Miya stepped forward calmly, her gaze fixed on the robot that stood before her. The fight began without preamble. Without activating her aura or using any visible energy, Miya engaged in the fight, striking with natural precision and speed.
However, despite its purely physical approach, the robot managed to dodge with remarkable efficiency. Its movements were fluid, precise, and it seemed to anticipate each blow, narrowly avoiding Miya's attacks.
Suka, arms crossed, carefully observed Miya and his mechanical opponent. He said in a calm tone: "Even if she doesn't use her alchemy, we must not forget that the robots in this session are specially designed for combat. The data of most martial arts is recorded in them."
Yamero nodded, staring at the duel with a slight smile. "Sure, they have all this data in memory, but that doesn't mean they are invincible. In a purely physical fight, without activating their alchemy, it is quite possible to surprise them. These robots become really problematic when their opponent uses their aura, because that is when they excel in analysis and counterattack."
Daru, faithful to his critical mind, shrugged casually. "Tsss, they are only robots. Vulgar puppets created by man. They can't compete with the truly unpredictable."
The group continued to follow the fight, each silently analyzing Miya's movements and how she was handling this confrontation. The robot, fast and methodical, seemed to adjust to Miya's every move, but something in its approach hinted at a possible opening.
The fight intensified, Miya maintaining constant pressure on the robot. She chained the blows together with impeccable technique, but despite her efforts, the robot managed to dodge with mechanical agility, its precise movements reflecting the complexity of its programming. Each attempted attack seemed read and anticipated, but Miya showed no sign of frustration, her face remaining cold and focused.
Then, in a flash of strategy, Miya changed pace. She launched herself for a direct strike, aiming for the robot's head. Her fist split the air with impressive power, and the robot, reacting instinctively, raised its two metal arms to intercept the attack. But that was Miya's goal.
"Fake shot successful," she thought, sketching a slight smile.
Taking advantage of the opening created by her ruse, she quickly pivoted on her supports. In an explosive movement, his other fist burst out of the ground, describing a perfect arc: a powerful and precise uppercut.
"CRACK!"
The impact was brutal. The robot, unable to react in time, took the full brunt of the blow. Its head was violently thrown back, and its massive body was torn from its balance. It crashed heavily to the ground, creating a shock wave and raising a thin layer of dust.
A silence fell for a few seconds, the spectators stunned.
Yamero broke the silence by crossing his arms: "Not bad. But hey, you just got lucky with that fake shot."
Daru, confident, said with his arms crossed: "I told you, it's just a pile of scrap metal, nothing more."
But he had barely finished his sentence when the robot, lying on the ground, began to emit a shrill and mechanical noise. A red flash crossed its eyes, and slowly, it straightened up.
Yamero, raising an eyebrow, murmured: "Ah, this is getting interesting."
The robot, now standing, turned its head towards the group, staring at Miya and then the group with an icy intensity. The sparks on its damaged torso bore witness to the previous impact, but it didn't seem to affect it.
Maki stepped back slightly, alarmed: "What's that? He shouldn't have gotten up, right?"
Daru, puzzled, exclaimed: "Wait... Wasn't that supposed to be over?!"
Suka, watching closely, replied in a serious tone: "These models probably have an advanced survival protocol. They don't stop until they're completely neutralized."
Suka watched the scene with his arms crossed and said, "Even with a survival protocol, a robot is not supposed to get up with such determination. It should normally resume the fight immediately. It seems that our words... and Miya's attack have upset it."
Miya, annoyed, replied confidently, "It must be a glitch in their system. Either way, I'm going to finish this robot here and now."
The robot, indifferent to their exchanges, rushed at Miya at full speed. Its movements seemed more aggressive and less precise, as if something had pushed it beyond its programmed limits.
Miya waited patiently, focused, until the last moment. Then, with impeccable fluidity, she pivoted to the side, avoiding the robot's charge. Taking advantage of her momentum, she channeled her aura into her fist, creating an intense light around her hand.
"Done for you," she whispered as she struck with explosive force directly into the robot's torso.
The impact was devastating. The robot's armor shattered into pieces, metal shards flying in all directions. Only the robot's head, intact, was thrown far away before crashing heavily against the wall.
Miya lowered her fist, her breathing steady, and stood up. "Bug or not, that's taken care of," she said dryly, her eyes fixed on the remains of the robot.
Suka, with an exasperated look, said, "Come on, Maki, it's your turn now."
Maki, who seemed to have already decided her fate, raised her hands in denial and began to walk away from the training room. "Sorry, but no. I'll pass."
Yamero, stung by her attitude, said with a mocking smile, "Oh, come on, Maki. What, are you scared?"
Without even turning around, Maki calmly replied, "Nice try, but no. I'm not going to do it."
A silence fell, momentarily breaking the tension in the place. Finally, Suka sighed and raised her hands in surrender. "Well, fine. Training is officially over. Get some rest. We'll finish the last session tomorrow."
Everyone seemed to accept this decision with a mixture of relief and impatience. As Maki left the room lightly, the other members dispersed, discussing battles and strategies among themselves.
Daru murmured with a smile, "Even the bravest know when to retreat in the end."
Miya shrugged. "It's mostly laziness, not courage. But hey, maybe she'll surprise us tomorrow."
Yamero, for his part, cast one last glance at the unfinished training, an enigmatic smile on his lips. "We'll see."
In the living room, the atmosphere was relaxed, almost familial. Daru, Suka, and Yamero were comfortably seated on the sofas, discussing the best way to pass the time after their training.
"So, what do we do?" Daru asked, his arms crossed behind his head.
Suka, who was absently leafing through a magazine, replied without looking up: "Well, we rest."
"I know that," Daru insisted, "but with what? We should be able to find something fun to pass the time."
Suka shrugged. "Why not watch a series? Or a documentary, for example."
Before Daru could answer, Yamero interjected with a defiant smile. "Let's play console games to pass the time. I bet you I'll beat you on Call of Duty."
Daru burst out laughing. "Ah, the reality is much more different than what you hope, Yamero."
Yamero narrowed his eyes, pointing an accusing finger. "Then go ahead, prove me wrong. If you're so sure, prove it on the battlefield."
Suka sighed deeply, raising his hands in surrender. "Ahhhh, you really are unbelievable. Okay, let's go play Call of Duty."
In a matter of moments, the console was turned on, the controllers distributed, and the boys immersed in a frantic match.
"Grab that, Daru! Did you think you could hide behind that crate? You're dreaming!" Yamero shouted, his eyes glued to the screen, his character unleashing a hail of bullets.
Daru replied with a sneer. "You may have good reflexes on the field, but this is my kingdom!"
Suka, remaining silent, took advantage of the verbal exchange to rack up eliminations. "Double kill… triple kill… What were you talking about again?" he said with a satisfied smile.
Yamero and Daru stopped for a moment, realizing that their score was ridiculous compared to Suka's.
"What?! How does he do that?" Yamero cried, incredulous.
"Tactics, my dear. Tactics," Suka replied with a pretentious tone.
The afternoon continued like this, punctuated by laughter, cries of frustration, and provocations. Despite their competitive spirit, everyone appreciated this moment of relaxation after a day of effort.
Arriving in the kitchen, the boys began to rummage through the refrigerator, their eyes wide at the multitude of ingredients. The fridge was overflowing with fresh vegetables, juicy fruits, refreshing drinks, meats of all kinds... It was a real feast that awaited them.
Yamero, a little discouraged by the mass of choices, let himself fall into a chair, sighing deeply:
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm really not in the mood to cook something."
Daru, searching a shelf nearby, agreed:
"You're right, I'm exhausted too. After all this game, I have no motivation at all."
Suka, who was watching the others with a smirk, shrugging his shoulders, replied:
"In that case, that's where the innovation comes in. We'll ask the program specially created by Miya to cook for us. Just say what you want."
The other two looked up, intrigued.
This program is an artificial intelligence created by Miya. It can take verbal commands from its users and control robots remotely to take ingredients and cook to perfection.
Yamero, all excited, turned to the refrigerator while searching the shelves.
"For me, it'll be a steak with eggs and avocados," he said, devouring the various ingredients with his eyes.
Daru, taking a quick look at the products at his disposal, declared:
"For me, it's burger and a huge pizza. No question of depriving yourself."
Suka, for his part, answered calmly:
"For my part, I'll have salad and steak."
The artificial intelligence program confirmed the commands and began to execute the tasks, but a heavy silence suddenly settled. Yamero, looking for something else in the fridge, looked up and asked, intrigued:
"There's chocolate in the fridge, over there, where are they?"
Daru, suddenly thoughtful, added:
"Now that you ask, you're right, there were chocolates."
Suka, for his part, remained strangely silent. Yamero and Daru exchanged a suspicious glance before turning to him. A tense silence settled as they began to observe him intensely.
Suddenly, Yamero stood up and grabbed Suka by the head, with a mischievous smile.
"I know you know, tell us."
Suka, slightly taken aback, quickly exclaimed:
"Miya hid it somewhere in this world."
Daru, raising an eyebrow, replied, visibly annoyed:
"Stop with your One Piece references and tell us where it's hidden."
Yamero, crossing his arms, leaned towards him, an even bigger smile on his face:
"Hidden chocolate to eat it all by herself, huh? She'll see."
Suka, a little annoyed but amused by the situation, sighed and resigned himself to answering:
"Okay, I'll show you where the chocolate is hidden, but don't say I told you, okay?"
The two boys rushed to extend their hands at the same time, with knowing smiles.
"Deal done, boss."
Suka, a little exasperated but amused, pointed to a corner of the kitchen, where a small metal box was carefully hidden under a pile of plates.
"It's there, behind the plates. Don't tell Miya, I'm warning you."
Yamero and Daru exchanged a knowing look before rushing towards the box.
The three friends, after leaving the kitchen and their meal on hold, headed back to the living room. However, Daru, who seemed to have another idea in mind, called out to them before they settled down on the couch.
"Instead of playing the console again and eating there, it would be better to go to the terrace at the top and enjoy a starry sky, while swimming in the pool," he suggested, with a smirk.
Yamero, always ready to appreciate good ideas, immediately replied:
"Very nice suggestion, say, sometimes you think well, huh."
Suka nodded, also seeming to appreciate the prospect of a change of scenery. Together, they took the elevator that took them directly to the terrace, where a breathtaking view awaited them. The starry night stretched as far as the eye could see, each star shining brightly in a clear sky. The wind blew gently, bringing a pleasant feeling of freshness, while still being light enough to make the atmosphere comfortable.
The terrace was furnished with wooden chairs and a table, perfect for chatting and enjoying the scenery. A large pool sat in the center, the water sparkling under the stars, inviting the young men to relax and enjoy the evening. The setting was almost magical, a perfect contrast to the hustle and bustle they had experienced earlier.
"This is exactly what we needed," Daru said, settling comfortably into a chair. "A little peace and freshness."
Yamero, who had already spotted the pool, quickly stood up.
"Let's go, I'm not going to stay here without a little swim."
Suka just smiled, enjoying the moment, as he also made his way towards the water. The night seemed to slowly stretch out around them, offering them a welcome break from the hectic day they had spent.