The Burning Fiend

During the next two years, Reynolds spend much more time reading and listening to teachers than playing around. He had developed a quiet temperament as he found enjoyment in books, he was specially curious of the magical beasts and he imagined himself traveling the world and having adventures while seating on a dragon.

He had already forgotten about that strange dream he had 2 year ago, but the unyielding will that had been born with it remained unchanged. He was nearly 6 years old and would be allowed to start training soon, he still was a little chubby but his brilliant green eyes gave off an aura of intelligence. By now, he had read as many book he could find in his house. Books were not a common item to be found around, it was only because of the noble status of his family that he had enjoyed this opportunity.

He was sitting under the shadow of his favorite tree when an old man arrived next to him and startled him. "Grandpa Lomu! Why are you always scaring me! Hmmp!" the old man laughed sitting next to him. "Tell me young master, what are you reading this time?" Reynolds forgot his mild anger and answer excitedly. "Grandpa Lomu, this book mentions the schools for mage and warrior training. I have heard that mages are more powerful that warriors so I was thinking that it would be awesome if I could attend this 'Ernst institute', by the way... when are you going to teach me meditation? I heard father said that you are a powerful mage!".

The old man smiled and said. "I do not think that we should call a level 5 Mage powerful... I have already told you that it will be your birthday present, and you need to have a birthday to get a present so wait patiently, alright?"

Reynold pouted but insisted no more, he had been trying to get this old man to teach him for half a year and he was stubborn as ever. At this time he focused his attention to two guards sparring 20 meters from them, Reynolds knew them they were both rank 4 warriors. One of them was 40 years old while the other was 20 years old, still the young one could do nothing and was beaten into submission.

"Grandpa Lomu, why is it that old Frey seems to be much stronger than Talos? Aren't they both rank 4 warriors?" The old man directed his eyes to the sparring match and say. "Well, is not much of a mystery, Frey had been a rank 4 warrior for 10 years now and learning that he may never be able to reach rank 5 he spent more time training with his spear than training his body. Young warriors spent most of their time training their bodies and pay almost no thought to how to use their weapons."

Reynolds looked pensive while watching the sparring match. "Why is that Grandpa Lomu? It seems that old Frey have much better control of his own strength and the good usage of his weapon put him a level apart. Why would Talos ignore training how to use his weapon?".

The old man smiled and seemed to be fighting a painful memory. "Well, because it would only take a couple of years for Talos to reach the rank 5 warrior and by then Frey would barely be able to content with him anymore. It is wiser to focus on his warrior training after all there is only so much time one can dedicate to training, isn't it?"

Reynolds understood and also noticed the pain on the old man eyes, he thought that he was reluctant to not been able to reach the rank 6 Mage level in his life. It was then that he understood how important talent was, there were people who spent most of their time training being rewarded with barely any progress and people who trained calmly but grew in strength quickly.

He did not know if he had talent for either warrior or mage training, but he would find out soon. But if he was blessed with good talent he would have to spend some time thinking how to make the best use of his time. Ideally he would be able to train as mage and warrior both and even have time to learn and train with a weapon.

But only time would tell, and time he had now. He decided that he would ask old Frey to teach him how to use the spear and would spend the next 4 months training, that would be worth something he figured. Smiling he made his way to dinner as old man Lomu was telling him stories of the travels he made on his youth and the time that he had to scape from a terrifying velocidragon. Reynolds was lost in d.e.s.i.r.e as he heard the old man describing the mighty beast and picture himself riding one while holding a spear leaving on an adventure.

That night he asked his father for weapon instruction under the pretense that he had realized the need to lose weight before his warrior training started in a few months and he was not willing to go on a diet as food was to delicious. His father was showing a mixture of laughter and annoyance while hearing his son's reasonings, but still assigned old Frey to teach him thinking that he indeed needed to lose weight.

The next four months passed as Frey teached him the basic moves and stances of the spear. The first two months he had to correct him with every single move, but as time passed he only instructed him from time to time. Frey felt happy to be able to teach him what he knew of the spear, and surprised at the conviction of his 5 year-old young master.

The last month of training old Frey sparred with Reynolds, or if someone were to ask Reynolds... the last month he was beaten black and blue by old Frey while he did not manage to land a single hit. Still, as time passed he was able to parry more attacks and occasionally forcing old Frey to parry one of his attacks.

He did lost most of his overweight but he was not sure if it was for the exercise or the beatings. It was time to start his training and he renewed his determination to become a powerful feature and bring glory to his name. Smiling after his last beating as a 5 year old, he went to take a bath and was already hopping to find something good to eat, roasted chicken sounded good.