Rest Between Challenges
The day after the inspection was quiet. The heavy tension that had gripped the dojo seemed to lift, replaced by cautious relief. Mono lay sprawled on the grass in the courtyard, staring up at the bright morning sky. His muscles still ached from the energy control test, but his spirits were high.
"We survived," Raiba said, leaning against a wooden post, a damp cloth pressed to his forehead. He grinned faintly. "Barely, but we survived."
Josei sat nearby, adjusting her ponytail as she spoke. "The tournament is three weeks away. We have time, but we can't afford to waste it."
Mono groaned dramatically, throwing his arms over his eyes. "We should waste today, though. Just a little."
"You'd say that," Hito said, smirking as he leaned back against the railing. "Butterball here always wants an excuse to relax."
Before Mono could retort, Tokira's calm voice joined the conversation. "Rest is part of the process," Tokira said, sitting cross-legged under the old oak tree. "We shouldn't ignore it."
Mono lifted his arm enough to flash Tokira a grateful smile.
Josei sighed but nodded in agreement. "Fine. But only today. Starting tomorrow, no more breaks."
---
By midday, the group started feeling restless. Raiba stretched, tossing the damp cloth onto the post behind him. "Okay, who's up for a snack run?"
Mono sat up immediately. "Count me in."
"I'm always up for food," Hito said, grinning widely.
Josei stood and brushed grass from her uniform. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt."
Tokira pushed himself up from the base of the oak tree, surprising everyone. "I'll come too," he said simply.
Mono raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. "The more the merrier," he said.
The group left the dojo together, heading down the dirt path that led into town. The air was cool, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze.
---
The town had a lively energy despite its small size. Its dirt roads and wooden buildings gave it the charm of a peaceful village, but the bustling marketplace and lively chatter of merchants revealed its true vibrancy. The stalls were full of goods—brightly colored fabrics, freshly baked bread, sizzling meat skewers—and the air smelled of cooking spices and wood smoke.
"Hey, it's Mono!" called a baker from one of the stalls, waving cheerfully.
Mono waved back, feeling slightly embarrassed. The students had become familiar faces in the town, often visiting for snacks or supplies.
The group spread out across the market, stopping at different stalls to buy treats. Mono made his way to the bakery and handed over two sunmarks, receiving a warm loaf of bread in return. The crust was golden and crisp, and the smell made his stomach growl. Breaking off a piece, he popped it into his mouth and sighed happily.
Raiba stopped at a grill stall and bought a skewer of grilled fish for three sunmarks. The smoky aroma was mouthwatering, and he tore into it with enthusiasm.
Josei approached a fruit vendor and exchanged one sunmark for a pouch of dried figs, tying it neatly to her belt.
Meanwhile, Hito—true to form—bought a little bit of everything. He spent eight sunmarks in total, loading his hands with a mix of roasted peanuts, candied nuts, and crispy crackers.
---
As they wandered through the market, Raiba brought up a familiar topic. "Do you think Sensei went out last night?" he asked, picking at his fish skewer.
"Out where?" Mono asked, tearing off another piece of bread.
"To fight beasts," Raiba replied, lowering his voice slightly.
Mono frowned. "You think he did?"
"Has to be," Hito said, popping peanuts into his mouth. "How else do you think he gets the beast crystals?"
The students had discovered Sensei's source of income recently, stumbling upon a pouch of glowing shards in his study. Beast crystals, prized for their use in crafting energy-enhancing tools, were highly valuable.
"When does he even find the time?" Josei asked, her voice thoughtful. "He's here with us all day."
Mono shrugged. "He must be fast."
"Fast?" Tokira repeated, shaking his head. "He's probably strong enough to finish a fight before time even seems to pass."
The group fell silent, each of them trying to imagine Sensei taking down dangerous beasts with the precision and power they had only glimpsed during training.
---
Back at the dojo, the students gathered under the oak tree, spreading out their snacks like a small feast. Tokira sat with the group this time, taking a piece of bread from Mono without hesitation.
"Thanks," Tokira said briefly, biting into the bread.
For a while, they ate and talked, their conversations drifting from training to light-hearted topics.
"Do you think the inspectors will be at the tournament?" Josei asked, breaking the casual mood.
"Probably," Raiba said, chewing thoughtfully. "And they'll probably be just as critical as they were here."
Mono groaned, leaning back against the tree trunk. "Great. Can't wait to hear them call me 'acceptable' again."
Hito chuckled but grew serious. "They're tough, but they're not wrong. We need to be better."
Tokira glanced up. "We will be," he said firmly. "Three weeks is enough if we use it wisely."
The group nodded, their resolve strengthening.
---
That night, the stars glittered above the quiet dojo. Mono found himself sitting in the courtyard, the cool night air brushing against his skin. His thoughts drifted to the tournament, to Sensei's mysterious strength, and to their own progress.
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