The sun was high in the sky, casting long shadows across the training field where Ren and Akio were sparring, their fists and magic clashing in a flurry of action. Ren's fists crackled with lightning, each strike surging with electricity, while Akio's hands glowed faintly with the heat of his fire magic. They had been training for hours, pushing each other to the limit, determined to grow stronger after their recent successes in hunting missions.
Sweat dripped down Ren's forehead as he stepped back, catching his breath. "You're getting better, Akio. Your control over the flames is much sharper now."
Akio smirked, wiping his brow. "You're not so bad yourself. That **Lightning Needle** technique of yours is deadly. But we still have a long way to go."
Before Ren could respond, a voice interrupted them from behind.
"Hey, you two! Mind if I join?"
Ren and Akio turned to see a young man approaching. He looked a few years older, with shaggy brown hair and a confident smirk. His muscular build and the sword strapped to his back suggested he was no ordinary bystander. The air around him felt charged with power, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Who are you?"
The young man stopped a few paces away, crossing his arms. "Name's Kalin. I saw you two training from a distance. You're not bad, but I wonder how you'd fare against someone stronger."
Akio snorted, his competitive spirit already flaring. "Stronger, huh? And what makes you think you're better than us?"
Kalin shrugged casually. "I'm a low C-rank hunter. Judging by your speed and power, you're D-rank, right? But don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
Ren's eyes narrowed, a spark of electricity dancing around his fingers. "C-rank, huh? Let's see if you can back up that talk."
Without waiting for a response, Ren dashed forward, his footwork swift as he launched a kick aimed at Kalin's side. Lightning crackled around his leg, giving the strike extra force. But Kalin moved with surprising speed, raising his arm and blocking the kick with ease. Ren barely had time to register Kalin's counterattack before a fist slammed into his chest, sending him flying across the field.
Ren hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him as he gasped for breath. He looked up in shock, clutching his chest where Kalin had struck. The man's strength was no joke.
"Not bad," Kalin said, cracking his knuckles. "But you're gonna need more than flashy magic to beat me."
Akio's eyes widened at the sight of Ren being tossed aside so easily. His hands ignited with flames as he charged in, determined to avenge his friend. He threw a series of fire-imbued punches, each one faster than the last, but Kalin dodged with minimal effort, moving like a blur. With a swift motion, Kalin grabbed Akio's arm mid-punch and twisted, flipping him onto the ground with a thud.
"Too slow," Kalin said, shaking his head.
Akio groaned in frustration, his pride wounded. He scrambled to his feet, flames reigniting in his hands, but before he could make another move, Kalin raised a hand.
"That's enough. I didn't come here to humiliate you two," Kalin said, his voice calm but firm. "You're both strong for your age, but you're lacking in experience. You rely too much on your magic and not enough on your fundamentals."
Ren and Akio exchanged glances, both feeling the sting of defeat but also a grudging respect for Kalin's skill. They hadn't faced anyone this strong before.
Kalin stepped back, sheathing his sword. "I'm heading to the city to become a gladiator. If you really want to get stronger, you'll need more than just brute strength. You've got potential, but you need to hone your skills. You're on the right path, though."
Ren clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. He hated losing, but Kalin's words stuck with him. He wanted more than anything to become stronger, to exact his revenge on the Silver Tide Clan, and to never feel powerless again.
Kalin gave them a nod. "Good luck, you two. Maybe we'll meet again in the arena someday. And when we do, I expect a real challenge."
With that, Kalin turned and walked away, leaving Ren and Akio in silence. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the loss hanging heavy in the air.
Akio finally broke the silence, his voice quiet. "He's right, you know. We've been so focused on magic that we've neglected our physical training. We need to balance both if we want to stand a chance against people like him."
Ren nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah. We've got to train harder."
And so they did.
The next few days were grueling. Ren and Akio pushed themselves to the limit, refining their physical techniques alongside their magic. They practiced their hand-to-hand combat, improving their reflexes and footwork, making sure they could fight effectively even without relying on their elemental abilities.
During breaks in their training, they visited the library, seeking out skill books and information on advanced magic techniques. Ren found a book on lightning manipulation, learning how to refine his **Lightning Aura** to increase his speed and precision. Akio, meanwhile, picked up a book on fire's destructive power, honing his ability to control the intensity and spread of his flames.
One book they found in particular piqued their interest—**"The Art of Magic Augmentation"**. It explained how mages could enhance their physical attacks by focusing magic into specific body parts, similar to how Ren had been coating his fists with lightning. The idea of blending magic and martial arts fascinated them both, and they spent hours studying the techniques.
Akio tossed one of the books aside after a long day of reading. "This is exactly what we need. Magic isn't just about raw power; it's about control and precision. We can use it to strengthen every punch, every kick."
Ren agreed, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "We've been focusing on big attacks, but we need to sharpen everything. Kalin was right—we were too reliant on our magic alone. If we combine it with stronger fundamentals, we'll be unstoppable."
After days of relentless training, their bodies felt stronger, their techniques sharper. They knew they still had a long way to go, but the fire in their hearts burned brighter than ever.
And as they stood on the edge of the training field, Ren clenched his fists, feeling the crackle of lightning dancing beneath his skin.
"We'll meet Kalin again someday," Ren muttered, his eyes blazing with determination. "And next time, we'll show him what we're really capable of."
Akio grinned, flames flickering around his fingers. "Damn right."
The path ahead was long, but they were ready. Ready to become stronger, ready to face any challenge, and ready to carve out their place in the world. The journey had only just begun.