Chapter 7 – The Path to Odeshi

Location: The Royal Vessel of South Volstadtin – Training Deck

The salty breeze howled through the open-air training deck of the ship, carrying with it the distant cries of seagulls and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the hull. The deck itself was vast, reinforced with runes and juju carvings to withstand combat training. Wooden dummies, sparring circles, and weapon racks lined the perimeter, but none of it seemed to matter in the presence of the woman standing before them.

Miss Wolo.

Draped in a flowing dark robe, her posture was relaxed, but there was something about her presence that made the air feel heavy. Her golden eyes flickered like molten metal as she examined the eight students standing before her in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from excitement to pure confusion.

She exhaled.

Miss Wolo (calm, authoritative):

"Juju is the foundation of all power. It is not just magic. It is not just strength. It is life itself."

She raised her hand, and a faint, golden mist pulsed around her fingers—Juju aura. The air itself seemed to tremble in response.

Miss Wolo:

"Some of you already know your strengths. Others will discover them. But make no mistake—your survival depends on understanding your nature."

She gestured to Sophia Nanny, a short, wiry girl with dark skin and striking goat-like pupils that seemed to glow faintly in the morning light.

Miss Wolo:

"The Goat Clan's sight is a bloodline ability. No training can grant you what is in your blood."

Sophia, who had been picking at her fingernails, glanced up and smirked. "I mean, I was born lucky."

Miss Wolo (ignoring her):

"Your sight allows you to perceive danger before it arrives. A true prey ability—one of the finest for survival."

Then, she turned to Timi Amadioha, a muscular boy with lightning-shaped scars running along his arms. His arms were folded, his face stoic, but there was a quiet storm brewing behind his eyes.

Miss Wolo:

"The Amadioha Clan's lightning… a predator's gift. Power to strike before an enemy even breathes their next word."

Timi merely grunted in response.

Miss Wolo's gaze then landed on Prophet Mirror, a lanky boy with sharp cheekbones and an unsettling smile. His arms were crossed as if he already knew what she was about to say.

Miss Wolo:

"Prophet Mirror. Your bloodline technique—Tenten—is a dangerous ability in the right hands. If you mimic someone's movements ten times, you can place them into hypnosis."

Prophet Mirror's grin widened. "Yes, but… who stands still long enough for me to do that?"

Miss Wolo (nodding):

"Exactly. As you are now, it is useless. But that can change."

She stepped forward, her presence pressing down on them like an unseen force.

Miss Wolo:

"Some abilities are learned. Some are inherited. Some are awakened. But one thing remains constant—Juju flows through us all."

She tapped her chest.

Miss Wolo:

"And through that Juju… your Odeshi will manifest."

A silence settled. Then, her voice dropped lower.

Miss Wolo:

"For the next four days, we will awaken the Odeshi within you."

The atmosphere shifted. A mixture of excitement and unease rippled through the group.

Day 1 – The Breaking Point

The first day was pure hell.

Miss Wolo believed in a simple philosophy—break the body, break the mind, and the soul will reveal itself.

From sunrise to sunset, the eight of them were subjected to relentless physical training.

Sprint drills across the ship's deck, dodging waves of juju-infused wind that shoved them back if they slowed down.

Weighted talismans strapped to their backs, draining their energy as they climbed up and down the ship's mast.

Blindfolded combat, where they had to fight without sight, relying only on instinct.

By noon, Tamara Mellon, a boy with short dreadlocks and an attitude too big for his body, collapsed onto his back, gasping for air.

Tamara (groaning): "Why does it feel like my spirit is lifting weights too?"

Miss Wolo, who had been watching calmly from the side, flicked a finger.

A surge of pressure slammed Tamara's exhausted body against the deck.

Miss Wolo:

"Because it is."

She turned to the others, her gaze sharp.

"Your Odeshi is not in your muscles. It is in your will. If your spirit is weak, your Juju will be weak."

She paused.

"If you collapse, get up. If you bleed, keep fighting. Your idol only reveals itself when you stand on the edge of survival."

And so, the training continued.