The Calm Before The Storm

The morning sun slowly crept over the high monastery walls, casting long, distorted shadows across the stone courtyard. The once quiet training ground, usually calm in the stillness of early hours, now hummed with energy. The sound of wooden swords clashing, of feet shifting against the earth, and of breaths drawn in sharp, determined bursts filled the air. It was the rhythm of training, of striving toward something greater.

Kai's grip tightened on the smooth wooden handle of his training sword, his body poised in a balanced stance. He locked eyes with Hale, who was grinning widely, eyes gleaming with anticipation. There was an undeniable spark in Hale's expression—one that radiated mischief, determination, and that insatiable hunger to prove himself.

"Come on, Kai," Hale taunted, his voice brimming with playful challenge. "Are you just going to stand there and let me win?"

Kai didn't answer. He didn't need to. His focus narrowed. The world around him faded as he centered himself in the moment, listening to the rhythmic sound of his own breathing, the tension in his muscles, the weight of the sword in his hand.

Hale surged forward in a flash, his movement faster than expected, the weight of his sword swinging toward Kai with precision. Kai barely stepped aside, the momentum of Hale's strike grazing the edge of his shoulder. The wooden blade cleaved the air with a loud, resounding thud, stirring up dust from the ground beneath them.

Edran stood a short distance away, his arms crossed over his chest, his black eyes fixed intently on the pair as they moved. "Sloppy," he muttered, his voice low but carrying in the stillness of the courtyard. "Again."

Without hesitation, Kai reset his stance, his feet solid against the earth, his body already preparing for the next strike. Hale, never one to back down from a challenge, grinned wider. "Alright, Kai. Let's see what you've got." His next attack came quickly, and the clash of their wooden swords rang through the courtyard, loud and sharp.

Kai deflected Hale's strike, his movements measured, his control absolute. Their blades locked for a brief moment before Kai pushed Hale back, using the force of the strike to create space between them. The energy between them was palpable—two forces constantly shifting, each vying for dominance.

The other children watched from a distance. Arata, Jam, and Fahi stood together, their attention fixed on the sparring pair. Arata, ever the analytical observer, watched closely, his eyes flicking from one movement to the next, as if trying to anticipate every strike before it came. His mind worked through the movements in an attempt to learn.

"Jam, Fahi," Arata said quietly, his voice carrying an undercurrent of concentration. "Kai's not just trying to block. He's calculating every move. He's waiting for Hale to commit."

Jam, his gaze fixed on Hale, snorted. "Bet Hale wins again. Kai's too slow."

Fahi, his arms crossed and leaning casually against a pillar, raised an eyebrow. "Kai's not slow. He's deliberate. Hale's just… brash."

Arata nodded. "Exactly. Kai's waiting for the right opening."

Edran's voice broke through their conversation like a whip crack. "Enough watching. You three—grab your swords. There's no room for spectators in training."

Jam groaned, while Fahi sighed in mock frustration. Arata, however, didn't waste a second. He quickly picked up his training sword, positioning himself with a quiet determination. Unlike Kai, Hale, or Rena, Arata's talent in mana had yet to manifest with the same strength, but his form had improved over the last months, his movements becoming more refined, his posture steadier. He was gaining ground, though slowly.

The three children began sparring in their pairs—Arata against Fahi and Jam working with a training dummy. Their strikes were rougher, unpolished. But there was a beauty to that rawness. It was the foundation, the groundwork from which they would grow.

Rena, holding a thick book with faded pages, walked over to where Kai and Hale were resting. She watched them for a moment, her gaze lingering on Kai. The playful smirk that danced across her lips was evident as she tilted her head toward him.

"So, still struggling, Kai?" she teased, her voice light but laced with challenge.

Kai gave her a tired look, wiping sweat from his forehead. The morning's exertion had taken its toll, but there was a resolve in his eyes, one that spoke of quiet persistence.

Rena set her book down beside them, leaning back on her hands as she stretched her legs. "You know," she continued, her voice bright, "you should really focus more on your mana instead of swinging a sword all day."

Kai arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Mana circle?"

Rena nodded, tapping the cover of the book in her lap. "Yeah. It's the foundation of magic. You form a circle in your heart to control the flow of mana. It's like an aura core, but for magic."

Hale's eyes lit up. "That sounds like aura. So it's the same thing?"

Rena's grin widened. "Exactly. But unlike you, I already formed mine."

Kai blinked, slightly taken aback. "You… formed yours?"

Rena didn't miss the surprise in his voice. "Of course. I'm better at this stuff than you."

Kai frowned, but there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes. She had always been ahead of him in terms of her magical talent. Her studies were diligent, her grasp on mana swift. He hadn't even known what a mana circle was until now.

Rena didn't wait for a response. "Come on, let me help you," she said, pushing herself up and offering Kai a hand.

Kai hesitated. His focus had been on his swordsmanship, on developing his physical strength, but the need to understand his own abilities, to use the mana he had been feeling within him, outweighed his reluctance.

He sighed. "Fine."

"Good!" Rena said, her voice full of enthusiasm. "Close your eyes."

Kai did so, his heart pounding slightly as he focused. He tried to still his thoughts, tried to ignore the weariness in his limbs.

"Focus on your heart," Rena instructed. "Imagine something flowing there—like a river, like a current that moves freely."

For a moment, there was nothing. No shift. No flow. Just stillness.

But then—

A faint warmth stirred within him. A delicate, almost imperceptible flutter, like a spark waiting to ignite. It was weak, barely there. But it was something.

Kai's eyes snapped open. "I felt it."

Rena grinned, her eyes lighting up with pride. "I knew you could."

Hale leaned over, crossing his arms with a frown. "Now you've got me curious. Maybe I should try this mana thing."

Rena giggled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Nope. Your path's aura, remember?"

Hale huffed in mock annoyance, but there was no hiding the curiosity in his eyes.

Edran's voice sliced through the chatter like a blade. "Break's over. Back to training."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity—running, sparring, and moments of quiet reflection during meditation. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the courtyard as they continued to push themselves, their bodies aching but their spirits unyielding.

As the final rays of sunlight bathed the courtyard in a soft, warm light, Kai found himself lying on the cool grass, staring up at the darkening sky. Hale dropped beside him with a groan, his muscles sore from the day's exertion. Jam and Fahi sat nearby, complaining about their aching bodies, while Arata sat apart, thumbing through Rena's book, absorbed in studying the principles of mana.

"You guys are weak," Rena teased, leaning back on her hands, her voice a playful jab at the group.

Kai grunted, rolling his eyes. "Shut up."

Edran stood a distance away, his black eyes scanning them all, observing their growth. They were no longer just children. They were beginning to grow into something more.

They were becoming something greater than they had ever imagined.

After their training they went to eat breakfast.The dining hall buzzed with the usual morning energy as the children sat around the long wooden tables, eagerly eating their breakfast. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and porridge filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of burning wood from the kitchen's stove. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting a golden glow on the worn stone floor.

Edran sat at the head of the table, eating in silence as the children chattered around him. Kai, seated between Rena and Hale, glanced toward him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"So, Uncle," Kai began, setting his spoon down, "are you planning to actually fight seriously today, or are you going to let us win again?"

Hale smirked, nudging Kai. "Yeah, you've been going easy on us. Admit it."

Edran, unfazed, lifted his gaze and met Kai's eyes. His black eyes held no emotion, yet his presence alone carried weight. "You think I've been holding back?" His voice was calm, yet the hint of amusement was barely noticeable.

Rena chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "He probably just enjoys watching you trip over yourself, Kai."

Kai scoffed, leaning back in his seat. "Please. I've been improving. Right, Hale?"

Hale hesitated, then shrugged. "Well… you're better at not getting knocked down immediately."

The table burst into laughter. Even the younger children, sitting at the far end, giggled at Hale's remark.

Sister, moving gracefully through the room as she refilled bowls, smiled as she overheard them. "Eat first, then you can test your strength," she said gently, placing another piece of bread on Kai's plate.

Edran continued eating without another word, but the lighthearted atmosphere remained. Kai, Rena, and Hale returned to their meal, still exchanging playful remarks about who would win in their next spar. The orphanage felt peaceful, a rare moment of warmth in their unpredictable lives.

But outside, beyond the dining hall's thick wooden walls, the night had already woven its secrets.

In the deep shadows of the orphanage's courtyard, a masked man dressed in black robes stood beneath the moonlight. His voice was low and sharp as he addressed a hooded woman before him.

"Are the children selected?"

The woman, her face hidden beneath her cloak, hesitated for only a moment before answering.

"Yes"

The masked man remained silent for a moment, as if considering her words.He said tomorrow will be the last day for them. After that he disappeared into the night.

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