Two days. That was all that remained before the tournament, and Adam's training was reaching its peak. In the quiet hours of the morning, while most of the students were still sleeping, Adam would sneak away to practice. His control over his fox cloak and blue flames had improved, but he needed more. He had a plan to push himself further, to become stronger, and to use the full potential of his abilities.
He stood in front of a giant training dummy in the sparring room, his breath steady, his mind sharp. His fingers curled as he called upon the fox cloak, feeling the familiar warmth of blue flames coursing through him.
"Focus," he muttered to himself, pushing his power into his palms. A flick of his wrist sent a burst of blue flames spiraling toward the dummy. The flames burned bright, crackling with energy. Adam grinned as the target exploded into a cloud of splinters.
He took a moment to catch his breath before summoning another burst of power. He needed to be ready. His enemies in the tournament wouldn't be easy, and he couldn't rely on anything less than his best.
Meanwhile, Max was pushing himself just as hard. The mental strain of controlling his werewolf form was constant. It wasn't something he could control easily, and that was why Adam had been helping him train in secret.
Max sat on the floor of their dorm, his body trembling slightly from the intense strain. Adam entered the room, locking eyes with him.
"Max," Adam said softly, stepping closer. "You've been at this for hours. You need to rest."
"I can't," Max gritted through his teeth. "I need to be ready. I can't let the team down."
Adam understood that feeling. He'd been training nonstop, too, but it was different for Max. His werewolf form was a wild, unpredictable force—one that could easily spiral out of control if Max didn't get a handle on it.
"Let me help," Adam said. "Focus on me. Trust me. You're stronger than you think. You just need to learn to let go."
Max nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he looked at Adam. Slowly, Adam extended his hand, the blue aura around him flickering. He took a deep breath.
"Relax," Adam whispered. "Focus on the energy, not the form. Let the power come naturally."
Max closed his eyes, focusing on Adam's calm presence. The transformation didn't happen instantly, but after several minutes of breathing deeply and focusing on Adam's guidance, Max could feel it—the shift. Slowly, his body began to shift, his muscles expanding as the werewolf form fought to take over. But this time, Adam was there to guide him, keeping him from losing control.
After a long few moments, Max opened his eyes, now in his werewolf form, though not fully. It was a controlled transformation, a step forward.
"How do you feel?" Adam asked, his voice full of pride.
Max grinned, his sharp teeth glistening in the light. "Better. I think I'm starting to understand it."
Adam smiled. "Good. Just remember, you can only use it when it's necessary. No one can know about this."
Max's expression turned serious. "I understand. Thanks, Adam. I couldn't have done this without you."
Later that day, all the students gathered in their homerooms, waiting for the announcement of their tournament matchups. The tension in the air was palpable, and Adam could feel the weight of it in his chest. Everyone knew this tournament was not just a test of skill—it was a chance to prove themselves, to show their worth.
As the homeroom door opened, the instructor stepped in with a list of names in hand. He stood in front of the class, the anticipation building.
"Alright," the instructor began, his voice firm. "The tournament is in two days, and this is where the fun begins. You've all trained hard, but now it's time to see who's ready for the real deal."
He started calling out names, listing opponents for each of the students. Adam stood tall, waiting for his own name. He had already trained extensively, but now it was time to face the truth—this tournament would be his biggest challenge yet.
"Adam," the instructor finally called out, his eyes meeting Adam's. "You'll be fighting Max."
A hushed silence filled the room. Max stood up slowly, his eyes locking with Adam's.
Adam wasn't surprised. He knew it was coming. This wasn't just any fight—it was a test of everything he and Max had been training for.
The instructor continued, "Remember, this is not just about winning. It's about proving your strength and your control. Use everything you've learned."
Adam looked over at Max, who met his gaze with a determined look.
"Let's do this," Adam said, his voice steady, though his heart raced in anticipation. This would be the fight that defined their training, their strength, and their bond.
Max nodded, a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Ready when you are."
The room filled with a tense excitement as the students prepared for the battle ahead, and Adam knew one thing for sure: this tournament would change everything.