The sun was already beating down hard when Abraão woke up. It was around 7:10 a.m. — yellow light streaming through the dormitory window, heat rising from the floor. He stretched, feeling his body protesting, but excited. Level 86. Today was the day of the fight against Jhonatam. He wasn't going to back down.
Lia woke up shortly after, rolling over on the mat beside him.
"Morning… sleep well?"
Abraão: "Sort of. I'm thinking about the fight."
She scooted closer, sat beside him, and rested her shoulder against his. "You're gonna win. I know it."
Abraão chuckled softly. "You believe in me more than I do myself."
Lia smiled. "Because I see you training every day. You deserve to win."
Liora woke up rolling on the floor, his silver-blue hair a total mess.
"Abraão-nii! Today's the fight day? I'm gonna cheer with everything I've got!"
Lia laughed. "Lio, are you gonna be on his side or mine?"
Liora: "Abraão-nii's! Always!"
They headed down to the dining hall around 7:45 a.m. They grabbed trays: herbal tea, fresh bread with lunar honey, regular fruits (pear and apple). They sat at a table near the window, with a view of the towers reflecting the rising sun.
Lia bit into the bread. "You nervous?"
Abraão: "A little. Jhonatam's good. But I'm not letting him humiliate me in front of you guys."
Liora: "He's annoying! I wanna see you kick his ass."
Lia: "Lio, don't talk like that. But… he really is irritating."
Around 8:30 a.m., they headed to the open training arena. The place was packed — students of all levels watching. Jhonatam was already there, shiny sword in hand, arrogant smile on his face.
"Look who showed up, hero. Ready to lose?"
Abraão: "Ready to win."
Jhonatam glanced at Lia. "If you get tired of watching this weakling take a beating, call me after."
Lia rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming."
Murata appeared at the edge of the arena, sweating coldly.
"Ah… official fight. Simple rules: first to fall or surrender loses. No killing."
The fight started around 9:15 a.m.
Jhonatam attacked first — fast sword, precise strikes. Abraão dodged with Light Cut, slowing the air around him. He counterattacked with a simple echo. Jhonatam blocked, laughing.
"Nice… but is that all you've got?"
Abraão didn't respond. He kept dodging, waiting for his moment. Jhonatam sped up, strikes in sequence. Abraão used Shared Reflection — he jumped, spun in the air, and kicked Jhonatam's sword. Jhonatam lost his balance for a second. Abraão seized the opportunity and landed a light cut on his shoulder — not deep, but enough to draw blood.
Jhonatam backed off, eyes wide. "You… how?"
Abraão: "Training."
Lia shouted from the side: "Go, Abraão!"
Liora was jumping: "Abraão-nii! Show him!"
Jhonatam attacked in a rage. Abraão blocked, counterattacked. In the end, Abraão delivered a spinning cut that brought Jhonatam to his knees.
Judge: "End! Victory to Abraão!"
Jhonatam got up, spitting on the ground. "This isn't over." He looked at Lia. "You still have time to pick the right side."
Lia: "I already did."
As the group celebrated, a girl appeared at the edge of the arena. Tall, short black hair with a red streak, dark gray eyes, wearing the Eclipse Black Dojo uniform.
Saori Oshiro.
She stared at Abraão for a few seconds, her expression cold. Then she spoke loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Interesting… the Great Dojo of the Eternal Blades still has students who fight like kids. The Eclipse Black is gonna love watching this fall."
She turned her back and walked away, not waiting for a response.
Liora whispered: "Who is she?"
Abraão: "I don't know… but I didn't like the way she looked at us."
Hermione Kurosawa watched everything from afar, wand in hand, not approaching.
Around noon, lunch in the dining hall. Hot root soup, fresh bread, lunar fruits. They sat together.
Lia: "You were incredible… seriously."
Abraão: "It was for you guys."
Liora: "I'm so proud! Abraão-nii is the best!"
The afternoon continued with light training: reviewing movements, chatting about the fight. Murata praised: "Good work… you used what I taught you well."
Night fell around 6:30 p.m. Dinner: light soup, bread, fruits. They sat on the veranda.
Lia rested her head on Abraão's shoulder. "Thanks for today."
Liora fell asleep in his lap.
Abraão looked up at the moons. Tomorrow's gonna be even heavier… but we'll handle it.
His phone buzzed. Mission: "Win a challenge. Post a victory photo."
Reward: +2 levels (88). "Combat Instinct" (+5% reaction in official fights).
Abraão pocketed the phone. Thought: Let's go… together.