The morning sun spilled gold over the mansion's gardens, lighting up the meticulously trimmed hedges and the small pond where koi lazily glided. Ren, Kian, and Lira had barely finished breakfast before the butler called them to the training grounds—a large, open area in the backyard, surrounded by tall hedges that acted as natural walls. Today, the kids would test their skills against each other in a game, and the atmosphere buzzed with the thrill of challenge.
"Your parents are watching from the veranda," the butler reminded them, his sharp eyes scanning the trio. "They want to see your abilities, but remember… technique matters more than raw strength."
Ren bounced on his toes, excitement sparking in his bright eyes. At seven years old, he was still full of childlike cheer, but this week of rigorous trials had tempered him slightly—he moved with a little more control, a little more thought.
Kian stood proudly, his self-forged sword gleaming under the sun. The steel had a faint blue tint from his careful tempering and it hummed softly as he swung it experimentally. "This is my best work so far," he muttered, almost to himself, adjusting the grip to feel just right.
Lira, dressed neatly in her noble attire, held her plant magic in readiness. Her green eyes sparkled with determination, though a hint of nervousness lingered. "Let's make this interesting," she said, bowing slightly before taking her stance.
The butler clapped his hands sharply. "Today's exercise is simple: Ren versus the other two. You'll alternate in attacking and defending. Rock, paper, scissors decides the sides."
Ren's face lit up at the thought of a one-on-two challenge. It was like stepping onto the stage of a real anime battle scene. He bounced lightly, twirling a small dagger in his hand out of habit, though he knew his magic would carry him far.
The game began. Lira sent a cannon-like vine burst toward Ren, the sunflower-shaped plant spinning as it propelled the energy forward. Ren leapt back, sliding on the grass with ice steps, dodging gracefully, his heart racing with adrenaline.
Kian lunged with his sword, the self-forged blade slicing through the air. He layered a double-edged strike, a faster, hidden strike behind the main blow. Ren barely dodged, the wind whistling in his ears as the steel grazed the ground and threw up sparks.
Ren countered with Ice Wall, summoning a thick barrier over three meters wide and four meters taller than himself. The icy shield barely absorbed the energy of the combined attack, but it gave him the split second he needed to launch three ice shuriken, spinning them like deadly wheels toward Lira's plant cannon. One hit the stem, leaving a small dent in the thick wood. "Yes!" Ren shouted quietly, the thrill of progress coursing through him.
Lira smirked, her noble pride shining through despite the scratch on her plant. "Impressive… but let's see how you handle this," she said, shaping the vines into a beam-like form that shot forward, slicing the edge of Ren's Ice Wall. He gritted his teeth and countered, jumping and spinning in a fluid, almost dance-like motion to redirect his attacks.
Kian, meanwhile, was relentless. Each swing of his sword tested Ren's agility, and with every blocked or deflected strike, Ren felt his own magic and strategy sharpening. The duel was a blur of motion—ice, steel, and vine attacks colliding in arcs of light and energy that seemed to make the backyard glow.
The butler, observing from the side, shook his head slightly. "They're strong… but still children. Their control is impressive for their age, but there's room to grow. Their parents will be pleased." He walked silently toward the veranda, where Ren's friends' parents were whispering in astonishment at the sheer coordination and creativity of the kids' techniques.
By the end of the morning, sweat dripped from the children's brows, and their clothes were damp from exertion. The game had been intense but not destructive. They paused for a brief rest, breathing heavily yet smiling, cheeks flushed with excitement.
Ren wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, looking at Kian and Lira. "That… was amazing," he said, eyes wide. "I didn't think we could all keep up with each other this much!"
Kian grinned, sword resting across his shoulder. "I've got to keep up with you two," he said confidently, though his small frame had been pushed to its limits.
Lira laughed lightly, a sound like bells ringing. "Don't think this is over. We'll keep practicing until one of us breaks through!"
The butler stepped forward once more. "That will do for now. You may return to the mansion. Continue your training individually later. Remember, control and creativity matter more than power alone."
Ren bounded off, skipping lightly, already imagining the next set of techniques he could test. The day had been grueling, but fun, a true test of their growth. Inside, he felt a spark of hope and excitement. The world was dangerous, yes—but with friends like these, maybe he could truly survive… and maybe even thrive.