Three days had passed since the intense battle and harsh training in the forest with his father.
The morning sunlight slowly slipped into Rio's room, seeping through the gaps of the wooden window. The air inside was still cold and fresh, the kind of chill unique to mountain mornings.
Rio woke up on his bed. His body felt heavy, and a throbbing pain in his head refused to fade.
"Ahhh… my head hurts so much…" he groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead. His breathing was still rough, cold sweat clinging to his temples.
Suddenly, the door to his room opened slowly.
His father, Akagami Zero, stood in the doorway—calm as always, yet filled with quiet concern.
"You're awake," Zero said as he stepped inside, his voice low and firm.
Rio glanced at him with tired, half-open eyes.
"Yeah… but I still feel exhausted…" he replied weakly.
Zero sat down beside the bed, staring deeply at Rio. His gaze wasn't just checking his son's physical condition—it was reading his endurance, his mental strength, the resolve of the child he had trained with his own hands.
"Then get up slowly. Have some breakfast first," he said, his tone firm but carrying a warmth only a father could give.
"After that… I'll introduce your new personal instructor."
Rio fell silent. His eyes widened slightly at those words.
"A… personal instructor…?" he whispered inwardly.
Still, he nodded and began to rise from the bed.
"Yes, Father…" he replied, his voice sounding steadier now.
Zero stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Rio to prepare himself.
Meanwhile, beneath the shade of a large tree outside the house, a mysterious masked woman stood silently. She didn't move at all—like a statue. The aura surrounding her was sharp and calm, yet threatening, like a blade wrapped in silk.
After getting ready and finishing breakfast, Rio stepped into the backyard—the place where he usually trained with his father.
There, he saw two figures waiting.
His father, Akagami Zero, stood with his arms crossed. Beside him stood the masked girl, upright and silent.
The aura coming from her felt strange to Rio. Tense, yet composed. Dangerous, yet restrained—
as if she could turn into a weapon at any moment.
Rio walked closer, his gaze filled with questions.
"Father… who is she?" he asked, curious but cautious.
Zero glanced at his son.
"She is… your personal instructor starting today."
Rio froze for a moment, then slowly turned back toward the masked girl.
The girl stepped forward, her movements light yet firm. She looked at Rio through the slit in her mask, then slowly removed it.
The face hidden beneath was revealed—a young woman with eyes as sharp as a blade and a beauty that was almost unreal. Her pale skin seemed to glow softly, her long hair flowing elegantly, and her gaze pierced straight into one's soul.
"My name is… Laira Kagenami," she said calmly, her voice carrying quiet strength.
"Nice to meet you, Rio."
Rio stood stunned. Surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly tried to compose himself.
"Y-yeah… nice to meet you too…" he replied with a small smile, though his heart was pounding.
From a short distance away, Zero gave a slight nod. His expression remained flat, but his eyes clearly showed his confidence in this decision—
a meeting between teacher and student that would change Rio's life forever.
After a few seconds, Zero spoke again.
"Oh, and Rio. There's something important you should know."
"Laira's strength is nearly equal to mine. So… never underestimate her."
Rio's eyes widened. He looked at his father, then back at the girl standing before him.
"Eh!? No way—someone this cute is as strong as you, Father!?" he said half-jokingly, still in disbelief.
But before he could laugh—
WUSS!
Laira vanished from sight.
"Huh—!?"
BUK!!
A crushing punch landed squarely in Rio's stomach. He tried to block it with his hands, but the force was overwhelming. His body was sent flying backward, rolling across the ground several times.
"Ughh… was that… really a human punch…?" he muttered weakly, still lying on the ground.
Laira reappeared in her original spot, calm and composed, her expression cold.
"That… was your first lesson," she said flatly.
"Never judge someone's strength by their appearance."
Zero smiled faintly, barely holding back a chuckle as he watched his son struggle to stand.
"Well then, Rio… today's lesson has officially begun."
That night, in Rio's room.
In the quiet of the night, Rio sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed.
He activated Eyes of Light. A gentle aura surrounded his body—deeper, heavier than before.
Suddenly—
[EYES OF LIGHT >>> LEVEL UP: LV 1 >>> LV 2]
Rio's eyes flew open.
"Eh…!? It leveled up…?" he whispered in shock.
"But… I didn't even have a serious fight tonight…"
Before he could think any further—
Tok… tok… tok…
A soft knock came from the door.
"Rio… are you still awake?"
That voice—Laira.
Rio turned quickly.
"Yeah, I'm still awake!" he replied, confused.
There was a brief pause.
Then Laira's voice came again, softer this time.
"Can I… sleep in your room tonight?"
Rio froze. He nearly fell off the bed.
"EHH!? That's not okay! I'm a guy, you know!?"
Laira replied in a flat tone, though a hint of nervousness could be felt.
"It's fine… I promise I'll wake up before your parents do…"
Rio went silent. He scratched his head, unsure how to react.
Finally, he let out a resigned sigh.
"Fine… just come in already.
You're already fifteen, and you're still scared to sleep alone… hahaha."
The door opened slowly. Laira entered, hugging a small pillow. When she heard Rio's words, her face flushed slightly.
"It's… not because I'm scared…" she muttered, turning her gaze away.
Rio looked at her for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't snore, okay?"
Laira snorted quietly and sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall beside the bed.