It was just before the morning twilight when the door to our room was kicked open by a relatively young-looking woman, probably well into her thirties, though still keeping the 'candlelit'. Contrary to her usual attire, this time she was wearing simple, plain coarse clothing. The white shirt she had was made of some rough material, it looked simple, peasant-like. Below that she had simple greyish-colored trousers, from the same material as her shirt. She was wearing wooden sandals on her feet. Her long, black silky hair was made into one ponytail at the back of her head. She was wearing a strange ring on her left hand, that had a skull head as a symbol on it, with tiny green emerald-like eyes.

She didn't give us much time to gawk, as right after she kicked the door open and barged in, she also shouted.

"Get up, you lazy bums, naptime is over! Get to the backyard, your days of playing and lazing around are gone, hell has ascended to this house! Training starts NOW! Both of you, get to the backyard, you have 5 minutes! Breakfast in 2, if you are not there you are not getting any!"

With that said, the 'drill sarge' turned around and left our room. Lily looked at me with her pleading eyes, as if I could do anything about our situation. This is something we wanted, we literally begged her to stay… This is the result.

Shaking my head, I had to bear the consequences of denying a request of the blonde little princess, as she pouted and grudgingly got up and stumbled her way towards the bathroom to wash up and get ready.

Meanwhile, I checked my system, as I noticed a new notification in the system.

[Mutated King of the Black Wolves carcass life essence extracted. Analyzing results…]

[Analyzis complete. Mutation found. Ratio: 20%. Analyzing mutation… Estimated time for completion: 21 hours 34 minutes 15 seconds…]

'The mutation causes difficulties in synthesizing usable life essence to create a form for me to use?'

[Mutations complicates things. Generally, they could be positive, or they could be negative. Even if you knew what mutation the creature had, be it positive or negative, it does not mean you will get the same one. Even the system will not be able to tell it to you 100%, it will give you a shortlist of what you can expect, and once you active the form for the first time and your life essence comes into the mix, then will we know what you will be dealing with. However, for the time being, just let the system be, and get ready. If you wish to have breakfast that is, you have 20 seconds left from the 2-minute deadline Aiden.] Enya gave a long-winded answer. I have a feeling she did that deliberately just to screw with me. This system, or whatever she is, shows more emotions day-by-day. I'm not sure what she actually is, as she never answered that question clearly, only gave a vague answer that she is a 'higher existence'. Anyhow, I had no time to dwell on the matter as time was ticking and I still wasn't ready.

Quickly, while still donning my clothing, I rushed out of the room, half-ready, I didn't want to miss the morning meal, especially if today's gonna be hellish torture that this woman will be calling 'training'...

---

After a rushed breakfast, and -to Lily's great sorrow-, without any desserts, they were in the backyard, standing in front of Number 3 as she was sternly looking at them.

"Listen kiddos. Today marks the day of a new beginning. Today is the day where we will break your frail minds and feeble bodies, and from the ashes... We will build up something spectacular. This will not be easy, you will experience more pain and suffering than anybody else, but! From this sweat and tears, you will build up the foundation of your future, you will be like the butterfly that just emerged from its cocoon."

Giving a short pause, so both kids can process her speech, she only continued after about a minute.

"A few years later you will look back to this day with pride and happiness. Sure, you will hate me tonight, and maybe for the foreseeable future, but I assure you, this hate will transform into love. Now then, let's get ready!"

Without waiting for us to respond, she waved her hands in the air, and behind us, the air suddenly vibrated and visibly transformed. Before we knew it, a black swirling mass of energy was behind us, looking very eerie and sounding very ominous.

Looking behind us, we hesitantly asked, however, we both probably knew the answer...

"What is this?"

Briefly looking at the elderly lady, Number 3 snickered on the question before she answered.

"Glad you asked! That is Aiden a Gate. It's high-level space-type magic, and it will take you to a pocket dimension that Granny and myself created for you last night. That landscape will be your training grounds, you will spend your training there, unable to come back until you complete a trial. Before you go, there's a few words of advice we will give you. That landscape will be hard, unforgiving, and brutal. There are monsters and mutated creatures everywhere that will test your every fiber. Both of you will need to learn to adapt to the situation and overcome the hurdles that place will throw at you.

Every trial you complete will open a portal that will take you back here to us, where you can spend the next day to refresh yourselves." She looked at Lily, who still hasn't processed all that was happening to her today. A compassionate smile was visible on her face as she continued." All the tests are specially designed in a way that both of you will need to put in an equal amount of work to succeed."

Exhaling she stopped her speech. Granny stepped forward and as she patted Lily's head to calm her, as she was visibly getting more and more shaken, Number 3 continued the briefing.

"Our goal here is to train you so you will be able to face the dangers life will throw at you, together. Remember, you guys are a team, now and forever! We will not help you, we will not come with you, but we will watch your every move and you can be sure that if you get into a situation where your life would be threatened, we will pull you out, ending this training prematurely. So calm down, and just look forward to the adventure you two will face together."

She looked at Aiden, who was still standing expressionlessly watching both of Granny and Number 3. She whispered the last words so only he could hear them.

"Aiden, I know you still haven't used all of your abilities, as you are afraid to show them. However, at that place, you will need to use everything you have to survive, don't hold back, or you will hinder both your and Lily's training. If you are afraid of us seeing you, don't be, we will only be monitoring your life signatures, and not be visually there. Only Lily will see you, but I don't think you have to be on guard against her."

Aiden's usually expressionless face morphed into one of shock as he processed Granny's last words. If what she said is true, he will be able to use all of his abilities, and his forms to overcome all difficulties they will be facing on the other side. He was already thinking of ways to tell them his true nature, as although he is a dragon, but at the same time he is more, he is so much more…

Coughing to bring attention to herself, Number 3 looked at both kids.

"With this, we said everything we needed to say. Although it might not mean much to you, but I hope one day you will understand it and will soar towards the sky as your potential unfolds. I hope you guys will succeed and achieve everything you were meant to and even more. Now go and begin your training!"

Although she wanted to say much more, in the end, she decided against it. They will understand one day, she was sure.

---

As they crossed the portal, the landscape morphed and vibrated, as they felt like walking through a colorless tunnel made out of pure energy. They held hands as they walked forward, and after a few short seconds of a seemingly aimless walk, the landscape changed again.

They were stunned at what greeted them. Lily, with a face full of worry, pulled Aiden's hands and with a voice that was fighting against an erupting cry she asked:

"Brother, what is this place? What should we do now?"

Looking at the distressed girl, Aiden had to fight against his rising anger. He had to fight against it, everything here was devised for them. It was not created for leisure, but to train them, to make them stronger as both individuals and as a team.

Signing, he answered the girl.

"This? This is literally Hell on Earth…"