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A couple years had already passed, I had been training most of the day with Gavin. He was really a monster when it comes to fighting.

Months went by and I couldn't even lay a finger on him, but I kept at it, pushing myself harder each time. Eventually, I landed a solid hit, and from there, I started holding my own against him until I finally clinched a win in a duel.

Seeing him sprawled out on the ground, me standing victorious, gave me a rush like nothing else. I mean, forget all my accomplishments in my previous life; this victory topped them all. Even if he was probably taking it easy on me, a win's a win, baybeeee !!!

Later that night, as I headed to the kitchen, I caught my parents' voices drifting through the door.

"Guess what? Lu beat me today" I heard Gavin say, taking a sip of his drink.

“Watching both of you train everyday warms my heart. I wish we could stay like this forever, but he’s growing so fast” 

“Seriously, Ada, he learns so fast. He has become better than most thirteen year olds and he’s still only six.” 

“He’s my special little Lu, and he’s got it from his dad” 

“At this rate he might even surpass neophytes and reach apprentice level.”

Neophyte? Apprentice? what were they talking about. 

I strolled in and sat down next to Gavin.  My mother who was washing the dishes, turned her head towards me as she arranged a plate on the counter and said : 

“Have you finished your bath honey? “

“Yes I did. Dad, what’s a Neophyte?”  I quickly steered the conversation towards my father as I couldn’t control my curiosity.

“Well I guess, it’s about time you learned about it. This might be hard for you to understand, but listen up” 

I swear, I always have to remind myself that I’m still just a kid, otherwise I might get offended.

Anyways.. To sum what Gav explained up, in Madania, the power system is divided into ranks:

Neophytes: The children who have just manifested their blessing. They tend to have more physical endurance with faster healing speed than normal people.

Apprentice: those who have developed their physical power and have learned more advanced techniques.

Adept: Skilled fighters who have mastered the fundamentals of combat and possess above average strength and agility.

Battle master: Those who have reached the extent of the conventional physical capability. 

Gladiator: Elite warriors, who exceeded the physical capabilities of humans. 

Ascendant: Those who have achieved a level of power that have exceeded mortal understanding.

The ranks from neophyte to gladiator are determined through an annual test held in the grand arena of Crownspire Citadel.

However, the last rank had me wondering. It sounded basically like magic.

I turned to Gav and asked him

“Dad, which rank are you? “ I asked Gav

Gav stood proudly, one leg down and the other on the chair.

“Your dad is a battle master !” 

Does he always have to make those silly gestures?

“So you are not a gladiator” 

With a look of disappointment on his face he said : 

“You know, there are only a handful of gladiators out there. Even less ascendants. 

So a battle master is quite the achievement, impressive in fact” 

He was trying so hard to impress me, so I went along. I made an impressed face and clapped.