The sun was slowly setting over the Village of the Flame. The flames of the training fires burned in the forges scattered across the village, lighting the stone streets. The wind was warm and constant, and the flame of protection, which gave the village its name, seemed never to go out.
It was just another normal day, but for Nanji, a 16-year-old boy, nothing was normal.
He walked through the streets, the villagers' gazes fixed on him. Some moved away in fear, others whispered quietly. The Capricorn Beast — a mark he didn't choose but was forced to bear — was sealed within his body. A mark of disdain and fear.
He walked on without making an effort to avoid the stares, without trying to steer clear of the murmurs that surrounded him. For Nanji, it was a daily reality. As long as he could remember, this was the price he paid for carrying within him a legendary beast. Even so, he never stopped smiling.
A simple smile, but full of determination.
It was a reaction he had developed over the years. The hatred and the looks of contempt didn't shake him. On the contrary, he saw in them only a reflection of others' fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of something they couldn't control. Nanji understood this. He didn't hate anyone. After all, hatred wouldn't help him reach his goals.
His goal? To become the leader of the Village of the Flame, the leader of the protection. The one who would guard the village's flame and protect it from any threat. But for that, he would need to earn respect — something that seemed impossible with the beast he carried.
He continued his path to the Village's Training Center, where the Fighters' Academy operated. Today was his first day as a student. He didn't know what to expect, but one thing was certain: he wouldn't give up. No matter how much the others despised him or looked at him with distrust. Nanji had a plan, and no one could stop him.
Upon entering the large training arena, the sound of punches and kicks echoed off the stone walls. Several young fighters were there, practicing with their masters. Each one had a mission: to hone their skills, master the four elements, and eventually become one of the village's protectors.
Nanji entered quietly, but couldn't go unnoticed. As soon as he stepped in, whispers began. Distrustful stares and even some muffled laughs began to spread. The Beast Boy was there, ready to be another joke, another legend to be despised.
He felt the energies around him. He knew what they were thinking. And, as always, he ignored it.
The master of the group, Uzagi, was lazily sitting in a chair with his feet on the table and a tired look, as if everything he did was a burden. When his eyes met Nanji's, he did no more than give a slight nod, not really interested in the new student.
Uzagi: "So, you're the new member of the Falcon team, huh? Doesn't look like much, but... you're here."
Nanji smiled again. It was a simple smile, but genuine.
Nanji: "I'm Nanji. I may not be much now, but I'll prove I can be."
Uzagi looked at him with a tired expression but seemed to notice something in Nanji's eyes — something that made him furrow his brow.
Uzagi: "Prove it, huh? We'll see. I'm the lazy master of the Falcon team. The only thing I can teach you is how to survive a fight without dying of exhaustion. As for the rest... you'll learn on your own."
Nanji walked over to the group, where the other two members of the Falcon team were already waiting. Ceres, a 16-year-old girl with short hair and bright eyes, looked at him with a mix of curiosity and fear. Susanoo, the other member, was lying on a pillar, with his arms crossed behind his head, as if the entire world were nothing more than a distraction. He didn't look at Nanji.
Ceres: "You're the famous Nanji, right? The... Beast Boy?"
Nanji nodded calmly, not changing his expression.
Nanji: "Yes. But don't worry about that. I'm just Nanji. And I'm here to learn."
Ceres: smiling timidly "Well... I hope you're good. I... I'm a little anxious about all this. It's not easy being part of a team with so much pressure."
Nanji, seeing her anxiety, smiled again, this time with a warmer and calmer smile.
Nanji: "I know how it feels. But no matter what happens, we'll give our best. I believe that, if we try together, we can achieve anything."
Ceres looked at Nanji with a surprised expression. She didn't know what made him smile so much, but there was something in him, something in that smile, that made his words seem... true.
Nanji got ready for the training. The first step of his journey was just beginning. But he knew: no matter how hard it got, he would never give up on his dream. He would prove, not with words, but with actions, that he was more than the beast he carried. He was Nanji, and the world would see who he truly was.
The heat of the arena was intense. The smell of sweat and earth mixed with the sound of shouts and fighting blows in the background. Nanji felt the tension in the air, but somehow, his smile remained intact. He was there to learn, and he knew that this was his first step.
Uzagi, the lazy master, waved his hand for everyone to approach. Ceres and Susanoo were already preparing to start the training, but Susanoo seemed more interested in watching than actually participating. Ceres, however, was ready, her eyes shining with expectation.
Uzagi: disinterested "Well, now that everyone's here, let's start. Nanji, you're going to have to deal with your limitations right off the bat, so... get ready. In Falcon, you learn to fight with what you have, not with what you want."
Nanji took a step forward, his smile still on his face.
Nanji: "I have no problem with that. I'll do my best."
The master made a grimace, as if it were a waste of time, but said nothing. With a hand gesture, he signaled for them to prepare for the training.
Uzagi: "Today will be simple. I want you to show basic Ki control. Use your Ki to invoke the four elements, just to start. From there, we'll see what each of you can do."
Nanji focused for a moment. Ki was the vital energy, something all the inhabitants of the Village of the Flame used to master the four elements: fire, earth, water, and wind. It was through Ki that the village's protection and the strength of the fighters were manifested. Each person had a unique type of Ki, and control over it determined their combat ability.
Ceres, with her water ability, quickly conjured a small sphere of water that floated around her. She seemed focused, but what worried her wasn't the water, but her control over it. She still hadn't fully mastered her power, which made her nervous.
Ceres: "I... I still can't increase the size of the water jet. What am I doing wrong?"
Uzagi: with an ironic smile "Are you afraid of getting wet? That's not the issue, Ceres. You need to focus and release your Ki. Water flows when your mind is calm."
Ceres looked at the ground, frustrated. Susanoo, on the other hand, didn't seem interested in practicing. He was lying on a pillar, looking at the sky with his arms crossed.
Susanoo: "Water is too easy. I prefer wind. But I'm not rushing it. Time will show what's worth it."
The atmosphere was tense, but Nanji felt at peace. He watched the others and focused. He knew Ki control wasn't easy, but he had a unique ability. The Capricorn Beast inside him wasn't just a simple manifestation of power, but a primal force, and he needed to learn how to control it.
He closed his eyes for a moment and began to concentrate his energy, feeling his Ki flow from within outwards.
First, he invoked fire. A small flame appeared in his right hand, dancing gently in the air. He smiled, feeling the energy vibrate in his palm. It was the energy of protection, the same flame that burned at the heart of the village. He knew he could use it with more strength, but for now, controlling it was enough.
Nanji: "Fire... the protection."
With a swift movement, the flame extinguished, and he invoked earth. The ground beneath his feet began to tremble slightly, and small stones lifted from the ground. He concentrated further, and the stones began to form a small barrier in front of him.
Nanji: "Earth... the stability."
When he finished, he opened his eyes and looked at Ceres and Susanoo. Ceres was visibly excited about her progress with the water, now able to create a stronger, more controlled flow. Susanoo was still lying down, doing nothing, but Nanji knew the challenge was only just beginning.
Uzagi, for his part, observed everything with a bored expression, but his eyes narrowed when he saw Nanji's control.
Uzagi: "Huh... you have some talent, but what will you do when your beast starts to dominate you? Ki isn't just about strength, it's about mental control. And with what you carry inside you..."
Nanji, however, didn't seem intimidated. He looked at the master with a calm smile.
Nanji: "I know what I carry inside me. And that's exactly what will get me where I want to go. The beast doesn't control me. I control it."
A silence lingered for a moment. Uzagi looked at Nanji with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Ceres, on the other hand, seemed more intrigued, admiring Nanji's confidence.
Ceres: "You really believe that, don't you?"
Nanji: "Yes. I believe."
Uzagi: grumbling "Well... let's see if your belief will help you. Now, everyone to combat training. I want to see how you use Ki in action, not just technique."
As the others prepared for the combat, Nanji kept his smile. He knew he was only at the beginning of his journey. The path would be difficult, the obstacles many, but his determination was greater than any challenge that arose. The smile would never leave him, because in the end, he was there to prove to everyone what he was capable of.
The heat in the arena increased as the training advanced. The sound of punches and the shouts of determination from the students echoed through the stone walls. Nanji stood, watching the others with an unusual calm for someone so young. But it wasn't him who attracted the looks now. It was Ceres.
She stood before a tall, muscular woman with platinum blonde hair and headphones that seemed to be part of her identity. She chewed gum disdainfully, looking at Ceres with a smug smile.
Blonde Woman (Rika): "So, you're the new girl? Must be easy to beat a newbie, right?"
Ceres tried to maintain her composure, but the woman's taunts made her tense. She knew she had to show her skills, and this fight would be her chance to prove she wasn't just a shy and insecure girl. However, the nervousness was written all over her face.
Ceres (thinking): I can't lose to her. I can't…
Uzagi, who had been watching everyone's training, saw the situation unfolding. With a bored expression, he sighed.
Uzagi: "This will be an interesting fight, but remember, Ki is more about mental control. Whoever loses their calm will lose the fight."
Nanji, standing just a few steps away, watched attentively. He knew Ceres had potential, but she still needed to learn to focus. Water, the element she controlled, was fluid and difficult to manage under pressure.
Rika, from Team Fenrir, was ready. The members of Team Fenrir were known for their ferocity, and their fighters specialized in hand-to-hand combat and wind control. But Rika, with her blonde hair and arrogant attitude, was an expert in manipulating cutting wind, creating sharp, fast gusts to attack from a distance.
Rika: "Ready to drown, newbie? If you want advice... stay away from the wind."
With a quick movement, Rika stepped forward and immediately invoked a gust of wind that sliced through the air, heading toward Ceres. The wind was so sharp it felt like invisible blades.
Ceres, desperate, tried to create a wall of water in front of her, but Rika's wind was too fast. The impact caused the water wall to dissipate, and Ceres was knocked back, losing her balance.
Ceres (shouting): "I can't let her beat me like this!"
The young fighter with short hair and eyes shining with determination tried to focus. She knew that if she didn't master her ability with water, she would be lost. With a swift movement, she conjured a massive surge of water, launching it toward Rika. The water, now in the form of a tornado, headed straight for the attack.
Rika smiled dismissively.
Rika: "You really think you can defeat me with this? Go ahead, try."
Rika then summoned a powerful gust of wind, slicing through the water, splitting the tornado in two, and causing the water to crash to the ground. However, Ceres didn't give up. She was forcing herself to control the flow of the water more fluidly, moving it like a dance.
Ceres: "I won't give up! I will…"
Uzagi: shouting from afar "Ceres, use the flow! Control the direction of the movement!"
Nanji, watching closely, understood what Uzagi meant. Ceres' water wasn't just for attacking — she needed to learn to control the direction of the flow, not just its intensity. If she could do that, she could respond to Rika's wind more effectively.
Ceres, feeling the energy vibrate in her hands, took a step forward and, with a shout of effort, directed the water with precision. Not only did she stop the wind, but she also created a cloak of water that surrounded Rika, momentarily immobilizing her.
Ceres (with confidence): "Now... you'll see."
With the water trapping Rika, Ceres seized the opportunity and pushed her forcefully to the side. The impact was so strong that Rika was thrown against the stone wall of the arena.
Rika: "You... you did it?"
Ceres looked at her with a satisfied smile. She had won. But deep inside, she knew this was only the beginning. She no longer feared the water, but now she had to learn how to control her emotions during battle.
Ceres (thinking): I am no longer a novice...
After the training, Master Uzagi signaled for everyone to gather at the center of the arena. The students, still panting, obeyed without question.
Uzagi: "Good job, Ceres. You did well. But you still have a lot to learn. Don't fool yourself, this victory doesn't mean you're an expert. Now, back to training."
Ceres, though a bit tired, felt a smile form on her lips. She knew Uzagi was right — one victory didn't define everything. But, in that moment, she felt a new confidence in herself. She was no longer the insecure girl who had first arrived in the arena. She had proven to herself that she was capable.
Nanji, watching the fight, noticed the change in Ceres. He knew she had potential, that she was becoming stronger, more focused. The battle against Rika had been important, not just for the victory, but for the internal growth that Ceres had demonstrated. It was clear in her eyes.
Now, the atmosphere in the arena shifted as Team Fenrir withdrew. The tension lightened, but the respect for the strength of the rival team was palpable. This was a world where respect had to be earned, where physical and mental strength was tested at every moment.
From that point on, the New Teams began to be introduced, and the competition between the teams seemed to intensify even more.
New Teams and Masters
Team Fenrir (as we saw with Rika):
Leader: Fenrir – A master known for being unbeatable in physical combat. He controls the wind brutally, creating cutting gusts. His students are trained to fight with a combination of brute strength and speed.Master: Korin Fenrir – A silent master who prefers action over words. His training is intense and physical, and he believes that true strength comes from the ability to endure pain and surpass one's own limits.
Team Phoenix:
Leader: Astraea – An elegant and fierce woman, an expert in fire manipulation. She is calm and calculating, but her skill with flames is one of the most powerful in the academy.Master: Tsubasa Kazuo – A wise master who believes that true power of fire does not lie in destruction, but in the ability to transform and purify. He teaches his students to control fire with precision and balance.
Team Kirin:
Leader: Satori – A calm and introspective man, an expert in earth. He is known to be nearly unbeatable in defensive combat, and his students are trained to absorb attacks and retaliate with unrelenting force.Master: Mikio Yama – A taciturn master, known for his mastery over earth. He teaches his students to manipulate the environment around them, creating natural defenses and unexpected attacks.
Team Dragon:
Leader: Raizen – The youngest leader in the academy, with an incredible ability to control wind. He is impulsive but very talented, creating storms that destroy everything in their path.Master: Hanae Jiro – A strategic and analytical master who teaches his students to create storms not just with the wind, but with their emotions. He believes that the true storm comes from within.
Team Falcon (Nanji's team):
Leader: Uzagi – The lazy yet skilled master. He specializes in balanced combat and control of multiple elements, believing that one must learn to fight under all conditions.
With the sound of Ceres' fight against Rika still echoing through the arena, the tension rose once again. The teams were now officially introduced, and the competition among them was about to begin in earnest. Each team brought its own skills and quirks, and the students knew that, to grow, they would need to overcome their limits and the challenges that lay ahead.
Nanji, still with a calm smile on his face, looked at his teammates. Their journey had only just begun, and although they knew there would be many challenges ahead, something in Nanji told him they were ready to face them.
Now, it was time to continue training, and the real work to earn trust and respect would begin. With Ceres proving her strength and new challenges on the horizon, Team Falcon, led by Uzagi, would constantly evolve.
The heat of the arena still weighed in the air, but rather than weakening them, it seemed to strengthen everyone's determination. And for Nanji, the journey to becoming the leader of the Village of Flames had only just begun.
Rika, dizzy, slowly got up, rubbing her forehead where the impact had hit. Her fierce and arrogant look was now accompanied by an expression of surprise and disdain.
Rika: with a challenging smile, though visibly irritated "No way... I never thought a novice could hit me like that."
Ceres, panting, looked at her with eyes full of determination. The victory hadn't come easily, but she knew she had taken an important step on her journey. Deep down, she knew she could be stronger. And she was starting to believe it.
Ceres: "I'm no longer a novice. I'm Ceres, from Team Falcon. And today, I showed what I'm capable of."
Rika, for a moment, stood silent, just watching. But then she let out a short laugh.
Rika: teasing "You may have won, but that doesn't mean the fight's over for you. A single victory won't take you very far, girl."
Ceres kept her gaze fixed on Rika, her mind buzzing with thoughts. But before she could respond, Uzagi raised his hand, interrupting any conversation.
Uzagi: shouting from the edge of the arena "Enough talk, Ceres! You did well, but that was just practice. Don't fool yourself, there's still much to learn."
Ceres looked at the lazy master and smiled, relieved to have secured the victory, but she knew deep down that Uzagi was right. One single victory didn't mean she was ready for the challenges that lay ahead. She still had to improve, to grow.
Ceres: with a sigh "Yes, master."
The atmosphere in the arena shifted as the training continued. Rika stepped away, still throwing challenging glances at Ceres, but said no more. Team Fenrir had withdrawn for a more private training session.
Nanji, who had been silent up until then, watched the scene with a focused gaze. He knew that, for him, the path would be different. Each of the competitors had their own struggles and dreams, but his was unique. To become the leader of the Village of Flame, the flame of protection. This goal echoed constantly in his mind, but he knew it would take more than just physical strength to achieve it.
As the training continued, Uzagi organized another round of duels between the students, including Nanji, Ceres, and Susanoo. The teams were ready to test their skills, and the lazy master now seemed a little more animated, though still wearing that bored expression.
Uzagi: "Okay, now it's your turn, Nanji. You'll fight... Kaito, from Team Dragon."
Kaito was known as one of the fastest fighters in the academy, specializing in wind control. He had an arrogant attitude but knew that his ability to create windstorms made him a real threat. For Nanji, this would be another opportunity to test his Ki control and, most importantly, understand how to face such an unpredictable opponent.
Kaito: laughing "So, you're the guy with the beast, huh? I won't be easy to beat, kid."
Nanji: with a confident smile "I didn't come here to lose."
With a quick movement, Kaito extended his hand, creating a whirlwind of wind around him. The gusts of air began to circulate violently, and in an instant, he charged at Nanji, making the arena shake with the force of the wind.
Nanji focused, feeling the heat of his Ki intensifying. He didn't need to control the wind. He needed to focus on his own power — the flame. He wasn't just a boy with a beast, he was a fighter, and that's what would make him prevail.
With a swift movement, Nanji summoned a flame around him, creating a barrier of fire that protected him. Kaito's wind cut through the air with force, but the flame around Nanji didn't extinguish. He controlled the fire with precision, not allowing it to be easily put out.
Kaito: surprised "What? How did you manage to create fire in the middle of my wind?"
Nanji: "Fire is uncontrollable, Kaito. But don't forget, I am Ki. I am fire."
With impressive skill, Nanji directed the flame forward, forming a concentrated wave of fire that advanced like an arrow. Kaito tried to use the wind to deflect it, but the heat of the flame was so intense that he couldn't avoid it completely.
Kaito was grazed by the fire, thrown backward, but his speed saved him from a direct hit. He quickly got up, now with his eyes more focused.
Kaito: panting but smiling "Impressive... you really aren't just a kid with a beast. Seems like I have a lot to learn from you, Nanji."
Nanji: smiling "And you, Kaito, have a lot to learn about controlling the wind and not letting it control you."
Uzagi, who had been watching the fight with a bored expression, finally spoke.
Uzagi: "Good fight. Now, let's call it a day. There's still much to learn, and you all have a long road ahead."
The tension dissolved, and everyone gathered, tired but satisfied with the training. Ceres, who was recovering from her fight with Rika, approached Nanji and the others.
Ceres: with a shy smile "You did well, Nanji. I still have a lot to learn, but I'll keep trying to get better."
Nanji: with a calm smile "We all do. But we're in this together. The goal is clear: each one of us will fight for a greater purpose. I'm going to be the leader of the Village of Flame, and I'll prove that I can change everything."
Susanoo, who had been silent, looked at them with a look of disdain, but also with a hint of interest.
Susanoo: "You're all strong, but true strength comes from revenge. That's what keeps me going. Let's see how far you all go with this 'greater purpose.'"
The group slowly dispersed, their eyes filled with determination, but also with doubts. The academy was only the beginning. The real challenge was out there, in the villages, in the battles, and on the path to the Village of Flame.