After four grueling laps around the training grounds, Isaac was pleasantly surprised to find that the young warriors had completed the physical training phase. He announced the start of the next phase: weapons training.
The young warriors, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, were expecting to be equipped with real weapons. They had been itching to test their skills with something more substantial than wooden practice weapons.
"Wood!? Seriously? What are we? Babies?" Daniel scoffed, his voice laced with disbelief as he stared at the wooden weapons. His group nodded in agreement, their faces mirroring his disappointment. They wanted real weapons, not the flimsy replicas they were being handed.
Isaac grabbed a wooden katana and approached Daniel, who clenched his fist, transforming it into a menacing black metal blade. Isaac halted in his tracks, his eyes locked on Daniel's. Just five inches away, he swung the wooden katana, the blade slicing through the air and connecting with Daniel's cheek. A small cut appeared, a testament to the surprising sharpness of the wooden weapon.
"Anything is a weapon, don't forget that," Isaac said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of steel.
Daniel touched his cheek, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at Isaac, who turned away and walked back to his original spot.
"Wait till my father hears this," Daniel muttered under his breath, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge.
"Now then, I'll assign your opponents for the weapons training. But first, choose your weapons," Isaac announced.
"I don't really like using weapons to fight," Peter muttered, swinging his wooden sword halfheartedly. He furrowed his brow in frustration. "I prefer using my fists."
"Me too," Pelia agreed, nodding in solidarity.
"If that's the case, then... If you don't want to use weapons to fight, it's your choice. After all, you can't force anyone to do what they don't want to do, unless it's necessary," Isaac said.
"Sweet!" Peter exclaimed, cracking his knuckles.
Aiden picked up a wooden katana and began to swing it. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his head. He touched his head and gritted his teeth as he began to see blurry, fragmented images. It was as if he was reliving a memory, but the details were hazy and indistinct. One of his eyes began to glow a vibrant blue.
Rhea picked up a wooden dagger, its handle smooth and cool in her grasp. Daniel, acting cool to impress Rhea, refused to use any weapons. Lyra, undecided, chose a wooden sword, even though she had no experience with it.
Isaac noticed Aiden's sudden reaction. He approached him, but stopped in his tracks as Aiden began to swing the katana again. "What was that?" Aiden muttered, his voice filled with confusion. "What's happening to me? Never mind that. I should train myself to get stronger," he thought to himself, the pain subsiding.
The rest of the young warriors chose their weapons: axes, shields, and other various implements.
"I believe everyone is ready?" Isaac asked, his voice carrying over the excited chatter.
"Yes sir!!" they all responded in unison.
"Good." Isaac nodded.
"Blake and John, Ella and Kelsey..." Isaac began to call out pairs of young warriors, assigning them opponents for the weapons training.
Rhea and Pelia, Daniel and Peter, Aiden and Lyra – these three pairs stood opposite each other, their stances a mix of anticipation and determination. They were ready to face their opponents, whether with weapons or bare fists.
Daniel smirked, his eyes glinting with a dangerous amusement. "Can you believe this? Someone like me would actually want to trade places with a commoner like him? I doubt he'd even dare to challenge me after yesterday's display. Issac Ironheart is going to pay for the humiliation he inflicted on me. I'll make him regret ever crossing me."
"Hey, blockhead!" Peter shouted, his fists clenched and ready for a fight. "Are you ready or what?"
Daniel's eyes narrowed, his face contorting with anger. "Did you just call me a blockhead?"
"You're gonna su..." Daniel began, his voice trailing off as Peter launched a powerful punch that connected squarely with his face.
Daniel's eyes widened in shock as he felt a sharp pain in his face. He reached up to touch his nose, his fingers coming away bloody.
Daniel's eyebrows furrowed as his hands began to transform into black metal. With a menacing grin, he lunged at Peter, aiming a powerful punch. Peter, however, easily dodged the attack, his movements fluid and effortless.
Frustrated, Daniel launched another attack, this time with his fist. But Peter, with a practiced motion, blocked the blow with his open hand. Daniel smirked, increasing the pressure on Peter's hand, hoping to break his bones. "Let's see how you handle this," he taunted.
Peter's eyes narrowed as his hands began to emit a golden glow, surprising Daniel.
Daniel's black metal hands crack as Peter holds them tight. Daniel breaks free with a powerful jerk, sending Peter stumbling back.
Peter, unfazed, lunges forward, his eyes filled with a feral intensity. He delivers a vicious kick to Daniel's cheek, sending the younger man reeling. Blood gushes from his mouth, staining his teeth crimson. A low growl escapes his throat as he tries to regain his footing.
"What's the matter, boy?" Peter taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. He motioned for Daniel to attack.
Aiden watched the exchange, a mixture of concern and confusion washing over him. Where had Peter gotten this newfound confidence? He'd always been an energetic, funny person with a knack for martial arts, but now there was a hint of something more sinister in his eyes.
"Hey, don't get distracted," Lyra stammered, her body shaking as she struggled to hold onto her wooden sword.
Aiden glanced at her, a wave of surprise washing over him. This was the same girl who had nearly killed him a day ago.
"She was a beast when she attacked me, but now..." Aiden thought to himself.
Lyra dropped her wooden sword, her head shaking. "I can't do it," she said, her voice filled with resignation. "I can't continue this training."
She quickly left the training ground, her departure unnoticed by most of the others.
The crowd's attention was riveted on the fight between Peter and Daniel, their shouts and cheers echoing through the air. Even the other trainees had stopped their own sparring matches to observe the intense duel.
Isaac watched the fight with growing concern. He noticed a strange energy swelling within Peter's body, a subtle shift that hinted at something amiss.