Power of Zero

Staying perfectly still, afraid of messing something up, Cipher stared intently at the center of the table. He watched as something materialized—not one thing, but two. Twin blades, identical in every way. The smooth, white steel shimmered slightly as they formed, their edges reflecting a faint glow. Axel watched them materialize with a quiet interest. It wasn't that dual wielding was unheard of, but it was rare—especially for a new Knight. Axel didn't need to say it; Cipher could already sense the weight of the challenge ahead.

"It takes a ridiculous amount of work, time, and practice to master these," Axel said, his tone surprisingly serious. "The wielder needs extreme agility, endurance, and coordination. It'll be interesting to see how you progress."

As the blades fully materialized, Axel spoke again. "Congratulations, Cipher. These swords are called 'Twin Stars.' They suit you well, given your name. They're katana-style blades, forty inches from tip to hilt. Once you start fighting nightmares, these should grow stronger and more durable."

Cipher's eyes widened as he examined his new weapons. They were, without a doubt, the coolest things he had ever seen. Both blades were pristine white, each etched with a single black image of a shooting star streaking down its length. The edges angled downward at a precise 45-degree slant, with a flat, sharp edge extending to the hilt. The hilts featured circular guards that resembled spiraling vortexes, with black, textured handles that looked surprisingly comfortable. Both weapons finished with ringed pummels.

They were beautiful—and also a bit intimidating.

Cipher's gaze lingered on them, but as his fingers brushed the hilts, he sighed in frustration. He had no idea how to wield a sword—let alone two.

Axel must have read his expression because he gave a soft chuckle, recognizing Cipher's unspoken thoughts. "How about this?" Axel said, walking toward him. "Why don't you sheath the Twin Stars, and we'll get some lunch? It's getting late, and I'd like you to get some rest before your training begins."

Cipher, still caught off guard, couldn't help but exclaim, "Wait, we're training today?"

Axel, with an amused but calm smile, answered, "Yes, conditioning begins today. But we won't start weapon training until tomorrow. For now, we'll focus on form and body conditioning. Right now, you're about as sturdy as a toothpick with arms."

Cipher felt his stomach churn nervously as he followed Axel toward the dining hall, wondering exactly what he'd gotten himself into.

(Transition to Dinner)

The meal was simple but filling, a welcome distraction from his growing apprehension. Cipher ate quickly, but his mind was still on the weapons—how would he ever be able to wield them properly? He kept his eyes on the plate in front of him, occasionally glancing at Axel, who seemed completely at ease, as though he'd been training for this sort of thing his entire life.

As they finished, Axel set his utensils down and leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Alright, Cipher, let me explain your training schedule so you know what to expect."

Cipher's interest piqued. "What's the plan?"

Axel's eyes gleamed with a mix of enthusiasm and seriousness. "In the mornings, it's all about conditioning—muscle building and hand-to-hand combat," he began. "In the afternoons, we'll work on weapon training—everything from weapon mechanics to footwork and sparring. Evenings will focus on LLD knowledge, magic theory, dreamology, nightmareology, and survival skills."

Cipher's excitement grew at the thought of all he'd be learning. But there was no hiding the nerves that also stirred in him. The physical training? That had him worried.

After the meal, Axel led Cipher to his quarters. The room was simple but comfortable—a neatly made bed, silver chairs to one side, a metal desk, and a closet with sets of black clothes bearing Cipher's name. Axel gave him five minutes to change into one of the outfits before meeting him outside.

Cipher quickly changed, feeling a pang of contempt for the clothes he had worn on Earth—a too-small white shirt and pants that were a size too short. Those were the hand-me-downs his parents had gotten for him, not because they couldn't afford better, but because they didn't think he was worth it.

With a quick glance at his reflection, Cipher grabbed the pile of old clothes and exited the room. "Is there anyone who could use these clothes?" he asked Axel.

Axel smiled warmly. "I know of an orphanage that could put them to good use. They did seem your style, anyway."

After dropping the clothes off at the laundry room, Axel led Cipher to the courtyard, where the next phase of his journey would begin.

When Cipher stepped outside, his jaw dropped. It looked like they were outside, but something about it felt different. The air had a strange familiarity, and the surroundings didn't feel quite like the church.

"The easiest way to explain this is to call it a 'Subspace,'" Axel said, noticing Cipher's shock. "It follows the same time dilation as the church. Now, get ready. Your physical training starts now. Give me fifty push-ups."

For the next few hours, Cipher's world was a blur of push-ups, laps, muscle strengthening, flexibility training, and balance exercises. His muscles burned, his lungs screamed for air, but through it all, he found himself enjoying the challenge. Compared to his life back on Earth, this was nothing—this was his chance to be something greater.

By the end of the day, Axel informed him that another instructor would handle the morning and noon sessions, while Axel would continue teaching him in the afternoons.

(Transition to Evening)

After a long day of grueling physical training, Cipher was eager to unwind. When dinner arrived, it was another simple meal, but the fatigue from his workout made the food taste better than it ever had. His body ached, but it was a satisfying kind of pain. A reminder that he was moving forward. As he ate, Axel explained the schedule for the next few days, and Cipher nodded along, trying to absorb all the information. But he couldn't shake the physical exhaustion that clouded his thoughts.

Finally, after dinner, Axel led him back to his quarters.

Cipher was ready to face his first real night in this world. His bed felt like heaven—so soft, so inviting, a far cry from anything he'd known. He stretched out, his body aching from the day's brutal training, but it was a good kind of pain. The kind that made him feel alive, that proved he was moving forward. Still, as he sank into the bed, an odd sense of discomfort lingered in the pit of his stomach.

It wasn't the bed itself. No, the bed was perfect. The sheets were smooth, the pillow just the right amount of firm. It was the kind of bed that felt like it was made for royalty. But for Cipher, it was also something he wasn't sure how to fully embrace.

He hadn't slept in a real bed in years—not since he was a kid. His old bed on Earth had been a cheap, threadbare mattress, too small and too worn to offer any comfort. Most nights, he'd slept on the floor or in a cramped corner of a room, trying not to get in anyone's way. The thought of an actual bed had seemed like a far-off dream, a luxury that other people could afford.

Now, in the quiet stillness of this new world, he could feel the weight of that absence. It was surreal to be lying in something this soft, something that actually felt like it was meant to hold him. He closed his eyes, trying to quiet his racing thoughts, but a part of him just couldn't shake the feeling that this—this comfort—was somehow too good to be true. Was he allowed to feel this way?

The thought was brief, but it lingered, a small flicker of disbelief. Cipher shifted, pulling the covers a little higher around his shoulders, as if trying to shield himself from the vulnerability of it all.

For so long, he had been used to the hard edges of life—the cold, the exhaustion, the constant reminder that he didn't matter to anyone. A real bed felt almost like a reward he didn't deserve. But maybe, just maybe, it was a sign that things were different now. He wasn't in that world anymore.

Cipher exhaled slowly, feeling the tension leave his body. He'd earned this bed, even if he wasn't sure he believed it yet. It was the first time he could remember feeling safe in a long time. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for tonight.