The morning air was crisp and cool as the sun rose over the Hakone shrine, casting long shadows across a newly formed courtyard. This courtyard, unlike any other on the shrine's grounds, shimmered with a faint, ethereal light. The stone tiles beneath Haruto's feet seemed to pulse gently with energy, and the air was charged with a subtle, yet unmistakable power.
Elena, one of the Chosen Ones, had crafted this space using her mastery of Eternum. The courtyard was designed specifically for today's training—a space that could withstand the immense forces that would soon be unleashed. Each stone tile was infused with a protective layer of energy, capable of absorbing and neutralizing even the most devastating impacts. The courtyard was a marvel, a testament to Elena's skill, and a necessary precaution, for today, Haruto would face a challenge unlike any he had encountered before.
Standing at the center of this fortified arena was Akira, the most stern and disciplined of the Chosen Ones. His presence commanded respect, and his reputation as a master swordsman and tactician was known to all who had ever trained under his watchful eye. Haruto had always admired Akira's focus and skill, but today, facing him in the sparring arena, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt.
"Haruto," Akira began, his voice as sharp as the blade he often carried, "combat is more than just physical strength. It requires discipline, focus, and an understanding of your own limits. Today, you will begin to learn what it means to be a warrior. And to do so, you must understand the true power of Eternum Vitalist."
Akira's eyes narrowed, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with intensity. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering himself, before uttering a single, resonant word: "Shinkoku" (神刻)—the term that initiated the transformation within. This ancient word, known only to those who had mastered the art, was the key to unlocking the true potential of Eternum Vitalist. The term itself, meaning "Divine Carving," symbolized the profound change that occurred within the body when the skill was activated.
As Akira spoke the word, his aura exploded outward, a force so powerful that it could split planets and shatter worlds. The ground beneath him trembled, but the courtyard, fortified by Elena's energy, held firm. Haruto could feel the pressure of Akira's aura bearing down on him, a crushing force that made it difficult to breathe. The very air seemed to crackle with power, and the sky above darkened as if in response to the immense energy being released.
But it wasn't just Akira's aura that was extraordinary. In one smooth motion, Akira extended his hand, and a sword materialized out of pure Eternum energy. The blade glowed with an intense, ethereal light, its edges razor-sharp, capable of slicing through the very air itself. The sword was a testament to Akira's mastery over Eternum, a weapon of unparalleled power and precision.
Akira's physical form seemed to shift subtly, his muscles tensing and his posture becoming even more formidable. His aura, a deep, swirling indigo, enveloped him like a protective cloak, radiating a power that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Haruto had heard stories of this level of power, of how Akira's Eternum-forged sword could reduce entire landscapes to rubble. But seeing it in person was something else entirely.
"Elena created this courtyard," Akira said, his voice steady despite the overwhelming power surrounding him. "It is the only place where we can train without risking the destruction of everything around us. Remember this, Haruto—Shinkoku is not just a technique; it is a state of being. It amplifies your physical abilities—strength, speed, endurance—and channels your aura into a force of nature. The aura you release depends on your will, your intent. And today, you will learn to face it."
The other Chosen Ones—Aiden, Elena, Li Wei, Jin-Ho, Nikolai, and Inaaya—stood in a loose circle around the courtyard, their expressions a mix of encouragement and anticipation. They knew this was a crucial moment for Haruto, one that would test not only his physical abilities but also his spirit.
Akira gestured for Haruto to step forward. The boy swallowed his nerves and took his place in the center of the courtyard. Akira handed him a wooden training sword, its weight unfamiliar and slightly intimidating in Haruto's hands. He watched as Akira raised his Eternum blade, demonstrating a series of basic stances and strikes.
"These are the foundations of combat," Akira explained, moving with precision and grace as he demonstrated each technique. His movements were fluid, like a river carving its way through a mountainside, every motion deliberate and purposeful. "Every move, every step, must be deliberate. Your sword is an extension of your will—treat it as such."
Haruto mimicked Akira's movements, trying to replicate the fluidity and precision of his mentor. However, the sword felt awkward in his grip, and his movements were stiff, lacking the natural flow that came so easily to Akira. Despite his best efforts, Haruto could feel the strain in his arms and legs as he tried to keep up.
"Good. Now, let's put it into practice," Akira said, stepping back and raising his sword in a defensive stance. "Come at me, Haruto. Show me what you've learned."
Haruto hesitated for a moment, then lunged forward, swinging his sword with as much force as he could muster. His strikes were like waves crashing against a dam, relentless but unable to break through. But Akira moved with lightning speed, effortlessly blocking the attack and redirecting Haruto's momentum, causing the boy to stumble.
"Focus, Haruto," Akira instructed calmly. "Don't rely on brute strength. Use your mind—anticipate my movements, and strike with precision."
Haruto nodded, his determination renewed. He took a deep breath and attacked again, this time with more control. But once again, Akira countered his every move, barely breaking a sweat as he deflected Haruto's strikes.
Suddenly, Akira shifted his stance, his eyes narrowing as he unleashed a technique Haruto had never seen before. The air around Akira seemed to ripple as he moved with impossible speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. His Eternum blade flashed, and Haruto felt a gust of wind rush past him, followed by a loud crack as the ground behind him split open, a narrow fissure appearing where Akira's blade had passed.
Haruto's heart raced as he realized the sheer power of the move. He had barely seen Akira move, and yet the impact was undeniable. For a moment, Haruto felt overwhelmed, unsure of how to respond. But then, something clicked inside him—an idea, a moment of inspiration.
He steadied his breathing, focusing on the energy within him. If he couldn't match Akira's speed, then he needed to anticipate it. Haruto's mind raced, recalling the patterns of Akira's movements, the way his aura shifted just before he struck. He closed his eyes, feeling the subtle changes in the air, the way Akira's presence seemed to shift ever so slightly before he attacked.
When Haruto opened his eyes again, there was a new determination in his gaze. He tightened his grip on the wooden sword and waited. Akira, sensing the change, nodded approvingly before launching another attack, faster and more intense than before.
This time, Haruto was ready. As Akira's blade descended, Haruto moved, not to block but to redirect. He stepped aside, using the momentum of Akira's strike to pivot and counter with a quick, precise thrust aimed at Akira's side.
The wooden swords clashed, and for the first time, Haruto felt the solid impact of his blade meeting Akira's. It wasn't a perfect strike—Akira still held the upper hand—but it was a connection, a sign of progress.
The sparring session continued, and though Haruto still struggled to keep up with Akira's overwhelming power, he found that his movements were becoming more fluid, his reactions quicker. Each clash of swords was a lesson, each moment of pressure an opportunity to learn and adapt.
But despite his growing confidence, Haruto quickly found himself struggling to keep up. His arms ached from the effort of swinging the sword, and his legs felt like they were made of lead as he tried to maintain his stance. Every time he thought he had found an opening, Akira would effortlessly block his attack, leaving Haruto frustrated and exhausted.
"Again!" Akira commanded, his tone firm but not unkind.
Haruto gritted his teeth and pushed himself to continue, sweat pouring down his face as he tried to match Akira's skill. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to land a single decisive hit. His movements became sloppy, his strikes wild and uncoordinated as fatigue began to take its toll.
"Enough," Akira finally said, lowering his sword. Haruto collapsed to his knees, panting heavily, his body trembling from the exertion. He felt a wave of disappointment wash over him, his earlier excitement now replaced with frustration and self-doubt.
"I... I couldn't do it," Haruto muttered, staring at the ground. "I couldn't even land a single hit."
Akira knelt beside Haruto, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You did well, Haruto," he said, his voice gentler now. "No one masters combat in a single day. What matters is that you tried, and that you didn't give up. That is the mark of a true warrior."
The other Chosen Ones approached, offering their own words of encouragement.
"You've made a good start," Elena said with a warm smile. "Remember, every great warrior was once where you are now. It's not about how many times you fail, but how many times you get back up and keep going."
Li Wei nodded in agreement. "Progress comes with persistence. Your determination will take you far, Haruto. We all see it in you."
Aiden stepped forward, his calm presence reassuring. "The first challenge is always the hardest. But it's also the most important, because it shows you what you're truly capable of. Today, you've shown us that you have the heart of a warrior."
Haruto looked up at his mentors, their words filling him with a renewed sense of purpose. He realized that they weren't disappointed in him—in fact, they were proud of his effort, even if he hadn't succeeded the way he had hoped. He stood up, his legs still shaky but his resolve stronger than ever.
"Thank you," Haruto said quietly, his voice filled with gratitude. "I won't give up. I'll keep training, and I'll get better."
Akira gave a nod of approval. "That's the spirit. Remember, Haruto—strength is not just about how hard you can hit. It's about resilience, discipline, and the will to keep going, no matter how tough things get. Keep that in mind as you continue your training."
As Haruto sheathed his training sword and prepared to leave the courtyard, he felt a sense of accomplishment. It wasn't the kind of victory he had imagined, but it was a victory nonetheless. He had faced his first real challenge, and though it had been difficult, he had learned something valuable—something that would stay with him as he continued on his journey.
And as he left the courtyard, he couldn't help but feel that, in some small way, he had taken his first step toward becoming the warrior he was meant to be.