~~~~~
THREE YEARS LATER
~~~~~
"Young master," Hoshuka addressed me. "It's time for dinner, young master." She gave me a white towel which I took and wiped my sweat around my body.
After intense training with Hoshuka, I did a five-minute stretching to loosen my stiffened muscles. I showered and changed into comfortable clothes and walked to the dining room with Hoshuka.
It's been three years since I was born into this world.
I told myself that I won't rush things, yet here I am, practicing with the head maid. They were surprised at the speed of my growth. I think it's because of my parents' genes that I noticed my body was showing lean muscles.
"Thank you for training with me, Hoshuka." I said while we walked in the hallway. For royal families, it is a part of formality and show of respect for a maid to walk to the left side of the member of the family.
"You are welcome, young master." She replied.
After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again. "If it's okay if I may ask a question…"
I nodded my head. "Sure. What is it?"
"What made you decide to train with swords at an early age, young master? Most kids around your age usually play with someone else their age." She asked.
Well, that is true. But I have been reincarnated. In my previous life, I had a rough childhood. I learned to fight even before I could learn how to speak properly. I learned the hardest way that no one could ever imagine.
So, playing is not my type.
And when I became a General, things became even more intense. At that point, I wasn't living for myself nor for my family anymore. The whole continent depended on me. Failure means the death of my soldiers. Failure means the fall of my continent that I am so proud of serving.
But in this life, I am not a General nor Kyle anymore.
I am Arthur Luminosity.
And with this luxurious life I was given, I have to grow stronger to protect my loved ones and to not repeat the same mistakes from my previous life.
"It is better to start early than late, Hoshuka." I spoke. "I learned from one of the books I was reading: when someone starts discipline late, they tend to lose a battle against an opponent who trained earlier than him. Starting early to be strong so you can protect those who are around you will benefit you."
"I understand, young master." She said and did not ask any more questions until we arrived at the dining room.
My answer was half-truth and half-lie. Truth because I did read that line somewhere from my previous life. Lie because the reason why I decided to train at such an early age was to vent my frustration.
That's right. It's been three years. Three farming years. But my core has not made progress!
I kept trying and trying, but to no avail. I made a few theories to put to test, but not even one of them worked.
Now, I am still stuck in a semi-solid sphere.
After dinner, I went back to my room and assumed the cross-legged sitting position. Instead of doing it in my bed, I was sitting on the hard floor at the center of my room.
I closed my eyes and countless energies appeared before me. Without muttering an order, the chains from my sternum automatically linked themselves to the energy and pulled them to my semi-solid sphere.
But no matter how many energies I collected, it was still the same.
Darn it. Is it because this body hasn't reached the age of twelve? No. I reread the book again. I studied it and I found no answer to my question.
Meaning, no matter what age, one could form a Force Core even before reaching the age of 12.
After a few minutes of endlessly trying, I didn't make any progress at all.
I stopped before I could damage my semi-solid sphere. Based on the books, it was not normal for our sternum to feel pain. If it does, that means a zolgarian was about to have an 'Energy Poison'.
Energy Poison happens when one overloads their sternum with too much energy, causing a great pain to their sternum.
But I was not yet done.
I will rest and start again tomorrow.