Re: Training part2

After that day — the day Ardent broke something deep inside him only to forge something stronger in its place — Kazuki never needed a bucket of cold water to wake up again.

The mornings were still brutal. His body ached, and his muscles protested with every stretch. But he woke before the sun, and stepped into the yard. No more complaints. No more excuses.

Every time they sparred, Ardent held nothing back — and every time Kazuki fell, he bit down hard on his lip, pushed through the pain, and rose again.

No matter how many bruises he earned, he never stayed down.

And he never asked for mercy.

Few days later, their sparring echoed louder across the training grounds. Kazuki no longer simply blocked; he anticipated. His footwork was steadier, sharper. His swings had weight. The boy who once flinched at wooden blows now fought like he had something to prove.

Kazuki stumbled back, sweat dripping, breathing hard. His shirt clung to his back, soaked. Across from him, Ardent stood like a mountain—calm, composed, unwavering.

Their wooden swords had met countless times in the past days. But today was different.

Today, Kazuki didn't fall.

He stepped forward again, teeth gritted, shoulders square. He swung—a high arc. Ardent parried cleanly, but Kazuki twisted his foot, shifted his stance, and pressed in with a low sweep. Ardent had to jump back.

For the first time, he was on the defensive.

Kazuki didn't let up. He spun, feinted left, and struck right. Ardent barely blocked in time.

"Hm" ardent muttered. "You're getting bold."

"You told me to fight like a man," Kazuki said, voice rough. "So I am."

Ardent smirked. Then surged forward like a force of nature.

Kazuki blocked the first strike—but his arms shuddered from the impact. The second hit grazed his ribs. He stumbled back, barely keeping grip on his sword.

Kazuki lunged. Their swords danced, struck, rebounded. Every move Ardent made was sharper, heavier. Kazuki read them—not all, but more than he ever had before.

Every bruise he'd earned in training burned now like a badge.

Every time he'd been beaten to the ground—

Every time he'd doubted himself—

All of it pushed his mind and body forward, step after step, swing after swing.

He wasn't faster. He wasn't stronger.

But he was still standing.

And that was enough.

Ardent moved for the final strike—a heavy blow meant to end it.

Kazuki met it with both hands, grounded his feet, and forced it aside with a grunt. His own sword came up in a flash—

And stopped just at Ardent's neck.

At the same time, Ardent's sword hovered near Kazuki's collarbone.

A draw.

"Control your emotions, Hasunuma," Ardent said firmly, circling him. "A sword swung in anger is easy to read—fight with focus, not fury, or you'll hand your opponent the moment they need to end you."

Ardent smiled.

"You've come far." He lowered his sword. "Your morning sword practice will continue, but I've nothing more to teach you in this short time. It's time we build on your foundation."

Kazuki wiped sweat from his face, gasping but standing tall.

Alvis, standing nearby with a cup of water, stepped forward and offered it to him.

"You've trained well today, young Hasunuma. Rest now. Tomorrow morning, before dawn, we begin the art of magic."

Kazuki nodded with gratitude, bowing slightly to Ardent.

"Thank you… for everything."

He left to wash and change, arms and legs sore but heart lighter than it had ever been. Feeling proud from his accomplishment.

As he stepped out into the evening courtyard, dressed in a clean white tunic, Zephyr appeared. She wore a smile that hinted she'd been watching for a while.

"You did exceptionally well today," she said, walking beside him. "Even Ardent looked proud."

Kazuki rubbed the back of his neck.

"Still feel like I got run over by a horse, but… thank you."

"Come on," she said, gently nudging his shoulder. "Let's celebrate."

"Celebrate?"

"There is an old place we frequently go to hangout and there are people I want you to meet."

He stopped walking.

"People… who?"

Zephyr turned to him, her smile softening with meaning.

"Kael's old friends. His party members."

Kazuki's eyes widened slightly.

The pressure returned in his chest.

"Wait—seriously?"

She nodded.

"They've asked me to introduce you to them days ago. I think… it's time."

The sun cast soft gold across the cobblestoned square as Kazuki followed just a step behind Zephyr. His palms were damp. The sound of his boots against the stone felt too loud.

"You're tense," Zephyr said over her shoulder with a small smile.

Kazuki tried to return it. "I'm meeting people who once knew me as someone else… that's not nerve-wracking at all."

"Don't worry. You don't need to pretend. Just be honest—and respectful. They'll see who you are for themselves." she said gently.

They made their way through the lively streets of the capital, where vendors called out, and the air buzzed with chatter and music, until they reached a weathered old tavern known as The Mellon Lantern.

Kazuki followed Zephyr into the tavern, heart drumming in his chest like a war drum.

The place was already occupied.

Zephyr's eyes lit up.

"There they are."

She then walked to a table at the far end corner of the tavern.

Around the table sat two figures — a towering warrior with a broad frame and thick beard, arms folded as he chuckled at something quietly said by the woman beside him, leaning with one boot up on a bench, her fiery red hair spilling down her shoulder, eyes sharp as ever.

Neither spoke as Kazuki got close.

Zephyr greeted them with a warm hug while Kazuki, stood back.

"There's someone I want you to meet." 

"This is Kazuki Hasunuma," Zephyr said with quiet gravity. "The one who was summoned."

Kazuki hesitated for only a moment then bowed — a little stiff, a little awkward.

"I… it's an honor to meet Kael's friends," he said, voice a bit uncertain, but sincere.

The big warrior stepped forward, the floor creaking under his boots. He's handshake was firm but kind. "Any friend of princess Zephyr is a friend of us as well."

Once everyone was seated, the quiet hum of the tavern settled around them.

Zephyr took the seat beside Kazuki with a soft smile, gently nudging his arm under the table.

"Relax," she whispered. "You're doing fine."

"I think introductions are in order."

Zephyr gestured to the mountain of a man seated across the table, now calmly sipping from a mug far too small for his hands.

"This is Gorran Stoneheart, the group's shield—both literally and otherwise. Earth magic, High-ranked warrior, and Kael's sparring partner more times than I can count."

Gorran nodded. "We broke plenty of swords; training together. And a few benches too."

Zephyr chuckled and then gestured to the red-haired woman beside him.

“And this is his wife, Maeryn Redflare Stoneheart. She's the fire mage who nearly burned down half a village once because someone insulted her stew."

"It was undercooked, not bad." Maeryn snapped with a smirk. "And I warned them."

Kazuki gave a small, amused smile, relaxing just a little.

"You were all part of Kael's party?"

Gorran nodded. "Since the early days. Before his name meant anything."

"We called ourselves The Ashen Vow," Maeryn added, leaning back with a touch of pride. "Named for a promise we made after surviving our first near-death mission. That even if we burned, we'd never turn our backs on each other."

There are two more member of us. The twins, Vada and Verena Windrider. They are part of the council of blades as well.

Kazuki looked down for a moment, his expression quiet.

"He… he must've meant a lot to you all."

"He was like a younger brother to me," Gorran said simply.

"He was an idiot," Maeryn added fondly. "A loveable, self-sacrificing idiot."

She looked away as tears started overflowing in her eyes.

Gorran raised his mug. "To Kael."

Kazuki's throat tightened. He raised his glass too with others.

"To Kael."

The table fell into a brief but not uncomfortable silence, the kind that lingered with shared memories.

Zephyr eventually stood and placed a hand gently on Kazuki's shoulder.

"We should go. Tomorrow's your first magic training with Alvis."

Gorran stood as well, towering as he was, and extended his hand to Kazuki once more. This time, Kazuki took it without hesitation. "You're not meant to be him, lad. But if you're walking forward for the same reasons — then that's more than enough." Gorran said with a gentle smile.

As Zephyr and Kazuki stepped out into the cool night air, Maeryn watched them go through the tavern window.

"…He's a good kid," Gorran said quietly beside her.

She leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Looks like we gained a new friend… as we lost one."