The room felt colder the moment Suho stepped inside with Hajun.
It wasn't the kind of cold that came from the air, it was the kind that crawled down the spine, slow and tense. A reminder that this place, this moment, was the beginning of something important. Something that would change everything.
Suho swallowed, feeling a tight knot of nervousness in his chest.
They had made their to Hawoon's personal study. Sitting quietly on the sofa, they waited for Hawoon to provide them with details of the training, patiently.
The study was nothing special. Just typical room with a library at one corner, filled with books. Taking account of Hawoon's personality, the books must be of literature or something equally boring.
There were some paintings. One of the paintings showed the ocean at night, calm under a bright moon. A woman in silver silk with thin straps sat facing the starry sky, her back to the viewer. Her long black hair shone softly in the moonlight. The painting was somehow filled with emotions that Suho couldn't understand.
Other one with a man riding a black horse. The man was wearing a armor, with his holding a sword, swinging forward, like he was leading or something. Suho still could not understand.
A large wooden table stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs each carved with a different pattern, dragons, waves, branches, and beasts Suho didn't recognize.
Hawoon finally broke the silence.
"Before we begin, tell me what you think the training would be like?" Hawoon questioned, staring deeply catching their attention.
"What... do you mean by that?" Hajun asked his father.
"Just want to know your thoughts."
"Really?"Hajun thought about it for a second. "I can't think of anything."
"What about you, Suho?"
Suho just shook his head in negative.
"I see. Then... let me break it down to you." Hawoon's voice deepened, eyes staring darkly, making both of them even more nervous.
"You two... just say farewell to your freedom."
"..."
"And... about the training..."
"It would be in three phases. Mental, physical and magic."
Suho and Hajun listened attentively.
"Physical training would be the first with mental training following in mid. It is to make sure your body is capable of withstanding the power of your magic. Especially you, Suho."
"Me?!"
"Yes! Your magic is too powerful. You did somehow survive it's after effects, but there won't be a second time. Your body is not mature for magic of such range."
"For that... can you see that box?" Hawoon pointed towards the black shaped box with gold lining and a symbol of Alaezuma at the center.
"What's that?" Suho asked as he picked up the box. It had a small hole at the front, probably the lock. A gold key lay beside it, wrapped in a soft white cloth with delicate, luxurious patterns.
"Open it." Hawoon pointed as he raised his chin. "You will see a armlet."
The armlet was not anything ordinary. The armlet was made of old and dull gold that didn't shine much, finely craved with circular patterns and thin symbols. In the middle of the armlet was a dark stone, silver lines running through it like tiny cracks, glowing softly forming a pattern of stars within circles.
"Armlet?" Suho asked, confused. "For what?"
"This armlet is made from the skin of mana beast. Aurasheild serpent."
Hajun's eyes widened. Aurasheild serpent.
"It looks like a snake with a skin of pure gold that can absorb any magic. It could be consider one of the dangerous mana beast if not for the heavy metal making it hard for it to move."
"Why?" Suho stared at Hawoon. "Why are you…"
"This amulet can block magic. It has anti magic properties" Hawoon sighed before continuing. "You will wear it Suho."
Hawoon's words shocked both Hajun and Suho.
"What—"
"Dad! You can't just—" Hajun tried to interrupt, but Hawoon raised his hand stopping Hajun from saying anything further.
"I know what you two are thinking, and its not like that." Hawoon intertwined his fingers staring deeply.
"Suho…" Hawoon called for him, his voice deepened. "Your body is not mature enough to handle the magic of this range."
"You are too young."
"What that have to do with this? You can\t just block my magic!!!" Suho burst out. He was getting furious.
"Your body was able to withstand your magic once. I know you were able to survive and recovered from it. But, it can't be like this every time."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Your magic is not something we see every other day. The only way you can use it without…" Hawoon leaned forward, eyes dark. "... without hurting anyone is by preparing yourself to completely control it."
He looked at the armlet.
"It's way too powerful. You need to strengthen your body. In this way, huge amount of mana will not hurt you or anyone."
"..." Suho thought about it for a second. He fell silent. Hawoon was right. The only way he could be stronger is by controlling his magic. And, for that his body had to be strong enough to bear it. "How?" He finally asked.
"Hah!" Hawoon smiled. "The training is divided into three phases. Physical. Mental. And, lastly, mana control."
Both boys straightened.
"Mana control training will be put on hold till you two turn twelve. By that time, Hajun would be able to awaken his magic too."
Suho and Hajun both nodded, understanding. It just typical training held all over the kingdom before they could awaken their magic at the age of twelve to fifteen yeas.
"Physical and mental training would be done side by side. The training will take place at the Night thorn Forest."
Both boys froze.
Night thorn, one of the most dangerous forest located in the east side of their kingdom. Holding the privilege for being the house Night walkers. Night walkers were the mana beasts that stole dreams of people making it reality.
"What?!!!" Both shouted at the same time.