'' Let's begin, show me your strength. This might seem excessive to young children but you are youkai, I can feel it. You should be able to handle dealing with the things that an adult human person can so without any further stalling, I will take the initiative.''
The Elderly Male raised his right arm, grabbing the nearest boulder which was thrown towards Seiya at speeds that made the boulder destroy the ground it landed upon. Seiya moved just in time to escape the boulder although the wind pressure from the boulder had rolled past his body.
He felt how dangerous it would've been to take it directly and by the time his eyes looked up at Hieki, another boulder was sent flying his way.
'' I don't think so!''
Sakura grabbed the boulder out of mid-air and threw it right back at the boulder-tossing individual.
'' You need to apply yourself, use your power and help me throw these rocks.''
The female made it sound easy but Seiya had been curious as to how someone of her stature was able to wield something that big. After closer inspection he had noticed Sakura's green highlights were gone and her hands were glowing green as she was throwing boulders to counter Hieki's barrage.
'' How are you doing that Sakura?''
The female had glanced his way for a second after he spoke to her, only for Hieki to take advantage of that window to throw a boulder her way which was only mitigated by the fact she was already holding a boulder so it had only pushed her back several feet.
'' Channel the power you use for your primary ability but instead of using it to generate your ability, channel it into your fingertips. ''
Sakura jumped above the two boulders in front of her , grabbing both of them and throwing them at Hieki.
'' Are you guys finally going to get more serious? I'm starting to grow tired playing with children. ''
He was trying to agitate them in an effort to push themselves further.
The two kids had to come up with a strategy to push the Elder since it was a 2-on-1 and they knew he had more experience so they needed to get creative.
'' I'm going to have to pressure him directly, throw the rocks as you see fit. ''
The young prince spoke to the girl as he felt it just more appropriate for him to attempt things his way and let the rock-throwing experts do their thing. Seiya began walking towards Hieki's side of the ring, prompting a response from the Old Man. At this time, Sakura was preparing two boulders to be thrown by gathering two that were at a distance from one another.
'' Coming across the ring isn't against the rules but you should be careful. You are entering my direct contact zone. ''
In an attempt to intimidate, Seiya had no care for the cautious words being given. The white haired inugami started unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks that showed his inexperience, his only thought was to land a hit and stall for time.
'' Your carelessness is showing. ''
Hieki's hands and feet began deflecting Seiya's wrist and ankles to steer his attacks off course as he moved towards Seiya's chest. With only his middle finger and index finger pressed against Seiya's chest, a small energy flickered through those two fingers as it blew up into the boy's chest and sent him flying towards Sakura.
'' Lesson One : Never attack without seeing a proper window of opportunity and especially don't attack if you are at a disadvantage. ''
Sakura's two boulders were flying towards the Old Man as this was happening, his speed in responding to both children were fast and he didn't show any signs of being tired. The boulders that finally reached Hieki were caught and slammed down onto the ground by his two hands.
'' Are you guys out of tactics? ''
He wanted to be surprised, he wanted to find a reason to train these two but so far he couldn't find anything that would spark the intrigue on taking on these two new pupils.
'' One more time Sakura.. ''
Seiya pulled himself up off the ground, his breathing being noticeable as his entire chest was heaving.
'' Are you sure? You look hurt. ''
The female asked Seiya if he was certain and he merely nodded. He had to keep going despite the wound he sustained. He still remembered how he felt from earlier when being caught off-guard by the bombing individual and how his body reacted. He needed to become someone that was capable of protecting himself.
'' This time, for sure ! ''
Seiya's body began releasing a cold air as his body was hunched over as he placed his palm on the ground. The ground before him began to freeze over and immediately following this action , his body charged across that sheet of ice. Somehow he didn't slip up on that ice but instead his speed improved as he went for Hieki once more. Sakura threw more and more boulders at Hieki during this time at angles that didn't get Seiya as collateral damage but the Elder continuously dodged and deflected them until Seiya had come into range again.
'' You are going to try again eh ? I'm surprised you'll still try something as foolish as this. ''
He ridiculed Seiya for his attempt again thinking that anything will change. Seiya threw out another barrage of attacks and once more they were deflected. Seiya could see Hieki preparing to perform that chest-blast attack again but Hieki's fingers were pushed by Seiya's hands as he grabbed the Elder's hand and held it behind the man's back.
'' Do it now Sakura! ''
The young prince screamed at Sakura as the female threw the boulder at Hieki with intent on hitting him directly. The boulder had gotten close and in this moment Hieki had known that they did surprise him for a moment but Hieki still had greater strength than Seiya and so he had spun around with enough force and speed that made the boy's feet leave the ground.
Seiya was thrown at the boulder that Sakura sent at Hieki and for a moment it appeared as if it had been the end for the challenge but Seiya's hands flickered a shining bright hue as he used his ice power to gloss the surface of the boulder, flipping ontop of the boulder before going behind it and kicking it with all the power that he could muster.
Hieki didn't see this coming as the boulder's speed grew and it inevitably collided with him.
The Man had not expected this after the first few exchanges when the round had begun but now he knew what they were capable of.
'' You two have what it takes to attain greater power. You have passed my test.''