Chapter 2: Warrior of Peace

"Training will begin shortly!"

Andro scratched his head lazily—while Les stood beside him, listening to the instructor’s speech with focused eyes.

“Welcome, future True Warriors of Thyra. Welcome to your first day of training.” The instructor, named Richard, addressed the group with a calm but commanding tone. He was a senior mentor in Thyra, trusted to train its warriors.

“Here, we will train from the simplest level, gradually advancing to mastery. A special welcome to our newcomer, Andro Hanzoki—you’ll be training alongside them.”

“Them?” Andro blinked, noticing three teenagers standing in front of him.

“Allow me to introduce them,” Richard said, gesturing to Les. “Les Helleris. A powerful warrior of Thyra. One year your senior and currently holding the title of Warrior of Truth.”

Andro glanced at her with a sigh. “Just looking at her face feels like staring death in the eye—why bother making friends?”

Richard raised an eyebrow but continued. “This is Horito Yosaka,” he gestured to a tall, composed young man. “A remarkable warrior. Four years your senior and known as the Warrior of Justice.”

Andro stared, awed. “So he’s probably close to being a True Warrior by now... he’s been here a while, right?”

“Time spent in Thyra doesn’t determine your worth,” Richard replied, folding his arms. “It depends on how well you perform in the missions you're given.”

Without delay, he pointed to a girl—beautiful as a dove under sunlight. Her fragrant violet hair shimmered like a blooming rose.

“Lavender Sia. Half a month your senior, and she holds the title of Eternal Warrior.”

“Lavender... Sia...” Andro whispered, captivated.

Les glared suspiciously. “A warrior... with a pervy mind.”

“What!?” Andro flinched. “I barely know what I’m doing—how could I even think that?!”

He looked at Lavender again, flustered. “Uh, ignore her. She's talking nonsense, Lavender.”

Lavender’s gentle, innocent eyes met his. She smiled like a queen.

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “No need to feel awkward. I understand.”

Andro smiled back.

Richard, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. “Alright, let’s begin training. Andro, you’re paired with Les—”

“What!? With the grandma-haired girl? Are you serious?” Andro exclaimed.

“Yep. She’s your partner—deal with it,” Les replied with an unamused expression.

“Lavender will pair with Horito,” Richard continued. “Now, for this first session, we’ll be using holographic versions of our sworn enemies. Stay alert—your lives are still at stake.”

Andro froze. “Wait, lives—?”

BOOM!

A blast of smoke erupted in the center of the arena as a ghastly hologram appeared.

“Oh, I’ll end it in seconds,” Les muttered. Her arm ignited with purple light, transforming into a powerful weapon shaped like a tiger’s fang. With lightning speed, she fired a shot, blasting the hologram into flickering light.

“Okay... that was insane,” Andro whispered, mouth agape.

Meanwhile, Lavender and Horito moved in perfect sync, taking out another hologram in three seconds flat.

Horito approached Andro, calmly placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You must prove you’re a strong warrior too.”

“But how did you summon that purple light...? How did you turn it into a weapon?” Andro asked.

“Use your pure heart,” Lavender answered.

As the trio made short work of their targets, Andro stood in silence, uncertain.

“A true warrior must fight for peace—even if it means sacrificing their own life.”

Closing his eyes, Andro searched deep within.

His hand began to glow, radiating a beautiful purple aurora. A sharp samurai blade formed—an embodiment of his pain, his grief, his revenge against the world that took everything from him, even his mother.

“Mom... this is me—stronger than before.”

With a swift slash, he obliterated three holograms in one second.

From afar, Richard watched, astonished.

“Perhaps... the Warrior of Peace is born.”

“Excellent!” he shouted.

Andro lowered his glowing blade, breathing heavily—his vengeance briefly released.

“I believe... I can protect this world.”