"Is this going to stop there?"

Little Glori asked himself. He tried to make Mr. Mayne see his persistence, and imitated Mr. Carlos's tone.

"Mr. Mayne, aren't you going to give it a try? If you are ready to give up on something before it has started, you will be laughed at. ”

Boy, where did he get his courage?Mayne handed the sword to little Glori, and took a hard bite of the apple. He had never seen a child dare to speak to him like this, and the little Glori in front of him seemed to him tiptoeing and withdrawn. But it's funny that this kid has his own ideas.

"No, you're not ready, and I stand by what I say. Whatever I say, you have to do it. ”

Obviously, Mr. Mayne said this on purpose, because I saw his smile. This was a surprise, I had heard from Wolfer that Mr. Mayne, who rode the battlefield with Kyle, was a cold-looking man. However, he had such a comfortable expression - a very natural smile, without a hint of arrogance. So, do you mean I still have a chance?

Then little Glori laughed. He pouted at little Dylan and asked him to say something.

"But...... We've been hanging around here for a few months now. If you don't dislike it, I'd love to eat some more cakes made by Tutor Lil. ”

Little Dylan said this and touched his belly. Then he touched little Glori's right shoulder with his left shoulder—you see, Mr. Mayne hesitated.

There are two of them, one talks about the truth of adults, and the other uses the method of agitation. Yes, they were all sent by Lord Xavier, and I believe in Xavier's vision, but I need a disciple who is not a guy who enjoys time, but a warrior who can shed blood for the kingdom of Alex.

"You'd better enjoy this wonderful day, right?" Mayne smiled, "I can see you haven't realized what you're here for. ”

"Obviously, we're here to learn swords. Dylan Jr. glanced at Little Glory and said.

"What about you, Glori, just for swordsmanship?"

Mr. Mayne feigned impatience. However, the weather was so good today, and the sun made him not look the way he thought it would.

"Hmm...... Of course......" Little Glori nodded, "but...... There's another reason, to be like Kyle. A person who can protect everyone. ”

There is a little bit of meaning to that. But first, I'll have to see what your will is. I can't believe you'll be able to stick to what you do if you're so easy to let me take what you hold dear. Mayne explained.

"Will?"

Little Glori asked. He knew what perseverance meant, but it was too early for him and little Dylan to talk about will. He had seen this word in "The Cultivation of a Swordsman", but he never understood it, only knew that he had to work hard.

"And the sword in your hand is not an ornament. How can I teach you swordsmanship when you frolic in the woods like this every day? I have probably counted the time, and it has been two months since you came to me. ”

Mr. Mayne still feigned impatience. In order to cater to him, Lil also looks serious. She sat upright, staring at the two of Glori, anticipating what they would say.

"But you never taught us, and you even refused to show up!" Dylan complained.

"So, while I was away, you guys had a great time playing for two months. Two whole months...... Over the course of two months, Kyle had become the head of the Templar Order. Mayne retorted.

"Is this what you call a test of will?" Glory whispered.

"My apprentice should be a man of firm faith and unwavering will, not a child like you who only knows how to play. Mayne said solemnly.

"Mr. Mayne, we're not the kids you say. Dylan argued.

"You're actually kids, so you can have a lot of fun every day and live more comfortably than everyone else. Perhaps enjoying life is your goal. ”

Mayne stood up, deliberately speaking with a straight face in order to behave harshly. Lil had been nodding her head in agreement, but when she saw Mayne look angry, she smiled forcefully and even grabbed the corner of Mr. Mayne's coat, and she spoke to him with a magical teleportation, asking him if he was going too far.

In this way, everyone remained quiet for a moment. At that time, little Glori couldn't stand it anymore and finally raised his voice.

"Wait, Mr. Mayne, you can't just leave us behind! We're not here to play! There's no one to teach us, so we're left to practice swinging our swords in the woods. As for Dylan just now, he just wanted to teach me how not to be bullied by Wolfer!"

"Yes, Ritsu! You come back late every day, and you can't see them practicing here. And then, you came back early today, but unfortunately missed their practice......" Lil explained.

"You can't protect them like that! Since they have come to me, they have to be judged by my rules. "Mayne was really angry this time. Still, he wanted to know if what Lil said was true.

So Mr. Mayne asked, "Then who can testify against you?" Lil, not counted. I've been staring at this tree just now, and you've been messing around. ”

"I can testify! That's not playing! It's practice!" exclaimed Dylan.

“...... It's a serious question, and I'm not kidding. If there is no one to testify to you, then you can only take the package and leave, return to the comfort and warmth of your home, and then live an ordinary life. Mayne didn't turn around, he said with his back to them.

So, Mr. Mayne was going to drive us home? Who can help us? Now, Master Xavier can't help, he's back to the royal capital.

Unexpectedly, a girl slipped off the tree to the left of Little Glori, and Little Glori didn't even know how long she had been in the tall fir tree. Didn't even Mr. Mayne find out? How could this be?

But this girl just appeared, and she was little Susan, who was ten months older than little Glory. "Wait, Mr. Mayne!" she pouted.

"Whose child is this?"

Actually, Mr. Mayne was not surprised by this, and did not know little Susan.

"Shirley, the eldest daughter of the Shirley family - Susan. Little Susan replied politely.

"It's a novelty, but what are you doing here? You were there when I came. Mr. Mayne asked.

"Practice archery, just like them. Later, you show up. Little Susan took out her light bow and arrow, shook it in front of Mr. Mayne, and pointed to the tree that Mr. Mayne had climbed.

"This place is a good place to practice, and I practice on the west side, like them, and come to this forest every day. But I never said hello to them because my family told me to be careful of strangers. Little Susan removed Mr. Mayne's hand over her head.

"And then?" asked Lil, crouching down.

And then they shouted noisily every day...... That's not right. I thought something was wrong, so I hid in the tree to see what was going on. It turned out that they had come here to practice swinging their swords. After that, I found them interesting, so I hid in this tree every morning and waited for them to come and practice my sword. It's just that they have changed their tricks today, and what are they talking about......"

Little Susan twinkled her eyes and continued, "Also, I have to remind them of ......"

As she spoke, little Susan looked at little Glori and little Dylan.

"How can you not understand the will? The master who taught me the bow and arrow, but he has said it many times...... Conscientiousness, decisiveness, tenacity, self-control...... You have to remember that these are the four basic qualities of will. ”

At that time, little Glori was stunned. How did she know so much? At least, she was a motivated girl, and she was smart! Anyway, an angel fell from the sky and helped us. I am truly grateful for her kindness.

So little Glori looked at little Susan again. She was quite good-looking, with a pair of brown eyes, short black hair on her forehead and the back of her head, and a short white pleated dress embroidered with Alice flowers. He smiled at little Susan and gave her his apples with little Dylan.

When little Susan took the apple, she tilted her head and smiled. She shifted her steps and gave everyone a gentle hug. After this hug, little Glori was not only inspired, but also listened to Mr. Mayne's teachings.

"Moreover, swordsmanship is not one of the main reasons why people become stronger. If you don't have a strong will, even strong swordsmanship won't make you the person you want to be. If failure is the mother of success, then having a strong will is the foundation of success. ”

"Huh...... It was the first time I met Mr. Mayne, and the first time I met Susan, and I have learned more about the will ever since. But as for being affirmed by Mr. Mayne, I don't think it's a matter of fate, it's all about my own efforts. If there is no real effort, how can Susan see the matter of practicing swords?"

Just as Glori was asleep from the warmth of his dreams, a ray of light shone through the crack in the stone at the top of the cavern.

Gradually, the sun fell on Glori's eyelids. He jerked to his feet as the warm red light entered his eyes.

"Where is this? How long have I been asleep?" said Glori, sleepy-eyed, as he saw the pods returning to the cave after picking the fruit.

"It's the afternoon of May 13. ”

Pod handed Glori the wild fruit and water bag, and then put away the Philosopher's Stone on Glori's body—it was round enough to be held in the palm of his hand, and when it wasn't the color of the moon, it was indistinguishable from pebbles.

This Philosopher's Stone...... Not from the land of the Terrans, Glori has seen this kind of magic stone, but the magic of life is not as powerful as this one. Just as he was startled, he saw Pod smile and take off his black silk mask.