Chapter 13

Three days later, Dominik found himself once again battered and bruised in the training grounds, panting heavily as he tried to keep up with Rika's rigorous regimen. Each fall left him with new cuts and bruises, but he pushed through, determined not to let the pain defeat him. The sharp sting of gravel under his palms and the taste of blood in his mouth became his new reality.

Rika, observing Dominik's perseverance during their run, offered a rare compliment. "You're showing characteristics that will help you in the long run, Dominik."

Dominik, catching his breath, grinned despite his exhaustion. "Oh, so you do like me after all."

Rika snorted, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "I don't hate you. I put you through this training because I know what you can be, how great you could potentially become. You need to be stretched and pushed to reach that potential."

Dominik felt a surge of motivation, despite the pain coursing through his body. "So, you think very highly of me?"

Rika's expression hardened. "No, I don't think highly of you yet because you still haven't shown anything," he said, raining on Dominik's parade. "But you like me," Dominik insisted.

"Get back to training. I'm not your friend," Rika snapped, his voice cold.

The training continued, each session pushing Dominik to his limits. His body screamed in protest, but he pushed through the pain, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment with each small victory. Despite the physical agony, he felt better about the day's session, buoyed by Rika's rare words of encouragement. After training, he dragged himself back to his room to freshen up and change out of his sweat-soaked clothes.

On his way to lunch, Dominik bumped into Aqua, who was also heading to the dining hall. They struck up a conversation, and Aqua asked him about his training.

"It was good," Dominik replied, wincing. "Bruised and battered, but it wasn't that bad."

Aqua laughed, the sound light and refreshing. "You'll get used to it. I still hate training. I heard you're now an apprentice in the healing area?"

Dominik nodded. "Yes, Master Saul took me in."

Aqua raised an eyebrow. "You must be really good if Master Saul himself took you in. But be ready, that old man is not going to go easy on you."

Dominik shrugged. "I actually quite enjoy it."

Aqua gave him a curious look. "You must be a masochist. I don't see how reading 200 books can be fun. Not to mention cutting up people, that's not for me."

"For me, reading those books means learning and gaining knowledge. And knowledge is power. We also don't cut up people."

Aqua smiled. "Agree to disagree. For me, being able to control your elements is power."

Dominik was intrigued. "What level are you?"

"I'm an intermediary stage sub-elemental," Aqua replied. "I hope to advance to the advanced sub-elemental level before the consignment so that when I pass, I'll be boosted right up to the elemental level."

Dominik nodded, absorbing the information as they arrived at the dining hall. Aqua took a seat beside him and continued their conversation.

"So, who are the other trainees?" Dominik asked.

"Wes and Igor are out on a training expedition. You'll love them. They are incredibly talented and amazing people to have in your corner," Aqua said. "They're helping to aid a village on the edge of Turin dealing with an animal tide."

"That must be cool and dangerous. Why didn't you join them?" Dominik asked.

"I didn't make it back in time from Disane," Aqua replied.

Dominik said, "Oh," and focused on his food.

Aqua looked at him thoughtfully. "You could have grown up in Disane like me. Your grandfather used to live there."

"Yes, I know that. By the way, you mentioned he was legendary yesterday."

"Well, yes," Aqua said. "Everyone here respects him greatly. And they're pretty powerful people."

"Power only respects power," Dominik mused.

"Word on the street is they left Disane some time ago, but I'm too young to know the details," Aqua continued. "From what I've heard, your grandfather must be really strong and must have been powerful. Not to mention your mother was famous for her talent in Disane. That's why I'm surprised that you're well... Class 4."

Dominik nodded. "My father is Class 4."

"Where is your father?" Aqua asked.

"He's dead," Dominik replied.

"Oh," Aqua said softly.

"You can ask Igor when he gets back about your grandfather," Aqua suggested. "Igor is the eldest, but he also started training when your grandfather was in Turin."

"Thank you," Dominik said.

"We're a team. All for one and one for all," Aqua said with a smile, bumping shoulders with him.

Dominik debated telling her about the memories but decided to push it aside. They finished their lunch in silence, and Dominik headed to the Grove where he studied.

Hours passed by as he immersed himself in his books. When evening came, he headed to the healing quarters. Upon arriving, he saw his grandfather and Mistress Tamar there. "Good evening, masters," he said with a bow.

"It's a good thing you're here," Master Saul said. "We're ready to take the brain scan." He gestured to his senior apprentice, who was trailing beside him carrying some materials on a metal tray. "Have a seat, Dominik, and I'll explain the procedure to you." Dominik sat down, and Saul continued, "There are no risks involved at all, but we will have to sedate you. We'll use a magnetic scanner to see the interior of your brain and also look at your brain activities. Are you okay with that?"

Dominik nodded. "Since there are no risks involved, let's go for it."

Saul clapped his hands together while giving instructions to the other apprentice. "Take him to the second room and prepare him for the procedure." Grace, the cheerful apprentice, walked towards Dominik and led him to the room where he was sedated and put to sleep.

Dominik lay on an examination bed as Master Saul prepared the device. The scan proceeded smoothly, but as Master Saul reviewed the results, his face turned grim. He turned to Dominik's grandfather and Mistress Tamar, who were in the room with him.

"We have a big problem," he said gravely.