The First Light of Resolve

The early hours of dawn cloaked the village of Sora no Kaze in a blanket of silence, save for the soft rustle of wind weaving through the trees. Kaito, still exhausted from the previous day's training, lay sprawled on his futon, his dreams filled with images of wind dragons and swirling gales.

Suddenly, a firm hand shook him awake.

"Up, Kaito. It's time to train," Ryuto's voice was steady but commanding.

Kaito groaned, rubbing his eyes. "It's still dark outside, Dad…"

Ryuto crossed his arms, unfazed. "The enemy won't wait for the sun to rise, and neither will your strength. Get up."

Reluctantly, Kaito rolled out of bed, the soreness in his muscles reminding him of the grueling practice the day before. After quickly getting dressed, he followed Ryuto outside, where the faintest glow of dawn began to paint the horizon.

"We'll start with a warm-up," Ryuto said. "A full lap around the village."

Kaito blinked in surprise. "The whole village? That's huge!"

Ryuto smirked. "Exactly. Now move."

As the two began their run, the chilly morning air bit at Kaito's face. The uneven terrain of the village paths tested his stamina, but Ryuto's pace remained steady and unyielding. Villagers who were already up and about nodded in acknowledgment as the pair passed by, some even offering words of encouragement.

By the time they returned to the training yard, Kaito was gasping for breath, his legs trembling. But Ryuto wasn't finished.

"Next, push-ups," Ryuto said, dropping to the ground. "A hundred."

"A hundred?!" Kaito's voice cracked.

Ryuto glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Do you think Taro will go easy on you because you're tired? Start counting."

Kaito grumbled under his breath but dropped down and began. His arms burned after just twenty, and by fifty, his breaths came in ragged gasps. Ryuto, however, completed his set effortlessly, watching Kaito with an expression that was equal parts stern and supportive.

"Fifty more, Kaito. You've got this."

Somehow, through sheer willpower, Kaito pushed himself to complete the set, collapsing onto the ground when he finished. But Ryuto was already preparing the next challenge.

"Get up," he said, holding a heavy wooden log and a set of chains. "You're not done yet."

Kaito stared at the log in disbelief. "What… is that for?"

"You'll run laps around the backyard with this log tied to your waist," Ryuto explained, fastening the chains around Kaito. "This will strengthen your core and legs. If you can't carry this, you'll never handle Kūryūken."

The moment Kaito took his first step, the weight of the log nearly pulled him back. His movements were slow and unsteady, but Ryuto walked beside him, urging him forward.

"Focus on your steps. Don't let the weight control you," Ryuto instructed.

The backyard seemed endless as Kaito trudged forward, sweat dripping from his brow. Every step was a battle, his body screaming for rest. But each time he felt like giving up, he thought of Taro, the villagers, and his dream of becoming stronger.

After what felt like an eternity, Ryuto finally signaled for him to stop. Kaito collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving.

"Good," Ryuto said, removing the chains. "You're improving, but this is only the beginning. Rest for a moment, then we'll move on to Kūryūken."

Kaito groaned but nodded, taking the brief respite to catch his breath.

When it was time, Ryuto stood before him, the morning sun now casting long shadows across the yard. "Kūryūken is not just a physical attack—it's an extension of your spirit and your connection to the wind. To master it, you need precision, control, and intent."

He demonstrated the technique again, his movements fluid and powerful. The wind coiled around his arm like a living entity, and when he punched forward, a translucent dragon roared to life, tearing through the air with devastating force.

"Now you try," Ryuto said, stepping back.

Kaito closed his eyes, focusing on the wind around him. He extended his arm, feeling the air gather and swirl. His first attempt produced a weak gust, far from the dragon his father had summoned.

"Focus," Ryuto said. "Feel the wind as if it's part of you. Guide it, don't force it."

Kaito tried again, this time concentrating on his breathing and the sensation of the wind against his skin. The air began to spiral around his arm, stronger than before, but when he punched, it dispersed too quickly.

"Good effort," Ryuto said. "But you're still rushing. Take your time. One move is enough to learn today. Master this, and you'll be ready for more."

They spent hours repeating the motion, Ryuto offering corrections and encouragement with each attempt. By midday, Kaito managed to create a faint, shimmering outline of the dragon, though it lacked power and definition.

"You've made progress," Ryuto said, placing a hand on Kaito's shoulder. "But Kūryūken isn't something you'll master in a day. For now, rest. Tomorrow, we'll continue."

Kaito nodded, exhaustion weighing heavily on him, but his determination remained unshaken. As he looked up at the sky, the clouds swirling lazily above, he made a silent vow to himself.

"I'll master this. No matter how long it takes."

The day's training ended, but Kaito knew his journey was far from over. The path to Kūryūken—and his dream of protecting the village—was just beginning.