The dawn of the second year of military training had come. Isaki stood amidst the vast field of the training grounds, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. The first year had been grueling—pushing his physical limits, honing his swordsmanship, and constantly battling against his rival, Riku. But now, the true foundation of what it meant to be a warrior was about to be laid: the mastery of Aura.
Aura was not just energy. It was something far more profound, an ethereal force that was tightly intertwined with the very essence of a person's soul. For most recruits, the first year of training had only scratched the surface. But now, in this second year, they would dive deeper into its mysteries, and Isaki felt both excitement and trepidation.
The instructors gathered the recruits in the center of the grounds for their first lesson. Instructor Tora, a seasoned warrior with graying hair and scars lining his face, took the lead. His voice, as sharp as a blade, cut through the morning air.
"Aura," he began, pacing before the recruits, "is the lifeblood of all warriors and magicians alike. It is the source of your strength, your will, and your spirit. Mastering it will determine whether you remain a mere foot soldier or ascend to greatness. Over the next two years, your understanding of Aura will be tested. Fail to grasp its importance, and you will fail in battle. But those who succeed… they will become great heroes."
Isaki listened intently. He had known about Aura all his life, thanks to his father, Izaku Ryo, who had trained him rigorously in preparation for moments like these. Yet, even with that foundation, Isaki knew there was so much more to learn. Aura was divided into levels, each more complex and powerful than the last.
The First Level of Aura, as explained by Instructor Tora, was internal. At this stage, Aura flowed within the body, almost imperceptible to the outside world but felt deeply by the individual. Those who mastered the first level could harness their Aura to strengthen their muscles, increase their speed, and enhance their endurance. It was the foundation of all warriors and mages. During the second year of training, recruits would spend most of their time learning to accumulate and harness their internal Aura, fortifying their physical capabilities.
"To reach the Second Level of Aura," the Instructor continued, "you must externalize it. Aura that can be seen, felt, and even manipulated outside of your body. For swordsmen, it might manifest as a visible glow around their blade. For mages, it would be the basis of casting stronger spells. It is rare, even at your age, to reach this level. Most will only grasp it once they enter one of the three great academies."
Isaki's heart raced at the mention of the Fate Academy. It was his dream to enter, to prove himself among the elite. But to do so, he would need to stand out—he needed to master Aura at a level beyond his peers.
Instructor Tora's voice grew more serious as he delved into the Third Level of Aura. "The third level," he said, his eyes scanning the crowd, "is where Aura can be imbued into objects. For a swordsman, it means channeling your Aura into your weapon, giving it immense power. For a mage, it means crafting powerful magical items or enchanting your surroundings. It is a rare feat, and only those with complete control over their Aura can hope to achieve it."
As the instructor spoke, Isaki couldn't help but recall his father's training. Izaku had shown him glimpses of what Aura could do, though always with the insistence that Isaki focus on mastering his internal Aura first. His father had been firm about the importance of foundation—without a solid grasp of the first level, the second and third would always remain out of reach.
"The task ahead of you," the instructor concluded, "is to build up your internal Aura over the next two years. This is no easy feat. Strengthening your body, expanding your Aura reserves, and learning how to control its flow will be your primary focus. Only those with the strongest foundations will even hope to reach the second level before entering an academy."
The recruits murmured among themselves. It was rare, after all, for anyone to reach the second level before entering the academies. But every now and then, there had been a few geniuses who managed to do so, becoming legends before their time.
After the lecture, the real training began. Day after day, the recruits were pushed to gather and control their internal Aura. It was an exhausting process, requiring immense concentration and discipline. The training consisted of intense physical exercise designed to push the body to its limits while forcing the recruits to channel their Aura into their muscles, fortifying them, and allowing them to move faster, hit harder, and endure longer.
Isaki threw himself into the training, determined to master his Aura. Each day, as he ran through the drills, he focused inward, feeling the flow of his Aura, trying to guide it, control it. He could feel it—like a warmth inside him, flowing through his veins, filling his muscles with strength. But it wasn't enough. He needed to do more. He needed to become stronger, faster, better.
And then there was Riku.
The rivalry between Isaki and Riku had not subsided. If anything, it had grown more intense. Riku, too, was determined to master his Aura, and like Isaki, he was progressing at an alarming rate. Every time Isaki made a breakthrough, Riku was right there, matching him step for step. Their sparring sessions became legendary among the recruits—two young warriors, locked in a fierce battle for supremacy.
One evening, after an especially intense day of training, Isaki found himself standing alone at the edge of the training grounds, his body drenched in sweat, his muscles aching from exertion. He closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of his Aura. He could feel it inside him, stronger than it had ever been, but still just out of reach of externalizing.
"Struggling, Ryo?" a familiar voice cut through the silence.
Isaki turned to see Riku approaching, his usual cocky smirk on his face.
"You're not the only one trying to master this, you know," Riku said, crossing his arms. "I'll bet I'll reach the second level before you."
Isaki's eyes narrowed. "It's not a race, Riku."
"Everything's a race," Riku shot back. "The question is, can you keep up?"
The tension between them was palpable, but beneath it, there was a mutual respect. They pushed each other harder than anyone else could. Without Riku, Isaki knew he wouldn't have come as far as he had. But he also knew that if he was going to reach the second level of Aura before entering the Fate Academy, he couldn't afford to fall behind.
As the second year of training continued, Isaki's focus sharpened. He trained harder, pushed himself further, determined to unlock the second level of Aura. And while Riku was always there, always pushing him, Isaki had something that Riku didn't—a father who had trained him from birth, a legacy to uphold.
And so, as the recruits entered the final months of their second year, the true test of Aura mastery loomed ahead. Would Isaki and Riku rise to the challenge and become the rare few to reach the second level before the academies? Or would they, like so many others before them, have to wait until their time at Fate Academy to unlock their full potential?
Only time would tell. But for now, the rivalry between Isaki and Riku burned hotter than ever, fueling their journey toward greatness.