Chapter 3 THE POWER WITHIN

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"There comes a point when a dream becomes a reality and a reality becomes a dream..."

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••• Ten Years Later •••

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Thirty-three masters-in-training gathered to observe a variety of sparring sessions between their sensei, a master of the arts, and a handpicked student. The student took advantage of the opportunity to practice techniques learned against the best of the best.

The landscape unfolded in a canvas of flat, well-tended ground. Grassy patches underfoot provided a soft landing for the combatants, while sturdy trees stood at a distance, their leaves rustling in a gentle breeze.

The weather, perfectly suited for combat, presented a cool and dry atmosphere. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow without the oppressive heat. The breeze, just brisk enough to keep things comfortable, carried with it the earthy scent of the surrounding nature. The clear blue sky overhead offered an unobstructed view, ensuring that visibility was at its prime for those engaged in the martial dance.

As the spar unfolded, the weather seemed to synchronize with the ebb and flow of the combatants, creating an ideal setting for the disciplined art of battle.

The graceful clashing of blades concluded swiftly, the end results being the student on the ground, lying at the mercy of their master.

'Improved techniques... cooler composure...' their Sensei analyzed within his mind. "You're getting better, Kai. Well done," their Sensei complimented as he gave Kai a knowing smirk.

He had quite the impressive build, being a light-skinned old man. His razor-sharp gray eyes and a hair color mixture of black and white embodied a man of culture and strict discipline.

He adjusted his custom-made traditional gi to pick up his fallen student.

"Thanks, Shujin-sensei, but getting my ass kicked all the time isn't how I pictured myself 'getting better,'" his student replied as he took his hand. "I'll only feel better when I'm finally the one to take you off the ground."

Kai proclaimed confidently as Shujin yanked him up to his feet. His unique set of eyes glared at Shujin with an ever-growing determination to win.

"Oh?" Shujin glazed his own confidence over Kai's, chuckling in amazement. "Very well then."

Grinning provocatively, Shujin pointed at him.

"Say, how about we go for another round? Who knows! You might just get lucky."

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Kai smirked, "This time though- no katanas, no weapons, just you and I in a good old fashioned battle of the strongest."

" Alright then..." Shujin agreed for one last beat down, smiling at the power of his intrusive thoughts. "Just one more thing... be careful what you wish for."

"What can I say? I can't be a better me if I don't raise the bar. It's all part of the process," Kai was hell bent in ensuring Shujin bowed down to him.

"Hmph...." The latter scoffed. "Very well then."

The brief exchange of words caused the students to murmur as they pondered on the bold decision made by Kai.

In the midst of the mild noise, Kai and Shujin gave up their weapons to the two students assigned to retrieve them.

With a calm and confident reserve, Shujin took his stance whilst sending an emotionless gaze to his opponent.

This demonstration commanded a swift silence amongst the students, but, with a face of determination, Kai adopted a stance of his own.

The referee, played by one of the students, called for the session to begin. With no time to waste, Kai charged first while Shujin, who hadn't moved an inch away from his original position, studied his movements carefully.

Kai set the pace with a quickly executed butterfly twist kick to the head of Shujin to which the latter blocked by placing his left arm to deflect the danger.

Shujin flipped over Kai, caught his head and threw him to the air, using him to land. He immediately delivered a 360° kick with the aim of knocking his head off.

Noticing the present predicament, Kai used his arms to push away his opponent's foot. Shujin regrouped with ease and stomped Kai upon landing.

"Leaving your body exposed to an attack. You should have known better," Shujin mocked as he repeatedly stomped on Kai.

"It's just one clumsy move," he explained, groaning. "I thought I had you this time."

"I can't be caught off guar..."

Before completing his statement, Kai, in the attempt of a cheap shot, went for an improved windmill spin. Shujin, scouting the danger, backflipped high up in the air just in time.

'Just as planned,' the former grinned. It was going up Kai in his eyes. 'I'll catch him on landing.'

He kicked up and immediately delivered a 540° kick rightfully predicting that the kick would land on the head of his Sensei. This caused the students to be in immense excitement.

Shujin saw the attack and transitioned into a flash kick mid way to gain control of his hands, allowing him to once again deflect the clever attack scheme of his student.

Kai barely managed to land on his attacking leg while Shujin landed and wasted no time in leg sweeping his challenger down to the ground.

"Had enough yet?" Shujin asked, cracking his neck.

"Not ever," Kai affirmed as he groaned, trying to gain ground.

"You never learn do you? Here..." Shujin questioned as he lent him a hand.

"Take my hand."

An eerie voice echoed in the mind of the young teen. A swift vision followed. Though vague, he could make out a human on the floor and another lending a hand to the former, reminiscing the event occurring between him and Shujin.

Greatly disturbed by the sudden vision, he slapped the hand of Shujin and got up on his own.

"That's what I'm doing, Sensei," Kai said, reading himself for another bout.

"Well unfortunately, the period has come to an end. Class dismissed."

The students sighed as they left one after the other, commenting on the beat down they had witnessed once again.

"Goddammit! For real?" There was no one who was as pissed off as the boy who cried for a battle. "Oh well... I'll get you next time."

"You'll be late for lunch," Shujin pointed out.

"Yeah yeah. See you later."

Kai ran off and waved goodbye to Shujin as the latter smiled.

On the walkway to the cafeteria, Kai thought of battle strategies to finally put Shujin on his toes and mistakenly bumped into his classmate, Yua, whose books fell due to the collision.

This caused yet another brief vision of a similar event that struck the head of Kai. He quickly brushed off the vision to avoid any further nuisance to his memories.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, Yua," Kai apologized as he assisted her to pick up some of the fallen books.

She was always a cool-headed smart teenage girl. She rolled back her black hair and adjusted her skirt as she bent down to pick up the books as well.

"No worries. Thanks- why were you lost in thought though?" she questioned as she collected the fallen books from Kai.

"Oh it's nothing, I was just thinking about..."

A fellow student amusingly appeared right behind Kai to his complete shock.

"Thinking about what?"

"God!" Kai said, startled by his actions. "Akira! Don't do that again," he warned, immediately recognising the familiar face.

"Sorry bro," Akira apologized, laughing heartily. "I just wanted to see your reaction."

Akira invested in the art of innocence. You could tell by the way he could portray a face that cared. It was hard to get angry at the trickstar.

"You've seen it right? So don't do that any more," Kai could only warn him.

Akira laughed harder as they all went to the cafeteria, chatting away.

Seated at the Cafe, Akira started up a conversation.

"So Kai, tell me. I gotta know, WE gotta know... how fun is it getting your butt kicked by Sensei all the time?"

Akira and Yua burst out a loud laughter.

"Hahaha. Real funny," Kai laughed sarcastically. "I'd like to see you last five seconds with Sensei."

"Woah, woah, woah. Hold it right there. At least I didn't implant a fake delusion in my head that I could defeat him," Akira clapped back.

"Yeah, yeah. At least I'm the closest person to ever score a hit on him." He bragged. "Why is he this good though?"

"Umm... I believe he's called a Sensei for a reason," Akira pointed out.

"True, but, no matter how good you are at fighting, you've got to have some sort of weakness, right?" Yua postulated.

"Not in his case. This dude is practically a god..." Kai sighed. "I guess I just have to practice and fight 'til he gives in."

"Well you better get to it. I can't see my best bro getting beat up all the time," Akira concluded, gently slapping his back.

"Yeah yeah. I'll do my best," Kai affirmed.

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Unfortunately, my best wasn't enough. Day by day, week in and week out, I try and try but I can't, I just can't figure it out... his weakness. Is there possibly a way to take him down?

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