The remaining matches continued across the arena.

  Some ended quickly.

  Others dragged on as students cautiously tested their opponents.

  Wooden blades clashed again and again across the training field.

  Clarence occasionally stepped in to correct a sloppy strike or stop a reckless attack before someone was injured.

  “Keep your footing.”

  “Focus on your technique.”

  “Read your opponent’s movements.”

  Each correction came quickly.

  But every student understood that Clarence was watching everything.

  Another match ended with a sharp tap of wood.

  “That’s it.”

  The two students lowered their weapons and stepped back.

  Several initiates nearby exhaled in relief.

  By the time the final match ended, the arena was covered in scuff marks from dozens of sparring bouts.

  Most of the students looked exhausted.

  Clarence surveyed the class for a moment.

  “You all have potential.”

  The rare compliment brought smiles to the students’ faces.

  “But all that potential means nothing if you lack discipline.”

  No one argued with that.

  Clarence continued.

  “Over the next several weeks, you will be practicing the fundamentals.”

  He gestured toward the arena.

  “You all have exceptional cores and talent.”

  His eyes moved across the class.

  “But if you rely on talent alone, you will not survive long enough to perfect it. I tell you this because I see so much potential.”

  The class’s eyes widened.

  Clarence lowered his head slightly.

  “Class is dismissed.”

  Relief spread across the group.

  Kakeru fell onto his back.

  “My ribs hurt.”

  Aster laughed.

  “Don’t get whacked so many times in the ribs next time.”

  Kakeru shot him an annoyed look.

  “SHUT YOUR MOUTH!”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Oscar stretched.

  “I’m glad we didn’t have to do anything else.”

  The sun had begun to dip toward the horizon.

  Elaina stood quietly near the edge of the arena.

  Her eyes drifted across the field as the others talked.

  But her mind was elsewhere.

  Oscar’s voice echoed in her thoughts again.

  What are you fighting for?

  Someone called out to her.

  “Elaina…”

  She clenched her hand slightly.

  The question refused to leave her mind.

  Across the field, Oscar laughed at something Aster said.

  Like the question meant nothing to him.

  Elaina frowned.

  How can he ask something like that so easily?

  Someone grabbed her hand.

  “Elaina, is everything okay?”

  It was Lillie.

  “Yeah,” Elaina paused. “Just something on my mind.”

  Lillie sighed.

  “I’m here if you ever need it.”

  Elaina smiled slightly.

  “Thanks.”

  They walked away together.

  But the thought lingered.

  The days that followed were relentless.

  Clarence wasted no time drilling the fundamentals into the initiates.

  Morning drills.

  Class lectures.

  Footwork.

  Control.

  Awareness.

  At first the training felt unbearable.

  But slowly…

  The students began to improve.

  Sparring matches became cleaner.

  Footwork grew sharper.

  Mistakes that once happened every few seconds slowly disappeared.

  Across the arena, Vega and Alexander’s wooden blades collided again.

  CLACK.

  Alexander stepped forward with a burst of speed.

  Vega adjusted his stance calmly and deflected the strike before countering with a controlled swing.

  The two were evenly matched.

  Clarence stopped them.

  “That’s enough.”

  Both clicked their tongues.

  “Again?” Alexander asked.

  Nearby, Kageka circled Charlotte.

  Charlotte groaned.

  “I swear you’re getting faster.”

  Kageka simply nodded.

  Kakeru stepped forward again.

  Tokiya twisted his blade and redirected the strike.

  Tap.

  The wooden sword stopped at Kakeru’s shoulder.

  Both fighters froze.

  Tokiya grinned slightly.

  “That’s a win for me.”

  Tsukiko and Yuki matched each other’s movements across another section of the arena.

  Archer and Kaori practiced hand-to-hand drills, their movements becoming smoother with each exchange.

  Not far away, Aurelia and Peter were still struggling.

  Peter blocked a strike and nearly lost his grip on the sword again.

  Aurelia laughed.

  “I think Clarence regrets letting us use these things.”

  Peter sighed.

  “I regret using these things.”

  Near the corner of the arena, Oscar and Aster were sparring.

  Aster wiped sweat from his forehead.

  “It isn’t easy blocking someone throwing punches.”

  Oscar grinned.

  “It’s because you try to counter every punch.”

  Aster blinked.

  “What do you mean?”

  Oscar pointed.

  “You aren’t dictating the fight. I have the freedom to throw whatever I want at you.”

  Aster frowned.

  “…You’re right.”

  Next to them, Elaina practiced with Lillie.

  Each swing was precise.

  Controlled.

  But her mind wasn’t fully on the training.

  What are you fighting for?

  The question surfaced again.

  Her strike came down harder this time.

  THUD.

  Lillie lost her balance and fell backward.

  Clarence turned toward them.

  “Is everything okay?”

  Elaina lowered her eyes.

  Lillie laughed.

  “Yeah, I just lost my footing.”

  Clarence looked at Elaina for a moment.

  “…Right.”

  He turned toward the rest of the class.

  “Everyone gather here.”

  The students slowly walked over.

  Clarence looked across the group.

  “For the past several weeks I have been drilling the fundamentals into you.”

  He paused.

  “Next week you will begin learning how to control your cores.”

  The students’ eyes lit up.

  “We finally get to use our cores!”

  Clarence’s expression remained calm.

  “You will have a different instructor.”

  The class looked shocked.

  “Why?” one student asked.

  Clarence sighed.

  “Because they made a specific request to train all of you.”

  The students exchanged confused looks.

  “Who is it?”

  Clarence stared at them for a moment.

  “You’ll find out when you arrive next week.”

  He continued.

  “Your next class will take place at the Core Training Grounds.”

  Clarence turned away.

  “Class dismissed.”

  The weekend came and went.

  Soon the students gathered at the Core Training Grounds.

  Clarence stood in the arena.

  But today…

  He wasn’t alone.

  A tall man stood beside him with his back turned.

  His presence alone made the atmosphere feel heavy.

  The students exchanged uneasy glances.

  Oscar’s eyes widened slightly.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Clarence stepped forward.

  “For the next week, your training will be overseen by this man.”

  He stepped aside.

  “This man is the strongest Guardian in the world.”

  The man slowly turned around.

  A wide smile spread across his face.

  “Hello, students.”

  Silence filled the courtyard.

  Several students whispered nervously.

  “…Why do I have a feeling we’re about to suffer?”

  Haruto let out a loud laugh.

  “Because you are.”