Chapter 2

The morning arrives too soon for the boys.

Nireh: “This walk... towards the training fields feels way harsher than yesterday.”

Norkai: “Yeah... I didn't expect everything to hurt so badly.”

Nireh: “I hope Draviel will be more understanding today.”

Norkai: “Me too. I never expected a layer 2 fighter to be so strong.”

Nireh: “This means that Roy was always holding back with us.”

Norkai: “Everything hurts so much... I can't even act surprised.”

The teacher was already waiting for them.

Draviel: “You finally showed up. I thought you guys were quitting.”

Norkai: “I don't even have enough strength to laugh.”

Nireh: “Please tell me today is not gonna be the same.”

Draviel: “Of course not. It's probably gonna be worse. Hahaha.”

Nireh: “Why did I have a feeling you'd say something like that?”

Norkai: “It's fine. We can do this.”

Draviel: “That's what I wanted to hear. So, do you still want your hair color to start changing?”

Nireh: “I guess.”

Nireh: *I wanna go home.*

Norkai: “Let's do this.”

Norkai: *I hope I get knocked out so I can sleep more.*

The following days were hellish for the boys. Draviel made sure to exploit every weakness they had. Using different strategies and combat maneuvers, he prepared them for possible encounters with the enemies. Their limits needed to be expanded and their blind spots exposed. He knew exactly what he was doing.

After three weeks of training.

Norkai: “Nireh... your hair color is changing.”

Nireh: “Really?”

Nireh: *I barely feel different.*

Norkai: “What about mine? Do you see any difference?”

Nireh: “I'm not sure. I've been watching you a lot these past few weeks. I can't tell anymore.”

Norkai: “It's fine. It will become visible soon.”

Norkai: *Dammit. He is ahead of me now. I have to catch up.*

Draviel: “Well done, Nireh. This means that soon we'll start using affinities and weapons.”

Nireh: “I want a Katana. It will work nicely with my wind affinity.”

Draviel: “That was fast. Nice choice. What about you, Norkai?”

Norkai: “Actually... I haven't decided yet what weapon I want.”

Draviel: “Is there a problem?”

Norkai: “No... I just don't know which one I like more.”

Draviel: “Choose the one you thought about the most. And later you can change it if you don't like it. Many fighters know at least two, especially the Legends.”

Norkai: “Hmm... then I think the spear sounds nice. Do you think it will fit me?”

Draviel: “Yes. That is a great choice for you. It will work very well with your water affinity.”

Norkai: “Alright. Then spear it is.”

Draviel: “Good. In the following days I'll bring them and we can begin the next phase.”

Nireh: “What about you? What weapon do you use?”

Draviel: “Actually, I like using my hands. You'll rarely see me use them outside training.”

Norkai: “Because you're very strong?”

Draviel: “Hahaha. It's not about that. Consider it to be a style choice. You'll understand later what that means.”

The rest of the day continued pleasantly, and Draviel even let them off early. On their way home the boys were theorizing about their affinities and weapon combinations.

Meanwhile, in a secret meeting.

Mysterious voice: “Are the bodies good?”

Mysterious voice 2: “They're perfect. Just what I needed.”

Mysterious voice: “Good. I took a lot of risks by stealing them.”

Mysterious voice 2: “Don't worry. You will be rewarded when the new layer gets unlocked.”

The next day.

Norkai: “I'm going to play some Scoreball with Astero. You wanna join us? And make it a tournament?”

Nireh: “It's our day off... I think I wanna rest.”

Norkai: “Suit yourself. See you later.”

Nireh: “Have fun.”

Nireh: *Everyone has something to do but me.*

A while later.

Norkai: “Do you remember the rules?”

Astero: “Of course. So don't even think about cheating.”

Norkai: “Me? Ha. I think you're the one who's being too competitive.”

Astero: “Relax. The ball must touch the ground and can only be caught with the gloved hand before it enters the gate.”

Norkai: “Very well. It seems you did your homework.”

Astero: “Shut up. And prepare to lose.”

Norkai: “You'll be the one who's losing this time.”

A few days later, on a sunny day when the boys arrived at the field, a surprise was waiting for them.

Norkai: “Who are those two? Where is Draviel?”

Nireh: “I don't know. It seems like they are training.”

Norkai: “But this is our spot.”

Nireh: “Not anymore.”

A bit hesitant, Norkai approaches them.

Norkai: “Oi. This is our training spot.”

Lirien: “Who is this peasant speaking to?”

Kirell: “Beats me. Surely not with us.”

Norkai: “What? This is our training spot. Get lost.”

Kirell: “He's got a temper this one.”

Lirien: “They all do. So boring.”

Nireh: “We don't want any trouble. Our teacher should arrive soon.”

Lirien: “Teacher? Who would want to teach you something?”

Nireh: “It is not your concern.”

Kirell: “Hmm... this one is different.”

Lirien: “Doesn't matter. He also looks like a peasant.”

Norkai: “Enough. Leave now or we won't say it nicely again.”

Kirell: “Li, is he really threatening us?”

Lirien: “Oh... I think so, dear brother. I wonder if he's gonna do something.”

In the next moment, Norkai rushes towards them. Nireh joins him immediately. They start the fight with some basic attacks. The new guys are older and more experienced, making their efforts seem in vain. With a fighting style that is not common, the boys are forced to retreat. It is obvious to them that the new guys are not from the public school.

Nireh: “What's happening? How come they're better than us?”

Norkai: “I don't know. But I hate them. Who are they?”

Nireh: “I have no idea.”

Lirien: “Is that it? I was just getting started.”

Kirell: “Forget it Li. They are clearly outclassed.”

Norkai: “Shut up.”

Lirien: “What if we don't? Are you gonna run from us?”

Draviel: “What is happening here?”

Lirien: “Saved by the bell.”

Kirell: “Nothing. We were just having some fun.”

Draviel: “This training ground is reserved for us.”

Lirien: “No problem. We were just leaving.”

Kirell: “Already? Fine.”

Lirien: “See you later, boys.”

Kirell: “Next time, you better not be so boring.”

And their surprise guests left, leaving Norkai and Nireh with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Nireh: “You're late.”

Draviel: “Yeah... it took longer than I expected to find the right weapons. Who were those?”

Norkai: “I have no idea. But they are weird and annoying.”

Nireh: “We've never seen them before. They are not from our school.”

Norkai: “And their fighting style was not normal.”

Draviel: “I see. I think I know who they are. Just forget about them.”

Norkai: “No problem.”

Nireh: “So... do you have the weapons?”

Draviel: “Yes. In the following weeks, we'll be focusing on these weapons and your affinities.”

Norkai: “Awesome.”

Draviel: “Just be careful not to hurt yourselves. We start slow, then over time we speed up. Is that clear?”

Nireh: “Yes, sir.”

Norkai: “Understood.”

Draviel: “Good. Let's begin.”

The brothers were thrilled by the new training phase. Nireh was loving his new katana, while Norkai was having a blast with the spear.

Later that evening, Draviel was walking towards home after training.

Draviel: *The boys are rapidly growing. Probably even faster than me.*

Serion: “Draviel, wait up.”

Draviel: “Serion? And your new team. Where are you guys going?”

Serion: “To get something to eat. We just finished training. Wanna join us?”

Draviel: “I'm a little bit tired. Maybe next time.”

Xera: “How is Norkai doing?”

Draviel: “Not bad. He needs more training.”

Xera: “I am not surprised.”

Toren: “Do you think he's already surpassed us?”

Xera: “In his dreams maybe.”

Serion: “Never underestimate your opponent.”

Draviel: “Well... have a nice dinner.”

Serion: “See you later, Draviel.”

Draviel: *It seems their friends are quite competitive. They remind me of how I was with Serion.*

A long time ago, on a bench under a tree.

Young Serion: “I think she likes me.”

Young Draviel: “Nereea? I don't think so. She looked at me.”

Young Serion: “Keep telling yourself that.”

Young Draviel: “She's a Legend now... I bet she doesn't even care about us anymore.”

Young Serion: “Well... I guess I only need to become the next Legend.”

Young Draviel: “Hahaha. In your dreams. I will be the next Legend.”

Young Serion: “How about this: Who gets to be the first Legend... gets Nereea. Deal?”

Young Draviel: “Deal.”

Draviel: *I guess some things never change.*