Chapter 13 Manas New Challanges.

Manas's excitement is met with mixed reactions from his new team. While some welcome him warmly, others keep their distance, questioning how a boy from a simple village could possibly match their level. Among the group, whispers circulate that many of them are from noble backgrounds, including a few who are children of royalty or prominent captains, making them wary of accepting someone they view as an outsider.

Manas, sensing the tension, remains calm, reminding himself of his journey and the strength he's gained. He realizes that proving himself among these talented warriors may be his next true challenge, as he aims to win over not just his new teammates but also his place in Captain Jax's elite team.

Curious to get to know his new teammates, Manas decides to strike up conversations and learn more about each of them. He starts with a few who seem open, asking about their backgrounds and motivations. Here's a bit of what he learns from each team member:

Elinor - Known for her agility and precision, Elinor is a daughter of a prominent commander. She values loyalty and often takes on a leadership role among the others. She's passionate about mastering advanced techniques, particularly those requiring speed and finesse.

Keira - Calm and observant, Keira hails from a family of scholars. Her knowledge of ancient lore and elemental powers often makes her a go-to for advice on complex strategies. She's a bit skeptical of Manas at first, but she's intrigued by his chakra control.

Talia - Talia is a free spirit and often the life of the group, with a lighthearted approach to training. However, she has a competitive side and comes from a family that values strength above all. She initially doubts Manas but finds his determination impressive.

Nadia - A quiet, introspective member of the team, Nadia has a strong affinity with nature. Raised by healers, she has a deep understanding of chakra healing techniques and is often the one to tend to others after training sessions. She appreciates Manas's humility.

Freya - Freya is fiercely determined, with a background as the daughter of a captain. She's wary of outsiders and feels Manas hasn't "earned" his spot yet. Over time, though, she grows to respect his resolve.

Lina - Lina is enthusiastic and optimistic, coming from a line of diplomats. She's quick to see the good in people, even if they come from different backgrounds. Lina is the first to offer Manas genuine friendship and sees his potential.

Soraya - Strong-willed and focused, Soraya trains relentlessly to honor her family's legacy as warriors. She's one of the team members who finds Manas's skills unconventional but is willing to give him a chance.

Iris - Iris, skilled in using wind and earth-based moves, comes from a family with a mystical background. She has a natural ability to connect with the elements and sees Manas as a curiosity she wants to understand better.

Dane - Dane is the team's strategist and prides himself on his tactical thinking. Coming from a family of military advisors, he initially questions Manas's abilities but finds himself surprised by the new recruit's quick learning.

Kael - Quiet and reserved, Kael prefers to observe rather than speak. With a powerful affinity for earth chakra, he's slow to trust newcomers. Over time, he sees that Manas's approach, though different, could add unique strengths to the team.

Orin - Orin has an easygoing personality and often acts as a mediator. He has a special skill for sensing energy changes around him, which makes him particularly attuned to others' emotions. Orin takes a liking to Manas, sensing his sincerity.

Theo - Known for his strength and fortitude, Theo is competitive but fair. He hails from a family of guardsmen and values courage. Initially skeptical of Manas, Theo watches how he trains before deciding whether to consider him an equal.

As Manas learns more about his teammates, he finds common ground with some, while others remain distant. He's aware that proving his worth will take time and hard work, but he feels a growing motivation to show his new friends what he's capable of and to become an essential part of Captain Jax's team.

After few Days,,

One day, during a training session in the forest, Dane turned to Manas with a glint of curiosity in his eyes and proposed a challenge. "How about a friendly fight?" he asked, his tone confident yet inviting. Dane wasn't just looking for a spar; he wanted to see if Manas's skills could measure up to the rest of the team.

Manas's eyes lit up with excitement, and a broad smile spread across his face. "Of course, brother. Let's fight!" he replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

The other teammates gathered around, each eager to witness Manas in action. Some watched with skepticism, while others were genuinely intrigued. As Manas and Dane faced off, the air filled with a tense anticipation, and all eyes were locked on Manas, eager to see what abilities he would reveal in this test of strength and skill.

Friendly Fight 

Manas stood ready, his resolve firm as he prepared to give Dane a real test of strength. As they squared off, Dane called out, "Ready, Manas?" Without hesitation, Manas nodded. Dane made the first move, launching a powerful kick in his direction. Manas quickly sidestepped, surprised to realize that Dane wasn't using any chakra—this was a pure, physical fight. Dane smirked. "Faster!" he challenged, pushing Manas to match his speed.

Deciding to fight on even terms, Manas resisted using Zephyrion's power and returned a swift kick of his own. The two moved with incredible speed, exchanging punches and kicks in a flurry of movement. Suddenly, Dane feinted with a left kick, then landed a solid right kick to Manas's stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground. Manas gasped as pain rippled through his body, but Dane didn't let up. He closed in, landing a fierce punch to Manas's face that sent him flying back against a tree.

Struggling to stand, Manas wiped the blood from his lip. Dane raised an eyebrow, "You can call it quits, Manas. Just say the word." But Manas shook his head, determination blazing in his eyes. "Nice strike, brother, but that's not enough to take me down." Dane grinned. "Alright, then. Let's see how you handle this." With a shout of "Dragon Punch!" Dane leapt forward, fists blazing, charging straight at Manas.

Manas took a deep breath, focusing all his energy in his core. "Root Chakra," he murmured, grounding himself as he tracked Dane's every movement. Just as Dane closed in, Manas moved, blocking Dane's punch in a blur of speed. The onlookers gasped in disbelief—Dane was fast, yet somehow Manas had managed to counter him.

"Solar Strike!" Manas cried, channeling his energy into a powerful punch that connected with Dane's face, sending him crashing into a nearby rock. Dane staggered, feeling the weight of Manas's blow as he struggled to steady himself. Silence hung in the air as the team watched, awe and respect dawning in their eyes.

Dane pushed himself up, brushing dust from his face, and grinned at Manas with newfound respect. "Not bad, Manas," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You actually blocked my Dragon Punch. I'm impressed. But don't think it's over just yet."

With a sharp inhale, Dane's energy began to surge. His chakra flared around him, pulsing with power as he prepared to take things to the next level. The air crackled with intensity, and Manas could feel the shift in Dane's energy—it was clear he meant to unleash his full strength.

Manas braced himself, his heart pounding. He could tell this fight was about to reach new heights, and he would need to be ready for whatever Dane threw at him next.

The air grew thick with tension as Dane's magic flared to life. Shadows writhed around him, twisting and stretching like dark tendrils. With a focused gaze, Dane raised his hand, and suddenly, multiple shadowy clones of himself materialized, each one mirroring his movements. They moved with fluid precision, striking from all angles, leaving Manas with no clear target. The forest around them seemed to grow darker as Dane's shadows blurred the line between reality and illusion.

Manas, struggling to keep up with the onslaught, was overwhelmed by the constant barrage of attacks. Each time he blocked one strike, another seemed to come from a different direction. His breath quickened, his body aching from the relentless pressure. He could feel the intensity of Dane's power, the sharp impact of each shadow-infused punch and kick.

It looked like it was all over for Manas. Dane's magic was overwhelming, and with every hit, Manas felt himself weakening. But then, deep within, a spark of resolve ignited. He couldn't let this be the end—not now, not after everything he had worked for.

With a sudden breath, Manas summoned the power of Zephyrion, the Ring of Wind. A gust of wind swept through the forest, lifting the leaves in a wild dance. His body surged with newfound strength, his muscles burning with a surge of energy as Zephyrion's power coursed through him. The shadows around him began to swirl, but now, with the wind at his back, Manas felt a sharp clarity.

Dane's next attack came faster, a shadowy fist aimed straight at Manas's chest. But this time, Manas was ready. His foot planted firmly into the earth, and he spun with blinding speed, using Zephyrion's power to increase his agility. With a sharp exhale, he dodged the blow, the shadow fading into the wind.

Without hesitation, Manas retaliated. With a single, forceful strike, he unleashed a Cyclone Spin, sending a wave of wind toward the shadows. The force of the attack shattered the clones, and for a split second, the shadows dissipated. Dane's expression shifted slightly, impressed but undeterred.

"Not bad," Dane said, but there was a glimmer of challenge in his eyes. He wasn't about to hold back. Summoning more energy, Dane's shadows grew stronger, their strikes now reinforced with raw magic. One last, devastating punch—a dark, shadow-infused fist—sped toward Manas.

But with Zephyrion's wind power and his chakra focus, Manas wasn't just dodging anymore. He was prepared to end this fight. Gathering all his strength, he stepped forward, using the Solar Strike, his fist ablaze with energy. As he collided with Dane's shadow attack, the explosion of wind and light sent shockwaves through the forest.

Dane was thrown back, crashing against a tree, his shadows flickering as if they were losing their form. The fight was far from over, but in that moment, Manas had proven his resilience—he had finally shown that his strength, with the power of Zephyrion, was not to be underestimated.

The team stood in stunned silence, watching as the dust settled. Manas's breath was heavy, but his resolve was clear. He was no longer just the new guy—he had earned his place.