"The next step is to run around the training grounds four times!" Issac shouted, his voice echoing through the open space.
The young warriors' jaws dropped in disbelief. "So soon?" Pelia murmured, her voice filled with exhaustion. Undeterred, Aiden pushed himself up from the ground and began to jog around the training grounds, setting a determined pace. Peter, recognizing the challenge, followed suit. Rhea watched Aiden with a cold, calculating gaze, while Daniel clenched his fist, a mixture of anger and determination in his eyes.
"That commoner." He muttered.
"I will get stronger, I can do this." Aiden said to himself.
"Good, I like his determination." Issac said as he watches Aiden running around the training grounds. Aiden and Peter stopped on their tracks, breathing heavily, sweats dripping on their forehead. They did it, they completed the task.
Rhea followed suit, her movements fluid and effortless. Daniel and Pelia followed, their determination fuelling their tired bodies. Daniel gritted his teeth as he pushed himself to the very limit. One by one, the students circled the training grounds, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Issac observed them with a critical eye, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Good," he approved, his voice carrying over the sounds of exertion. "The first step to becoming a true warrior is to conquer your body."
Pelia managed to complete three laps before collapsing onto the soft grass, panting heavily.
"You did well, Pelia," Peter encouraged, his voice filed with genuine admiration.
Pelia managed a weak smile, her eyes fixated on Rhea who stood calmly, not even breaking a sweat. A mix of awe and determination ignited within her.
"I'm a little bit impressed," he began crossing his arms over his broad chest. "But rest for now, cause the next step is to strengthen your legs.
They all sighed in relief and decided to take a break. Aiden, Pelia and Peter discussed how they felt about the training. Rhea crossed her legs and breathed slowly. Daniel's friends praised him for his training performance so far.
"You are so amazing, Daniel." One said.
"You are incredible I won't lie, but I wonder how that guy managed to do that eight times." Another said as he looked at Aiden talking to his friends.
Daniel rolled his eyes in disgust and drank a cup of water. "It doesn't matter, he is nowhere close to my actual strength." He said.
Ten minutes have passed since they reached the third step in training. "That's enough rest, get up!" Issac boomed, his voice echoing across the training grounds.
Aiden, Peter, and Pelia exchanged determined glances. "Let's do this," Peter said, his voice filled with resolve.
"Next, strengthen your core," Issac commanded, his voice firm. "Press your bodies into the earth, then rise to the sky. Repeat ten times."
"The warriors began their fourth step in training, their bodies already protesting the exertion. Aiden's legs trembled like jelly by the fifth repetition, his face contorted in a mask of pain. Peter's eyes bulged with effort, as he struggled thorough the sixth. Daniel, sweat pouring down his face, managed a grueling eight repetitions before his body cried enough. Pelia, with impressive determination, reached seven before collapsing. Meanwhile, Rhea performed the exercise with effortless grace, finished the tenth repetition without breaking a sweat. She watched the others with a hint of amusement, her superior physicality evident.
Pelia glanced at Peter and Aiden, her eyes softening with amusement. Peter's eyes were comically wide, his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. The sight was almost too much for her, and a small chuckle escaped her lips.
"The final step of today's training...." Issac began, his voice echoing through the training grounds. He paused dramatically, his eyes scanning the exhausted faces of his students. "Is to destroy this," he finished, pointing at a towering wooden dummy that stood ominously in the center of the grounds.
The young warriors stared at the towering wooden dummy, their eyes wide with disbelief. It was easily twice their height and looked almost indestructible. A wave of doubt washed over them.
Issac noticed everyone's reaction towards the towering wooden dummy, a smirk playing his lips. He pointed at a random boy, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Focus on your abilities and use it to damage the dummy," he instructed, his voice firm. "Think of it as something that tries to take something precious from you."
The boy nodded determinedly, approaching the towering wooden dummy. He gathered all his strength, focusing his energy into his fist. With a swift motion, he unleashed a powerful punch connecting squarely with the dummy's stomach. To everyone's surprise, a small dent appeared where his fist had landed.
"It is reinforced with mana, making it as strong as steel," Issac explained, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Good, who wants to try it? Doesn't matter if you fail to destroy it or not. This is a class to learn and get stronger, no matter the obstacles," Issac declared, his voice carrying across the training ground. A sense of anticipation filled the air as the students exchanged eager glances.
One by one, hands shot up, a forest of arms eager to prove themselves. A satisfied smile spread across Issac's face as he took in the enthusiastic response.
"Begin!" Issac commanded, his voice echoing through the training ground.
One by one, the students stepped forward, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension. Peter exchanged a determined look with Aiden before approaching the towering dummy. With a powerful swing, his fist connected with the wooden giant, but it barely budged. Disappointment flashed across his face as he stepped back.
Pelia followed, her attempt meeting with a similar result. Then came Daniel's turn. A sinister grin spread across his face as he clenched his fist. Suddenly, his hands transformed into sleek black metal, startling everyone. With a thunderous blow, he connected with the dummy, leaving a gaping hole in its chest.
"His..." Peter began, astonishment evident in his voice.
"Strong." Aiden finished the sentence.
Aiden's face flushed with a mix of anger and frustration. Daniel's display of power had been a clear show of dominance, and it stung. He felt a lump form in his throat as he watched the others react to Daniel's strength with awe.
Daniel's hands reverted back to their normal form. He glanced at Aiden with a smug smirk, as if to taunt him. Aiden's face flushed with a mix of anger and determination. He couldn't let Daniel's show of power go unchallenged.
As he watched Daniel, he noticed the large hole in the wooden dummy slowly begin to close up. "Healing magic?" Aiden questioned, his voice laced with surprise.
"No, construction magic," Issac clarified, his voice carrying across the training ground.
"Now then, show me what you can do," Issac said, his voice low and expectant
Aiden's eyes narrowed in concentration. With a swift punch, he connected with the wooden dummy. A small, clean indentation appeared where his fist had landed.
Daniel burst out laughing at Aiden, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Issac's stern gaze fell upon him, silencing the laughter instantly. Daniel quickly averted his eyes, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips.
Aiden's face flushed with disappointment as he returned to his spot beside Peter. "It's okay, brother. We just need to keep trying," Peter offered, squeezing Aiden's shoulder reassuringly. Aiden nodded, determination flickering in his eyes.
Rhea?" Issac called out, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
After the wooden dummy had repaired itself, Rhea cracked her knuckles, a serene expression on her face. With a swift, powerful punch, she connected with the dummy. The impact was earth-shattering. The entire wooden structure exploded into thousands of splinters, scattering across the training ground. A stunned silence fell over the group as they processed what they had just witnessed.
Issac shook his head in disbelief. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the destruction. "That was too much," he muttered under his breath.
Rhea was as surprised by her own strength as everyone else. She looked to Issac for guidance, her face a mixture of awe and uncertainty.
Aiden, Peter, and the rest of the students were speechless. "D-d-did you see that?" Peter stammered, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Y-yes," Aiden replied, his voice barely a whisper.
Daniel's expression was a complex mix of shock and annoyance. "That was unbelievable," he muttered, his voice laced with grudging admiration.
Rhea returned to her original position, a subtle smirk playing on her lips.
"Well, that's it for today," Issac announced, his voice carrying across the training ground. "We'll continue tomorrow. I'll determine the type of training you'll undergo. Remember, not all warriors specialize in strength. Some excel in speed, precision, or other abilities," Issac explained. "It's about discovering and honing your unique talents."
The young warriors nodded in understanding, their bodies aching with exertion. A sense of accomplishment mixed with exhaustion washed over them.
"Now then, go and relax yourselves," Issac declared, his voice echoing in the still air. "Remember, this is just the beginning." With that, he turned and strode away, leaving the students to their much-needed rest.
"Phew, he's gone," Peter breathed out, collapsing onto the soft grass. He looked at Aiden's hands, which were slightly red and swollen from the impact. "You don't have yours?" he asked, pointing at the bruises.
Aiden looked down at his hands, surprised by the question. "What?" he replied, confusion evident in his voice.
"Healing potions," Peter explained, gesturing towards a wooden table where several bottles filled with a bright red liquid sat.
"Oh," Aiden muttered, his attention drawn to the healing potions. He grabbed three bottles, one for himself, one for Peter, and one for Pelia.
"Hey, waste!" Daniel shouted, his voice dripping with contempt.
Aiden ignored the taunt, his focus solely on the throbbing pain in his hand. He made his way to the wooden table where several potions were lined up. Ignoring the curious glances of his classmates. He grabbed three healing potions, one for himself, Peter, and Pelia.
"Did he just ignore me?" Daniel repeated, his voice rising in annoyance. His friends exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama. "He did, Daniel. What do you want to do?" one of them asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Daniel's face turned a shade of crimson as he pondered his next move. He couldn't let Aiden get away with ignoring him.
Aiden downed the potion in one gulp, the sweet, slightly bitter liquid coating his throat. The pain in his hands began to subside almost immediately, replaced by a soothing warmth.
"Hey wait, you can heal right?" Peter asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Aiden nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Yes, I'm supposed to, but..." he trailed off, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"You can't... still struggling, huh?" Peter finished his sentence, a sympathetic look in his eyes.
Aiden nodded again, feeling a surge of frustration. "Don't let yourself down," Pelia encouraged, her voice gentle but firm.
"I won't," Aiden replied, determined to overcome his limitations.
"Well, let's talk about something else," Peter suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
The young warriors exited the training grounds, their bodies buzzing with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. As they walked, they engaged in lively conversation, their voices filled with awe and disbelief at the day's events.
"Can you believe Rhea's strength?" Peter exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.
Aiden nodded in agreement, still processing the events of the training.
The group continued to chat, their laughter echoing through the academy grounds as they made their way back to their dorms.
Aiden stepped out of the dorm room, a cool evening breeze washing over him. He sought the solace of the open air, a chance to clear his head. Disappointment gnawed at him from the inside. His performance during the training had been far below his expectations.
He wanted desperately to understand how Rhea had performed such a feat. She seemed almost otherworldly in her abilities. Yet, the thought of approaching her filled him with trepidation. Rhea was an enigma, a solitary figure who rarely interacted with anyone beyond her instructor.
"Issac Ironheart." He muttered.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hey, waste!" a familiar voice taunted. Aiden turned to face the source of the insult, his annoyance growing.
Before he could react, three burly figures emerged from the shadows, their hands reaching out to grab him. "This again!" Aiden groaned, struggling against their grip. He was being dragged away, his protests falling on deaf ears.
The familiar weightlessness of being lifted off the ground hit him as they hauled him towards the training hall. He could hear Daniel's smug laughter echoing in the distance.
"You dare ignore me?" Daniel spat, his voice laced with venom. With a swift movement, he slapped Aiden's face, sending the boy stumbling backward. The other boys erupted in laughter, their cruel amusement fueling Daniel's ego.
"For that," Daniel growled, his right hand morphing into a menacing black metal fist. "You're going to receive my punishment."
Aiden stood tall, his face flushed with anger. His eyes, narrowed slits, locked onto Daniel's. "Don't you dare touch me," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Daniel smirked, taking a step closer. "Or what?" he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Before Aiden could respond, Daniel roughly shoved him to the ground.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. A girl, her face pale and drawn, stood with an unnatural stillness. Her eyes, now glowing an eerie crimson, seemed to pierce through the darkness. A dark aura surrounded her, making the hairs on the back of everyone's neck stand on end.
"D-Daniel?" The boys pointed at the girl, their hands trembling. "Don't be scared, I'm here," Daniel reassured them. "Who are you?" he asked the girl.
"Kill, kill," she repeated in a monotone voice.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?" one of the boys asked her nervously.
"This is Daniel, son of..." Before he could finish, a powerful fist connected with his face, sending him flying backward with incredible force. The impact created a massive hole in the training hall wall.
"She's fast!" Daniel's eyes widened in shock as he struggled to follow her movements. The two boys accompanying him tried to flee, but it was too late. With a blinding flash of red light emanating from her eyes, she darted forward, knocking them unconscious with powerful blows in an instant.
She vanished, reappearing with startling speed behind Daniel. Her fist, a blur of motion, shot towards his chest. Her eyes, glowing an eerie red, intensified the fear that gripped him. He managed to cross his arms in defense, but the impact sent him careening backward, slamming into the wall. Before he could recover, she materialized in front of him, her red eyes fixed on him. Another blow, swift and merciless, landed squarely on his guard, and he gritted his teeth against the searing pain.
A tentacle, a dark, shadowy extension of her already ominous aura, lashed out with incredible force. It slammed Daniel into the ground, creating a deep crater. Pain shot through his body like fire.
"Please..." Daniel's voice cracked as he tried to beg, but she ignored him. Her tentacle wrapped around him like a constrictor snake, and with a powerful kick, she sent him flying towards Aiden. The force of the blow sent Daniel hurtling through the air, a terrifying projectile. Aiden stood rooted to the spot, his eyes wide with fear.
The dark-haired girl summoned a huge swirling ball of crimson energy. It grew larger and more menacing with each passing second before she hurled it towards Aiden and Daniel. "Is this the end?" Aiden whispered to himself, fear and despair washing over him. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he closed them tightly, bracing for the inevitable. But then, a flicker of defiance sparked within him. "Not this time!" he gritted his teeth. With a surge of determination, he opened his eyes, and they glowed an intense blue.