{Eric's lifespan is longer than that of a human. Erics approximately live for more than 250 years. }

Katrina was not happy with Sintan's decision, soon after the cake cutting she approached Sintan and said 

"Lord Sintan are you sure that it's the right age for Zenith to learn all this? 

He's still young and I don't think he is ready yet --"

"Are you questioning my decision?"

" No, it's just that I am worried for Zenith" 

" Now let me tell you, something lady. I know exactly what I am doing and if you have forgotten that Zenith is a human.

And he's getting a life which no human deserves, so people are gonna question him, humiliate him, and whatnot. 

So for your kind information, I am preparing him for all that so please let me do my own goddamn business . 

You get that?"

"Yes my lord" (she said that with a disappointed face)

After talking to Katrina, Sintan went to his room and saw Woodwill waiting for him in there and Woodwill asked 

" What's the catch? Teaching a 5-year-old kid how to swing a sword?"

"Don't you get it?

We know very little about that ring. 

And you know that we need to attain all the knowledge of that ring's powers as soon as possible and put it to use but we can't activate that ring or most likely can't even touch it. 

Forget the ring we can't even touch Zenith. 

So Zenith is the key to the powers of that ring. 

We need the key to come into the battlefield so when he struggles or fights I have an instinct that the ring will react. 

All we have to do is push Zenith up to the edge and wait" 

"You always think 100 steps ahead, don't you? " He smiles saying that. 

" Sure as hell... so let's get to work"

Sintan leaves the room and gets to the huge yard which is at the backside of the castle. 

There he sees Zenith standing in the open yard playing with his new sword. 

And Sintan comes 

"That not for playing Zenith"

"Then what's the use of it grandpa?"

"That's what I am gonna teach you.

So I won't waste any time, hold the sword with your dominant hand" 

Zenith holds the sword with his left

"Okay now take your right leg behind your left one" 

"Done, now what?" 

"Usually all teachers 1st teach some techniques. They give some training exercises. 

But according to my methods and experience, some of the best ways of training is the real deal. 

And you train yourself by fighting. 

Zenith I assume you know that what a soldier does right? Tell me what it is. "

"He fights" 

"So are gonna we

Sintan surprisingly landed his first strike right on Zenith. 

Zenith dodged it by jumping behind

"Okay you have got gifted reflexes I see but you know what? You are scared like a cat at this moment. 

I can say that by the way you are breathing ." 

And he was right, Zenith got scared. 

"Grandpa, why are you talking so roughly ?" 

" You say this rough? This is the real world, people won't comfort you now and then so start getting used to it and take this " 

He lands his 2nd strike the same way as before 

And Zenith dodges the same way again

" What the hell are you doing Zenith. Weren't you excited about this? C'mon fight me you brat." 

" No, I don't wanna fight" 

"So you won't agree like this okay. If you fight me I will think about your request about going out of the castle. All you have to do is land a strike on me. But I am not sure if you can do that." 

Zenith got shocked and said 

" Are you seriously not joking grandpa?" 

" Not at all"

"Then what makes you think I can't land a hit on you, old guy" 

After he heard Sintan's offer, Zenith's whole body language changed.

" Hmm I see you are not scared now"

" Not even a bit"

Zenith tightens his grip over the sword and lands a strike on Sintan just the way he had on Zenith.

Sintan uses his sword which was made out of his own mana and was attached to his hand and blocks Zenith's attack.

" Ahh, so you know how to use a sword? " 

" I just saw you using a sword two times anyone should be able to use it now "

" Impressive observation but you can't beat me with it because now I will go all out"

Sintan landed the same strike again and this time Zenith didn't dodge it he blocked it just as Sintan did. 

" You know what Zenith you have started to amuse me, but you know what? You are about 1000 years younger to beat me. "

He puts pressure on Zenith's sword to overpower him. 

Slowly he increased the pressure and Zenith tried to resist by applying force, he struggled and soon he got on his knees. He obviously wasn't a match for Sintan. 

(Sintan in his mind)

"Yes, struggle you brat, struggle more and just activate that goddamn ring" 

Meanwhile, Zenith was constantly putting in effort. 

"No wayyy I am not gonna lose" 

Sintan loses his patience and frowns. 

He kicks Zenith out of his way and says 

"That's enough for the day . We practice again tomorrow".

Zenith was quite upset. Not just because he can't go out of the castle but he felt quite uneasy he picked up his sword and said with an upset tone 

"Okay grandpa see you later" 

He went up to his room and slept.

It was quite difficult for him to do such training at such a young age but what he did not know was that he performed extraordinarily, despite his age. 

And Sintan knew that as well which not only amused him but left him with a dozen questions and worries that has he actually put an end to the human cycle?

Or,

has he started one cycle by raising Zenith