The dawn haze still clung to the walls of Shrek Academy when Team Two gathered in the eastern courtyard. Li Wei stood before them, Diendriver in hand, sunlight glinting off the metal. Across the lawn, under the watchful eye of Yu Xiaogang, Team One—Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar—prepared for their own regimen in the Great Spirit Arena.
"You know our drill," Li Wei said, voice calm but firm. "For the next three days, Team Two trains with me here—coordination exercises built around my Rider summons. Strength. Speed. Defense. Balance. Element. We'll cycle through five distinct formations each day. You must learn to anticipate each other's moves, to cover gaps, to think beyond your own martial spirits."
Xiao Wu bounced on her heels. "Sounds like fun!"
Zhu Zhuqing folded her arms. "I want to see how fast I can react when distracted."
Ning Rongrong smiled demurely. "And I'll learn to cast my barriers under pressure."
Meng Yiran nodded. "Then let's begin."
Seeing their reaction make Li Wei satisfied, "We will begin tomorrow then, today let's us rest first."
_________________________
Morning mist hung low over the Shrek Academy training grounds, shrouding the forested borders and giving a surreal air to the stillness. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, their songs muffled beneath the weight of anticipation. Team Two stood gathered at the clearing, their breaths visible in the chilly air. Opposite them, Li Wei stood calmly with his Diendriver in hand, flanked by three shimmering silhouettes slowly taking form—his summoned Riders.
[KamenRide: Kuuga.]
[KamenRide: G3.]
[KamenRide: Blade.]
A triad of powerful warriors materialized, their forms radiating strength and stoicism. Kuuga, with his crimson armor and composed demeanor, nodded silently. G3, clad in tactical gear reminiscent of a disciplined soldier, raised his arm-mounted cannon with precision. Blade, stoic and noble, drew his Rouzer sword and rested it across his shoulder.
"Today's training will be your first real battle trial," Li Wei's voice cut through the mist like a blade. "These three Riders form my Strength Team. Your objective is to defeat them—together. Use your heads and fight as one."
Ning Rongrong inhaled deeply, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda already gleaming beside her. "Support is ready. I'll amplify Zhuqing and Yiran speed and strength first. Xiao Wu, wait for your moment."
Zhu Zhuqing crouched low. Her Hell Civet spirit flared to life, and her emerald eyes locked onto Kuuga. "Let's create a gap. I'll draw their attention."
"Then I follow and sting," Meng Yiran said, her Serpent Cane spinning lightly in her grasp, venom already dripping from its fangs.
With a roar, Kuuga charged first, his fists blazing as he met Zhu Zhuqing head-on. She barely sidestepped the impact, her Phantom Civet Legion erupting behind her in a dazzling display of ten shadow clones. Each clone mirrored her every move, weaving through Kuuga assault and landing coordinated strikes.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
G3 responded next, launching a barrage of suppressive fire from his mounted cannon. The ground erupted around them, throwing dirt and smoke into the air.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
"Now! Barrier!" Rongrong shouted. A shimmering shield formed, absorbing a portion of G3 blasts. Tremors rippled outward, forcing the team to brace themselves.
Xiao Wu vanished in a burst of speed—Waist Bow activated. She reappeared behind Blade, her palm aiming directly for his back.
"Teleportation—go!"
Her palm met Blade's armor, but instead of staggering, Blade twisted, countering with a precise sword slash. Xiao Wu yelped, teleporting again midair to avoid being cleaved in two.
"They're not just strong. They're precise," she muttered, crouching behind cover.
Li Wei stood silently to the side, observing. Every twitch, every movement of his team was calculated, assessed. The more they pushed, the better they would understand.
"We're being overwhelmed by raw force," Meng Yiran said through gritted teeth. "We need to isolate one. Kuuga movement is the least armored. Let me bait him."
Her Serpent Cane extended, striking at Kuuga shoulder. As he turned to retaliate, she spun, letting loose the Tongue Blade and five mirrored copies. They lashed out like vipers, forcing Kuuga to backpedal.
"Excellent!" Rongrong called out. "Zhuqing, collapse the flank!"
Zhu Zhuqing and her clones surrounded Kuuga, striking in unison. Each explosion from a destroyed clone further disrupted his form.
But then—Kuuga roared. His armor pulsed crimson and his fists ignited. With a mighty leap, he landed a ground-shattering slam, dispersing the clones and sending Zhu Zhuqing flying.
"Ahh!" Zhu Zhuqing hit the ground hard, gasping, but quickly rolled to her feet. "I am still standing. Don't worry."
Xiao Wu rejoined the fray, teleporting just ahead of Blade and throwing a feint.
"Charm!"
Blade movements halted for half a second—just enough for Zhu Zhuqing to dash in again.
"Zhuqing, right flank!" Rongrong boosted her with Agility Amplification, nearly doubling her speed.
Zhu Zhuqing claws tore through Blade side, causing a shimmer in his armor.
Swish!
"They're weakening!" Xiao Wu cried. "Keep pressing!"
G3 suddenly stomped forward, cannon recharging. He unleashed a new barrage, scattering the team.
Rongrong erected another Treasure Earth Barrier, but the impact cracked it this time.
"It's getting harder... they're adapting to us too," she muttered.
Meng Yiran appeared beside her, venom coiling in the air like steam. "Time to push them back. Let me use Soulfang Venom."
She spun her Serpent Cane and struck the earth, releasing a wave of soul-corrosive venom in a web-like pattern. The air shimmered. The venom latched onto Kuuga armor—sparking as his movements slowed.
Chains of paralyzing venom leapt from Kuuga to G3.
"Now! Full offense!" Xiao Wu shouted.
Zhu Zhuqing, Yiran, and Xiao Wu converged with Rongrong buffs at maximum output. They weaved, attacked, retreated, and struck again. Zhu Zhuqing clones detonated with every hit, Yiran venom disabled their weapons, and Xiao Wu struck pressure points with acrobatic flair.
Blade finally faltered, taking a strike from Xiao Wu to the chest, and vanished into motes of light.
"One down!" Meng Yiran cried.
G3 followed seconds later, overwhelmed by Zhu Zhuqing's exploding clones and venom-ridden strikes.
Only Kuuga remained—scorched and steaming. His breathing was ragged, but his eyes still burned.
He leapt into the air, crimson fire trailing from his legs.
"He's going for a finishing attack! Scatter!" Rongrong screamed.
He slammed down—but found only smoke and illusion.
"Illusion? No... clone!" he realized a second too late.
Zhu Zhuqing's last remaining clone grinned before exploding into shadow flames.
Kuuga staggered—then vanished into particles.
Silence.
The mist around the forest slowly thinned as sunlight broke through. Team Two stood panting, covered in dirt, scratches, and sweat—but victorious.
Li Wei walked forward, his Diendriver retracting into its base form.
"You adapted. Analyzed. Executed. That's how you defeat a Rider."
He looked at each of them—Zhu Zhuqing's weary gaze, Xiao Wu sweat-slicked brow, Rongrong trembling fingers, Yiran slow, controlled breathing.
"Now, rest. Tomorrow, you face the Speed Team."
Meng Yiran wiped venom from her brow, eyes gleaming. "Let them come."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "We'll be ready."
Rongrong smiled faintly. "Especially if we keep fighting like this."
Xiao Wu raised her hand, a grin spreading across her face. "Let's win the next one faster."
Li Wei turned back, shadows of his next Riders flickering in his mind. They were learning. Growing.
And soon, they would surpass even his expectations.