A new week begins in the city of Guarly. Citizens head to their respective jobs, while along one of the sidewalks on the way to Celeritas, Francesca walks beside her best friend. The girl keeps her gaze fixed straight ahead, while the light-brown–haired boy suddenly blurts out:
"…and that's how I killed an old man with a baseball bat."
Francesca snaps her head toward Gregorio in shock.
"You did WHAT?!"
The green-eyed boy laughs, explaining that he'd said something outrageous to prove she'd been ignoring him for more than ten minutes.
Francesca: "Sorry, Greg. I'm just really indecisive."
Gregorio (smiling, patting her back): "No worries. What's going on? Did you fight with another friend?"
Francesca (thinking): "Aside from that damn liar… no. At least, not that I remember." She scratches her cheek, a little embarrassed. "Honestly, I'm worried about Jerome's gift."
Gregorio (grinning): "Right, his birthday's next week. Wow—seventeen already. He's getting old."
Francesca (lightly punching his shoulder): "Don't say that. Besides, I don't know what to get him."
Gregorio: "I'm getting him an album by his favorite artist."
Francesca (looking down): "That was my first idea, but it's too obvious. I love my brother—I want to give him something he'll truly value."
Gregorio (looking up at the sky): "Easy, national champion—whatever you give him, he'll love it."
Francesca (serious): "Stop calling me that."
Gregorio (laughing): "Come on. It's fun letting people know I'm best friends with the national tennis champion."
As they walk, a black car with tinted windows pulls up and stops in front of them. A suited man steps out of the front seat and opens the rear door, letting out a short-haired pink-haired girl with purple streaks. Nya approaches and greets the two athletes; they return the greeting immediately.
The three continue toward Celeritas, pulling the girl in the black leather jacket into the debate about Jerome's gift. She replies quickly, "Lucky him—his birthday's in the last week of classes."
The two athletes look confused, so Nya explains, "A few days ago they decided to end classes a week early, as a kind of mourning for everything that's happened this year."
Francesca: "That's fine."
Gregorio: "Awesome! More vacation!"
Nya: "Yeah—more beach time. By the way, Fran, are we all meeting to study again today?"
Francesca (smiling faintly): "Yes. Everyone at Ty's place."
Gregorio: "Mind if Noah comes today?"
At Forte's entrance, Alexa and her friends thank Emily for helping them pass last week's exam.
Leslie (hugging Emily): "Thanks, girl—you're the best! I couldn't have done it without you!"
Tamara (smiling): "Seriously, thanks, Emi. Because of you we'll really enjoy our vacation. By the way, what are you planning to do?"
Leslie: "I'm going to a summer camp—enjoy some nature."
Alexa (looking up): "I haven't thought about it. Probably the beach or practicing a sport." She imagines herself drenched in sweat with her master shouting. "Heh… something relaxing."
Emily: "Stay home, spend time with my sister, read at the library." She imagines Plata protecting the city—keeping everything in order—and smiles.
Tamara (confidently): "Come on, girls! Be bolder. Summer is for living—long beach walks, hanging out with friends, and of course a summer romance."
At that, the three exchange glances, noticing Tamara's obvious desire for a boyfriend. They answer in unison, "Only you want that."
Tamara sighs. "Oh, don't be killjoys. That's the best part of being a teenager—meeting a great guy, hugs, long talks, and…" She sighs dreamily. "…kisses."
In the park near Forte, Tyron runs frantically, adjusting his backpack while finishing his breakfast sandwich. He crosses the entrance, nimbly dodging the group of girls and heading on.
Tamara (watching him): "So—none of you is dating Ty in the end?"
Alexa: "Group?"
Leslie (smiling): "She means Emi, you, Ty, and the Celeritas girl."
Emily (blushing): "I'm not."
Alexa: "No thanks."
Tamara: "Do you know if something's going on between him and the blonde? Just curious…" She blushes slightly. "…Not like I want to ask him out or anything."
Emily and Leslie roll their eyes. "Yeah, sure…"
The girls keep teasing Tamara while Tyron heads to class, checking the time on his phone. On the stairs, someone whistles to get his attention—it's Soner, a tall, thin fifteen-year-old, one of Tyron's former friends. Tyron approaches without hesitation; they've managed to keep things cordial.
"Ty, I know we had issues before, but I need your help," Soner says. "I heard you usually study with others. I need to pass or my parents will kill me…"
Tyron accepts with a smile, and they part ways—Soner has to wait for the others to avoid trouble.
As Tyron rounds the stairs to the first floor, he stops short, locking eyes with a redhead. They stare at each other, noting how they've changed. Tyron's a bit taller—maybe because of his long hair. The redhead now wears contacts, no braces, and looks less scrawny after months without training.
Neither speaks. The redhead debates apologizing—his mother forbade him from talking to Tyron—while Tyron remembers that his former best friend was also his enemy, whom he had to knock out. The bell rings, breaking the tension, and they walk away in silence.
The day goes on as usual. Reunions are ignored; questions rest. By afternoon, the four protagonists balance on one foot atop bamboo poles, hands together at chest height, holding rocks on their heads. Minds blank, they let nature's sounds wash over them, ignoring the strain. Sweat pours, but no one reacts. The warrior watches, eyes shifting to an hourglass.
"SWITCH!"
They hop, wobbling as they change feet beneath towers of four rocks. Jayden tosses four tire-sized stones into the air; they land atop each tower. The black-haired girl falters but breathes deep and steadies herself. Emily holds perfectly; so does Tyron. Francesca's leg starts to shake—she forces strength into it. Jayden smiles.
Time passes.
"SWITCH!"
They jump again. The brown-haired pair stabilize first; the others struggle. Jayden tosses four even larger stones. Emily and Tyron manage, but when the sixth stone lands on Alexa's and Francesca's stacks, both collapse, slammed to the ground and buried under rocks.
Alexa crawls out, sore and angry. "How is this training Fiu?! We're doing the same drills as always!"
Without looking, Jayden replies, "There are many ways to train. Now be quiet."
After two hours, they rest and hydrate. Jayden sits in the shade, sipping tea. Tyron watches, thinking, When will he teach us things like what Alexa can do?
Without opening his eyes, Jayden snaps, "Is something bothering you, staring like that?!"
They all startle.
Tyron (nervous smile): "S-sorry!"
Emily (gentle): "Please forgive him—he didn't mean to offend you."
Alexa: "She's right. Ty didn't mean to bother you."
Jayden (irritated): "Relax—I won't do anything. But ask what you want already and stop staring."
Tyron (blushing): "I wanted to know… when can we do things like Alexa does with our elements?"
Jayden looks surprised enough to set his tea aside. He gestures for them to follow to the platform.
"To work with your elements, you need to increase both your total Fiu and your control," he says. "But it's better if each of you takes your own approach."
Francesca: "Different approaches?"
Jayden (grinning wildly): "First question—do you think all your Fiu is inside your body?"
Francesca: "With what little we know… yes. Fiu supposedly created us."
Jayden: "Then can we say your body currently equals one hundred percent of your Fiu?"
Emily & Francesca: "Technically, yes."
Alexa & Tyron: "Our what?"
Jayden (to Alexa and Tyron): "Are you two idiots or what's wrong with your heads?"
Francesca (flat): "They're just idiots. Continue—we'll explain later."
Alexa & Tyron: "Hey!"
Emily thinks, They're not dumb… but when you explain things, they can be kind of slow.
Without moving, Jayden stirs a breeze.
"Internal—or personal—Fiu is divided into three parts that together make one hundred percent," he explains. "First: Positive or White Fiu—malleable, activated through concentration and positive emotions like joy. It feels cold."
He raises his left palm, forming a bright, luminous sphere.
"Second: Negative or Dark Fiu—similar, but driven by negative emotions like rage. It feels like intense heat."
The wind howls as he forms a black sphere in his right hand.
"And third: Pure or Raw Fiu—the most malleable. It requires no specific emotion; it's residual energy from the other two. It feels warm."
He merges the spheres in a flash. When the light fades, a cyan orb swirls between white and black. The students stare in awe.
"Those are the three types," Jayden says, releasing the energy. "And each trains differently."
Emily: "Are their proportions equal?"
Tyron (poking Francesca): "I get the hundred percent thing now—but what's she asking?"
Francesca: "Whether training one type for the same amount of time gives the same power increase as training another."
Jayden looks skyward. "No. In most people, about sixty percent is Negative Fiu, thirty-five percent Positive, and five percent Raw."
Francesca: "Then why not train Negative Fiu? It gives more power."
Jayden bonks her head. "Because you can lose your mind! Mastery requires confronting your negative emotions."
Everyone looks uneasy—except Francesca, rubbing her head. She suddenly brightens.
"Then you're explaining this because you know faster ways to advance mastery of all three!"
Jayden smiles slyly. "I don't know better methods—just many, so you can find what suits you."
He asks, "Which type will you develop first?"
Tyron: "All of them!"
Jayden flicks his forehead. "Don't be greedy. Step by step—start with one, then add the rest."
They nod, thinking—too long. Jayden stands. "Keep training. Decide later."
At sunset, near Tyron's house, a redhead hesitates. He knows the morning reunion wasn't great. Doubt gnaws at him. I can't… it's stupid… A voice inside shouts, No—we're not losing again! He rings the bell. Tyron opens the door, tired.
Tyron: "Oh—hi, Antonio."
Antonio (nervous): "Hey, Ty. Sorry to bother you—I came to apologize for my mom."
Tyron (smiling): "It's fine." He offers his hand. "Not a big deal."
Relieved, Antonio enters—and finds a group: Emily with Tamara and Leslie on the couch, Soner and Nya in the armchairs, Alexa in the kitchen. Seeing the one who once hit him, anger flares—until Soner steps forward.
"I'm sorry for everything," Soner says. "I hope you can forgive me."
Tyron brings their hands together, sealing it with smiles.
"Study group, idiot," Tyron laughs.
Cookies appear. Despite initial resistance, Antonio joins. Laughter fills the room—until a sudden toy-gun ambush erupts. Francesca and the younger kids shout, foam darts stick everywhere, and chaos reigns.
Hours pass. Night falls. As goodbyes begin, small moments linger—smiles, blushes, quiet thoughts.
Elsewhere, in a luxurious office, Reyik laughs—silenced by Bouler's shout. Maxwell snaps his fingers. Orders are given.
"Two weeks," Maxwell says calmly. "Everything in its time."