The two blades sang as they met, the cacophonous sound of steel clashing and grinding against each other filling the air. The metallic scent of blood and sweat mixed with the damp earth as the two warriors continued their deadly dance.
Tokita's muscles burned with exertion, every fiber straining under the intense pressure. His lungs ached with every gasping breath he took, and his heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. Sweat poured down his face and onto the ground, the salty droplets hissing as they met the hot stone beneath them.
But despite the pain and fatigue, Tokita refused to give up. With a primal yell, he surged forward, his katana held high above his head. He attacked with a ferocity that belied his exhaustion, each strike delivered with lightning-fast speed and deadly precision.
His grip on his katana was firm, his knuckles white with the strain. He pushed past all the pain his body was currently in. The taste of blood lingered in his mouth as he took a deep breath, steadying himself for the next attack.
Leo stood before him, his own sword glinting in the sunlight. He looked calm and collected, as if he was completely in control of the situation. Tokita couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration, as if he was fighting an uphill battle against an unbeatable opponent.
But it was fine. He didn't need to win, he just needed to grow stronger.
That's all he needs to do.
With each passing moment, Tokita's senses were heightened. The sound of their clashing blades reverberated in his ears, his heartbeat pulsing in his chest. The sweat dripped from his forehead onto the ground beneath him, mixing with the dirt and staining it with his determination.
As he locked eyes with Leo, he could feel a sense of power emanating from his opponent. But he refused to let that intimidate him. Instead, he let it fuel his drive to become stronger.
With a sudden burst of energy, Tokita lunged forward, his katana poised to strike. He could see the slight twitch of Leo's muscles as he prepared to defend, the focus in his eyes unyielding.
Tokita's blade descended in a swift and powerful arc, his skill with the blade monumentally better than it had been the previous day. He could feel the rush of air as the blade made contact with Leo's sword, the sound of steel ringing out like a symphony.
Tokita pushed forward in an attempt to disarm Leo and win the power struggle, but his overconfidence would be his demise.
Leo stomped forward, knocking the hilt of his blade into Tokita's chest, winding him in the process. Leo brought the blade upwards, prepared to slash down and finish the fight.
Yet, just as he was about to strike, the sound of Mitsugi's voice cut through the air like a knife. "Time," she said softly, signaling the end of the bout.
Leo's signature smile returned to his face as he whipped his Katana around and placed it into his sheath.
"You're improving at a good pace. Let's take fifteen and go again." Leo said, walking over to where Mitsugi had been sitting, where a small basket sat next to her.
Tokita sat on the stone ground, his chest heaving with exhaustion as sweat dripped down his forehead. He closed his eyes, feeling the cool breeze against his skin, the sensation soothing his overworked muscles.
Two days had passed since they had started training. He'd barely seen Ian since, only seeing him in small glimpses when he'd head into his room. The training was so vigorous that by the end of the day, all he could think about was sleep.
Despite the grueling nature of the training, Tokita could feel himself improving with each passing day. His reflexes had become sharper, his movements more precise, and his mind clearer. He knew that he still had a long way to go, but the progress he was making gave him hope.
As Leo reached Mitsugi, he picked up the small basket that sat next to her, pulling out two sandwiches and a metallic flask. He tossed one sandwich to Tokita, who caught it with a grateful nod.
As he took the sandwich, Tokita could smell the fresh bread and savory meat. He took a big bite, the flavors exploding in his mouth. It was the most delicious sandwich he had ever tasted. Tokita devoured it with insane speed, scarfing it down nearly in an instant. The crumbs fell on the ground as he ate, his eyes closed in pleasure.
Leo stepped over, a smaller bit of sandwich in his mouth. "Don't go choking to death now," he said with a grin.
Tokita looked up at him, his cheeks bulging with food as he tried to speak. "It's not my fault this is the one thing you give me every eight hours. Can't you give me more?" he said between bites.
Leo chuckled, enjoying Tokita's enthusiasm. "Well, I can't have you fainting on me during training. But I'll see what I can do," he replied, handing Tokita another sandwich.
Tokita's eyes lit up, and he eagerly took a bite. The taste was even better than the first one. As he ate, he felt his energy returning, his muscles relaxing, and his mind sharpening. He knew he needed the fuel if he was going to keep up with Leo's intense training.
Leo's facial expression relaxed as he began to think to himself. His mind went back to a couple of days prior, when Grensvall first informed him of the fact he'd be training Tokita.
As the sun beamed down upon them, the rays reflecting off the foliage of the forest, Leo listened intently to his captain's words. The sound of rustling leaves, the chirping of birds, and the distant crack of thunder combined to create a serene yet ominous tone that echoed throughout the hideout's interior. Lightning struck in the distance, illuminating the room with a bright flash, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Leo gazed out into the vast expanse of the forest, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds providing a serene soundtrack. He couldn't help but wonder what made his captain choose him for this task.
"You want me to train him?" Leo asked, his tone of voice tinged with a hint of surprise as he listened to his Captain's request.
"Indeed, but in a slightly different way than you've trained the others," Grensvall stated, looking out into the forest, observing the effects of Aila and Tokita's fight in the distance.
Leo leaned on a wooden pillar, basking in the sun's warm rays as he contemplated the purpose of his new assignment. "I don't mind, but could you enlighten me on why I was specifically chosen for this task?"
As he leaned against the wooden pillar, the warmth of the sun seeping into his skin, Leo couldn't shake off his initial surprise. He had never been one to train novices, especially someone whose catalyst potential was as low as Tokita's.
Grensvall spoke without looking at him, his attention fully focused on the scene unfolding before him. "I'm sure you read the report. Tokita's catalyst potential is staggeringly low, at D-. However, he was able to defeat a combatant with more experience, firepower, and general skill." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Despite his low potential, I saw a flicker of potential in him, a desire to win that could be nurtured into greatness."
Leo couldn't help but feel a sense of skepticism, but he knew better than to question his captain's judgment. He shifted his weight and turned to Grensvall, who was still observing the training grounds in the distance. He scoffed. "Beating that Nolan kid isn't much of an accomplishment."
"Maybe not. But how many fighters with that low of potential have you seen push past all odds and do the impossible, like he has?" Grensvall stated, placing both hands behind his back as he turned to face Leo. "He has the potential to be great."
"Really? He didn't seem all that impressive to me." Leo stated, tilting his head in thought.
"I'm sure after you spend a few days training with him, you'll have the same thoughts as myself," Grensvall stated as he chuckled.
"Who knows," Leo muttered.
Grensvall eyes aligned with Leo, his eyes alight with anticipation. "I trust you'll do your best, Leo. And who knows, perhaps this novice will surprise us all."