The Next Day
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01SDxh7OjU
The morning sun had only just begun to rise, casting soft golden light across the cobblestone courtyards and misty rooftops. Temu loud footsteps echoed throughout the halls of castle walls, she stormed over to Kaida’s room and burst through the door.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV0fvdZoVX
“RUNT! Rise and grind if you’re not up in the next five seconds, I’m dragging your sorry ass by your-”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y7LCbFOQD
She stopped short.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCroc9hulk
The room was empty.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVrXxcx9rq
Bed neatly made. No trace of Kaida in sight.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkbMRhOjyZ
Temu’s ears twitched, tail stilling mid-flick. She narrowed her eyes and turned sharply on her heel, footsteps echoing through the palace halls as she tracked down the others.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky8ReEzPaY
She found Alric first, as he was tightening his gauntlets near the barracks.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN9BNzwKSu
“Have you seen the runt?”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOcAuWMa7M
Alric looked at Temu, he blinked, proceeding her question. “Kaida? No, I assumed he’d be asleep with you in his ear.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvpA8dQf2P
“I thought so too…but the runt is not in his room” She said with a low growl, rubbing the back of her head.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99BuE4NaLl
Alric took a moment to think. “Ask the others, maybe they’ve seen him” he said while fixing onto his arm straps.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6EzApbhCH
“I guess…” she said, turning to continue her search.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3dBhTjqJ4
Next she ran into Lorien, carrying a pile of books. He shook his head.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E55M9gze2
“Bookworm, have you seen the runt?” She barked at Lorien.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BIr9XmfOy
“I’m afraid not, I assumed he’d still be sleeping. He usually is.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjPvodnHpe
She clenched her fist “Damn…thanks for nothing” she said walking off.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80GyJOBZ8T
“Jezz…is she that upset she didn’t get to bully him on wake up?” Lorien said under his breath.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXLYN3iHXw
“Damn right!” She said, yelling across the hallway, leaving Lorien stunned when she heard him.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaCE5VJR9L
As she continued to storm down the hall she ran into Seraphina, sitting on a bench in the hall yawning.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVo65Frffz
“Seraphina, have you seen-”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD8R1VmrTg
“I heard you yelling at Lorien, if you’re gonna ask me if I seen the boy around then nope, sorry ma’am. Too tired to see much of anything. Think he snuck off to get extra sleep? He seems like the time” she giggled.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe266lGonHn
Temu grumbled and continued her search.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5aWWQUBUM
After about fifteen of searching the inside of the castle she met up with everyone who still didn’t know where Kaida was, they all eventually ran into Lysara leaning against a pillar as she looks out the window. Her face unreadable but her eyes were focused.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UoLIe9Lhm
“Princess,” Temu asked, “Have you seen Kaida?”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyeMziuUqQ
She didn’t answer.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs3pUFo7xV
Without turning heard, Lysara raised her hand and pointed toward the training field holding a small smile on her face.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BukfY0dqK
The group gathered beside her, peering through the window following her gaze.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNQFsSblZf
Outside, down on the training field, Kaida was running laps.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj324JImtS
Full gear on. Sweat soaking through his clothes. Feet pounding the track with steady determination.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4f4DLC0Ui
“What the hell…” Seraphina muttered.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgJgEKd9Qc
“When did he even get up?” Alric asked.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraeDfnB5l0
Lysara finally spoke, her voice calm but proud. “He’s been at it for a while now, I’d guess a little over thirty minutes or so.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTg9ytPaEm
They all stared in shock, even Temu was frozen for a moment. She let out a low pleased grunt as a satisfied grin curved her lips.
After a bit of time the group made their way down to the field. Down on the field, Kaida spotted them walking towards him. He raised a hand mid-stride, grinning despite the sweat streaming down his face.
“Hey, guys!” He shouted as he slowed his jog. Alric being the first to jog up beside him.
“You training already?” Alric asked.
Kaida wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. “Considering I’m further behind compared to all of you I decided I wanted to catch up. So I thought I’d get ahead today.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3llpG4E58C
Seraphina whistled. “Well look at you, overachiever alert!” She said with a smirk on her face.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB605LmXaQ0
Kaida chuckled a bit “Hardly, but I do appreciate the compliment.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptZZaMQ2lZ
Lorien pats Kaida on the back “This is a big step forward for you Kaida, taking the initiative to better one’s self is not always an easy task. Actually it’s the most difficult, so don’t downplay your efforts.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA5oO42EJt
“Huh, I…didn’t think of it that way,” Kaida said, rubbing the back of his neck.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOuR13IOml
“Try to keep that in mind”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1kSw0ub0f
“Hey runt,” Temu said, stepping up to him cracking her knuckles. “Today, you’re training with me. Personally. And for the rest of you—Standard drills. Alric, takeover here!”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CaHxa8YP8
Alric gave a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
Before Kaida could object to the idea, Temu had already grabbed him by the back of collar and started dragging him off to the far side of the yard.
“H-Hey! I can walk, you know!”
“I know,” Temu said, smirking. “But this is more fun.”
Seraphina waved to Kaida “Later Kaida” she said with a grin on her face.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1W41xo7tf
“That boy is in for a rough day…” Lorien said, Alric patting his shoulders “Yup…welp nothing we can do about it now but pray. Well everyone, let’s start are drills.” Alric said to everyone.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZptJjINXqN
Meanwhile Kaida stands before Temu on the opposite side of the field, he has his arms crossed as he looks at her.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDm4sPLz75
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGilJfMXBir
“So… what kind of training are we doing today?” Kaida asked, shifting nervously. “Please don’t say weapons training… I’m not trying to die today.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ay3w6IKG6
There was a noticeable edge of panic in his voice.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddfDVDuxbS
“No, not that,” she replied calmly, arms crossed. “If we did weapons training, I’d probably kill you by accident.” She gave him a deadpan look. “Instead, we’re focusing on mana control. You’re running around activating abilities without understanding the basic flow of energy in your body. That’s a fast track to overloading your system and passing out. Or worse.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy1Bm7zBI9
Kaida let out a breath of relief. “Oh… okay, that sounds better. So, uh… what’s first?”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTX3Zd89I7
She didn’t answer right away.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8deLLm2Ptr
Without warning, she stepped in close and drove her fist into his gut.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0wj8ASJnv
“UGHH—What the FUCK?!” Kaida doubled over, arms instinctively wrapping around his stomach as he dropped to one knee. “What was that for?!”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaygBmpf5I
“Focus on the pain,” she said flatly, as if it were the most normal instruction in the world. “And breathe.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00QTr0IUNX
Kaida shot her a glare, eyes narrowed in frustration. But after a second, he did as told. He closed his eyes and took slow, deliberate breaths. His focus centered on the ache in his abdomen, the raw throb of it pulsing with each heartbeat. It didn’t make sense—what was this supposed to accomplish?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRkgyuMwBC
Then, slowly, something shifted.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpUZi6tB1K
The pain started to fade.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZXjfN0fsl
Confused, Kaida opened his eyes and touched the area where she’d struck him. The sharp ache was gone—completely gone.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwNJ9bLdtz
“What… what just happened?” he asked, staring up at her in disbelief.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu6HyAQLep
“You just used your mana to heal yourself,” she explained, her voice even and instructive. “Mana isn’t just some external force you manipulate. It’s an energy that exists both within and around you. It responds to intent. If your body is in danger and you instinctively want to protect or fix it, mana can answer that call—as long as the demand fits within the natural function it was trained for.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQXAjTrdet
She paused, giving him a moment to absorb that.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAirYCJ8zDV
“Say, for example, you were born with the ability to manipulate elements without needing a special focus item, like me. Let’s say your affinity was fire. Your mana would naturally respond to your will when generating heat or flames, because it aligns with your internal vibration—fast, energetic, destructive. But if you suddenly wanted to shape water or use ice, your mana would resist. That vibration is slower, calmer. It requires discipline and retraining to make that shift.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNKTV5pZ0M
“So… mana reacts to emotion and intent… but also to some kind of internal frequency?” Kaida asked, trying to piece it together.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcPvHf2EKH
“Exactly. Hot, aggressive emotions usually link to fast vibrations—fire, lightning, things that burst outward. Cool, focused emotions link to slow vibrations—water, ice, things that flow or freeze. Master your emotions and your focus, and you’ll master your mana.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbUV713fuf
“That’s… a lot to process,” Kaida said, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to absorb everything she had just explained. His brow furrowed, clearly overwhelmed but intrigued.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkcLymiOpg
Temu gave a confident smirk, placing a hand over her chest with exaggerated pride. “Don’t worry. Under my expert command, you’ll be a master of mana manipulation in no time.”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9F1gZo61w
Her tone was boastful, almost theatrical, like she was announcing it to a crowd.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2yuu4uvNx
Kaida chuckled and gave her a playful look. “Even better than you?”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSbkIABLmK
There was a beat of silence.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76zWSOdk1R
Temu’s expression shifted—her eyebrow arched as she slowly turned toward him. Without a word, she slung an arm around his shoulders in a mock chokehold. Her other hand came down on his head with a rough, almost violent pat.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8WF9VTIW0
“In your dreams, brat!” she said, voice loud and full of playful menace. “The day I let you surpass me is the day I get on my knees—and there’s only one man I’ve ever knelt to, and that was the king himself!”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHyIatnRC9
Kaida grunted under her hold but couldn’t stop himself from laughing. “Just wait and see… you big house cat!”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZN5eGcunB
That comment made her ears twitch visibly.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS0M5q9Rnm
She froze for a moment.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOadic1krq
“…What did you just call me, you little shit?!”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VagyNN6KT
Her grip tightened around his neck as she shouted, shaking him like an unruly kitten.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzRnUtEGVW
“AAAGH! It was a joke! A joke!!”
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC3XDZJMIY
The sudden chaos caught the attention of everyone nearby. Heads turned, and in moments the tension gave way to laughter echoing through the training grounds. The sight of Temu wrangling the overconfident rookie was just too good to ignore.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPujNtCasQI
It was loud, rowdy, and full of life—and for once, Kaida didn’t mind being the center of it.
