Dawn broke slowly over the southern mountains of Cang City.
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating a lone figure deep within the forest training grounds.
"RAAAAH!"
A violent burst of chi exploded outward.
The force cracked the earth beneath Kei's feet before fading instantly.
Failure.
Again.
Kei staggered backward, breathing heavily. Sweat poured down his face, his chest rising and falling uncontrollably. His muscles screamed in pain, yet he clenched his fists once more.
Again.
Another eruption of unstable chi burst from his palms before collapsing into nothingness.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Seventy-nine times.
In just a single morning.
By now, Kei could barely stand. His ragged clothes clung to his body, soaked in sweat and dirt. Bruises covered his arms from failed releases, while his black hair had loosened completely, hanging over his exhausted eyes.
Finally, his legs gave out.
Thud.
Kei fell onto the cold earth and stared blankly at the brightening sky above him.
Bitterness filled his chest.
"Why… can't I do it?"
---
Far away from Cang City, beyond the seas and deserts of the Rusty Continent, another young man stood beneath the scorching winds of the Sea Land.
A gigantic beast lay dead at his feet.
The creature was nearly fourteen feet long and nine feet wide, its body split apart by a single devastating strike.
Standing atop the corpse was a young man around twenty years old, his long black hair flowing below his shoulders as the desert wind swept past him.
Grand Regent Seshomaru.
Calm golden eyes gazed toward the distant horizon where the Sea Land capital stood.
"This city may fall soon…" he murmured.
"The Sand Land Empire has already captured three of the four islands. The only reason the capital still stands is because it's connected to the mainland near Cang City."
Suddenly—
A cloud of dust rose far beyond the desert.
Seshomaru narrowed his eyes.
Horses.
An entire cavalry unit approached rapidly across the wasteland. As they drew closer, the insignia on their banners became visible.
A single cloud struck by lightning.
The symbol of Cang City.
The riders halted before him instantly.
At their front stood High Marshal Kanji.
The moment Kanji saw him, he stepped down from his horse and bowed slightly. Behind him, the guardians saluted in unison.
"Grand Regent Seshomaru," Kanji said respectfully, "we trust you received the Grand Lord's letter."
Seshomaru stepped down from the beast's corpse.
"Yes," he replied calmly.
Kanji smiled faintly.
"Then shall we proceed to Sea Land?"
Seshomaru looked toward the distant capital once more before turning away.
"…Very well."
---
Back in Cang City—
Hori climbed the paths of the South Mountains until she encountered one of the Asura Clan members guarding the entrance.
"Excuse me," she said politely. "Is Kei home? I wish to see him."
The clan member pointed toward a narrow trail leading deep into the forest.
"He's training down there."
Hori nodded before following the path.
After several minutes, she arrived at an isolated training yard hidden among the trees.
And there she saw him.
Kei stood at the center of the field, bruised and battered, barely able to remain upright.
For a moment, Hori was speechless.
"…Kei," she said softly, "will you really be okay?"
He looked toward her.
"We're all becoming guardians tomorrow… except you."
Kei wiped blood from the corner of his mouth before answering.
"Well… I don't plan on repeating."
His exhausted eyes sharpened with determination.
"I'll master Chi Release before tomorrow."
"And I'll graduate alongside everyone else."
Hori froze.
"Graduate?" she asked in shock. "But our homeroom teacher said you were repeating the year."
"She gave me three days."
Kei clenched his fists tightly.
"From now until tomorrow morning—before squads and units are assigned—I have to master it."
Hori stared silently at him.
He looked terrible.
Bruised.
Exhausted.
Broken.
Yet somehow… he still refused to give up.
A strange pain tugged at her chest.
"…I'll help you," she suddenly said.
Kei blinked.
Hori opened the small crossbag hanging beside her waist and pulled out a worn instruction book.
"I'll teach you the basics from the academy manuals," she explained. "Maybe it'll help."
Kei looked at her in confusion.
"Why?" he asked quietly.
"Why help me?"
Hori avoided his gaze for a second before answering.
"Consider it a thank you."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"For giving me a ride to the Imperial Palace the other day."
---
Meanwhile, in the royal halls of Sea Land—
A tall man dressed in black and gold robes stood before Grand Regent Seshomaru and High Marshal Kanji.
King Cnut of Sea Land.
"Welcome," the king said warmly. "I will forever be grateful to the Grand Lord for sending aid."
Seshomaru remained calm.
"We are the strongest nation on the Rusty Continent," he replied.
"We protect our neighbors. But do not misunderstand this as kindness alone."
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Grand Lord does not make emotional decisions."
King Cnut gave a nervous laugh.
"Well… regardless, I am relieved the guardians of Cang City are here."
He walked toward a massive map laid across the table.
"Tomorrow, we march for West Island."
He pointed toward a small island near the coast.
"It is the smallest occupied territory. We should be able to reclaim it quickly."
Kanji and Seshomaru bowed slightly.
"Your wish is our command, Your Majesty."
---
Cang City — South Mountains.
Night had fallen.
The forest was silent except for the distant sounds of insects and rustling leaves.
Kei stood in the middle of the training yard, breathing heavily.
Hori stood several feet away, watching carefully.
"Again," she instructed.
Kei nodded weakly.
He raised his trembling hand.
Focused.
Breathed.
And then—
BOOOOM!
A perfect wave of chi exploded outward.
The energy surged around Kei's arm smoothly without collapsing.
For a moment, silence filled the forest.
Then Kei's eyes widened.
"…I did it."
His voice trembled.
"I DID IT!"
Relief and joy flooded his face instantly.
After countless failures…
He had finally mastered Chi Release.
Hori smiled softly.
"Well," she said while closing her instruction book, "I should head home now. My parents are probably worried sick."
She turned around and sprinted down the forest path.
Kei watched her disappear into the darkness.
For the first time in days…
He smiled.
A genuine smile.
He slowly dropped onto the grass, staring up at the moonlit sky above him.
Exhaustion overtook his body almost instantly.
But even as sleep claimed him—
One thought echoed in his heart.
Tomorrow…
He would stand beside everyone else as a guardian.