.

  “I think it would be wiser to focus on Sky for now, Your Majesty,” he said with a wry smile.

  The king paused for a moment before bursting into laughter again.

  “Hahaha! Fair enough!”

  He clapped his hands once, his expression turning serious—though the excitement in his eyes remained.

  “Very well. Let us begin his training at once. Still…” he added, glancing at Zeto with curiosity, “I truly hope to see your true power someday.”

  Zeto could only smile faintly, scratching his head again as if trying to dodge the attention.

  And so—

  Sky’s training officially began.

  King Maelyo explained that Sky would undergo the same trials that every warrior of the kingdom had endured before him. The path would not be easy. Every soldier, knight, and elite warrior standing within the palace grounds had once faced the same grueling training.

  Soon after, a man stepped forward from among the royal knights.

  His presence alone carried an air of discipline and quiet strength.

  “This man will guide you through your training.”

  The knight stepped closer.

  “This is Vice Captain Riyo.”

  With that introduction, King Maelyo gave Sky one last encouraging nod before turning and leaving the training grounds, trusting the rest to his men.

  Riyo stepped forward.

  Without hesitation, he grasped Sky’s hand in a firm, deliberate handshake.

  The grip was strong—steady like iron.

  His sharp eyes studied Sky carefully, as if weighing something unseen. Yet despite the intensity of his gaze, there was no hostility in it.

  Only quiet curiosity.

  “Yow, Sky,” he began casually.

  “I’ve been observing you since the moment you arrived.”

  Sky blinked, slightly surprised.

  Riyo leaned back a little, crossing his arms.

  “And I can say this with certainty…”

  A faint grin formed on his face.

  “You’re no ordinary youth, yow.”

  Sky stiffened slightly at the words, unsure how to respond.

  “Thank you,” he said quietly.

  Riyo then turned to Zeto. His posture straightened at once, and he bowed his head in respect before taking Zeto’s hand.

  “It is an honor to finally meet you, Sir Zeto. I have long admired you.”

  Zeto’s expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

  “The honor is mutual,” he replied. “To be recognized by someone of your standing is no small thing. I know who you are as well. I’ve heard many things about you—and I can say the same. You’re quite remarkable. Your captain, too.”

  Riyo lowered his gaze briefly.

  “Whatever I am today, Sir Zeto, is thanks in part to you,” he said. “You inspired many of us. Not just within the royal guards, but across the kingdom."

  Sky glanced between the two, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

  “I’m really starting to get curious about you now, Mr. Zeto,” he said.

  Then he turned back to Riyo almost immediately.

  “Vice Captain Riyo—please tell me more about Mr. Zeto.”

  “Sure thing, yow!” Riyo laughed. “We’ll have plenty of time starting today. After all, I’ll be guiding you through your training from now on.”

  Sky’s face lit up.

  “Cool! Thank you, Vice Captain Riyo!”

  Riyo waved a hand dismissively.

  “Alright, alright. But before we start—just call me Riyo. Or anything shorter than ‘Vice Captain Riyo.’ It’s way too long, you know.”

  “Oh, okay… um,” Sky thought for a moment. “Vice Riyo should be fine, right?”

  A faint smile crossed Riyo's face.

  “Well yes, that's shorter.”

  He stepped back, his voice growing firm, commanding.

  “Alright, Sky. Let’s begin. You remember when King Maelyo pushed you, right? And how you survived that?”

  Sky nodded.

  “Good. I want you to do that again—but this time, I’m not going to push you. You’ll have to trigger it yourself."

  Sky straightened his posture, eyes filled with determination.

  “Sure, Vice Riyo.”

  "“You should be able to use it by your own will,” Zeto said calmly.

  “Not because your life is in danger. Got it?”

  “I understand,” Sky replied.

  Without hesitation, Sky jumped into the water, confident he could do it again. But seconds passed… then more. Nothing happened.

  Why…?

  Only then did he realize his mistake.

  He was still wearing the weights.

  They dragged him downward, pulling his body beneath the surface.

  Although Sky knew how to swim, the extra burden made every movement heavy and sluggish. He struggled to stay afloat, his breaths becoming uneven.

  The surrounding trainees stopped their exercises and turned to watch.

  It was clear—the young hero was struggling, and no magical power was responding.

  “Yow, Sky! Are you still okay?” Vice Captain Riyo shouted. “Want me to save you? Looks like you can’t do it right now!”

  “No, Vice Captain Riyo!” Sky replied between strained breaths. “I’m fine! I can do it!”

  A scoff echoed from the shore.

  “Heh. Is that really our hero?” Ella sneered, one of the Blessed Ones observing the training. “Can’t even use magic? Can’t even swim properly? How pathetic.”

  “I-I think we should save him,” Siera said nervously. “He’s drowning!”

  “Don’t you dare,” Ella snapped. “Can’t you see? Even the Vice Captain isn’t doing anything. Just let them be. Let’s continue our training.”

  “B-but… he might die,” Siera whispered.

  “Heh. Then let him,” Ella said with a cruel grin.

  Though they resumed their training, many still glanced toward the water, watching Sky continue to struggle.

  “Focus, Sky!” Zeto shouted. “You can do it!”

  Hearing Zeto’s voice, Sky clenched his teeth. If I weren’t wearing these weights, swimming would be easy…

  But then another thought surfaced.

  They’re nothing compared to the shackles King Maelyo once put on me.

  At least now, he could still move.

  As exhaustion crept into his body, Sky realized he was running out of strength. Panic began to rise—but he forced himself to stop.

  Calm down…

  He remembered what he had done before.

  Slowly, Sky inhaled. Then, instead of fighting the weight, he allowed his body to sink.

  He let the weights pull him deeper beneath the water—and focused.

  One by one, the onlookers stopped moving again.

  Some murmured that he had already drowned. Others questioned why Vice Captain Riyo and Zeto still weren’t rescuing him.

  “Sir Zeto,” Riyo said quietly, “shouldn’t I help him now? Maybe we should change the training.”

  “Not yet,” Zeto replied, his eyes fixed on the water. “I believe in Sky. Let’s wait.”

  There were no bubbles. No ripples. No movement at all.

  Everyone thought the same thing.

  He’s gone.

  Then—

  A faint blue light glowed beneath the water.

  “L-look!” Siera shouted, pointing. “There’s a light!”

  Even Ella froze, her eyes widening.

  All of them saw it.

  “Yow, yow, herooo!” Vice Captain Riyo laughed excitedly. “That’s what we’ve been waiting for!”

  Zeto simply smiled.

  Suddenly, Sky ascended, his body rising above the surface as a brilliant blue light enveloped him—just like before. He floated effortlessly in the air, water dripping from his clothes.

  When he felt the breeze against his skin, Sky slowly opened his eyes.

  He had done it.

  “Heyyy!! Mr. Zeto! Vice Captain Riyo!” Sky shouted with a wide grin.

  "Ha ha ha! I told you I could do it!”

  Cheers erupted.

  “That’s great! You did it!” “We thought you drowned, Hero!”

  “Amazing!” “What kind of magic is that?!”

  Applause and praise poured in from all directions.

  “Thank you, everyone!” Sky laughed. “I thought I was already dead too! Ha ha ha!”

  “Yow! Sky!” Riyo shouted. “Come over here. Get out of the water!”

  Hearing him, Sky floated closer and landed beside Riyo and Zeto.

  “So… what’s next, Vice Captain Riyo?” Sky asked.

  “You repeat it,” Riyo said with a grin. “Again and again, until you’ve mastered it. Think you can do that, yow?”

  Sky clenched his fist. “Alright! I’ll do it!”

  And so, Sky continued.

  Hours passed.

  His body grew tired, but he refused to stop. Again and again, he sank, focused, and rose. By the time the sun began to set, something unbelievable had happened.

  Sky had mastered it.

  He could now control his magical power freely, floating upon the water at his own will.

  The crowd was stunned.

  What took most of them months to achieve, Sky had accomplished in a single day—surpassing even those who were still struggling to master it.

  The hero had taken another step forward.