The morning sun shone down on the training grounds, where Ray, Amy, and Rhyuji were pushing themselves harder than ever before. Eryndor was unlike anywhere they'd been, and its legendary reputation was well-earned. Every warrior here was focused, disciplined, and relentless in their pursuit of power. It was exactly what they needed.
Just as they finished a grueling sparring session, Dylan approached them. His expression was serious, and there was a hint of excitement in his voice. "Ramon has noticed your progress. He's impressed by how quickly you've adapted."
Ray wiped the sweat from his brow, catching his breath. "We've only been here three days."
"Exactly," Dylan said with a grin. "Most warriors take weeks to show even half the improvement you've made. That's why Ramon has decided it's time for you to meet the mentors who will guide you through the next phase of your training."
Amy, always the first to break any tension, leaned forward with a mischievous smile. "So, who's going to be training us? I hope it's someone who can keep up with me."
Dylan chuckled. "Oh, they'll more than keep up. Follow me. You're about to meet the best."
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As they walked toward the center of the village, the tension in the air grew thicker. Ray's heart raced, not from fear, but from anticipation. He knew that if they were to face Miria and the dark guild, they would need to become stronger than ever before. And these mentors could be the key to unlocking their potential.
In the center of the village stood Ramon, the Legendary Warrior himself, flanked by three warriors. His presence alone commanded respect, his aura powerful and overwhelming.
Ramon stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the air. "You've proven yourselves worthy of Eryndor's training. But now, you will be tested even further. These three will push you beyond your limits."
The first warrior was Zyke, a man who looked lean and unassuming, but there was a deadly energy about him. His eyes were sharp, and every movement he made seemed calculated. Dylan gestured toward him. "This is Zyke, known as the Lightning Snake. He's one of the fastest fighters in the world, and his flexibility is unmatched. He'll be training Amy."
Amy's eyes lit up. "Oh, this is going to be fun," she said with a grin, already excited by the challenge.
Zyke didn't respond verbally, but his eyes met Amy's with a look that promised intense training. He was silent, but his presence spoke volumes.
Next was Aron, a tall man with a holy sword strapped to his back, radiating the same divine energy as Rhyuji's blade. "Aron, the Holy Knight," Dylan introduced. "He is one of the few in the world to wield a holy sword, and he will be mentoring Rhyuji."
Rhyuji's eyes widened in surprise. "You… You're a holy sword wielder?"
Aron nodded. "There are only three of us in the world, and your sword is powerful, but you've only scratched the surface of what it can do. I'll teach you how to unlock its true potential."
Rhyuji, normally calm, couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. "I've been waiting for this."
Finally, there was Yuna, a woman with sharp eyes and an air of intelligence about her. She wasn't as imposing as the others, but there was something about her that immediately commanded attention. "Yuna," Dylan said, "also known as the Brain of Eryndor. She's one of the smartest tacticians and strategists in the world. She'll be training Ray."
Ray raised an eyebrow. "A tactician?"
Yuna smirked. "I don't just fight with my fists, Ray. Strategy and intellect can turn even the weakest fighter into a powerhouse. You may not have magic, but I'll show you how to make up for that with tactics and skill."
Ray nodded, intrigued. "I've always relied on my instincts in battle. It's time I learned how to think ahead."
With the mentors introduced, Ramon spoke again, his voice carrying a sense of finality. "You have five days. In that time, they will push you beyond anything you've faced before. By the end of this, you will not be the same people who arrived here."
Ray, Amy, and Rhyuji exchanged determined looks. The real training was about to begin.
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For the next three days, the trio trained harder than they ever thought possible.
Zyke pushed Amy's agility and speed to their limits, constantly throwing her off balance with unpredictable movements. "You have to be faster, Amy," he said, dodging one of her attacks with ease. "You rely too much on strength. In a real fight, you need speed. Be as flexible as a snake."
Amy grinned, her whip cracking through the air. "Don't worry, I'll get there." She was loving every second of it, her competitive spirit keeping her energy high.
Rhyuji, under Aron's guidance, was learning to tap into the holy power of his sword. "You're not using the sword's full potential," Aron said, demonstrating a powerful slash that sent a wave of divine energy through the training field. "Feel the magic in it. Let it guide you."
Rhyuji focused, his brows furrowed in concentration. "I've been relying too much on my swordsmanship… but there's more to this blade than just skill."
Meanwhile, Ray's training with Yuna was unlike anything he had experienced before. She didn't focus on brute strength but instead drilled him in the art of strategy, teaching him how to predict his opponent's moves. "You need to think several steps ahead," Yuna said, placing a chessboard in front of him. "In battle, you're not just fighting your opponent. You're fighting their mind. Outsmart them, and you've already won."
Ray, ever the quick learner, absorbed her teachings like a sponge. "I've always relied on reacting in the moment. But if I can predict what's coming..."
"Exactly," Yuna said with a smirk. "Now you're thinking like a strategist."
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On the night of the third day, as they were returning to their quarters, Ray, Amy, and Rhyuji were exhausted but proud of their progress. They had grown stronger, but there was still so much more to learn.
As they approached their cabin, a strange sound caught their attention. It was a soft sobbing, coming from behind one of the buildings.
"What's that?" Amy asked, her voice curious.
The three of them followed the sound until they found a large, overweight man sitting alone in the dark, tears streaming down his face. He was enormous, with a body that looked as though it belonged to a giant, yet there was a gentle innocence to him.
Ray furrowed his brow, feeling a strange sense of unease. "Who... is he?"
Rhyuji and Amy exchanged confused glances. The man hadn't noticed them yet, lost in his own sorrow.
"What's he doing here?" Amy whispered, her usual playful tone replaced by curiosity.
Ray stepped forward cautiously, but before he could speak, the man suddenly looked up, his tear-filled eyes locking onto them. There was a deep sadness in his gaze, but something about him made Ray hesitate.
Who was this man, and why was he here?
As the night deepened, questions swirled in Ray's mind. Why would someone like him be crying in a village of warriors? And what secrets was he hiding?
The air was thick with mystery, and none of them could shake the feeling that their encounter with this stranger was only the beginning of something far greater.