Intensive training...is really meant to be intensive. In the first couple of days, Eunbi got so tired after class that she simply fell asleep by the dining table, and Chaewon can hardly speak. Only Nako can still serve the royals in slow motion with Saku's diligent help.

In the absence of the three witches, Jaeyeon naturally adopted the role of taking care of Saku – well, Saku is supposed to be Jaeyeon's servant, but Jaeyeon feels more at ease to be an older brother.

In order to fully utilize their "free" time, Jaeyeon sets up a routine. In the daytime, he teaches Saku martial arts and warrior philosophy. In the evening, they will hunt for books on the subject of the white wolves, aka Jeayeon teaching Saku to read.

But there are still plenty of free times for Jaeyeon to lead Saku around Magic Town.

When they are about to cut a corner near the Piazza, Saku suddenly shows signs of uneasiness.

"Saku-chan, are you alright?" Jaeyeon asks with concern.

The boy sniffs and wrinkles his nose, "the smell of death..."

To people who grew up in the prairie, "the smell of death" is something they are familiar with. In Northeast Tokkiz, especially in the pastoral area, dead bodies, both animal and human alike, were still placed (exposed) in the wild to decompose waiting for vultures to "clean them up". Only the privileged will be cremated, and the very privileged will be buried.

"You've got an excellent nose, don't you?" Jaeyeon laughs a bit, "yes, we are going to the taxidermy studio. It is a place where artisans preserve dead animals' bodies. The Princess has ordered to preserve the wolf's head – for some unknown reason, the skull was not broken, so Her Highness saw it as a good omen. I am going to check the progress, do you want to have a look at the wolf?"

Saku shakes his head vigorously, "I know the smell of death, but this smell is scary."

Jaeyeon cannot really understand Saku's words, but he decided to respect the boy's feelings.

"So you wait for me near the Piazza fountain?"

Saku nods and runs quickly away.

The Magic Town Piazza is smaller than the Capital City Square, but it is much cleaner and people look more friendly. Sakura circles around the fountain but somehow refrain from sitting down on the basin edge.

And then a group of noisy teenagers that marches into the piazza attracts her attention. They are all dressed in the same clothes (Sakura doesn't have the concept of "school uniform") and led by an adult. The adult said something and then flips an hourglass. The youngsters quickly spread out in small groups, with each group holding a different item, one with a kite, one with a broom, one with a carpet, and one with nothing.

Sakura's jaw drops when a girl quickly straddles a broom and shoots herself up into the sky. But she soon tumbles back down. On the other corner, three boys step on a carpet, desperately commend it to ascend. Yet, nothing happens. The group with the kite runs around the piazza but fails to launch the kite without wind. They try to call for the wind, but the wind is not listening. Lastly, the group with nothing just raises their bodies above the ground for 1-2 feet, and they start to circle around the fountain in a floating state. Intrigued by the teenagers, Sakura also skips her way to join them. The students feel amused as well as amazed because the little boy can jump even higher than them – although he cannot sustain that for a long time.

When Jaeyeon left the taxidermy studio, he was caught by surprise when he saw Saku playing with some magic school students, he was about to laugh but he feels embarrassed with the sight of the teacher standing aside.

"Saku!" Jaeyeon calls, "don't mess around, they are having a lesson."

Sakura stops and nearly bumps into a student who "flies" by.

Jaeyeon immediately runs to the boy and picks up his hand.

"So you are Saku the Wolf King Killer?" When they are about to leave, one student suddenly exclaims and the others quickly gather around them.

"Sirs, are you from the Palace?"

"You must be Lord Jaeyeon!"

All the students start talking together, making Jaeyeon blush and Sakura is so scared she immediately hides behind Jaeyeon.

"Quite!" The teacher finally steps in and bows to Jaeyeon, "my Lord, I apologize for my students' uncivilized acts."

"Oh, no..." Jaeyeon waves his hands and stutters, "no...I mean...hello everyone..."

The students cheer when Sakura suddenly feels that she is being lifted off from the ground. Since this is not her first time, she feels more at ease and even giggles at the new sensation. She looks back down at Jaeyeon who now has a wild grin on his face. He raises his arms and secures the boy when he descends.

"Let's go, Saku-chan, we are going to the hat shop, we need to make you a new helmet," Jaeyeon says when he gently puts Sakura back onto the ground.

***

When the warrior training commences, it didn't take long for Jaeyeon to discover that Saku is a martial arts prodigy.

The boy has shown excellent stamina when he was made to run up the hill to the reservoir with a heavy bag on his back. Jaeyeon cannot demonstrate some movements due to his arm injury, so he gives verbal instructions, and Saku can quickly grasp the knack and performs the movements decently to the extend his tiny body can handle. After some practice, he starts to make smooth coherence and shows great flexibility. In the afternoon, they practice breathing meditation. Saku seems to have some hesitation at first but he complies anyway.

"The breathing meditation is for martial arts practitioners to develop naegi (inner energy) that can enhance gitteoldo and energy force when they strike. For warriors, we also have methods to enable the body to "fly" like the students you saw the other day, but the theory and practice are different, although the result may look alike. Mages' energy is based on the exchange of nature's power, but warriors' energy comes from their own bodies. Naegi is the most important source of bodily power. I believe the force that let you kill those villains was naegi, although nobody has any idea what is it exactly."

After the meditation session, Jaeyeon gives a short lecture about naegi, and he concludes, "in your special case, you don't really have to learn to develop naegi in the meantime, but you must learn to control your force through breathing practices." *

"Will I die from it?" Finally, Saku spells out his worries.

"Why? Did you feel uncomfortable just then?"

"No," Saku shakes his head, "but I saw papa did that and he died."

Jaeyeon is startled, "can you tell me more?"

"Papa practice breathing meditation and acquired great strength. He broke a huge rock into pieces, and he died right away."

Jaeyeon's eyes widen, "what do you mean?"

"He developed great strength after those meditations – he recited something when he practiced and he grew stronger after that..."

"How do you know he grew stronger?"

"He..." Saku eyes are suddenly full of fear, "he...sometimes he would beat mama, and mama cried harder..."

Jaeyeon in a quick breath and pauses a bit before asking again, "did he teach you how to practice?

"No," Saku looks very confused, "I didn't understand a single word, I didn't even know that I have that power."

Jaeyeon thinks for a while, "I am not sure if I have the right understanding, but let me reframe it. Your father practiced some kind of martial arts through meditation while reciting some...instructions? Let's assume that he was practicing some very powerful naegi? He succeeded, but by using the force, he also killed himself. If I judge it from what happened after both of you used the force – that he died, and you nearly died, it is very likely that both of you possess the same force. But you didn't learn that from him, and the ways you used the force were a bit different."

Saku nods, "yes. I never intended to kill or destroy anything."

Jaeyeon closes his eyes, "may I conclude that this powerful force is dangerous if not under proper practice and control? It can kill the one who used it? If this theory is valid, may I suggest that if there is proper practice and proper control, or more importantly, a proper purpose when using the force, it will be safe?"

Saku nods with half-belief.

Jaeyeon falls silent for a while. He wants to ask further about Cheonin Bimil that Hongki mentioned, but maybe it has been quite enough for today. To be honest, Jaeyeon now feels a bit afraid of this force Saku possessed, if it really came from Cheonin Bimil, it must be an evil book that should be destroyed instead of being pursued.

But there is another issue that intrigued him more in the past few days.

Being left alone with Saku since the three witches started their lessons, Jaeyeon noticed that Saku has been observing him closely. Even though they tried to avoid looking at each other when taking a pee, he knew the child was studying him – and the child has now started to imitate his body movements, gesture, and even his tone and the way he speaks.

He, or she, must have some secret plans undergoing.

"Saku-chan, we have a good practice today, let's go back to the castle – do you need to pee before we go?"

"Yes, hyeong," Saku says and runs under a tree.

Usually, Jaeyeon will just mind his own business, but today, he decided to observe Saku from his back.

He is not surprised to see Saku squats down behind the tree – yes, there should be no mistake, Saku is indeed a girl, he thinks. But he is not so sure when he sees Saku cleaning himself. He had some experiences with women when he was in military school, especially when he has to prove his masculinity. He has been very curious about the female body and learned some basics from those encounters – the position of cleaning is not right.

As Jaeyeon is lost in his thought, Saku suddenly turns his head and sees Jaeyeon watching him. The boy quickly stands up and pretends he is continuing the pee.

***

The two remain silent during the journey downhill. Sakura is clearly avoiding Jaeyeon after they are back in the castle.

This is the first time Jaeyeon faces Saku in such an embarrassing situation. Although he believes that the Princess must have been more experienced, it is not the right time to ask. Eunbi is barely conscious, and he dare not approach a cold-face Chaewon.

Jaeyeon steals a look at Saku, who is eating silently with Nako at another table, and he thinks of a plan.

After dinner, he casually takes a few books and brings Saku to a cozy corner in the library.

"Saku-chan," Jaeyeon clears his voice a bit, "there is something I want to tell you tonight."

Sakura is a bit surprised. She thought she would be punished or being forced to confess.

"You still remember the night when you dreamt of the wolves? You asked me to sing you a lullaby."

Sakura nods.

"I couldn't believe I still remember that song. My mother died when I was very young, and my father was so devastated that he couldn't even look at me in the face. I was told that I have very similar features as my mother. He refrained from going home and put all his time at work, and simply abandoned me with the nannies. I was lucky that the Queen discovered that and took me to the palace to be the Princess's playmate. My father used to be the King's secretary and the King treated him like a younger brother, so the Queen treats me like her nephew. But the other noble children who also stayed in the palace saw me as a servant. I've never told the Princess about this."

Sakura doesn't know why Jaeyeon is telling her this, but her heart softens instantly. She gathers her courage and looks straight at Jaeyeon, and realizes that Jaeyeon really has very fine facial features that resemble a girl.

Jaeyeon smiles at Saku's response and continues, "I used to be a sensitive boy, I cried all the time. The Queen and the Princess liked me because I was soft, but it became a problem when I was sent to the military school around your age. I was bullied for whatever reason people could think of. Some called me a traitor because my father was the one who signed the peace treaty, others simply hated me for being tall and thin, but the worst was when I was called sissy, these boys could invent any unimaginable games to torture sissy boys."

Sakura feels a small pain in her heart. She can quickly relate. A small boy who lost his mother and neglected by his father, being discriminated against and bullied for many years – it must be a life even harder than a slave – at least she still had her mama...

"So what did you do?" Sakura asks with eager eyes.

"I worked hard to be a man," Jaeyeon smiles with half pride, half sadness. "I became a martial arts frantic and trained myself to be very muscular – at least people didn't dare to assault me physically anymore. I also learned to spread my arms and legs and occupy as much space as possible when I walk and sit, I swear and talk loudly and treated my friends rudely in the public...and became a bully myself."

There is a hint of regret in Jaeyeon's eyes, "I should not have done that. I was in the senior years and became a legendary seonbae (senior) to the younger boys, but inside, I was still full of fear. I even...well...I have the tendency to overcompensate for everything."

"How did you torture the new sissy?"

"Oh no," Jaeyeon chuckles, "I just pushed them very hard to make them physically a man. Like I made them run up the hills with heavy bags on their back every day. I've never insulted them."

"I can do that," Sakura grins proudly.

Jaeyeon grins and ruffles the boy's hair, "of course! Saku-chan, you are special."

"Hyeong," Sakura looks up to Jaeyeon. By now, she vaguely has the idea where the conversation is going. "Am I a sissy? I don't know how to be a boy."

Jaeyeon's hand stops.

Silence falls between the two for a while, and Jaeyeon asks gently, "so are you really a girl?"

To Jaeyeon's surprised, Sakura shakes her head, "I don't know. I used to know, but I don't know anymore."

"Why?"

Sakura lowers her eyes. She still doesn't feel secure enough to confess to Jaeyeon. Mama's words ring in her ears again. But somehow, there is another little voice in her head that encourages her to confess. She knows that she needs Jaeyeon's support to survive palace life in the future because he is one of her masters. If so, she cannot hide her secret from him forever. And Jaeyeon has been more than fair to be the first to share his humiliating past.

"Can you promise you will not punish me if I tell you my secret?" After a long thought, Sakura asks.

Jaeyeo looks deep into Sakura's eyes with great sincerity, "I promise. I promise I will never hurt you in all my life."

Sakura chews on her lips and falls silent for another few minutes. Finally, she speaks in a barely audible voice, "I have two organs. Hermaphrodite, Her Highness calls it Hermaphrodite."

Sakura then holds her breath and stares tightly at Jaeyeon.

Jaeyeon's mind went blank. Although he has anticipated something extraordinary, he didn't expect this. He hears himself speaking whatever that comes to his mind, "you dressed as a girl when we first saw you in the marketplace."

"I am a girl, just a girl who is different. Mama said it's fine but I must not let people know about that. I grew up as a girl, I did everything a girl does..."

"Including squat when..." Jaeyeon wants to slap his big fat mouth but the words just come out naturally.

Sakura nods, "I don't know how to stand up and pee."

"I see..." Jaeyeon murmurs, "but that doesn't really matter."

"I didn't see anything wrong with me until the chieftain called me a monster. His men killed mama and he forced me to marry him. But when he realized that..." Sakura's breath starts to get heavy and big drops of tear fall off her cheeks, "he called me a demon, a devil child, he...he..."

Jaeyeon immediately moves close to the child and pulls her into his embrace.

Sakura sobs and continues, "it was...painful...very painful...I was so scared..."

Jaeyeon rubs Sakura's back gently and hushes, "I know, I know. It's fine. You are not a devil child, you are an angel you know?"

Sakura is startled, "hyeong, am I...am I really an angel? The horse-breeding family said I was a cursed child, all my parents died, and I killed my slave master...now...will I hurt the Princess and bring bad luck to the Kingdom?"

"Nonsense!" Jaeyeon shakes his head and pats Sakura forcefully, "my mother died and my father got crazy, do I see I brought bad luck to anyone? No. Everybody has his own karma, and your slave master deserved to die."

Sakura calms down soon after hearing Jaeyeon's comforting words. She gently pulls herself away from Jaeyeon. "Hyeong, I don't need to be an angel, I just want to be a real boy now. I don't want to be weak and easily hurt, I want to be a warrior like you."

Jaeyeon is taken aback by Sakura's words and he exclaims, "what a silly! Chaewon noona has already assigned you..."

Sakura shakes her head, "but I feel weak and full of fear, real boys will be strong and brave. Can you help me?"

Jaeyeon smiles and dries Sakura's tears with his sleeve, "you won't be the same person after these few weeks, Saku-chan. I promise."

Sakura's eyes brighten up, "will I be more respected after I become a real boy?"

Jaeyeon understands what Sakura means, but he smiles and shakes his head slowly.

"Yes and no, Saku-chan. Boys feel weak and full of fear too, they just pretend to be strong. But getting strong doesn't automatically turn you into a real boy, girls are very strong too, just look at our Princess? Also, to be a boy doesn't mean that you will automatically earn respect, and privileges I guess – well, maybe in the Prairie, but definitely not in the Palace. We still have some gender inequality in our society, especially in remote regions, but time has changed. You need to earn your respect through merits and not your ."

Sakura feels disappointed. She blushes a little and lowers her head.

Jaeyeon notices that, but he continues, "you know what? As I told you, I was not a warrior by birth. I have to study a lot and get through many examinations. It was this process that's made me realize, kindness and bravery are what made a man and a warrior. A real hero is the one who protects the weak, and as a warrior, our role is to support the mages and protect the society."

Sakura nods, still looking at the ground.

Jaeyeon then leans in and pats Sakura's cheek playfully, "but the good news is, boys can now break away from stereotypes and be a person of their own will. You don't need to be powerful and swear or walk like a crab. You can cry and be gentle, people will still hurt you, and you still feel fear, but you don't have to pretend to be brave or you don't feel pain. Bravery doesn't mean you should risk your safety and do stupid things, bravery can only be acquired by facing your own weaknesses honestly, and not escaping adversities."

Sakura nods silently. She cannot fully understand what Jaeyeon said, but she vaguely gets the main message – she can live up to whatever she wants, being a girl or a boy doesn't really matter, even with her special body. It seems to match with what Great Yoonjung told her, that she has a perfect body, nothing is lack, she should be proud of herself regardless of how others think. Maybe, it is the time she should change the way she thinks to match up to her newly discovered self.

"So, should I continue to call you Saku-chan and treat you as a boy?" Jaeyeon interrupts Sakura's train of thought.

Sakura looks at Jaeyeon, a grin begins to bloom on her face and she nods vigorously.

Jaeyeon smiles and picks up Sakura's small hand with his big hand, "Saku-chan, thank you for sharing your secret with me...thank you very much."

Sakura grins shyly. It takes her a while to ask, in a childish manner, "Hyeong..."

"Yes, Saku-chan?"

The child giggles with her face turned crimson, "can you teach me how to stand up and pee?"

* Inspire by "The Nishino Breathing Method and Ki-energy"