The sun hung low over the Mugen Clan's training grounds, casting long shadows across the worn stone floor. Hiroshi Mugen stood in the center, his muscles tense, his breaths controlled. Across from him, his master, Gorou Mugen, observed him with sharp, calculating eyes.
"Again," Gorou commanded, his voice firm yet calm.
Hiroshi lunged forward, his Primal Energy flaring to life around his fists. His punch cut through the air like a blade, aimed directly at his master's chest. But before it could land, Gorou sidestepped effortlessly and struck Hiroshi's arm with precise force, redirecting his momentum and sending him sprawling to the ground.
Hiroshi gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. He wasn't fast enough.
"You're relying too much on raw power," Gorou said, folding his arms. "Primal Energy is a force unlike any other, but it is not just about strength. If you do not control it, it will control you."
Hiroshi wiped the sweat from his brow, his determination unwavering. "Then teach me how to control it."
Gorou nodded. "Then we start with the basics. Your stance is flawed—too rigid. Power must flow like a river, not like a boulder."
Hiroshi adjusted his footing as his master circled him.
"Again," Gorou ordered.
This time, Hiroshi moved differently. Instead of charging recklessly, he focused on feeling his Primal Energy, guiding it rather than forcing it. When he struck, his energy surged, but instead of wild force, it carried precision.
Gorou smiled slightly as he parried Hiroshi's attack, but this time, Hiroshi adjusted mid-strike, spinning and launching a powerful kick toward his master's side.
Gorou caught the attack with his forearm but nodded approvingly. "Better. You're learning."
For hours, the training continued—footwork, counters, energy control. Hiroshi's body ached, but he refused to stop. If he was to uncover the full potential of Primal Energy, he had to push beyond his limits.
As night fell, Gorou finally called an end to the session. "That's enough for today."
Hiroshi, drenched in sweat, stood tall. His master turned to leave but paused. "Remember, Hiroshi. Strength alone does not make a warrior. It is the will to master oneself that defines true power."
As Gorou disappeared into the darkness, Hiroshi clenched his fists. He would not just master Primal Energy—he would become something far greater.
End of Chapter 4
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