At last, the day had arrived.
After what felt like years of waiting, I could finally begin my training and grow stronger.
Although I had always been training my Observation Haki, I could now sense any presence within a radius of fifty meters, and my learning ability had improved tremendously.
I didn’t know whether it was related to my reincarnation or to the Force flowing through me, but whatever the reason, my capacity for learning was far beyond normal.
I still remembered when my mother brought me a small educational droid to teach me culture, history, and mathematics.
I absorbed everything almost instantly.
I possessed photographic memory and a complete understanding of what I learned.
I could even ask surprisingly advanced questions and offer critiques that left my mother astonished.
Though more than anything, they filled her with pride.
From that day onward, I set myself a new goal:
I would gather as much knowledge as possible and use it to develop my clan.
It reminded me of an old saying from Earth:
Knowledge is power.
I think I’ve wandered off-topic long enough.
Let’s return to the present.
I was now five years old.
Which meant I could finally begin my training as an apprentice.
I was incredibly excited about what awaited me at the training grounds.
I changed into a combat outfit my mother had prepared the day before.
It was the standard attire worn by apprentices: similar to a ninja uniform, entirely black, though without a mask.
The fabric felt rough and thick to the touch.
I supposed it was designed to withstand rigorous training.
I headed downstairs for breakfast.
My mother and Alia were already there.
I approached them with a smile.
“You seem especially happy today, son,” my mother said.
“Of course, Mother. Today my training begins. I’ll finally be able to grow stronger and protect our clan.”
In response, she simply ruffled my hair.
Then she smiled.
Warm and comforting, like the morning sun.
After finishing breakfast, I prepared to leave for the training grounds.
I already knew the way, but my mother decided to accompany me.
She said she needed to discuss something with my aunt.
We walked side by side.
By now, I was old enough and mature enough that she no longer needed to hold my hand.
Which was why I was surprised when she did exactly that.
I said nothing.
I simply enjoyed the moment.
When we arrived, my aunt approached and guided me toward a group of children.
There were five of us in total:
Three girls and two boys.
To be honest, I had never really tried to make friends my own age.
I was usually busy exploring or training.
This was the first time I had found myself in a situation like this.
“What’s your name?” one of the girls asked after my aunt left us alone.
“My name is Azmar Fen’ruus. Nice to meet you.”
“Then you’re the famous prodigy who discovered potatoes! My mother told us that thanks to you, we can eat those delicious fried potatoes.”
I blinked in surprise.
I hadn’t expected anyone to know who I was.
Then again, rumors travel quickly in a small village.
Some looked surprised.
Others looked curious.
It probably didn’t help that I was noticeably taller than most of them.
Physically, I already resembled an eight-year-old child.
After that awkward moment, we began talking more naturally.
The first girl introduced herself as Efi.
She was cheerful, energetic, and playful.
The second girl was named Ali.
She was quiet, shy, and reserved.
The third was Val.
She was the complete opposite.
Confident and self-assured.
Although she didn’t speak often, whenever she did, she carried a confidence uncommon for someone her age.
Finally, there was Alf.
He walked up to me and proudly introduced himself as my future right-hand man.
I had absolutely no idea where he got that idea.
Still, I answered him with the seriousness of a military commander addressing a recruit.
“Very well, Soldier Alf. I expect great things from you.”
His eyes widened.
Then he started trembling.
The sight nearly made me laugh, but I somehow managed to restrain myself.
In the end, he simply answered:
“Y-Yes, Chief.”
I wasn’t sure whether he understood the joke.
But he certainly understood the spirit behind it.
A few minutes later, my aunt returned.
Training was about to begin.
She instructed us to follow her.
I was already imagining myself wielding a spear and defeating countless enemies.
Apparently, my aunt noticed the expressions crossing my face.
She shot me a brief glance that seemed to say:
You have no idea what’s coming.
We arrived at an open field containing a running track and an obstacle course.
The training grounds were divided according to age groups and ranks.
I had never seen this section before.
I usually observed the older trainees between the ages of ten and fifteen.
“Physical conditioning and endurance training,” my aunt announced once we lined up.
Some of the children looked disappointed.
They had clearly expected to begin spear training immediately.
They were mistaken.
“The first thing you must learn is how to hold a spear,” she continued.
“And if your body is weak, you won’t be able to wield one properly.”
Her gaze hardened.
“You will train for two years to prove your resilience and perseverance. The path of the spear is long, and I will not tolerate cowardice halfway through it.”
Her voice grew colder.
“Because I know exactly what it means to lack the strength to protect the people you love.”
Her words struck deeply.
Some of my companions clenched their fists.
Others looked determined enough to challenge the galaxy itself.
Apparently, she liked our reaction.
“The first exercise is simple,” she ordered.
“Run around this track. No obstacles. Complete as many laps as you can.”
She paused.
Another pause.
“I expect to see the next generation of warriors standing before me.”
Her eyes swept across us.
“Do not disappoint me.”
We began to run.
There was no set goal.
Only the determination to give everything we had.
I don’t know how much time passed.
Nor how many laps I completed.
One by one, the others collapsed.
Each time, my aunt carried them away.
I assumed she was taking them to the infirmary.
Eventually, only Val and I remained.
I had expected Alf to last longer.
Instead, that girl proved far tougher than she looked.
I was impressed.
But there was no way I intended to lose.
Damn it!
Everything went black.
I passed out.
Still…
I think I won.
I distinctly remembered Val being carried away before me.
After that, I had no idea how many additional laps I completed.
When I woke up, I found myself lying in a bed alongside the other children.
Apparently, I had been the last to regain consciousness.
Everyone was physically fine.
Mentally, however, we were exhausted.
The evidence was written plainly across our faces.
If this were Earth, half the population would probably be outraged by the kind of training we had endured.
Many would condemn my clan for such brutality.
To hell with that.
This was the Star Wars galaxy.
A galaxy where slavery existed.
Where wars were endless.
Where millions starved.
Where corruption within the Galactic Senate flourished unchecked while senators lived in luxury and entire worlds were abandoned to pirates and suffering.
At some point, my aunt entered the room.
“That’s enough for today,” she said.
“You all did well… better than I expected.”
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“But don’t celebrate too soon. You still have a long road ahead of you.”
Then she left without another word.
I said goodbye to my new companions, and each of us went our separate ways.
Yet we all shared the same goal.
To gain the strength to protect.
Not to destroy.
I stopped for a moment and looked toward the setting sun.
I would remember this day.
The beginning of my journey.