"Who is he? Why is he fighting me?"
The thoughts spiraled in Atsuki's mind like a storm. Each strike, each dodge, every breath he took while clashing with the masked warrior only left him with more questions. Who was this man with the daggers and red spiky hair, and why did he seem so intent on testing him?
Their fight raged on—fierce, wild, unrelenting. The trees swayed from the force of their strikes, the earth cracked beneath their feet. Atsuki's wooden sword, now infused with shards of crystal energy, moved like an extension of his body, but it wasn't enough.
His opponent was swift, unpredictable. The way he used fire in his legs to push forward with terrifying speed overwhelmed Atsuki. Each time Atsuki found an opening, the man closed the gap even faster, his daggers slicing through the air like whispers of death.
Sweat rolled down Atsuki's brow. His breaths grew heavier. And still, he pressed forward, unwilling to back down.
But then, the weight of it all came crashing down.
His vision blurred.
His footing faltered.
And just like that, his body collapsed—power overwhelming control.
"ATSUKI!" Aoi's voice rang out through the jungle.
She appeared in a flash, her water magic forming a quick barrier around him. The masked man stopped mid-charge, his daggers disappearing into his sleeves. The fire dissipated from his legs, and he let out a sharp exhale.
"I didn't expect him to burn out so fast," the man muttered, stepping back. He removed his ogre mask, revealing a sharp face—young, confident, with wildredeyesthat mirrored the flame he wielded. His crimson hair framed a face both handsome and intimidating. He looked to be the same age as Atsuki.
Atsuki stirred slightly, regaining a bit of consciousness as the newcomer crouched down.
"You're strong.Stronger than I thought," the stranger said. "But you lack control."
Atsuki opened his eyes and blinked. "Who... are you?"
Standing tall, the man crossed his arms and gave a half-smile. "Name's Kazuki Ryujin (龍神一樹). New Arcane Warrior under the Dominion of Zealstriders. Vanguard rank. Just like her." He nodded toward Aoi.
Aoi narrowed her eyes. "You could've killed him."
"He wouldn't have died," Kazuki replied without hesitation. "That guy has potential. But he fights like a wildfire with no direction. Strong, but reckless."
Atsuki sat up slowly, still breathing hard. "What was that word you shouted before attacking?"
Kazuki smirked. "Senmetsu."
"Senmetsu?"
"It's a power control technique. A limiter breaker. It draws out the true depth of your elemental energy, but it comes at a cost."
He knelt down in front of Atsuki, eyes serious. "Most people who try to use it end up getting injured—or worse. Mastering it takes more than strength. It takes focus, control, and mental discipline. You don't rage into it. You flow."
Atsuki clenched his fists. "Teachme."
Kazuki's expression turned grave, all traces of playfulness gone. He looked Atsuki dead in the eyes.
"I will," he said, voice firm. "But you need to understand something."
A gust of wind passed between them, brushing through the scorched leaves and silent trees.
"Senmetsu isn't just a power-up. It's an extension of your soul. You force your energy out, beyond your limits. And if you're not ready… it breaks you."
Atsuki didn't flinch. "I'm not afraid."
"You should be," Kazuki said coldly. "Because your powers aren't normal. Your control is sloppy—but your output? It's terrifying. You could blow your own body apart before even scratching an enemy."
Aoi remained silent, watching them with concern in her eyes. She had never seen Atsuki this determined—or this reckless.
Kazuki stood and turned, walking a few paces away before stopping. "We start tomorrow. No distractions. Just me and you."
The next morning arrived fast.
The clearing Kazuki had picked was far from the training grounds—isolated, surrounded by cracked stones and broken roots. There was no wind here, no sound of birds. Only heat.
Atsuki stood across from him, breathing steadily.
"You ready?" Kazuki asked.
Atsuki nodded once. "I am."
"Then don't hold back."
The moment the words left Kazuki's mouth, he shot forward, flames bursting beneath his feet. Atsuki met him head-on, crystal energy erupting around his arms. Their clash echoed like thunder.
Each strike pushed Atsuki further. Each dodge demanded more focus. Kazuki wasn't going easy. He wanted to break him—to test the cracks in his resolve.
But Atsuki didn't crack.
He adapted.
Even when Kazuki's flame exploded outward, Atsuki used his crystals as shields, pivoting, breathing, striking back with precise counters. The fight wasn't about winning. It was about control.
"Don't rage," Kazuki shouted mid-fight, eyes intense. "Stay calm. That's the greatest way to fight… and the most dangerous."
Atsuki gritted his teeth, holding his stance. "I'm trying."
"Then tryharder!"
Kazuki's knee nearly connected with his chin, but Atsuki blocked it—barely. His arms shook. The power surging inside him wanted out, but this time, he forced it into shape. It responded. Controlled.
They kept moving—each movement faster, sharper, heavier.
Until finally, Kazuki halted.
He breathed out slowly and stepped back, his expression unreadable. The heat began to fade.
He looked at Atsuki like a blacksmith would look at a half-forged blade.
"You're dangerous," he said at last. "Do you even realize that?"
Atsuki blinked, still panting.
"If you can master Senmetsu… you'll be stronger than most warriors. Maybe even captain level. That's how scary you are."
His voice dropped low, steady like a warning.
"But strength without control is a curse."
Atsuki stared at him—sweat dripping, chest heaving, muscles sore, but eyes clear.
"I'll learn it," he said. "No matter what."
Kazuki didn't respond immediately. He walked past Atsuki, stopping beside him only to mutter:
"Then be ready. Tomorrow, we push harder."
And with that, he vanished into the trees, leaving Atsuki standing alone in the fading heat—more fired up than ever before.
The next day came. And the next. And the next after that.
Each morning, Atsuki and Kazuki stood in that same scorched clearing—alone. No sounds but their breath. No guidance but their instincts.
And every day, Kazuki pushed Atsuki to the edge.
"Again!" he'd shout as Atsuki dropped to one knee.
Their clashes were brutal. Element against element. Will against will. Atsuki's crystal-infused energy clashed with Kazuki's wildfire strikes. It was no longer a match—it was a war of growth. Each blow forced Atsuki to think sharper, move smarter, hold his power tighter.
On the third day, Kazuki changed tactics.
He no longer attacked relentlessly. He'd circle instead. Analyze. Strike from odd angles. At one point, he swept Atsuki's legs out mid-air and slammed him into the ground.
"You're relying on instincts," Kazuki said, standing over him. "But instincts won't save you when your body starts tearing apart."
Atsuki spit blood from his mouth, growled, and stood again.
"Good," Kazuki muttered, cracking his neck. "You're finally angry."
By the fourth day, Atsuki no longer grunted when he was hit. He absorbed the pain. Channeled it. His movements sharpened. His control grew tighter. Kazuki noticed.
On the fifth day, something strange happened.
Kazuki didn't yell.
He was quieter. Observing.
Atsuki moved faster than before, his crystal forming elegant patterns, hardening in the exact moments he needed them. He wasn't just reacting—he was adapting.
Kazuki smiled to himself as he blocked another strike.
"Not bad…"
By the sixth day, the ground around them was nothing but scorched scars and shattered stone. Trees surrounding the clearing were blackened. The air was heavier—charged.
And Kazuki… was starting to struggle.
Atsuki's energy surged cleaner. His reflexes were sharper. His attacks didn't just hit—they cut. His crystals now sparked with refined, condensed energy, shaped perfectly around his limbs. His breathing was calm, his focus unshakable.
Kazuki knew. Atsuki was changing.
And so came the seventh day.
The air was still.
Kazuki stood, arms folded, watching Atsuki arrive—silent, calm, steady.
He hadn't needed to ask if Atsuki was ready.
He could feel it.
Atsuki took position. His stance wasn't aggressive. It was balanced. Focused.
Kazuki cracked his knuckles. "Don't hold back."
They clashed.
But this time—it wasn't Kazuki leading.
Atsuki moved first, and faster. His feet glided, his crystals hummed. His strikes were no longer wild—they were clean, calculated, devastating. Kazuki blocked, dodged, retaliated—but each counter felt slower.
Atsuki pivoted, ducked under Kazuki's flame burst, and struck with a backward elbow coated in hardened crystal. Kazuki barely blocked in time—but the force sent him sliding.
Kazuki narrowed his eyes.
He wasn't training Atsuki anymore.
He was fighting him.
From behind a nearby bush, Aoi watched, wide-eyed. She had followed Atsuki that morning, heart heavy with concern. But now—what she saw stunned her.
He was… different.
Not just stronger.
Composed.
She gripped a tree, breath held as the two warriors clashed again—fire exploding against crystal. The ground beneath them cracked with every strike.
Kazuki suddenly launched himself up with flames underfoot, spinning midair. Atsuki raised his arms, forming a cross-shaped shield of crystals. The impact sounded like thunder—but Atsuki held firm.
Kazuki landed, panting.
"…You're not just improving," he said, a slow smirk forming. "You've already surpassed me."
Atsuki said nothing, breathing steady.
Kazuki stared at him for a long moment. Then his face turned serious.
"Alright," he said, stepping back.
He raised his hand, flames curling around his arm.
"This is it, Atsuki."
Atsuki's gaze sharpened.
Kazuki's voice was calm—but loud.
"Release all your power. Right now. Just like last time."
Atsuki froze.
But only for a moment.
He nodded.
And then—he let go.
Crystal energy exploded out of him in a violent wave, burning red at the edges. The air trembled. The earth cracked. Trees bent outward from the sheer pressure.
Aoi gasped from behind the bush, shielding herself with a quick water barrier. "What is this…?"
Kazuki's eyes widened as Atsuki's form lit up—shards of crystal wrapped around him like flaming armor. The temperature spiked unnaturally, a red glow radiating from his core.
Atsuki was radiating bloodlust.
And then—he dashed.
But it wasn't a dash.
It was a detonation.
The ground beneath his feet shattered, fire and crystal propelling him like a missile toward Kazuki.
Too fast.
Too much.
Kazuki's eyes widened—not in awe.
In realization.
He didn't hold back.
And for the first time since they met—
Kazuki saw his own death.
To be continued…