CHAPTER NINE: THE FIRST LESSON

The morning air was crisp, and a faint mist clung to the ground. Inside the cabin, Kai stirred from his sleep, the remnants of uneasy dreams still lingering in his mind. He had spent much of the night pouring over the ancient book that Rylan had given him, absorbing as much knowledge as he could before exhaustion finally claimed him.

Kai sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes and stretching out the stiffness in his muscles. He could already hear Rylan moving about outside, the sound of rustling leaves and the occasional snap of a twig filtering through the walls of the cabin. Kai took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead. Today, his training would begin, and he was determined to make the most of it.

He got up and dressed quickly, his movements driven by a growing sense of urgency. As he stepped outside, the cool morning air hit his face, refreshing him instantly. Rylan was standing a short distance away, his back turned as he looked out over the valley below. The older man’s sta