"I want to become a martial artist."
Jianyu and Lian exchanged skeptical glances. "Akaji, are you serious?" Jianyu asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "Unlocking your aura is no easy feat. It's expensive, and it's not even guaranteed to work. And if it goes wrong..."
Lian nodded in agreement. "Not to mention, we're just lowly peasants. The warrior caste has a monopoly on aura training. It's not for people like us."
Akaji's determination didn't waver. "That's exactly why we should do it," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "We're not just peasants, we're the backbone of this town. And if we can unlock our auras, we can become something more. We can protect our town, our families, and ourselves."
Jianyu and Lian looked at each other, then back at Akaji. They seemed to be weighing their options, considering the risks and benefits.
Finally, Jianyu nodded. "Alright, Akaji. We're with you. But we need to make one thing clear: we're in this together. We join you, or we don't do it at all."
Lian added, "And we need to keep this a secret. If the warrior caste finds out, they'll shut us down before we even start."
Akaji grinned, feeling a surge of excitement. "I wouldn't have it any other way. We're in this together, and we'll make it happen."
The three friends clasped hands, sealing their pact, and Akaji knew that their journey as martial artists had just begun.
After parting way with his friends who had promised him they'll all begin researching and preparing to learn how to unlock their aura's tomorrow, Akaji decided to return to the general store
Akaji pushed open the door to his father's store, the familiar scent of fresh produce and spices enveloping him. His father, Kiato, was busy at the counter, handing a customer a bundle of fresh vegetables. Akaji smiled and nodded in greeting, then tied on an apron and began helping his father with the afternoon's customers.
As the store's activity died down, Kiato turned to Akaji and asked, "What was all that commotion about in the town square? I saw a crowd gathered around the dueling platform, and I could hear the noise all the way from here."
Akaji hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He had promised Jianyu and Lian that he would keep their plans a secret, at least for now. But he also didn't want to lie to his father.
"It was just a duel between Master Lui Wong and some visitor from the Sunbringer sect," Akaji said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Master Lui Wong won, of course."
Kiato nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see. And what did you think of the duel?"
Akaji shrugged, trying to play it cool. "It was impressive, I guess. Master Lui Wong is really powerful."
Kiato studied Akaji's face for a moment, then nodded and turned back to restocking the shelves. "Well, just be careful, okay? Duels can be unpredictable, and I don't want you getting hurt."
Akaji nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt for not telling his father the whole truth. But he knew that he had to keep his plans a secret, at least for now. He would have to find a way to balance his desire to become a martial artist with his loyalty to his family and friends.
As the day wore on, Akaji helped his father with the afternoon's customers, restocking shelves and assisting with purchases. But despite his focus on the task at hand, his mind kept wandering back to the duel and his conversation with Jianyu and Lian.
Kiato, sensing that something was on his son's mind, approached him as they were closing up the store. "Akaji, what's bothering you?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.Akaji hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.
"It's nothing, Father," he said finally, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'm just curious, that's all."Kiato raised an eyebrow. "Curious about what?"Akaji shrugged, trying to appear casual. "About aura, I guess. What do you know about it.
Kiato leaned against the counter, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Aura is a mysterious energy that flows through all living things," he began. "It's tied to the balance of yin and yang, the harmony of the elements. Those who can harness their aura can perform remarkable feats of strength, speed, and agility."
Akaji's eyes widened with interest, and he leaned in, eager to hear more."But aura training is not for the faint of heart," Kiato continued, his voice taking on a serious tone. "It requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to take risks. And even then, there are no guarantees of success."
Kiato's expression turned stern, and he placed a hand on Akaji's shoulder. "Akaji, I know you're curious, but I must advise you against pursuing aura training. It's not something that's open to...people like us. The warrior caste and sects have a monopoly on it, and they're not interested in sharing it with anyone else. Trying to unlock your aura without proper training and authorization is...dangerous, Akaji. It's not something I want you to get involved with."
Akaji felt a surge of frustration at his father's words. Why was he being so secretive and restrictive? Didn't he trust him?
Akaji nodded reluctantly, trying to appear obedient, but his mind was already racing with possibilities. He helped his father with the rest of the afternoon's chores, restocking shelves and assisting with purchases.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the store, Akaji's father busied himself with the day's accounts. Akaji, tasked with tidying up the shelves, wandered over to the section where his father kept his rare and valuable scrolls.As he reached for a dusty scroll, his eyes landed on a shifty-looking man lurking in the shadows.
The man's eyes darted back and forth, and Akaji's instincts told him that something was off.But what really caught his attention was the scroll in the man's hands – one of his father's most valuable and closely guarded scrolls. Akaji's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward, but the man caught his eye and gestured for him to be quiet.
The man's eyes flicked to the door, and then back to Akaji, before he placed a small bag of gold on the ground. The implication was clear – he was trying to bribe Akaji into letting him leave with the scroll.Akaji's face set in a determined expression, and he took another step forward. " I don't think so," he said, his voice low and firm.The man's eyes flashed with alarm, and he turned to make a hasty exit.
But Akaji was too quick. He darted after the man, grabbing his arm and spinning him back around.The man shook off Akaji's grip and made a run for the door. Akaji gave chase, bursting out of the store and into the cool evening air. The man weaved skillfully through the crowded streets, dodging pedestrians and market stalls.
Akaji followed close behind, his heart pounding in his chest. What did this man want with his father's scroll?.
The man darted through the crowded streets, his agility and quick reflexes allowing him to weave through the throngs of people with ease. Akaji followed close behind, his determination driving him to keep up.
But as the chase continued, Akaji began to struggle. The man's acrobatic feats – vaulting over market stalls, flipping off walls, and landing with precision – left Akaji stumbling to keep up. He tripped over a loose paving stone, staggered into a stack of crates, and almost got trampled by a group of startled goats.
Despite the obstacles, Akaji refused to give up. He scrambled to his feet, his lungs burning and his legs aching, and continued the pursuit. The man, seeming to sense Akaji's determination, pushed himself to even greater heights of agility. He vaulted over a high wall, disappearing from view.
Akaji skidded to a stop at the base of the wall, his eyes scanning the top. For a moment, he thought he'd lost the man. But then, something inside him clicked. He took a deep breath, focused his energy, and launched himself at the wall.
To his own surprise, Akaji cleared the wall with ease, landing with a soft thud on the other side. He stumbled forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings, and spotted the man disappearing into a narrow alleyway. Akaji's heart swelled with pride and excitement.
He'd never felt so alive, so capable. He took off after the man, his feet pounding the ground in pursuit quickly catching up to him.
Akaji cornered the man in a dead-end alleyway, his eyes blazing with determination. The man's eyes darted back and forth, searching for an escape route, but Akaji had him trapped. Finally, the man turned to face Akaji, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Give up," Akaji demanded, trying to sound firm despite his racing heart. The man's grin widened, and to Akaji's surprise, he heard a woman's voice. "I guess you've caught me," she said, her tone husky and confident.
Akaji's eyes narrowed, unsure what to make of the sudden change in voice. The woman's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she raised a hand to her face.She muttered an incantation under her breath, and a brief, shining light enveloped her hand. When the light faded, she removed her hand, revealing a stunning transformation.
Her features had shifted, her face now delicate and heart-shaped, with high cheekbones and full lips. Her hair, once short and dark, now cascaded down her back in silvery waves, reaching her waist. Her eyes, once a piercing brown, now shone like light blue sapphires.
Akaji's jaw dropped as he stared at the beautiful girl before him. He felt as though he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. The girl smiled, seeming to enjoy Akaji's shock.
"Surprised?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement.Akaji nodded, still trying to wrap his head around the sudden transformation. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The girl's smile grew wider, and she took a step closer to Akaji. "My name is Lila," she said, her voice husky and confident. "And you, Akaji, are quite the determined young man."
Lila's smile grew wider as she gazed at Akaji. "Although I've enjoyed our little chase, I'm afraid I won't be giving you back this scroll," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.
Akaji's eyes narrowed, his gists tightening preparing himself for a fight. "Why not?" he demanded.Lila's grin faltered for a moment, and she glanced at the scroll in her hand. "Let's just say I've been offered a lot of gold to steal this," she said, her voice taking on a hint of seriousness.
Akaji's eyes flashed with determination. "I won't let you leave with it," he said, trying to sound firm.Lila's grin returned, and she took a step closer to Akaji swaying her hips the whole time until she was close to him though. "You have potential, though," she said, her voice husky. "Not many can say they almost caught me."
Akaji's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean almost caught you?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism. "You have nowhere else to go."Lila's laughter echoed through the alleyway, and she teased Akaji with a playful smile.
"Do you honestly think I couldn't have gotten away if I wanted to?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement.
Akaji's face flushed with embarrassment, and he realized that Lila had been toying with him all along. "Why did you let me catch up to you, then?" he asked, his voice a little softer.Lila's grin grew wider, and she leaned in close to Akaji until her pillowy like lips brushed against his ear. "It's because I enjoyed being chased by a cute guy," she whispered, her breath tickling Akaji's ear.
Akaji's face flushed with embarrassment, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He hadn't expected Lila to be so forward, and he wasn't sure how to react.
Lila's whisper sent shivers down Akaji's spine, and before he could react, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. The touch of her lips was like a spark of electricity, and Akaji's heart skipped a beat.But before he could even process what had just happened, Lila's hands flashed out, and she used a swift leg sweep to knock Akaji to the ground.
He landed with a thud, his head spinning.As he struggled to get back to his feet, Lila vaulted over the dead-end wall, her movements as agile as a cat's. She landed on the other side, her feet barely making a sound on the stone pavement.
Akaji stumbled to the wall, his eyes scanning the rooftops for any sign of Lila. And then, he spotted her – perched on the wall, looking back at him with a mischievous smile.She waved at him, her hand fluttering in the air.
"Thanks for the chase, cutie!" she called out, her voice carrying across the rooftops. "Maybe I'll see you around!"
And with that, she disappeared into the night, leaving Akaji staring after her in a mixture of frustration and admiration but also something else as he got up off the ground.
He stares at where the girl disappeared and despite the circumstances he couldn't keep the smile of his face.
" See you next time theif".