With a command from Farbauti, Hela immediately pushed forward with all her might, but Mavuika's stance remained as steady as a rock.
Hela was surprised to find that her seemingly gentle elder sister actually possessed such immense strength.
"Your feet are shaking," Mavuika said softly. "Power rises from the feet, passes through the legs, waist, and back, and then to the arms. You aren't just pushing me with your hands; you must use your entire body."
Hela frowned, adjusted her posture, and tried again.
This time, Mavuika clearly felt a stronger push, but she still caught it steadily.
"Very good!" she encouraged. "Now, feel my push."
Mavuika did not use her full strength, only applying forward pressure as a demonstration.
Hela was able to resist at first, but she soon lost her balance and stumbled back a step.
"You lost!" a boy nearby shouted.
Hela's face instantly flushed red, and a light of refusal to lose flashed in her eyes.
Mavuika immediately raised her hand. "Instructor, it was my foot that moved. Consider this my loss."
Farbauti had seen the whole process. He gave Mavuika a deep look but did not expose her, merely nodding. "Continue practicing."
During the break, Hela pulled Mavuika aside and asked in a low voice, "Why did you admit defeat just now? It was clearly me who moved first."
"Because winning a practice match is not as important as helping you understand how to truly stand firm," Mavuika said, handing Hela a cup of Water.
"Anger and impatience will make you overlook the real lesson. Do you remember the feeling from just now? The difference between when you were solid and when you were off-balance?"
Hela took a large gulp of Water, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "When I stand firm, I feel the power transmitting all the way to my hands. When I shake, the power dissipates halfway."
"Exactly," Mavuika smiled. "So Instructor Farbauti is right: the foundation is everything."
Hela looked at her elder sister and suddenly said, "Sometimes you talk like Mother, but sometimes you're like Father."
Mavuika's heart stirred slightly, but she only patted her younger sister's shoulder. "I'm just your elder sister. Come on, the second round is about to begin."
In the following training, Hela was clearly more focused.
She was no longer eager for quick results, but instead practiced every basic movement seriously.
Mavuika stayed by her side, sometimes demonstrating and sometimes giving soft pointers.
On the high platform, Odin took all of this in, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"They are very special, aren't they?" Frigga's voice came from behind him.
She had arrived at the training ground at some point and stood quietly beside her husband.
"Mavuika possesses wisdom and composure beyond her years," Odin said slowly. "The way she guides Hela is not like sisters, but more like..."
"More like a mentor, a leader," Frigga added, her tone carrying a hint of pride.
"And Hela, she has great potential; she just needs proper guidance."
"They complement each other," Odin said. "But if one side is too outstanding, it might cause the other to lose balance."
"They will find balance," Frigga held her husband's hand. "Because they have each other."
On the field, the training drew to a close.
Farbauti had all the apprentices demonstrate the basic steps they had learned today. When it was Hela's turn, her movements still carried her characteristic sense of power, but they were much more stable.
When it was Mavuika's turn, every one of her movements was as precise as if measured, yet remained natural and fluid.
"The best performers today are Princess Mavuika and Princess Hela," Farbauti finally announced.
A brilliant smile appeared on Hela's face as she turned to Mavuika, her eyes filled with pure joy. Mavuika also smiled, a smile as warm as sunshine.
After training, the two sisters walked side by side on the way back to the palace.
The setting sun dyed the sky of Asgard golden-red, and the Bifrost Bridge shimmered with a faint light in the distance.
"Sister..." Hela suddenly said. "One day, I will become even stronger than you."
"I believe you," Mavuika said sincerely. "And I will be happy for it."
"But even if I am stronger, you are still my sister," Hela added, with a kind of childish earnestness.
Mavuika stopped, turned to face her younger sister, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Always, Hela. Regardless of strength, regardless of victory or defeat, we will always be sisters."
Hela nodded vigorously, then pointed to the distant mountains. "When we grow up, I want to conquer there, and there, and everywhere the Bifrost Bridge can reach!"
Mavuika looked in the direction she was pointing and said with a smile, "Oh? That won't be easy."
"But I can definitely do it!"
"Haha, then let's work hard together!"
...
Asgard's festival is held every ten years and is one of the most important traditional festivals in the God Realm.
At that time, the energy flow of the entire realm will reach its peak for the year, and the light of the stars will penetrate the golden dome of the Eternal City, projecting ancient magic circle patterns in specific temples.
This year's festival is particularly special because Odin's two princesses will officially participate for the first time.
"Mother, do we really have to dress so formally?" Hela tugged at the layers of her ceremonial gown, her dark green eyes full of reluctance.
The ceremonial gown was woven from the lightest Star Yarn of Vanaheim and adorned with shimmering glimmers, but for Hela, who was used to moving freely, this outfit was simply a form of torture.
Frigga smiled as she arranged the crystal hair ornaments in her hair. "The festival is a sacred ritual, Hela. This is your first appearance as princesses before the envoys of the Nine Realms."
On the other side, Mavuika stood quietly, allowing the maids to dress her.
Her gown was similar in style to Hela's but in a warm golden tone that complemented her amber eyes.
When a maid tried to place a small golden crown on her head, she shook her head gently.
"No need for this, thank you." Her voice was gentle but firm.
Frigga walked over and studied her eldest daughter. "Mavuika, this golden crown symbolizes your status as the Eldest Princess of Asgard."
"I understand, Mother." Mavuika looked up, her gaze clear. "But tonight's focus should be the festival itself, not us. And..."
She looked at Hela and smiled slightly. "If one of us wears a golden crown and the other doesn't, what will people think?"
Frigga was stunned for a moment, and then a light of admiration flashed in her eyes.
She turned and took out two identical forehead chains set with Starstones from a jewelry box and placed them on each of her daughters' foreheads.
"Then this will do," the Queen said with satisfaction. "Both solemn and equal."
Hela made a face at Mavuika and silently mouthed "thank you," to which Mavuika responded with a smile.
The festival was held in the Starry Sky Temple. When Odin's family arrived, the temple was already filled with important figures from all walks of life in Asgard, as well as envoys from other realms of the Nine Realms.
The Vanir sent a high-ranking delegation, the Frost Giants sent a low-profile observation team, the Light Elves' envoy emitted a soft glow, and Dwarf King Eitri was present in person, his robust frame particularly conspicuous in the crowd.
Odin stepped onto the Main Altar, holding the Eternal Spear gungnir.