The sun dipped low in the sky as Hyuk walked toward his usual spot—a secluded clearing where he often went to clear his mind. The morning's training with Team 7 had left him feeling both exhausted and restless. He needed solitude to sort through the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts swirling inside him.
As he arrived at the clearing, he was surprised to find Reina already there, seated on a large rock and watching the clouds drift by. She turned as he approached, her face lighting up with a smile.
"Hyuk!" she exclaimed, her voice cheerful. "I was hoping to catch you here."
"What are you doing here?" he asked, a hint of curiosity breaking through his usual cool demeanor.
"I wanted to give you something," she replied, hopping off the rock. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, folded piece of parchment. "It's chakra paper. I thought it might help you after your training."
Hyuk raised an eyebrow, taking the paper from her. "Chakra paper? Why would you think I need this?"
"I thought it would be interesting for you to see what chakra natures you might have," she explained, her excitement evident. "It could help you understand your abilities better."
He studied the paper in his hands, feeling a mix of gratitude and skepticism. What if I don't even have any chakra natures?
"Just focus your chakra into it, and it'll show you what you have," she encouraged, stepping back to give him space.
With a deep breath, Hyuk sat down on the grass, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in his stomach. He closed his eyes, channeling his chakra into the paper. The sensation was familiar yet foreign, the energy swirling within him as he concentrated.
As he focused, the chakra paper began to react, fluttering slightly in his grasp. Suddenly, it ignited in a flash of bright blue flames before extinguishing, revealing a crisp, intact piece below. Hyuk's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Water…" he breathed, astonished.
Reina watched with anticipation. "That's amazing! Now try again!"
Encouraged by her enthusiasm, he focused once more, channeling his chakra again into the paper. This time, the paper quivered before a gust of wind whipped through the clearing, causing it to split neatly down the middle.
"Wind too!" he exclaimed, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with disbelief. Two natures?
Reina clapped her hands, her face bright with joy. "You see? You really do have potential! Water and Wind are great elements to work with."
Hyuk sat back, a mixture of pride and anxiety swirling within him. "But what does this mean? I don't even know how to use them."
"It means you have a starting point," Reina replied, stepping closer. "You can focus on mastering these two natures. It's about harnessing your abilities to become stronger."
He pondered her words, feeling a weight settle on his shoulders. "But what if I mess it up? What if I can't control them?"
"Everyone starts somewhere, Hyuk. You won't know your limits unless you push against them," she said, her tone earnest. "And you won't be alone. I'm here to support you."
Her warmth wrapped around him, and for the first time, Hyuk felt the urge to let someone in. "Thanks, Reina. I appreciate this," he said, his voice softer than usual.
"Let's train together," she suggested, her eyes shining with excitement. "I can help you figure out how to use your water and wind chakra."
"Okay," he replied, feeling a sense of determination rising within him. "But we'll do it my way."
"Of course! We can find a balance that works for both of us," she smiled, her enthusiasm infectious.
As they stood in the clearing, Hyuk felt a flicker of hope igniting inside him. Perhaps this journey wouldn't be as solitary as he had feared. With Reina's support, he could explore his abilities and confront the challenges ahead.
He looked down at the chakra paper, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This was only the beginning of his path, and with Reina by his side, he was ready to embrace whatever came next.