Anna beat Ro soundly.
She dragged him, kicking and screaming, down the hall and into her room, Ray hurrying after them with visible concern. The door slammed shut behind them.
The children left at the table resumed eating in uneasy silence.
"Well," Takahiro said carefully, "Ro came back just in time."
"Yeah," Kenji replied. "The Division Knights Entrance Exam is tomorrow."
"Where did he go anyway?" Yume asked.
"He said he was training in the woods near the old castle," Kenji answered, barely paying attention.
Takahiro frowned. "That place is dangerous."
"Yeah," Kenji said, standing. "But he said, 'To be strong, you have to take risks.'"
He set his bowl aside. "I'm heading back to work."
Selena looked at him, confused. "You're only eating one bowl?"
"I'm not that hungry," Kenji replied as he left.
The others stared at the untouched bowl in silence.
Inside Anna's room.
Anna held a spear in one hand. Ro cowered behind Ray.
"Old man!" Ro shouted. "Mom's trying to kill me! Don't let her! She's insane!"
Ray wiped sweat from his brow, forcing calm into his voice. "Anna, dear, let's put the weapon down. This can be discussed. Ro is still young. Stupid, yes, but young."
"Yeah!" Ro added quickly. "Listen to the old man!"
Anna leveled the spear at Ray, her voice low and cold. "Move."
Ray froze.
"I would hate for this to be our final year together," Anna continued.
Ray stepped aside smoothly. "Of course, dear."
Ro stared at him in betrayal. "DAMN YOU, OLD MAN!"
Ray looked away. "I met your mother before I made you, rooster boy."
"Huh?!" Ro turned to Anna. "Mother, you wouldn't kill me. I'm your son!"
"I can always make another," Anna replied flatly.
Ro dropped instantly, bowing until his forehead hit the floor. "I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY FOR LEAVING!"
Anna exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose. She sat on the bed, legs crossed, and looked down at him.
"How did your training go?"
Ro lifted his head. "I managed four forms of the technique. I also reached the Intermediate level of Hashi Arts."
Anna and Ray both smiled.
"Good work," Anna said.
"Thank you," Ro replied, bowing again. "I couldn't have done it without you both. So… what happened while I was gone?"
Ray's expression tightened. Anna frowned.
Kenji returned to the farm and picked up a large bag meant for gathering herbs in the nearby forest. The group would head out once the village fighters confirmed the area was safe.
Kenji sat down, eyes unfocused.
"Hey, look. It's Kenji."
"Yeah. There he is."
Kenji frowned as footsteps approached. Lolan and his group surrounded him.
"Want something?" Kenji asked flatly.
"I want another fight," Lolan said.
"I can't."
"What, scared?"
"No."
"Then fight me."
"Stop annoying me."
They laughed.
"You hear that? He's scared."
"Maybe we should grab Yume."
"Yeah. She's weak anyway."
The next instant, Kenji moved.
His fist slammed into the speaker's cheek. His entire body went into the punch. Even so, the blow only staggered the boy back a few steps, more shove than strike.
Awakened bodies were different. A twelve-year-old who had awakened could rival a nineteen-year-old in strength.
Kenji's eyes burned.
"I warned you," he said coldly. "No one touches Yume. No one touches my family."
He dropped the herb bag.
"You want a fight?" Kenji continued, fists clenched. "Bring it."
The boys grinned. This was exactly what they wanted.
They rushed him.
Kenji charged forward to meet them.