The morning sunlight poured over Lira's backyard garden, sparkling across the dew-drenched grass. Ren yawned and stretched, feeling the satisfying ache of muscles waking from rest. Kian was already moving, swinging his forged sword with precision, practicing arcs and thrusts with small, controlled movements. Lira, regal even in casual posture, observed the garden, her long hair shifting with the breeze as she adjusted her stance, preparing for the day's training.
Ren's small eyes brightened. "Let's train! I want to see how strong we can get today!" he shouted, hopping toward the wooden dummies lined up along the garden.
The dummies were no ordinary practice tools. Made of iron-plated wood resistant to fire and water, their surfaces were a mix of natural wood and an artificial triple-alloy, tough enough to resist many attacks. Ren focused, forming a sword entirely from ice. Its pale blue blade gleamed as he held it in both hands, feeling the weight of possibility in his tiny grip.
Kian grinned. "Alright! Let's see what you've got!"
Ren lunged first, swinging the ice sword in a wide arc. Kian countered instantly, unleashing a cross-shaped slash of energy, slicing through the air. Sparks burst at the intersection, and Ren pressed on, combining his Fury Slash with the ice sword, compressing the fire within the technique while keeping the icy edge sharp. His blade glowed faintly orange as it clashed with Kian's energy, the X-shaped slash barely missing his strike.
They moved fluidly, darting around the dummies, leaping, dodging, spinning—testing speed, precision, and timing. Ren ducked under a rising energy slash and countered with a spinning Fury Slash while gripping the ice sword. Kian blocked with the tip of his own sword, energy crackling along the collision points. After several rapid exchanges, both stepped back, laughing and panting.
"Not bad," Kian said with a wide grin. "You've really improved!"
Ren beamed. "You too! That energy slash—wow!"
It was Lira's turn. She focused, her hands rising in a precise gesture, and vines erupted from the ground, coiling into thick walls taller than her. The vine wall shimmered faintly with her magic, twisting as if alive, forming a living barrier around her.
Ren and Kian exchanged mischievous glances. "Let's see how tough she really is," Ren whispered.
They attacked together—Ren with his ice sword and compressed Fury Slash, Kian with quick energy slashes. The vine walls flexed and twisted, absorbing blows and deflecting attacks. Sparks and small flashes erupted as fire, ice, and energy collided with the animated barrier. The vines bent and shivered with each strike, forcing Ren and Kian to adjust their angles, speed, and strategy.
A small portion of the vine wall gave way under the concentrated Fury Slash and ice sword, leaving a dent. Kian's energy strike left a glowing mark on the barrier, a testament to the power of their combined attacks. Lira's posture remained calm, but her eyes sparkled with excitement. "You'll have to try harder next time!" she teased, a hint of pride in her tone.
The three of them paused, breathless but exhilarated. The dummies bore scratches and dents, the garden floor bore marks of sliding feet and small blasts of magic, and the air shimmered with residual energy from their attacks.
The butler, observing quietly from the side, shook his head with a faint smile. "They are still young… still weak… but their determination is… remarkable," he muttered under his breath.
With one last glance at the dummies, the trio collected themselves. Lira's vines slowly receded back into the ground, Kian sheathed his sword, and Ren's ice sword melted into droplets that splashed quietly onto the grass.
"We did it!" Ren exclaimed, his voice full of joy. "I can feel myself getting stronger!"
"Yeah," Kian said, smiling proudly. "Tomorrow will be even better."
Lira nodded, her expression regal yet cheerful. "We still have a lot to learn—but today, we've made good progress."
Their laughter filled the garden, light and bright, echoing across the morning air. It was a day of training, friendship, and the small victories that came from testing themselves. Today, they grew stronger—not just in skill, but in confidence and trust in each other.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting golden streaks across Lira's garden, the trio stepped back from their practice. Grass was trampled, faint scorches dotted the ground, and scratches lined the dummies—but the air was filled with laughter, excitement, and a satisfying exhaustion.
Ren wiped his brow, grinning ear to ear. "I can't wait for tomorrow! We're getting stronger every day!"
Kian nodded, swinging his forged sword casually over his shoulder. "Yeah… but I'm starving. Let's go shopping for gear before it gets dark."
Lira's eyes sparkled. "Finally, some proper equipment. I've been waiting for this."
The three of them set off toward the marketplace, their steps quick and light. Ren's small feet danced across cobblestones, imagining all the possibilities. Armor that wouldn't slow him down. Weapons that would feel like an extension of his arms. Accessories that might enhance his magic.
When he reached a stall displaying soft, double-layered armor, his eyes widened. "This… this is perfect!" he whispered to himself. He hesitated, feeling the weight of the 75 coins it would cost. It was a lot—almost half of what he had saved—but he shook his head, determination shining in his eyes. "I… I'll do it. I need it."
With a gulp, he handed over the coins, feeling a pang of guilt at spending so much. But when he fastened the armor on himself, the soft layers fitting snugly, the sense of security and power made his chest swell with pride.
Next, he spotted a small bracelet, shimmering as though it caught the last rays of sunlight. "I… maybe I shouldn't… but just this once," he muttered, handing over 10 coins. Finally, he picked up boots with reinforced soles for 20 coins, leaving him with 200 coins still in his pouch—but he felt the weight of responsibility for every remaining coin.
Kian moved toward a stall with a sturdy shield and a light knight suit embedded with minor enchantments. The shield felt perfectly balanced in his hands, and the armor fit snugly—offering mobility without sacrificing protection. After paying, he smiled at Ren. "We'll be ready for anything now."
Lira's gaze drifted toward a delicate jewelry stand. Her hands hovered over a small necklace that stored mana, and a wand to boost her plant magic. "I can do this," she whispered, handing over her coins. The glow of the necklace in her hands made her grin. "This… this will help me improve faster."
After finishing, the trio gathered together, each holding their new gear. Excitement bubbled in the air like sparks of magic—but for Ren, there was also a small ache in his chest, a reminder that money wasn't limitless. Still, he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. "We're ready," he said, almost bouncing.
Kian laughed. "Let's go home before it gets too dark. We need our rest."
They parted ways with cheerful goodbyes, heading to their respective homes. Kian returned to his father's blacksmith shop, eager to show his father the new suit and shield, and discuss ways to improve his forging techniques. Ren returned to his small rented room in the hotel, carrying some food for his father, feeling both joy and a quiet sense of responsibility for what he had spent.
The evening sky painted everything in deep orange and violet hues, the first stars beginning to twinkle. Ren placed the food beside his father, grinning. "Tomorrow… we start the second trial," he said, almost bouncing with excitement. Even with the cost of his purchases, the thought of winning and losing and showing off his new improved spells, he couldn't wait.
The trio had trained, shopped, and returned home, hearts light and spirits high. For these three young children, the adventure was only just beginning.