Morning sunlight poured into the courtyard. Leo staggered forward, muscles trembling, sweat already forming on his brow. Chen Wei sat nearby, stretching his sore shoulders, every movement painful.
Lily's dad stood at the center, arms crossed, radiating authority and raw aura energy. Even without speaking, his presence made the air feel heavy.
"Day One," he said simply.
"Destroy the body. Only then will the mind obey."
Leo clenched his fists. "…I think I might actually die today."
Chen Wei groaned. "…And we still have three days total."
Lily's dad's gaze was sharp. "Begin."
Immediately, Leo and Chen Wei launched into training. Each strike, punch, kick, roll, and jump was executed with maximum intent. The courtyard echoed with the sound of impact, grunts, and the shifting of air around their spirit beasts.
Leo's Lion & Phoenix spirits stirred, flames flickering along his back, golden eyes flashing. Chen Wei's Chinese Water Dragon swirled around him, liquid-like scales shimmering, constantly adjusting to his motions.
Pain surged through every joint and muscle. Every strike felt like it might break bones, yet their spirits guided their bodies, preventing disaster — barely.
"Speed. Rotation. Timing. Weight transfer. Intent," Lily's dad barked, pacing among them.
"Each movement must be perfect, or start over. The body breaks, but the mind adapts."
Leo executed a series of punches, flames trailing behind his fists. Chen Wei mirrored with precise kicks, water from his dragon forming arcs in the air, striking wooden posts that shivered under the force.
By midday, both were bruised, drenched in sweat, yet their spirit beasts pulsed stronger with every motion. They were pushing beyond natural limits, fusing power and technique.
Leo gasped, glancing at Chen Wei. "…We're still alive, barely."
Chen Wei wiped blood from a cut on his lip. "…Barely, yes. But the Lion and the Dragon… they're learning with us."
Lily's dad nodded. "Good. Day One is not meant for comfort. It is meant for endurance, adaptation, and awakening the connection between body and spirit."
Hours passed. Sunlight faded. Their movements became slower but more precise, more powerful. Each technique now carried the resonance of their spirit beasts — flames of Phoenix licking Leo's strikes, Dragon waters spinning around Chen Wei's movements, training them to feel power rather than just use it.
By evening, both boys collapsed to the ground, exhausted beyond human measure, yet aware that their strength had increased. Day One complete.
Narration:
"Bodies broken, spirits stirred. Leo and Chen Wei had survived the first day of grueling training. One more day to test the mind, one more day to fuse the core powers. The journey to mastering twenty martial arts in three days had only begun."