Chapter 3: Mother's Training
Two years passed since I stepped onto the path called Formations. I also became nine years old. From the books Suly left for us, I learned that there were at least three-hundred Runes used to make Formations. I only learned about a hundred of them, but that alone allowed me to create some more difficult Formations. I could make the paper tough or change its size, I was even able to make it float a bit. Even though I drew those Runes for at least two years, I could only use the paper to activate the Formations. Moreover, I had to draw the Runes straight onto the paper, unlike Suly or aunt Alicia.
Suly visited us a few times during those two years. She gave me hints and explained a few things. She also brought more paper for me, because I couldn't use energy. Moreover, she didn't need any papers or in, because she used her own energy to draw the Runes. There were also two ways of doing that, but she told me not to worry about that at the time. This was still a problem. I couldn't use my energy to even activate those Formations, no less make supplement the Runes with my energy.
When I asked Suly, she said my mother was the best teacher for that. After all, Suly could stay a few days at most, and she was really reluctant to tell me anything about energy. With no other choices, I asked mom about it. To my surprise she agreed, but only when I turned nine years old. I didn't know why she stated such a condition, but I couldn't wait to become nine. When my ninth birthday finally arrived, I asked mom about the energy again.
"You seem very eager. I promised you, didn't I?", she replied and told me to follow her outside. "The reason I wanted you to turn nine is very simple. You were too young for any sort of training, but you should be ready now. All beings possess energy, whether it's Humans, Shades or Furians, we all have it. That doesn't mean anyone can release and use energy, for that you will need training and strength. You wouldn't be able to release your energy now, because you are too weak. If you tried to force it, the results may backfire and harm you", mom explained.
That made sense. "So what do I need to do?", I asked. She smiled, "It's simple, get stronger". She took out a pair of gloves, and handed them to me. The moment I grabbed them, I almost dropped them. "...Why are they so heavy?", I asked stunned. Mom kept her smile and replied, "The gloves weigh two kilograms each. You will wear them and do a set of exercises every day. If you want strength, you have to work hard to get it".
I didn't like her smile, it almost felt like she was happy I would suffer. "Come on Anna, put the gloves on", mother insisted. I reluctantly wore the gloves, but knew this was bad. Just wearing the gloves for a while would tire me out. "We will start with something light. For now, just run ten laps around our house", mom said.
That didn't sound so difficult, but with those gloves, I wasn't so sure anymore. The first and second laps were fine, the struggle began from the third lap. My hands were already tired, so I stopped moving them about. Still, I had to drag that additional weight with me anyway. On the sixth lap, I couldn't run anymore and sat down. "No breaks Anna. You can stop after you ran ten laps", mom said. "But mom, I'm tired", I complained. "Stand up and go. Walk if you have to, but do the ten laps", she replied sternly. I sighed and picked myself up.
Even though I walked the remaining laps, it didn't change much. "Good, you will be running like this every day. Ten laps in the morning, and ten laps in the evening. Don't worry sweetheart, it's normal that you are so tired. After a few days, your body will adapt and you will be able to make those ten laps running", mom said. "Did you train like that as well?", I asked curiously.
Mom laughed, "When I was your age, I did everything I could not to learn Formations. I actually preferred to do that, rather than sit in a library and study". Another question popped into my mind, "Mom, how strong are you?". She smiled, "Well, mommy is a bit strong… How about I show you something?". I nodded, eager to find out how strong mom was.
We walked up to one of the trees growing nearby. "See this tree, Anna?", she asked. I wasn't sure what she meant, of course I could see the tree and nodded for a lack of better reply. Mom raised one of her legs, then kicked the tree, "Boom!". The tree got blasted to the ground, and even broke in half. I stood there with my mouth agape.
"If you train well, you can be this strong too", she said. I nodded my head absentmindedly, while mom laughed and added, "You look like a small bird begging for seeds. Let's go eat something, you must be hungry already". I woke up from my dreams and followed mom back home. "How did you do it?", I pestered her on the way back.
"Training dear. If you train well, mommy has loads more she can teach you", she replied. "I will, I want to be as strong as mom!", I exclaimed. "Good to hear sweetie", she said with a smile. We ate our dinner, before resuming the training. I was dead tired towards the end, but I pushed myself to be as strong as mom. In the evening, I had no strength left to study the Runes. Mother assured me I would adjust in a while, taking a break from drawing wouldn't impact me that much anymore either. The moment my body hit the bed, I fell asleep.
The next day, my whole body hurt like never before. I could barely move, but mom insisted I had to train. No matter how slowly I did it, I had to continue. The day seemed very long, I didn't even have the strength to make it back to the bed. I fell asleep outside, even unaware when it happened. Only after about a week of training, did my body slowly adjust to the workout. It was still relatively difficult, but I wouldn't simply collapse onto my bed and sleep.
A few more weeks later, I was able to carry out the training and even study Runes again. Mother was always there with me. Whether I trained or studied Runes, she was there doing the same trying to encourage me. She only complained that I ate too little. I was a bit skinny due to all the training, but I didn't want to be fat. Mom wasn't fat after all, still I ate a bit more not to make mom worry about it.
One day, Suly came for a visit and brought Leran with her. Leran grew up a bit already, and could walk by himself. He could even talk, and I found it amusing how he talked. Other than that, he became a bit clingy. He would cling to Suly or me all the time, and liked to be carried around. "Are you going to learn Formations too, Leran?", I asked while patting his head. He shook his head, "I don't like it, it's boring!". 'Yea, I can say something about it, but I learned to enjoy it thanks to mom', I thought. "Perhaps you are right", I replied with a laugh.
"Anna! Dinner's ready", mom called out from within the house. "Let's go Leran", I said extending my hand. During dinner, Suly shared some news with us. I wasn't sure what they meant at first, but later realised they talked about some sort of Formation. "With our research completed, we finally figured out how to make instant long distance travel Formation. Once they are created, travelling quickly from one city to another, will no longer be a dream!", Suly said. Mom gasped, "You actually managed that?". Suly nodded proudly, "It took years of learning and some help from Hatmandor, but we managed to accomplish that… In theory. We still need to make a smaller scale one to prove the concept, but it should work", Suly replied.
"Hatmandor?", I asked confusedly. This was the first time I heard that name, and I wasn't sure what that was. Suly laughed drily and refused to reply, but mother did. "Hatmandor is an island just off to the north. They are the silent protectors of this land, and they rarely interact with others. A lot of Formation knowledge we have, actually came from them". "Heh? There was such a thing? But I never saw an island, when I stared into the sea", I said. Mom smiled, "that is because your eyes need to be more developed. If you train yourself well, you might just be able to see it from the cliff side". Mom knew how to motivate me, especially since I was always curious about unknown things.
"Anyway, that is great news. I guess Alicia will have her hands full with work now", mom added. "That is also why I'm here. We might need your help with… a few things. I will take care of Anna while you are gone, is that alright?", Suly asked. I wasn't sure why they needed mom there. She wasn't good with Formations, and I didn't like the idea of mom leaving. "Anna, will you be alright with Suly… If you don't want me to leave, I will stay. I'm sure they can manage without me somehow", mom said.
I wanted mom to stay, but that would be selfish. Others helped us a lot, if we refused to help others, what would that make us? I shook my head, "I will be fine with sister Suly. Go help them, I'm no longer such a kid you know?". She smiled and patted my head, "You will always be my little Anna though". "Mom!", I exclaimed embarrassed. "I will go there immediately. Take good care of Anna, and make sure she doesn't slack", mom said to Suly. "Don't worry, we will <msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight">manage", Suly replied. Mom left soon after that, and Suly as well as Leran stayed at our <msreadoutspan class="msreadout-word-highlight">house</msreadoutspan>.</msreadoutspan>
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