As Vayu collapsed on the ground, the attendant who had been secretly observing him panicked by what he had seen. He had never witnessed anything like it before, lifting two full boxes at once and sprinting while carrying them. Without wasting a second, the attendant ran toward the First Elder's house, his heart pounding. Bursting through the door, he gasped, "Elder! Elder—!"
The First Elder, who had been calmly reviewing a few documents, looked up "What is it? What did the boy do?"
The attendant tried to speak but had to pause to catch his breath. "It's… Vayu… he—he was transporting the boxes… but then he—he lifted two boxes at once and started running with them! Like it was nothing! He didn't stop until everything was done—then collapsed!"
The Elder froze for a brief moment. Her eyes narrowing slightly then she leaned back in her chair. For a few seconds, she said nothing, lost in thought. Then, she spoke in deliberate tone "…No one else should know about this"
The attendant asked surprised "Elder, but—"
"I said no one" she cut him off sharply, her voice full of authority, leaving no room for argument "Not a single word should come out of your mouth, You saw nothing do you understand?"
"Yes, Elder…" he said reluctantly, bowing his head before hurrying out of the room.
Once the door closed, the First Elder exhaled deeply, her expression darkening. Her thoughts drifting to a distant memory. When she was still a challenger, during her very first annual competition, there had been a boy one year older than her. He was a prodigy. That year, he had stunned the entire village by winning every match in the second round without losing a single match. It was the first time someone had perfect record in their competition's history. He had used the same kind of power. Back then, they had called it a divine gift. But years later, the truth revealed the boy began suffering from chest pain, sharp and unbearable, that grew worse with time. He died at the age of 37 years during a fight, when he suddenly started coughing blood as his heart burst out not being able to bear the pressure anymore. Her gaze turned toward the open window "I must warn him… before he follows the same path".
The next morning, Vayu was already waiting for Manhul when he entered the backyard "ready for a spar?" Vayu asked and Manhul nodded, rolling his shoulders as if to loosen up, walking towards the center of the back yard, Vayu followed him when they both stood face to face he asked Manhul "ready" and he nodded again and Vayu ran forward straight towards Manhul. Although caught off guard Manhul reacted on instinct, charging in with full force to meet him head-on. Their shoulders collided with a heavy crack, Vayu slid back three steps before steadying himself, he was about to fall but tightened his thighs and calves stopping himself from falling then jerked his torso upwards. Manhul however, staggered seven steps backward before his footing gave way, toppling backwards onto the ground. Without hesitation, Vayu charged forward, In one fluid motion he leapt into the air, his knees tucking and his hands going behind his head his fingers intertwined making a fist combining both his hands, before slamming his both knees into Manhul's chest with crushing force. The impact drove the air from Manhul's lungs in a single gasp. Before Manhul could recover, Vayu's joined fists came crashing down onto his face. Vayu didn't stop there. Pinning Manhul with his knees against his elbows, he began hammering down punches, one after another relentless and precise. Manhul raised his arms to defend, tried twisting his body to throw him off balance, but nothing worked.
Early morning today at Vayu's house.
I shoved a handful of food into my mouth and ran out the door. I wanted to have a rematch with Manhul as soon as I could. When I entered the backyard, it was empty, but after waiting for some time he came in, surprised to see me waiting "ready for a spar?" I asked and he nodded. We moved into the center and stood facing each other "ready?" I asked and Manhul nodded once again. I didn't hesitate, from the first breath I used Overdrive, I could feel my heart beating faster and faster, I surged forward without hesitation. Manhul was surprised, but then he charged too. Our shoulders slammed together the impact echoing through the arena. The impact shoved me back three steps, but I planted my heels, tightened my thigh and calf muscles, I refused to fall. Slowly I straightened my torso by the time I saw him, he was falling backwards, without any delay, I closed the distance in a single breath and launched myself up, folding my legs, so my knees would drive into his chest. My hands came together behind my head, fingers interlocked, ready to strike. Manhul was only halfway up when my knees crashed down into his chest, slamming him into the ground. My fist hitting his face with everything I had, then I locked my knees onto his elbows so he couldn't raise his arms. With both arms pinned, I rained down punches into his face, each time he tried to block it, I would hit him finding the gaps in his guard. He thrashed and tried to roll me off, but I maintained my balance. Finally, breathless and beaten, he put his hands to the ground and surrendered. I quickly got up and stepped back, my chest heaving. When he tried to get up I offered my hand to help him get up " Nice fight you won" he said patting my shoulder and I smiled towards him.
After the match ended Vayu wiped the sweat from his forehead, his chest still rising and falling heavily. He was about to leave the training grounds when the calm voice of the First Elder echoed behind him "Vayu". He turned to see her standing at the edge of the arena, her robe swaying lightly with the breeze, her eyes fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and concern "Come inside" she said. Vayu followed her quietly into the office. The air inside was cold compared to the heat of the training ground. She sat down at her usual place "What technique did you use just now?" she asked. Vayu hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should hide it. But he didn't, so he took a deep breath and explained everything. He told her about Phantom Edge, how he had combined its principles with strength training, and how he had developed his own version of it, a burst technique that pushed his body's power several times beyond its normal limit. At first, the Elder thought someone might have secretly taught him this method. But when Vayu explained that he had figured it out on his own, by studying the books and testing his limits, experimenting with his own body her expression changed "You created this… yourself?" she asked. Vayu nodded "Yes, although it isn't perfect, but… I'm improving it slowly"
The First Elder leaned back slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Impressive, Very impressive" she said her eyes filled with pride "you are my student after all" but soon her face turned serious again " listen to me carefully, boy" her voice filled with concern "The technique you're using — it's dangerous, Forcing that much power through your body, it will damage you from inside especially your heart, the more you use it, the more it will break you from the inside, I advise you, not to use it carelessly".
Vayu listened silently and nodded "I understand" he said "I promise I won't use it unless it's absolutely necessary"
"Now go back and rest" she said
Vayu bowed deeply "I understand, Elder" and left the office and started walking towards his home.
The defeat of Manhul started a chain of dominos. Over the next three months, Vayu faced every attendant one after another defeating them one after another. With every victory, I felt the Phantom Edge sharpening inside me, Vayu could now maintain the state for nearly fifteen minutes… sometimes even seventeen minutes. His power had tripled since his battle with Manhul. Although he was getting stronger, but the aftereffects that came after he stopped using Overdrive, the pain he felt was unbearable, sharp, like someone had lit fire under his skin.
HE never relied on the technique too much, Most of the time, he trained and fought using only my natural strength, testing his limits, refining every technique. Soon, he could read my opponents with just a twitch of a shoulder, the movement of their eyes, the change in their grip… all of it painted a picture of what could their next attack be, before they even moved. After defeating all the attendants, as promised he went to the elder, but before he could say something she said" I need you to help with this years annual competition".