The atmosphere inside the training hospital was calm, yet the tension filled the room. Ryato sat slightly leaning on his chair, his eyes observing every small movement from the three students in front of him: Falen, Rento, and Raizen. The silence was heavy—so heavy that even breathing felt risky, as if a single word could decide someone's fate.
Ryato took a deep breath and began speaking in a calm voice, charged with authority and experience: — Your first mission will be in ten days.
Rento lifted his eyes in confusion: — Why?
Ryato gave a light but serious smile: — Because you can't leave the hospital for seven days. On the eighth day, I'll train you. On the ninth, you'll rest so you're fully prepared for the mission.
Raizen tilted his head, unable to hold back his question: — Why are you so determined to help us?
His gaze was mixed with anger and sadness. Ryato answered in a low but heavy voice: — Because I don't want you to die like my previous students…
He paused, his eyes drifting away as if rewinding years of memories, then continued: — I lost them all… and I don't want the same for you.
Falen, unable to contain his curiosity, whispered to himself, then asked: — Can we know your story?
Ryato gave a sad smile, a faint shine in his eyes: — If you want…
He drew a slow breath.
"When I was a child, sunlight would slip into the Hinazuki home every morning. I knew nothing about the world. I thought my parents were stronger than anything. My father would ruffle my hair and say:
— How are you, son? Want to go to the games today?
I would shout with excitement:
— Yes!
And my mother would open her arms with a warm smile:
— Before you leave… give me a kiss.
Those were the last pure memories of my childhood."
His tone shifted slightly.
"A year later, Kasumi was born. When I saw her for the first time, she reached out and touched my hand—as if she had known me for years. My father smiled and said:
— I'll name her Kasumi.
I didn't ask why. The name suited her."
He paused as if clearing his mind of a lingering image.
"Months passed… then came that day. My mother stood in front of me, her eyes different, her hand trembling slightly.
She told me:
— Take care of Kasumi until we return.
I asked:
— Where are you going?
She answered with a gentle but sad smile:
— We have a mission."
He fell silent briefly.
"They never came back."
His head lowered, then rose with steady resolve.
"After a week… I heard noise in the village square. People were gathered around the emergency wagon. When I pushed through the crowd… I saw them. My parents. I didn't understand anything. Everything was silent except my own voice—screaming without control."
He inhaled slowly.
"That moment… killed my childhood."
Riato looked directly at the three students.
"Years passed. When I turned sixteen, I began training Kasumi. She used to ask me:
— Will I be strong like you?
I told her:
— You'll be stronger.
I wanted her to survive… because she was all I had left."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And then came another day… the day I lost my former students."
Falen,Rento,and Raizen straightened unconsciously as he continued:
"They were just like you. I cared for them as I cared for my sister. We trained every morning and walked through the forest every evening. They laughed… until the man who destroyed everything arrived."
His voice dropped.
"He appeared out of nowhere. He wasn't from our village, and he wasn't just looking for me. He wanted something else… something unknown. I tried to keep my students behind me, but they were too brave. They stood in front of me. They tried to fight him… but they weren't ready.
I didn't see the full details of what happened—but the silence afterward said enough."
His fingers trembled, but he steadied himself.
"And after he finished with them… he took Kasumi.
I had no time to mourn. All I wanted was to get her back. And from that day… my journey began."
He lifted his head firmly.
"That is why I train with all my strength. That is why I want you to become stronger than you ever imagined. Because evil does not wait… and it does not show mercy.
Falen asked: — How old would she be now?
— If she's alive, she would be eighteen.
Raizen, Rento, and Falen exchanged looks: — Around our age…
Ryato said seriously: — That's why I didn't want you risking your lives—but you insisted.
Falen, determined: — I promise to find your sister and bring her to our team.
— What team?
Raizen: — Our team—me, Falen, and Rento.
Ryato firmly: — I won't allow that.
After seven days, the students recovered and were ready for training.
Rento: — We're fully healed. We should go to Ryato to train us.
Raizen: — Aren't you proud? The one training you is the highest-ranked Neryo.
Rento sarcastically: — But he's not serious sometimes.
Falen: — Didn't you hear Nakimi say he's different in battle?
They received official messages:
— Falen: Your training is at the top of the mountain from 9:00 to 9:30.
— Rento: Your location is the forest at the city's edge from 9:45 to 10:10.
— Raizen: Your location is the famous area inside the city from 10:20 to 10:50.
Falen: — Did you get a message from Ryato?
Rento and Raizen: — Yes.
Falen: — Let's go.
Rento: — No, we're in different places and different times.
Raizen: — When does your training start, Falen?
Falen: — At nine.
Rento: — Only thirty minutes left. Go.
Raizen: — Should we go with him to see?
Rento: — No, I like surprises.
Ryato's Training with the Three Students
At nine a.m., the sun rose gently between the hospital trees, painting golden rays on the training yard—announcing a new day of challenges. Falen stood observing the place, filled with anticipation and excitement. He searched for Ryato, who appeared right on time with confident steps.
— Welcome to the training of the century, Ryato said calmly, his voice full of authority.
Falen's lips trembled slightly but he steadied himself: — What is the training?
Ryato stared at him with mysterious calm: — Why are you in such a rush?
— Because the training is only thirty minutes.
Ryato smiled wisely: — Oh right. The training will be combat.
Falen raised his eyebrows: — I fought you before and didn't benefit.
Ryato stepped forward: — This time I'll fight you for twenty minutes, and the last ten minutes I'll give you advice about your mistakes.
Falen swallowed, then answered: — Let's start.
He took a fighting stance: — First Form: The Pond!
Ryato smiled: — Good, to slow down my speed.
Falen rushed forward, but suddenly vanished as he tried to strike.
— Second Form: The Hot Water Punch! Falen shouted.
He looked around, confused: — Where is he?
Ryato appeared above him: — First Form: Wind Shadow!
In a flash, his sword was at Falen's neck.
— Training over. Time for advice.
Falen: — But only two minutes passed!
Ryato: — I only need two minutes to know your mistakes. You made three main ones.
He explained:
1. Controlling your nerves
Falen heated the water by recalling painful memories.
Ryato explained that this method was wrong—it weakened speed and focus.
2. Lack of creativity
Ryato could predict all of Falen's moves.
3. Your focus
Falen focused only on himself, not the enemy.
Ryato concluded: — Go home. Think about it. Don't meet your friends until they finish their training.
— Alright…
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