The next day…
I began my early morning training as usual, starting with basic exercises before moving on to a light jog around the neighbourhood. On my way back, I ran into Vanessa, the girl I had reconciled with the day before. She was heading to school and told me about a voluntary training session held every day after classes, from 15:00 to 20:00, open to all clan members and led by her father and other elites.
Because of that, I kept my morning exercises light to conserve energy. At 14:30, I left for the training grounds. When I arrived, everyone was still setting things up, preparing for the session. Once training began, I quickly realized just how exceptional the people were. Their combat skills far surpassed mine especially in martial arts. Even Vanessa, who didn't look like the combat type, was clearly skilled.
That realization made me anxious. My master had trained me well and often told me I was strong, so I had believed I was above the average student. But watching them, I understood the truth, I was just average. If I wanted to survive, I needed to become stronger.
I observed the training quietly until around 17:00. It looked like things were wrapping up, even though I had been told sessions lasted until 20:00. Just as people began leaving the stage, two people remained behind. A sparring match was about to begin.
I overheard whispers around me the two fighters were elites of a top tier school.
At first, they exchanged basic techniques and martial arts strikes. But the spar quickly escalated, each blow carrying the weight of a real fight. I glanced at their instructor, but he merely watched, offering no interference. Eventually, both fighters paused, smirked at one another and the battle intensified as they began using their techniques.
~ The Clover Clan specializes in a wide variety of techniques, unlike any other clan. They are said to be favoured by fortune itself blessed with exceptional luck. This luck allows members to develop techniques of varying types and magnitudes, sometimes even create new ones at faster and superior rates than other clans. The extent of one's favour is determined at birth. ~
The first boy had slightly spiky hair, clearly styled with gel. I overheard that his name was Zachy. The second boy was Sean. These two were considered the most powerful students from the top tier campus.
Sean coated his fists and feet in a green aura, tremendously enhancing his physical abilities. He launched several attacks targeted towards Zachy, but Zachy remained unfazed. He didn't even activate any abilities, he was dodging purely through technique.
Sean grew frustrated and impatient."Alright, Mr. Nonchalant," he said. "Let's see if you can dodge this!"
He began to charge up to maximum strength and when he was ready he charged forward in a full frontal assault. Zachy leapt cleanly over him with ease. The force of Sean's attack was so powerful it could be felt far beyond the training grounds.
Calmly, Zachy said, "You've gotten stronger but not strong enough."
With a heavy downward kick to the head, the fight ended.
No one seemed to be shocked by the outcome, but I was in awe. The fight was incredible. Still, my amazement faded when I saw Sean lying on the ground. I felt bad for him until someone stepped forward and healed him. Soon after, he regained consciousness.
The instructor then asked if anyone else wanted to spar. No one stepped forward.
It looked like training would end early that day until Zachy turned his gaze toward me and called me onto the stage. The entire crowd fell silent. The instructor approached me and asked if I was willing to fight. Deep down, I knew I couldn't win.
Still, I accepted.
~ In that moment, Xavier's katana although at home, it became slightly sharper. It reacted to his resolve, responding to his willingness to face what seemed impossible. ~
As I stepped onto the stage, whispers spread through the crowd, most of them about my recent trial. As I walked toward the centre I caught a glimpse of Vanessa's face, she looked worried, silently urging me to leave. I felt bad but I ignored it and kept walking.
When Zachy and I faced each other, the crowd grew larger, drawn by curiosity. They wanted to see what I could do. Somewhere within that crowd stood Stork, although he wasn't heading training that day he watched.
The instructor stepped onto the platform. Once we were both ready...
The match began.