The next morning, as the first rays of light broke over the horizon, Yuto stood outside the temple, overlooking a sprawling training ground. The air was crisp, and the distant mountain peaks were bathed in golden light. It was a stark contrast to the chaos and darkness he had fought just the day before.
The silver-haired woman, who had introduced herself as Lira, stood nearby, her arms folded as she observed him. "You're awake early," she remarked, her tone as sharp and calm as ever. "Good. Shows you're committed."
Yuto took a deep breath, his muscles still sore from the previous battle. His golden aura had faded, but the remnants of its power lingered inside him, a burning flame that he had yet to fully understand. "I have to be," he replied, his voice steady. "I can't let my guard down. The Darkness… it's still out there. And if I'm going to stop it for good, I need to be stronger."
Lira's eyes softened for a moment, but only for a moment. "Strength isn't just about raw power. It's about control. Focus. Discipline." She stepped forward, raising a hand and pointing to a series of stone pillars in the distance. "Those pillars are the first test. You will break them, but not with brute force. You'll need to channel your energy, control it—learn to make it flow, not explode."
Yuto nodded, already knowing this wouldn't be easy. He could feel the power inside him, but it was like a wild stallion—unstable and unpredictable. He needed to tame it.
Lira led him to the training ground. There, a series of pillars stood tall and unyielding, arranged in a wide circle. "There are five pillars," she explained. "Each represents a different aspect of your power—strength, agility, will, focus, and balance. Break them in order, and you'll have proven yourself ready to move to the next stage. Fail, and you'll spend the rest of your life trying."
Yuto glanced at the pillars, their smooth, unbroken surfaces mocking him. But he wasn't about to back down. His heart beat faster with anticipation.
The first pillar loomed before him—tall, made of solid stone, and radiating a cold, ancient energy. He stepped forward and raised his hand, summoning a small flicker of golden energy. His first instinct was to strike it with all his might, but he paused, remembering Lira's words. Control.
He focused. He felt the power within him—not just in his hands, but in every fiber of his being. The golden aura pulsed lightly around his body, and he directed it to his outstretched palm. The energy shimmered, coalesced, and then surged forward, a beam of concentrated light. It struck the pillar, and with a resounding crack, the stone shattered into dust.
Yuto stared at the remains of the pillar, his breath steady. "Done," he said, but Lira's sharp gaze was already moving to the next test.
"Don't get complacent," she warned. "The next pillar will test your agility. Don't rely on raw strength."
He moved to the second pillar, and Lira's words echoed in his mind. The energy inside him burned, but it also pulsed with a rhythm, as if it was waiting for him to find the right moment to unleash it. As he stood in front of the second pillar, his senses sharpened. The air was thick with tension, but he was ready.
This time, as he released the energy, he didn't push it forward. Instead, he allowed it to envelop his body. With a burst of speed, he darted to the side, his body flowing with the golden light like liquid. The power surged beneath his feet, propelling him faster than he had ever moved before. With a flick of his wrist, he redirected the energy in a sharp arc toward the pillar.
The second pillar exploded in a shower of stone, collapsing in an instant.
"Not bad," Lira said with a faint nod of approval. "But now, you must focus. The third pillar will test your mind, not just your body."
Yuto nodded. His golden aura flickered, but the aftershocks of the second pillar's destruction made him feel alive, electric. Still, he understood the next challenge wasn't about rushing in. He had to be precise. Focused.
He approached the third pillar, but this time, it wasn't just a pillar. There were illusions—figures in the air, shifting shadows that tried to distract him. His heart raced, but he silenced his mind. He closed his eyes and reached deep inside, focusing on the golden energy within him. Slowly, he directed it, pulling it together as his mind sharpened.
When he opened his eyes, the illusions were gone. His energy crackled around him, forming into a concentrated beam that he released with perfect precision. The pillar shattered into a thousand fragments.
"You're beginning to understand," Lira said, her voice carrying a note of approval. "But it's not over yet. The fourth pillar is the test of your will. Do not hesitate, or you will fail."
Yuto stepped forward, the tension in the air thickening. This time, the fourth pillar wasn't just a simple object to break. The stone seemed to pulse with an energy of its own, as if daring him to fail.
The pressure mounted on him, his mind racing with doubts. Could he do it? Could he control this power, and more importantly, could he face the trials to come?
The wind seemed to howl, and Yuto clenched his fists. The answer to his doubt came in a moment of clarity. He had to push through. It was now or never.
He unleashed a wave of energy, sending it crashing toward the pillar. His golden light rippled through the air, and for the first time, he felt an unshakable determination. The pillar cracked but held firm. The force wasn't enough.
Yuto grimaced, but then he realized. The problem wasn't the power—it was his hesitation. With a roar, he called on every last drop of energy and directed it forward. There was no stopping now. He wasn't just attacking the pillar; he was overcoming his own fear, his uncertainty.
The pillar shattered.
"Good," Lira said quietly, a rare approval in her voice. "Now for the final test. Balance."
Yuto stood before the last pillar, and this time, he understood that the final challenge wasn't just about raw power, speed, or mental focus. It was about maintaining harmony between all the elements he had just tested.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. The golden aura flared up once more, this time calm and steady. He let the energy flow through his body, through his mind, feeling it intertwine with his spirit. With a slow, controlled motion, he reached out, sending a pulse of energy that wasn't about strength but about balance. It was smooth, fluid, perfect.
The pillar disintegrated, and Yuto stood there, breathing heavily but with a sense of accomplishment he hadn't expected.
Lira walked over, her expression unreadable. "Well done, Yuto. But this is only the beginning. There are much darker forces on the horizon. And I believe you have the potential to rise above them. But don't get too comfortable. The real test will come soon enough."
Yuto turned to face her, the weight of her words sinking in. He wasn't done yet. He was only just beginning to uncover the true depth of his power. But with every challenge he overcame, he felt one step closer to understanding what he was truly capable of—and what he had to protect.
The fight wasn't over. It was only the beginning.