Chapter 2: Lesson One—Don’t Be Slow

The dirt path wound through the dense forest, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting broken patches of gold on the ground. Birds chirped overhead, but Katsu barely noticed. His mind was still stuck on what had just happened.

Simon walked ahead, completely at ease, his hands tucked casually in his pockets.

Katsu followed, his expression tight with frustration. His pride had taken a hit—those bandits weren't exactly a threat, but Simon had handled them like they were nothing. And now, Katsu was trailing behind like a lost puppy.

Simon suddenly glanced over his shoulder. "You're awfully quiet, hothead. Something on your mind?"

Katsu's jaw clenched. "Nope."

"Really?" Simon raised an eyebrow. "I'd have figured you'd be a little more talkative after getting saved back there."

"I didn't need saving," Katsu muttered, staring at the ground.

Simon's lips quirked into a grin. "Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah." Katsu's fists tightened. "I could've handled them."

Simon stopped, turning to face him. "Handled them? You barely saw them move."

Katsu's eyes snapped up. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Simon's grin widened, but there was something different in his gaze now—something sharper. "You're too slow."

Katsu blinked. "Slow?"

"Way too slow." Simon stretched his arms, as if warming up. "If you couldn't keep up with those guys, you're gonna be in real trouble when you face actual threats."

Katsu's jaw clenched. "I can handle myself."

"Really?" Simon's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Prove it."

Before Katsu could respond, Simon was gone.

⸻

Katsu barely had time to blink before—

WHAM.

Something tapped the back of his head. Not a punch. Not a kick.

Just… a tap.

Katsu stumbled forward, whipping around. "Did you just—"

Simon stood behind him, looking bored. "Don't tell me that was too fast for you."

Katsu's eye twitched. "You're asking for it."

Flames ignited around Katsu's fists. He lunged forward, throwing a fiery punch straight at Simon's face.

Miss.

Simon didn't even move that much. Just a slight tilt of his head, and Katsu's attack sailed harmlessly past him.

"Too slow," Simon murmured.

Katsu spun, sending another punch.

Miss.

Another.

Miss.

Katsu's frustration boiled over. "Alright. Let's see you dodge this."

He slammed his palms into the ground, releasing a burst of flame. A thick cloud of smoke engulfed the area, shrouding them both in darkness.

"Got you now…" Katsu muttered, his eyes scanning the haze.

But then—

WHAM.

A sudden force crashed into Katsu's stomach. He flew backward, landing hard on the dirt.

THUD.

Katsu groaned, staring at the sky. "…That was not supposed to happen."

The smoke cleared.

Simon stood exactly where he had been, hands tucked back in his pockets, completely unbothered.

"Neat trick," he said, looking down at Katsu. "Didn't help, though."

Katsu coughed, rolling onto his side. "I hate you."

"You'll get over it."

⸻

After a minute of groaning, Katsu pushed himself up, brushing the dirt off his clothes. "Alright… fine. You win."

Simon crossed his arms. "That was fast. No 'one more round' or 'I wasn't ready'?"

Katsu glared at him. "You want me to lie?"

"Fair point." Simon chuckled, but then his expression grew more serious. "But that's not the point of this."

Katsu frowned. "What do you mean?"

Simon leaned against a nearby tree. "I wasn't messing around back there. I just wanted to see how you fight."

"Wait…" Katsu blinked. "That was a test?"

"More or less." Simon shrugged. "I needed to know if you were worth the trouble."

Katsu's fists clenched. "And?"

Simon's smirk returned. "You're not completely hopeless. But you've got a lot to learn."

Katsu's eye twitched. "Gee, thanks."

Katsu dusted himself off, still scowling. "So… what now?"

"Now?" Simon pushed off the tree and turned toward the path ahead. "We find you a real challenge. If some random bandits almost gave you trouble, you'll need more than flashy fire tricks to survive."

Katsu sighed, dragging his feet as he followed. "Oh, great. Can't wait."

Simon smirked. "Oh, you really shouldn't."

But They Weren't Alone…

As they disappeared deeper into the forest, the breeze carried a chilling stillness.

Unseen eyes watched from the shadows, observing their every move.

Their real journey had just begun.

To Be Continued…