Crack in the Storm

[SWOOM] - [SWOOSH]

A burst of brilliant blue aura exploded outward, crackling with raw energy before fading into the salty sea air. Sol stood in the center of the sparring area on the main deck, his chest rising and falling heavily. 

His body trembled, his hands clenched tightly around the hilt of an iron sword. The golden rays of the sun bathed him in their warmth. 

Though exhaustion threatened to drag him down, he remained standing, his breath ragged, his muscles screaming in protest.

The pointed edge of his sword gleamed under the sunlight, but it was nothing more than a training weapon—ordinary and unremarkable. 

"Again."

Jaz's voice rang out, firm and unwavering, carried by the ocean's breeze. The waves lapped against the ship's hull, harmonizing with her command. 

Sol barely hesitated. He tightened his grip, closed his eyes, and tried to focus, willing his aura to flow once more.

The task was simple—break the iron blade using only his aura. Simple to say, but far from easy to do.

Blue energy pulsed from his core, wrapping around his hands and seeping into the sword. His aura coated the blade, but the true challenge lay ahead.

His face tightened in concentration as he tried to force his energy inward, restricting its flow to a singular point.

A sharp pain lanced through his arms.

"Argh…!"

The pressure was nearly unbearable, as if his very muscles were being torn apart from the inside. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the deck, panting. 

The sword clattered beside him, useless in his trembling grip.

Why…? Why can't I do it?

Frustration clouded his thoughts. He had always been quick to learn, a prodigy in the eyes of others. 

Jaz stood at the edge of the sparring area, arms crossed over her toned frame, her dark eyes locked onto Sol. Her expression was unreadable, but deep within, something stirred.

With a small push, Sol forced himself to his feet. He raised his sword, determination burning in his eyes, and let his aura flow once more—only to fail again. 

Gritting his teeth, he tried again. And again. Each attempt ended in failure, but he refused to stop. He pushed forward, undeterred by the weight of defeat.

It's wondrous, how fast he learns

"Look at his determination. Being young truly is a blessing, isn't it?"

A sudden voice approached from behind, disrupting her thoughts. She turned to see Alex, the vice-captain, standing beside her, his usual smirk tugging at his lips.

"Vice-Captain."

Alex moved to stand beside her, both of them watching as Sol struggled to his feet once more. The boy's determination remained unbroken, even as his body trembled from exhaustion.

"You've got something on your mind." Alex observed, breaking the contemplative silence.

Jaz hesitated, clenching her fists. "Is it… because of me?.....He usually learns so easily. But seeing him struggle like this… it makes me question my own ability."

Alex chuckled. "Hah. You're not wrong," he said, turning to face her. "He learns quickly—extraordinarily so. But....talent alone isn't everything. The way he's taught matters just as much."

Confusion flickered across Jaz's features. "What do you mean?"

"Come," Alex said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Let me teach you how to teach."

They approached Sol, who was preparing for another attempt. Alex raised his hand. "Why not take a little rest, kid?"

"Vice-Captain? I…" Sol panted, barely able to lift his head.

"Sit down. Breathe."

Sol obeyed, taking a moment to compose himself. When he finally stood, Alex turned to Jaz and smirked. "Watch and learn."

Sol opened his mouth, ready to ask a question, but Alex cut him off before he could even speak.

"Why I ca--"

"Use your head, kid. Don't just rush for an answer—think about the problem too."

Sol blinked, taken aback as if he couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind Alex's words. Still, he tried to do as he was told. He thought.

And thought.....And thought. But no matter how hard he tried, the answer remained elusive.

Noticing this, Alex again jumps in, to help.

Alex sighed. "Alright, I'll help you out. Think about breaking something… that can't be broken."

Sol blinked. "That doesn't make sense. If it can't be broken, then—"

"It can." Alex's voice was firm. "Brute force isn't always the answer."

Then, Alex glanced at Jaz, including her in the lesson now. "What do you think?" he asked.

Jaz mulled it over, crossing her arms. "If it can't break from the outside… then…"

Sol's eyes widened. His breath hitched as realization struck him like lightning. He grabbed his sword off the deck, gripping it tightly.

"I understand now. If I can't break it from the outside… I'll break it from within."

"Hahaha.." Alex's hearty laugh boomed across the deck.

Sol took his stance, closing his eyes, steadying his breathing. His aura flared to life once more—but this time, something was different. It didn't wrap around the sword. It vanished.

No… not vanished. It was inside. Flowing through the blade, seeping into its very structure, reaching the atomic level without him even realizing it.

His instincts screamed at him. 

Now-!

The crack that appeared in the blade was almost imperceptible at first. Then—

[BOOM]

The sword exploded into countless fragments, scattering across the deck like metallic rain. Alex and Jaz stared in astonishment; while breaking a training sword with aura was a basic exercise, they had never seen it accomplished quite like this. 

Sol turned, his face beaming with triumph. "Did you see that, Vi—"

But before he could finish, a chilling sensation washed over them. Alex, Jaz and Sol, all three sensed it: a dangerous presence, close by. Their instincts screamed.

Jaz's stomach twisted. Alex's playful demeanor vanished, his expression darkening in an instant. Sol's body trembled—not in fear...but under the sheer weight of an overwhelming presence, but his mind remained clear.

Alex and Jaz moved into defensive stances, both of them were on high alert, their eyes scanning their surroundings for the source. 

Then—Alex's eyes widened as he sensed something. His body tensed. Without hesitation, he spun toward Jaz and shouted.

"WATCH OUT!"