The sun had barely risen when Koi Ren stepped into the training yard with Watashi. The air was crisp, and the scent of earth and grass filled the space.
"Today, we push harder than ever," Watashi said, his voice calm but firm. "Strength comes from discipline, not just power. Every swing, every step, every stance counts."
Koi Ren gripped Koru tightly, splitting it into Ko and Ru, and nodded. From sunrise to sunset, he trained tirelessly. He practiced footwork, parries, and precision strikes, and even simulated duels against multiple opponents at once. Watashi corrected every mistake, his eyes sharp and unwavering.
Sweat drenched Koi Ren's shirt, and his arms ached from repeated strikes, but he refused to stop. Each movement became sharper, each decision faster. Watashi occasionally demonstrated advanced techniques, showing Koi Ren how to read an opponent's intent and turn defense into attack in a single motion.
By midday, Koi Ren's muscles screamed, but his mind was clearer than ever. He could feel Koru moving almost like an extension of his body, and every swing reflected the countless hours of practice he had endured.
As the sun dipped low, Watashi finally called a halt. "Good. You've improved today, but tomorrow brings new lessons. Remember, a warrior's heart is forged by perseverance, not comfort."
Koi Ren knelt briefly, exhausted, but a small smile formed on his lips. "I'll keep getting stronger," he whispered to himself, "for myself, for my mother… and for the day I can protect others."
The next morning, the gates of Aearis' school opened, welcoming a new day of challenges and lessons. Koi Ren's journey in the elemental academy was only just beginning—but the foundation Watashi had built in him would guide every step.