Chapter 10 : Fists of determination : The Grand Magic Battle begins

The first light of dawn slipped quietly through the curtains of Sakura’s room. The birds outside chirped softly, welcoming a new day.

Sakura’s eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she lay still, breathing in the fresh morning air. Then, as if someone had flipped a switch inside her, she sprang out of bed with a big, radiant smile—her usual energy already crackling through her veins. Whatever sadness or troubles had weighed her heart before were now washed away, forgotten like dreams fading in the morning sun.

She quickly washed up, splashing her face with cold water, and pulled on her training clothes—a simple outfit made for movement. At breakfast, she ate heartily, her mind already racing ahead to the training hall. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Today was the day she would finally start real training with Shin.

Not a second to waste.

Sakura raced through the polished halls of the castle, her footsteps light and fast. As she pushed open the heavy doors of the training hall, her heart leapt.

There, standing in the center of the massive hall, was Shin.

He was already warming up, his movements sharp and precise, the sunlight spilling through the windows casting a silvery glow on his figure. His face, usually so cold and unreadable, lit up with a small, rare smile—the kind he showed only to Sakura.

Sakura beamed back at him, her steps quickening.

“Morning!” she called out brightly.

Shin nodded. “Morning. Today… your real training starts.” He tilted his head slightly, studying her. “First, show me what you’ve got.”

Sakura grinned, fists already tightening with excitement. “I’m ready!”

They each took their positions across the hall. A thick silence filled the space, both of them focused completely on each other.

Without needing a signal, they moved.

Sakura darted forward, fast—almost faster than Shin expected.

She threw a sharp punch aimed at his chest. Shin easily side-stepped, but he noted how clean her form was, how determined her eyes looked. Without giving him a second to rest, Sakura spun, kicking low toward his legs. Shin leapt back, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

She’s gotten faster, he thought.

He attacked next—a sweeping strike toward her shoulder. But Sakura ducked under it smoothly, sliding to the side and aiming a counter punch straight at his ribs. Shin blocked it with his forearm, but the impact still surprised him. Her fists were small but packed with fierce power.

For a moment, their fists collided in rapid exchanges—punch after punch, block after block. The echoes of their movements filled the hall like clashing drums.

Shin swept his foot toward her ankle, trying to trip her. Sakura jumped, flipping midair to land a few feet away with a wide grin.

“Not bad, huh?” she teased, bouncing lightly on her feet.

“Not bad,” Shin admitted, shaking his wrist slightly. “Very good.”

Their battle resumed—faster, sharper. Each time Shin pressed her, Sakura adapted, her quick reflexes making up for the lack of raw strength. Each time Sakura charged, Shin matched her with calm precision, testing her limits but never overwhelming her. The dance of fists and footwork between them was fierce, but full of silent trust.

Finally, after nearly an hour of back-and-forth battling, they both pulled back, panting softly. Sweat trickled down Sakura’s forehead, but her eyes still gleamed with excitement.

Shin tossed her a towel, which she caught with a laugh. They collapsed onto a bench near the side of the hall, catching their breath.

After a few minutes, Sakura turned her head toward him, her expression curious.

“Shin… can you tell me more about the Grand Magic Battle?” she asked.

Shin leaned back against the wall, wiping sweat from his forehead. He nodded. “You’ll be participating in the Fujimoto Clan’s Grand Magic Battle soon. It’s a tradition that happens every few years. All the children above ten years old must fight.”

Sakura listened intently, her eyes wide.

Shin continued, “The winner of our clan's battle gets to participate in the All-Clans Grand Battle. Every clan sends their winner. And from there... the best among all clans is chosen as the potential next King.”

Her heart thudded with excitement.

“But,” Shin said, raising a finger, “the winner doesn’t immediately become King. They wait until they’re around eighteen to twenty. When the time comes, they must fight the current King in a final battle. Only if they win, they become King.”

Sakura's mouth dropped open in awe. “That’s so cool…”

She clenched her fists. “I’ll win! I’ll go to the All-Clans Battle! I’ll show everyone what I can do!”

Hearing her fierce words, Shin gave another rare, soft smile.

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

Sakura blinked. “Huh? Waiting?”

Shin chuckled softly. “Because... before you go to the All-Clans Battle, you’ll have to defeat me first.”

Her eyes widened in shock.

“What?!”

Shin nodded. “Last time, when I won the Fujimoto Grand Magic Battle, the All-Clans Battle was canceled because of political issues. So technically… I’m still the standing champion of our clan. This year, the winner has to beat me first to qualify.”

Sakura jumped to her feet, pointing at him, furious. “That’s so unfair! You’re already super strong! How can anyone beat you?!”

Shin laughed, an honest, light-hearted sound. “Don’t worry. You might just beat me.”

He leaned forward, his voice teasing, “If you train hard enough.”

Sakura puffed out her cheeks in frustration, but then laughed too, eyes shining with excitement.

Shin chuckled, shaking his head with a smile. "You’re full of fire, Sakura. I like that. But don't get too cocky—training has only just begun."

Sakura's grin widened, her competitive spirit flaring up again. "You’ll see just how fast I can get stronger!"

Shin stood up from the bench, stretching his arms. "Alright then, enough talking. Let's get back to it. You’ve got a lot of ground to cover if you want to take me down."

Sakura jumped up, fists clenched tightly. “I’m ready! No more breaks. Let’s go!”

Shin gave a small, knowing smile. "I like your enthusiasm. But remember—strength doesn’t come overnight."

Sakura nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "I’ll keep at it until I’m stronger than anyone."

With that, the two of them moved back to the center of the hall. Shin dropped into a fighting stance, motioning for Sakura to do the same.

“Show me what you’ve got,” he said with a glint of challenge in his eyes.

Sakura’s heart raced. This was her chance to prove herself—no more hesitating.

She squared her shoulders, throwing herself back into the fight. Every move she made was faster, sharper—pushing herself beyond her limits. Shin countered with precision, but this time, there was a noticeable difference in Sakura’s speed and strength.

For hours, they continued, their movements echoing through the hall, each strike and block making Sakura a little stronger, a little more determined.

“You’ll see! I’ll defeat you!” she declared proudly. “And besides, I'm lucky! I can train with you every day! So I’ll get stronger faster!” she teased, sticking out her tongue.

Shin chuckled, shaking his head with a smile. "You’re full of fire, Sakura. I like that. But don't get too cocky—training has only just begun."

Sakura's grin widened, her competitive spirit flaring up again. "You’ll see just how fast I can get stronger!"

Shin stood up from the bench, stretching his arms. "Alright then, enough talking. Let's get back to it. You’ve got a lot of ground to cover if you want to take me down."

Sakura jumped up, fists clenched tightly. “I’m ready! No more breaks. Let’s go!”

Shin gave a small, knowing smile. "I like your enthusiasm. But remember—strength doesn’t come overnight."

Sakura nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "I’ll keep at it until I’m stronger than anyone."

With that, the two of them moved back to the center of the hall. Shin dropped into a fighting stance, motioning for Sakura to do the same.

“Show me what you’ve got,” he said with a glint of challenge in his eyes.

Sakura’s heart raced. This was her chance to prove herself—no more hesitating.

She squared her shoulders, throwing herself back into the fight. Every move she made was faster, sharper—pushing herself beyond her limits. Shin countered with precision, but this time, there was a noticeable difference in Sakura’s speed and strength.

For hours, they continued, their movements echoing through the hall, each strike and block making Sakura a little stronger, a little more determined.