"…And that's how I met that boy."
Miyaki finished with a small shrug, arms crossed.
Leroy sat there in quiet awe, his eyes drifting toward Skyler, who was sitting alone beneath a tree, silent as ever. The others, after hearing Miyaki's story, wore expressions that were mixed. Some looked guilty, others simply thoughtful. Even Raykar, who had been so hostile toward Skyler, couldn't help but feel a faint pang of sympathy, though the irritation in his chest didn't fade.
"Alright, enough of that, back to training. Rest up if you need to."
Miyaki clapped her hands sharply, snapping everyone out of their thoughts. The day passed, drills and sparring sessions filled the hours until the sky shifted from day to night. One by one, the students left the Green Garden, their voices and laughter fading into the distance. Soon, the training ground was empty.
Empty, except for one.
Skyler remained beneath the same tree, lying flat on the grass with his hands behind his head, staring up at the endless stars above. His cold expression softened just slightly under the night sky, but only the trees bore witness to it.
The stillness was broken by the crunch of footsteps approaching through the grass. Skyler's body tensed. He turned his head sharply, eyes glowing faintly in the dark, but it wasn't an enemy. It was only Leroy.
"Tch…"
Skyler clicked his tongue softly and rolled back onto the grass, shutting his eyes as though Leroy wasn't even worth his attention. Leroy frowned at the reaction, irritation bubbling in his chest. Still, he stepped closer.
"Are you always gonna ignore people like that?"
Leroy muttered, his voice low but steady, and yet no answer.
"You're Skyler, right?"
Leroy's voice was calm, almost gentle, as he stood over him. Skyler cracked one eye open, his expression unreadable. Then, with a scoff, he closed it again.
"I'm not talking to a little prince whose power was given to him by his daddy."
"Huh?"
Leroy blinked, stunned by the blunt words. Skyler sat up slightly, his cold gaze locking onto Leroy's.
"You're the prince of this city, aren't you? All that strength you have isn't yours anyway. You're nothing but lucky to be born with that power."
His voice was quiet, with a smirk that followed was sharp and mocking, twisting like a knife.
"You better watch your mouth."
Leroy's fists clenched at his sides, his voice trembling with anger.
"Heh. Make me."
Skyler leaned back against the tree, unfazed, a sly glint flashing in his cold eyes as his smirk widened. The air between them grew heavy, as if the night itself held its breath.
Then, in an instant, Leroy's fist shot forward. His knuckles sliced through the air, aiming straight for Skyler's face. Skyler's eyes flashed. His instinct sharper than thought, he tilted his head just enough as the punch grazed past his cheek and rolled back onto his feet.
"So that's how it is, huh?"
A smirk curled at his lips.
"I'll wipe that smirk off your face."
Leroy's voice trembled with fury, his eyes burning with the need to prove himself. The frustration in his chest twisted tighter with every breath. They circled one another like predators, tension sparking hotter than their words. Then, without hesitation, both reached for the weapons resting nearby.
The sound of steel leaving its sheath split the silence. Real swords. Not the wooden ones they used in training, the blades that gleamed sharp under the moonlight.
Skyler's grip on the hilt was steady as the glow of white lightning began to flicker from his aura. Blue flames erupted around Leroy, blazing out from his body.
The sound of steel clashing broke the silence.
White lightning and blue fire slammed into each other, sparks from their power lighting up the night sky. Every strike carried intent to wound, to prove, to crush the other's pride. Blades whistled through the air as speed met speed, aura against aura. The clang of steel echoed like thunder as the two boys matched each other blow to blow.
Minutes passed. Their breaths grew heavier, but neither gave in.
Their movements blurred, aura flaring brighter with every exchange. At last, both slid back across the dirt, chests rising and falling with exhaustion. Their powers burned fiercely, but their bodies were reaching their limit.
Meanwhile, four figures hid behind a nearby tree. Raykar, Kylen, Leyla, and Rosslin. Their eyes wide as they watched Leroy and Skyler's blades clash at terrifying speed.
"They're actually going crazy."
Rosslin whispered, clutching her hands to her chest.
"Should we stop them? If this keeps going, it could end badly."
Leyla bit her lip, worry clouding her face. Yet no one stopped them. Even Raykar, usually the first to shout, hot-headed and reckless, was silent. His eyes were wide with awe, fixed on the clash of blue flames and white lightning before them. Back on the field, both Leroy and Skyler staggered. Their stamina was gone, sweat dripping from their brows. Still, their eyes burned with the will to win.
With everything they had left, both launched forward for a final strike. Before their blades could collide, a powerful force slammed between them, knocking both boys back to the ground.
"Wha—?!"
Leroy gasped.
"H-hey! Who the hell—?!"
Skyler started to yell, but froze when he saw her. Standing between them, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips, it was Miyaki. Her red eyes glimmered dangerously, the kind of playful smile that hid very real anger.
"You two got some guts messing around at this hour, huh?"
The boys stiffened.
"M-Miyaki-sensei, Skyler was—"
Leroy tried to explain, but before he could finish—
SMACK!
"AGHHH!!"
SMACK!
"OWWWW!!"
Both yelped in pain as Miyaki bonked them square on the head with her fist, teaching them a lesson.
"Do you have any idea how much noise you're making? People are trying to sleep, you idiots!"
Leroy and Skyler sat slumped on the ground, rubbing their heads and groaning in unison. The others, who had been hiding behind the trees, couldn't hold back any longer.
Kylen's lips curved into a grin. Rosslin pressed her hands over her mouth, stifling her giggles. Raykar doubled over, laughing without restraint.
Even Leyla, though worry still lingered in her eyes, let out a small, gentle chuckle. Just like that, the night's deadly tension dissolved into laughter echoing quietly among the trees.
Three years quietly passed, each day filled with the laughter, struggles, and unshakable dreams of Miyaki's students. They trained not to harm, but to protect. Not to destroy, but to grow stronger for themselves and for the bonds they forged.
By then, Skyler and Leyla, the youngest two of the group, had reached ten years old. Their talents were beginning to sprout and bloom into a huge and colourful blossom. Leroy and Kylen, standing a year older, were sharper with their movements and more disciplined than before. The oldest two of the bunch, Raykar and Rosslin, now twelve, carried themselves with pride, guiding the others in their own rough but caring ways.
Each of them had grown, not only in strength and knowledge, but in heart. Scars of rivalry had softened into respect. Envy had turned into admiration.
Some had learned to forgive, and others had learned to understand.
Together, they became more than just Miyaki's students. They had become comrades, friends bound by shared trials and dreams, pushing one another higher with every passing day.
One quiet day, Leroy's father summoned him, a grave yet strangely gentle expression written on his face.
"Son, there is something I want to show you."
Confused, Leroy followed him through the grand halls of the castle until they reached the royal chambers. There, upon a silken bed, his mother sat with a warm smile, cradling a newborn baby in her arms. The infant's small breaths rose and fell softly, her tiny fingers curled around the edge of the blanket.
Leroy's eyes widened, but before he could speak, his father placed a hand on his shoulder.
"She is not of our blood. This child was given to us by fate itself."
He explained calmly.
"What do you mean, Father?"
Leroy blinked.
"On a mission beyond the walls, I passed through the woods near the river. It was there that I heard her cries—a faint, desperate sound, carried by the water. A small basket drifted dangerously close to the edge. If I had arrived even a moment later, she would have been swept away."
His father's eyes narrowed, as if peering into the depths of an old memory.
The boy froze where he stood, his breath caught in his throat. He struggled to believe the words, yet his father's voice carried the weight of truth. As his father continued, his tone was heavy.
"No one in town has come forth to claim her. No family searches for her. It is as if she was left here deliberately. Even her name, which was written on the basket, came without a last name."
Then he paused, his expression unreadable, before uttering softly.
"Siana."
At that moment, a soft glow illuminated the chamber. The baby's body began to shimmer with a radiant blue light, filling the room in an awe-striking brilliance. Leroy's breath caught in his throat; his mother's eyes widened. Even his father, usually composed, stood stunned at the sight.
"This is no ordinary child."
His father whispered, almost reverently, as the light slowly faded, leaving only the peaceful sound of the baby's breathing.
"From this day forward, she will be raised here, under our protection. Perhaps, she is a gift."
His father's expression hardened into resolve.
Leroy stared at the infant, torn between worry and wonder. He didn't know who she truly was, or why she had appeared in such a way, but he knew one thing:
This child is his sister from now on.
Days passed, and Leroy found himself constantly interrogated by his swordsmen friends about the rumours of his new little sister, who was being protected within the castle walls.
Raykar and Rosslin were the most straightforward, begging to one day meet her. Leyla and Kylen, though quieter, secretly wished the same. Even Skyler, though cold and distant as always, showed a flicker of curiosity he couldn't hide.
With everyone's persistence, Leroy finally agreed to set a day for them to visit. Raykar was the loudest in his excitement, practically bouncing in place, while the others tried to hide their anticipation but failed.
When the day arrived, all of them gathered in the royal chambers, where the baby girl, Siana, was crawling on the carpet. Her innocent laughter filled the room as she reached out toward the group, her tiny hands grasping for anyone who came close.
Rosslin and Raykar immediately knelt beside her, utterly captivated.
"She's so cute! Look at her smile!"
Rosslin giggled, letting Siana tug on her sleeve. Unable to resist any longer, she gently lifted the baby.
Kylen stood further back, watching with a faint smile, while Skyler crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. Not at the baby, but with a sharp, unreadable curiosity.
Suddenly, Rosslin waved at Leyla.
"Come on, Leyla! I know you wanna hold her too."
Leyla froze for a moment, nervous. Slowly, she approached, kneeling down and hesitantly reaching to pat Siana's head. She feared she might make the baby cry. Instead, Siana beamed at her, giggling softly.
Leyla blinked in surprise. The warmth from that innocent smile melted her nervousness. She let herself play with the baby gently as her lips curled into a rare, genuine, warm smile.
From the side, Leroy watched the scene unfold with pride and warmth, but he also noticed something unusual. Skyler wasn't watching the baby anymore. His gaze was locked on Leyla, and for just a fleeting second, the boy who always hid behind a cold mask let slip a faint, hidden smile.
At that moment, Leroy noticed something unspoken building between Skyler and Leyla. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he glanced teasingly at Skyler.
Skyler blinked, confused by the look.
"What?"
He muttered under his breath, not realising what Leroy had seen.
That day marked more than a simple visit to the royal baby; it also became a fun memory of the time the group spent together as friends.
Six years passed, and time flowed by swiftly like the wind.
The children who once dreamed of becoming protectors of Lightwoods had grown into teenagers, stronger and ready to stand on their own.
Their friendship had matured, their rivalries strengthened, and the weight of their dreams now rested on their shoulders. On one bright morning, Miyaki gathered them together, a rare, proud smile plastered across her face.
"Tomorrow marks the beginning of your duties. You will no longer be training as students, as you will stand as true swordsmen of Lightwoods."
The air was heavy with both excitement and determination. For the first time, their journey as official protectors of their kingdom was about to begin.
"Finally! It's here! Haha!"
Raykar threw his fist high into the air, his voice booming with excitement.
Beside him, Leyla and Rosslin exchanged a glance and shared a joyful smile, their eyes shining with relief and pride. Kylen, meanwhile, stood frozen, as if he couldn't believe that the day he had long dreamed of had truly arrived.
Skyler's arms crossed with his lips curled into a smirk.
Leroy himself stared at his clenched fist, trembling with excitement. His dream had always been clear: to walk the same path as his father, to become a protector of Lightwoods. Now, that path was finally before him.
Miyaki, watching her students with pride, broke the silence with a mischievous grin.
"Well then, to celebrate your graduation. How about I take you all to a place I've mentioned before?"
Her smirk widened as she gave them a quick wink.
"Wait—don't tell me!?"
Raykar shouted, eyes sparkling.
"The Wooden Bar?"
Kylen guessed hesitantly.
"Heh. You got it, Kylen."
Miyaki laughed and gave him a thumbs-up.
Everyone froze for a moment, their eyes wide. Then, the realisation hit. Miyaki was treating them to dinner.
"A graduation party?!"
Rosslin gasped, covering her mouth.
The air instantly erupted with cheers, laughter, and shouts of celebration. After years of sweat, tears, and countless battles on the training grounds, their reward wasn't just the title of Swordsmen. It was the bond they shared, and the chance to celebrate it together.