The martial arts class was one of the few sessions Kaden genuinely looked forward to. The teacher, Master Reyn, stood tall with a muscular build, his silver hair tied neatly behind his head. His piercing green eyes scanned the students, but not with judgment. Unlike most other instructors, Master Reyn did not discriminate based on rank, background, or ability. For him, every student was a blank slate, and his sole focus was teaching them to master their bodies and minds.
Kaden respected that. It mirrored his own philosophy—he only cared about learning, improving, and surviving. So he absorbed every word Master Reyn said like a sponge.
Today, the class began as usual with students forming neat rows on the training grounds. Master Reyn stood at the front, hands clasped behind his back, his sharp voice breaking the silence.
"Today, I want you all to answer a simple question," he began. "What is the most important thing in battle?"
