Training in the Cacadel Forest

At point B of the Cacadel forest . The sound of blows echoed through the trees. The two fought in impressive synchrony.

“You’re good at hand-to-hand combat,” Cassandra praised, smiling.

— You too. — he replied . Koharu , concentrated.

Cassandra tried a side kick, but Koharu blocked it with her arm and took the opportunity to grab her leg, knocking her to the ground.

— Looks like I won this round. — he said . Koharu , triumphant.

Koharu 's ankle and made her fall as well.

Within seconds, Cassandra was on top, pinning her down.

—Veteran's lesson: a fight only ends when the enemy is incapacitated or surrendered. — Cassandra said with a smile.

"Understood. I think I lost, but I learned my lesson well." Koharu said with a breathless smile.

Shana 's staff blocking Max's furious punches.

— Either that staff is very sturdy, or your fists are weak. — he teased Shana .

"Shut up, you damn thing!" Max shouted , lunging for another blow.

She dodged lightly, spinning her staff.

"Can we stop for a moment? I want to talk about something important," Shana said.

Max hesitated.

— Say what? — Max asked.

— I'm waiting for your apology for accusing me of destroying Seseferin . — Shana replied.

Max clenched his fists.

"I'll never apologize. You're a lying bitch," Max said furiously.

Shana smiled bitterly.

"It's because you're so stubborn that I didn't get angry when you cheated on me with someone else," Shana said.

— What?! — Max almost screamed.

—But I didn't call you to fight. I came to warn you. — Shana said.

— Warn about what? — Max asked.

"I have a feeling Alisiya is watching us," Shana replied.

Max's gaze changed.

—That wretch… if she's around, I'll finish her off myself, — Max said.

"Now, enough talk. Let's get back to training," Shana said.

— Okay. — Max agreed.

The sound of blows filled the air again, rhythmic, firm, without anger… but with the weight of the past between each movement.

Hours passed. The sun was already high when Edygil reappeared on his horse, calling the groups back for lunch.

The smell of bread and grilled meat filled the air of Haamagel .

"Another day of training... but something tells me those "echoes" in the forest weren't just wind. If Alisiya really is nearby... the peace we've achieved could end at any moment."

We finished lunch at Edygil 's workshop . The table still smelled of grilled meat and fresh bread.

Edygil crossed his arms, satisfied.

“So, what did you think of the clothes and weapons?” Edygil asked.

—They're great. — I replied .

— I thought they were amazing. — he said Koharu .

"The staff is quite sturdy," Shana replied with a smile.

—The clothes improved my movements, — commented Max.

—Mine made my blows lighter.— Cassandra added .

Kairo raised his sword proudly.

— I really liked my equipment, — Kairo replied.

Edygil gave a thick laugh.

"I'm glad! Now, how about we draw the pairs for the afternoon training session?" Edygil asked.

We agree.

— Shana will be the first to draw, then Max — announced the blacksmith.

Shana took a paper from the jar.

"I was drawn with Fujimoto ," Shana said after reading the name on the paper.

( Fujimoto and Shana … again?) thought Koharu , biting her lip.

Max picked up the next paper.

— I train with Kairo . — Max announced after reading the name on the paper.

Cassandra then raised her hand.

— Edygil , I don't want to be annoying, but I think we should switch. Changing partners helps with group cohesion, — said Cassandra.

— Fair enough. Let's redo the draw, — he said .

Shana picked up another paper.

— I went with Cassandra. — he said. Shana after reading the name on the paper.

Max picked it up next.

— I train with Fujimoto . — Max said after reading the name on the paper.

"So Koharu stays with Kairo . Now, each pair will go to a different spot in the Cacadel Forest . Since they already know the route, they can go alone," he concluded . Edygil .

— Understood. — we replied in unison.

"Great. Go and show us what you've learned!" smiled the blacksmith.

At point A in the forest. The forest was silent, broken only by the rustling of leaves.

Shana fixed her hair and held her staff.

— Let's begin. — he said . Shana .

"Before that, I want to ask you something," Cassandra sighed and said.

— You can ask. — he said. Shana .

"The day we went to pick up the materials, you… tried to seduce Fujimoto , didn't you?" Cassandra asked.

Shana was surprised for a moment, then smiled.

"Was it Fujimoto who told you?" Shana asked.

"No. You tried to drug me and Edygil , but I had an antidote and saw everything. I just didn't hear the conversation," Cassandra replied.

Shana looked away.

"We just talked," Shana said.

— And they kissed, — Cassandra said.

"Yes, but the kiss came from me. After that, he made it clear he didn't want anything. We just... talked in a friendly way," Shana revealed.

Cassandra watched her seriously.

"You give me your word that was all?" Cassandra said seriously.

— I do. I went back to my futon right after. — I said Shana .

Cassandra took a deep breath.

— Understood. Then let's train.

But before he could position himself, Shana turned her face away.

The tears were streaming down.

— Shana … You’re shaking… — Cassandra approached, trying to wipe her face.

The girl closed her eyes.

— I know I made mistakes, but it's easy to judge me without knowing what I went through. — he said Shana .

—So tell me about your past, — said Cassandra.

— Promise not to tell anyone ? — Shana asked for a promise.

"I wish everyone knew, so I could help you. But... it's okay, it'll be our secret," Cassandra replied .

Shana took a deep breath.

— When I was ten, my parents died sealing Lucifito . At fifteen, I inherited the throne of the demonic realm. I wanted peace… but Lucifito 's followers wanted war. When I refused, they seized power. Ever since, they've been trying to break the seal. Today I'm twenty… and I still dream of freeing my people from this corruption. — he revealed Shana .

Cassandra was silent for a few seconds.

Cassandra hugged her.

Shana laughed, wiping away her tears.

—I needed to vent. Now I feel better. — he said Shana with a smile.

Cassandra smiled.

"Good. Now let's train, your majesty," Cassandra said sarcastically.

— Hahaha , don't call me that. Come on! — he joked Shana .

At point B of the forest.

— If you keep going like this, you'll die easily — Max teased.

—That's why I'm training. — I replied .

I tried to attack him, but he dodged and knocked me down.

—Too weak, — said Max.

I remained silent.

—Are you shaken? — he asked .

“Should I tell you what happened two days ago?”

— I just wondered if I failed as a leader… but I decided to keep trying. — I smiled .

Max was surprised.

“Let’s continue,” he said , returning to the guard.

At point C of the forest, Koharu and Kairo had been exchanging blows for a few minutes.

— Cassandra said you're a good fighter. — he commented. Kairo .

— And you're not far behind either. That punch hurt. — he replied . Koharu , laughing.

Kairo attempted a swift kick. Koharu ducked, spun, and delivered a rising kick to his face.

Kairo fell to the ground, stunned.

— I surrender. — he laughed .

Koharu then grabbed him and applied an arm lock, completely immobilizing him.

— Now, victory confirmed. — she said , smiling.

— Cassandra taught you well. — he admitted. Kairo .

Suddenly, Koharu 's stomach growled loudly.

She blushed.

— I-I … sorry. — he said Koharu is embarrassed.

Kairo laughed.

— Okay. Let's wait for Edygil to call for snack. — he said . Kairo .

Dusk painted the sky golden. When Edygil returned to the forest, he was already accompanied by the irresistible scent of bread and honey.

"Come on, guys! I've prepared lots of delicious and healthy snacks!" he shouted , smiling.

The table was covered with fruits, breads, cheeses and juices.

Everyone sat down, exhausted and hungry, but satisfied.

“The afternoon was long… but something inside me told me that the real training was yet to come. Not with weapons, but with decisions.”

After their afternoon snack, the group rested for a while. The golden sun was setting behind the trees, casting orange hues across the windows of Edygil 's workshop .

"Now for the last training session of the day! Are you ready?" The blacksmith raised his voice excitedly.

— Yessss ! — we all responded .

— Excellent! Cassandra draws first, then Kairo . — he smiled .

Cassandra took the paper out of the jar.

— I was drawn with Fujimoto . — said Cassandra as she read the paper.

“Training with her again... I hope I don't end up broken this time.”

Kairo picked up the next paper.

— I went with Shana . — he said. Kairo when reading the paper .

— Then that leaves Koharu and Max. — Edygil concluded .

— Very well, now the points: Fujimoto and Cassandra, point A. Kairo and Shana , point B. Koharu and Max, point C. Good luck to all. — announced the blacksmith.

At point A in the forest, Cassandra dodged my blows with the lightness of someone dancing.

"You won't hit me like that, Fujimoto . You're swinging your sword hard, but without focus. Precision is key," he said , smiling.

—I know... I just haven't found the rhythm yet. — I replied , panting.

She moved with a quick spin and landed a kick on my shoulder.

— Argh ... — I screamed in pain.

"I think I overdid it. Let's stop for a bit." Cassandra lowered her spear.

— No, I can continue. — I insisted .

She sighed.

"You have willpower and determination, but you also need to listen when your body asks for rest. That's strength, too," Cassandra said.

I sat down on a rock. Cassandra smiled.

"You're a lucky guy, Fujimoto ," Cassandra said with a smile on her face.

— Luck? — I asked.

"Yes. Not everyone gets the chance to train with a demon queen and an angelic princess, " Cassandra replied.

I blushed.

"I think I prefer to believe it's fate, not luck," I said, embarrassed.

She laughed.

“Maybe she’s right… but maybe it’s time to stop counting on luck and start trusting myself .”

Shana and Kairo 's blows echoed between the trunks.

Shana hit Kairo in the face ; he responded with a well-aimed kick. They stopped, laughing.

"Can we rest?" he asked .

“Of course.” Shana wiped the sweat from her forehead.

— It's an honor to be punched by the demon queen. — he said Kairo , in a playful tone.

—And your kick was worthy of a warrior, — she replied .

They both smiled, but Shana soon became serious.

—Kairo … I wanted to apologize. For everything I did to you and Cassandra. — he said Shana .

Kairo scratched the back of his neck.

"Don't worry. We've talked and forgiven you a long time ago," Kairo said.

Shana lowered her face and began to cry.

— Hey, did I say something wrong? — Kairo asked.

—No… It's just… I'm really glad to hear that. — she said , smiling through her tears.

—Then use that joy to move forward. And now, return to your battle stance, Your Majesty. — he said Kairo .

She laughed.

— As you wish, soldier. — he said. Shana firm.

At point C in the forest. The trees surrounded them, silent, as if the wind itself were watching.

Max wiped the sweat from his face.

— You fight well. — Max praised Koharu .

—Thank you. But you're taking it easy. — she replied Koharu , with a defiant look.

— Really? Then get ready. — Max said.

He lunged forward with a rapid flurry of blows. Koharu blocked with her arms, but was forced back.

Max raised his fist, about to hit her… and stopped.

“Why did you stop?” she asked irritably.

"I was going to hit you square in the face. It's just training, not a real fight," he replied calmly.

Koharu took a deep breath.

— Fair enough. — he said. Koharu .

The silence stretched on for a while. Only the sound of leaves crunching underfoot filled the air.

"About Fujimoto and Shana … did you find out if something happened between them?" Max asked.

Koharu hesitated.

" Fujimoto told me. She kissed him, but he didn't kiss her back," he finally replied .

Max frowned.

— So she tried… — Max said.

— Yes. And he made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. — Koharu said.

Max clenched his fists.

—That woman is poison, — said Max.

— I agree. — he replied. Koharu , but her voice sounded distant.

Max's gaze softened.

" Koharu … you're not like her. You don't even need to prove it to anyone," Max said.

She looked up.

"I just want to be someone they can trust," Koharu said.

— It is. Even if the group falls apart, you're still the heart of it all. — Max said .

The words hung in the air, heavy, sincere. Koharu looked away, but felt something different in her chest, a mixture of guilt, fear, and the need to be understood.

Max took a step forward, standing close enough for her to feel the heat of his body.

— Max… This is wrong. — she murmured .

"It's not. What's wrong is to remain attached to what destroyed us," he replied quietly.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The leaves moved slowly, the wind stopped.

Koharu closed her eyes.

And then, time just…fell apart.

The hug came first, hesitant, filled with doubt. Then came the whispers.

What happened next was silent, hidden by the shadow of the trees and the last glow of dusk.

There were no words, just two hearts trying to fill the void left by other wounds.

When the wind returned, everything was quiet again.

Later, sitting side by side.

“I just… I don’t want to regret it.” Koharu spoke in a barely audible tone .

Max looked up at the sky, where the first stars were appearing.

— Then don't regret it. — Max replied.

Night fell, and the group was called back. They all ate dinner together, exhausted, the smell of iron and soup filling the air.

Edygil smiled.

"You've improved a lot. I'm proud of you," Edygil said.

The next day, with the sun rising behind the mountains, the group prepared the wagon.

Edygil crossed his arms.

— I'm going to miss you guys. — he said . Edygil with a smile.

"From us or from the materials we got for you?" Kairo asked, laughing.

—Of both, of course ! Hehehe ! — replied the blacksmith.

—Thank you for everything, Edygil . — I thanked him.

— Good luck, heroes. And may the iron of destiny never break in your hands. — he said . Edygil waving.

We climbed into the wagon. The road to Omeron opened before us.