The next morning, Akira and Kiyoshi arrived at the training grounds earlier than usual, eager to prove themselves after yesterday's lesson. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows over the stone pillars and scorched earth from their last battle.
Their master stood in the center, his arms crossed, a rare smirk on his face. "Good. You're on time. That means you're ready to move to the next phase of your training."
Akira tilted his head. "Next phase? You mean more crazy impossible fights against you?"
Master shook his head. "Not today. Today, you'll be fighting each other."
Kiyoshi frowned. "Each other? But we already—"
"—Against new opponents." Master gestured to the side, where two figures stepped forward from the shadows of the training ground's entrance.
The first was a teenage boy with sharp, calculating eyes and an air of cold detachment. He wore a dark jacket over his training uniform, his posture composed and distant. At his side, a sleek katana rested in its sheath.
"This is Eddie Hatayoshi," Master introduced. "Don't expect him to waste words. He lets his sword do the talking."
Akira immediately got the sense that Eddie was the silent and deadly type. His gaze alone sent a shiver down his spine.
The second newcomer was the complete opposite. A broad grin stretched across his face, his energy practically radiating from him. He wore a sleeveless vest, revealing toned arms, and on his back was a massive warhammer that looked almost too big for him to carry.
"And this is Oddy. Unlike Eddie, he'll talk your ear off."
Oddy laughed loudly. "That's true! Nice to meet ya! Man, I can't wait to fight you guys. This is gonna be awesome!"
Akira blinked at the contrast between the two. "Okay, I think I like one of them already."
"Same here," Kiyoshi muttered, eyeing Eddie cautiously.
Master clapped his hands, bringing their attention back. "Your task is simple: A two-on-two match. Akira and Kiyoshi versus Eddie and Oddy. This isn't just a battle of strength, but strategy. If you fall behind, you lose. If you hesitate, you lose. Show me what you've learned."
Akira pumped his fists. "Alright! We won't lose!"
Eddie remained silent, but his grip on his katana tightened slightly. Oddy chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "I like that confidence! Let's see if you can back it up."
Master stepped back. "Begin."
In an instant, Eddie moved. He was fast—too fast. One moment he was standing still, the next he was in front of Kiyoshi, katana unsheathed in a blur of silver. Kiyoshi barely had time to summon a burst of fire to deflect the strike, staggering back from the force.
At the same time, Oddy charged straight for Akira, his warhammer swinging through the air with terrifying power. Akira instinctively raised a wall of water, but the hammer shattered through it, sending him tumbling backward.
"Come on, guys! I thought you were tough!" Oddy grinned, hoisting the hammer onto his shoulder.
Akira groaned. "Okay… definitely underestimated him."
Kiyoshi quickly assessed their situation. "Akira, we need to separate them. If they keep attacking together, we won't stand a chance."
Akira nodded. "Leave it to me."
Summoning a wave of water, he split the battlefield, forcing Eddie and Oddy apart. Kiyoshi immediately turned his full attention to Eddie, flames crackling around his hands.
"I don't know what you're hiding," Kiyoshi said, eyes narrowing, "but I'll make sure you don't get the chance to use it."
Eddie said nothing, simply raising his katana in response.
On the other side of the battlefield, Akira faced Oddy, grinning despite himself. "Alright, big guy. Let's see how well that hammer of yours does when you can't hit me."
Oddy laughed. "Let's find out!"
The battle had only just begun.
Without warning, he charged, hammer raised. Akira instinctively summoned a wall of water to slow him down, but Oddy swung his hammer through it, dispersing the water with sheer force.
"Tch!" Akira barely managed to dodge the follow-up swing, but the force sent a shockwave through the ground, shaking his balance.
Kiyoshi, meanwhile, had no time to assist. Eddie had closed the distance again, his katana striking like lightning. Kiyoshi blocked with a stream of fire, but Eddie twisted mid-air, flipping over the flames with precision.
Eddie landed softly, his expression unchanged. "Your movements are too predictable."
Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes. "Then I'll change them."
He stomped the ground, releasing an explosion of fire that created a smokescreen. Without hesitation, he lunged at Eddie, aiming a fiery punch straight at him.
For a brief second, Eddie hesitated—not because he was caught off guard, but because the fire in Kiyoshi's eyes was different.
Akira saw the opening. "Now!"
Kiyoshi's attack forced Eddie to dodge—straight into Akira's waiting water tendrils. They lashed out, wrapping around Eddie's arm and katana.
"Got you!" Akira grinned.
Eddie's gaze flickered. "No."
With a single, fluid motion, he twisted his sword, slicing through the water effortlessly. He landed a step away, untouched.
Akira's grin faltered. "What—?"
Before he could react, Oddy was already in front of him.
"Boom!" Oddy slammed his hammer forward, catching Akira square in the stomach. The impact sent him flying across the training grounds, skidding to a stop near the edge.
Kiyoshi flinched. "Akira!"
Oddy spun his hammer onto his shoulder. "Man, you guys are tough! But we're just getting started."
Eddie sheathed his sword, glancing at Master. "Are we done here?"
Master smirked. "Not yet. They still have fight left in them."
Akira groaned, pushing himself up. His body ached, but he refused to stay down. "Kiyoshi… I think it's time we go all out."
Kiyoshi nodded. "Agreed."
Akira wiped the blood from his lip and grinned. "Alright, no more holding back."
Kiyoshi took a deep breath, flames flickering around his fists. "We'll have to fight as one."
Eddie watched them carefully, while Oddy laughed. "Oh? Now this is getting interesting!"
Master clapped once. "Good. Now show me what you've learned."
Without hesitation, Akira surged forward, water spiraling around his fists. Kiyoshi followed right behind, his flames mixing with the steam Akira's water created.
Oddy swung his hammer down, but this time, Akira redirected the impact with a precise burst of water, using the force to propel himself upward. Kiyoshi spun, sending a concentrated fireball toward Eddie.
Eddie stepped to the side, but the fireball exploded, releasing a blast of steam. His vision blurred for just a second—long enough for Kiyoshi to close the gap.
"Got you." Kiyoshi unleashed a barrage of fire-infused punches, forcing Eddie to defend. His katana flickered, parrying blow after blow, but Kiyoshi's attacks were relentless.
Meanwhile, Oddy swung his hammer at Akira mid-air. "You're wide open!"
Akira smirked. "Am I?"
A jet of water erupted beneath him, twisting his body just out of the hammer's path. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he redirected the water—shooting himself toward Oddy like a spear.
Oddy barely managed to block, the impact sending him sliding back. "Whoa! Not bad, water boy."
Akira landed and immediately followed up. He and Kiyoshi moved in sync, pushing their opponents back step by step.
Master nodded in approval. "They've improved."
Eddie exhaled slowly, his grip tightening on his katana. He glanced at Oddy, who gave him a knowing nod.
"Time to end this," Eddie said.
In an instant, Oddy slammed his hammer into the ground, causing a shockwave that knocked Akira and Kiyoshi off balance. At the same time, Eddie dashed forward, his katana flashing.
Kiyoshi barely managed to block, but Eddie's speed overwhelmed him. He felt cold steel press against his neck.
Akira turned—only to see Oddy's hammer inches from his face.
Master clapped his hands again. "Enough."
The battle stopped.
Oddy rested his hammer on his shoulder. "Man, that was fun!"
Eddie stepped back, sheathing his sword. "You two did well."
Akira groaned. "Did we… lose?"
Master walked forward. "You lost the fight, but you gained something more valuable—experience." He placed a hand on Akira's shoulder. "You fought as one. That is the first step toward true strength."
Kiyoshi sighed, nodding. "I get it now."
Eddie adjusted his gloves. "We'll train again soon. Next time, don't hold back."
Oddy grinned. "Yeah! This was just the warm-up!"
Akira and Kiyoshi exchanged glances. They weren't strong enough yet—but they were getting closer.
And next time, they'd win.