The sun dipped lower in the sky as Haruto finished his last task of the day, wiping sweat from his brow. The farm fields stretched out before him, neat rows of crops swaying gently in the late afternoon breeze. He leaned his hoe against the barn, stretching his stiff muscles.
Haruto: (to himself) "Finally done. Now for something more exciting."
As if on cue, Kaito appeared by the fence, his ever-present wooden training stick slung casually over one shoulder.
Kaito: (grinning) "Finished playing farmer? Or are you still busy admiring your handiwork?"
Haruto rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "You're one to talk, Kaito. If you spent half as much time in the fields as you do teasing me, we'd finish twice as fast."
Kaito laughed, motioning toward the open yard near the house. "Come on, then. Let's see if you've actually gotten stronger or if the farm work's just made you soft."
Haruto followed, anticipation building. Despite Kaito's lighthearted attitude, their training sessions were far from easy.
The ground of the Kuzaki family's training yard was worn smooth from years of practice. A scattering of wooden dummies stood at the edge, their surfaces marked with scars from countless strikes. Kaito tossed Haruto a wooden stick, which he caught with ease.
Kaito: (settling into a stance) "Alright, Haruto. Show me what you've got."
Haruto mirrored Kaito's stance, gripping the stick firmly. They circled each other, the tension building with each step. Kaito struck first, his movements fast and deliberate. Haruto blocked the blow, the impact vibrating through his arms.
Haruto: (thinking) "Focus. Don't rush. Wait for an opening."
Kaito pressed the attack, forcing Haruto to retreat. The older man's strikes were precise, leaving no room for error. Haruto struggled to keep up, his movements growing more reactive with each exchange.
Kaito: (grinning) "Come on, Haruto. Is this all you've got? Or are you saving your strength for later?"
Haruto narrowed his eyes, adjusting his grip. He needed to think—Kaito's strikes weren't random; there was a rhythm to them. Watching closely, he began to anticipate Kaito's moves, shifting his weight to counter.
When Kaito aimed for his shoulder, Haruto feinted left and struck low, catching Kaito off-balance. Kaito barely managed to block, stepping back with a surprised laugh.
Kaito: "Finally using your head, I see. But don't get cocky."
Haruto pressed the advantage, aiming a series of quick strikes at Kaito's midsection. For a moment, it seemed like he had the upper hand, but Kaito sidestepped his final swing, disarming him with a swift twist.
Before Haruto could react, Kaito's stick was at his throat, a triumphant smirk on his face.
Kaito: (teasing) "Lesson one: Never assume you've already won."
Haruto groaned, rubbing his shoulder where one of Kaito's earlier strikes had landed. Despite the sting of defeat, he couldn't help but smile.
Haruto: (grinning) "Lesson two: Don't let your guard down, old man."
Kaito chuckled, lowering his stick. "Not bad, Haruto. You're starting to read me better. Let's go one more round."
As the sparring session continued, Haruto found himself improving with each exchange. Kaito's strikes were no less precise, but Haruto began to see opportunities to counter. His movements became smoother, his reactions sharper.
By the time they finished, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Haruto leaned against the fence, breathing heavily, his stick resting against his knees.
Kaito: (patting his shoulder) "You're getting there, Haruto. Just remember—strength isn't everything. It's about control."
Haruto nodded, the words resonating with him. Control. That was something he'd struggled with ever since the incident on the farm.
Later that night, Haruto sat cross-legged in the yard, the faint hum of crickets surrounding him. The sparring session with Kaito had left his body tired, but his mind was restless.
Haruto: (to himself) "Control. That's what Kaito said. But how do I control something I barely understand?"
He reached for the small, weathered book he'd been studying. The pages were filled with diagrams and notes on mana manipulation—a subject that had fascinated him ever since he'd first felt the strange energy within himself.
Opening the book to a familiar page, he reread the instructions for sensing and guiding mana. He closed his eyes, focusing inward, and visualized the flow of energy within him. At first, it was elusive, like trying to grasp a shadow. But as he concentrated, he felt it—a faint, flickering presence deep within.
Haruto: (thinking) "There it is. Calm. Steady. Don't force it."
He extended his hand, palm facing upward. Slowly, the faintest glow began to form, like a firefly dancing in the dark. Haruto opened his eyes, watching the light with a mixture of awe and determination.
Haruto: (to himself) "It's not much, but it's a start."
Encouraged, he stood and moved toward the small stream that ran along the edge of the yard. The water flowed gently, reflecting the starlight above. Haruto knelt beside it, placing his hand above the surface.
This time, he focused more intently, guiding the mana toward the water. The stream rippled unnaturally as a small swirl of water lifted into the air. Haruto's eyes widened as he watched the water spiral upward, forming a delicate, waterfall-like arc that shimmered in the moonlight.
Haruto: (grinning faintly) "I did it."
The arc held for only a moment before collapsing back into the stream with a soft splash. Haruto sighed, shaking his head, but there was no frustration in his expression—only determination.
Haruto: (thinking) "It's progress. I'll get better."
Reflections Under the Stars
Haruto leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the night sky. The stars glittered like distant promises, their light filling him with a sense of hope.
Haruto: (to himself) "There's more to this… I just have to figure it out."
The sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Kaito emerged from the house, carrying a lantern.
Kaito: (calling out) "Still out here? Don't tell me you're trying to summon a storm."
Haruto chuckled, shaking his head. "Nothing like that. Just… trying to understand."
Kaito set the lantern down, sitting beside him. For a moment, they both stared at the stream in silence.
Kaito: "You've been working hard lately. Don't forget to rest. Pushing yourself too much can be just as dangerous as not pushing enough."
Haruto nodded, appreciating the advice. "I know. But… I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere."
Kaito smiled, his expression both proud and thoughtful. "That's good. Just don't rush it. You'll get there, Haruto. One step at a time."
The two sat in companionable silence, the quiet sounds of the night filling the air. Haruto felt a sense of peace, even as the challenges ahead loomed large in his mind.
Haruto: (thinking) "One step at a time… I can do that."