The next morning, the buzzing phone alarm rattled on the nightstand. Kurashi woke up to the soft rays of the sun filtering through the sliding paper doors of his new room. The air within the house seemed to carry a timeless tranquility, setting a peaceful effect on the day ahead. The tatami flooring felt cool under his feet as he moved through the quiet room. Sliding the bedroom door open, Kurashi took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of grilled fish and miso soup. The smell spreading through the whole kitchen. As Kurashi walked over and sat down at the kitchen table, he noticed a handwritten note beside his breakfast. Kurashi picked up the note analyzing what it said.

"Mornin' Kurashi, training will start at 8:30 a.m near the cliff edge where we originally met at. There's some breakfast I made, so eat up. You're going to need it for today".

He set the note down, and looked down at the meal. With the breakfast cold from the time sitting out, Kurashi put it in the microwave. After reheating the food, Kurashi sat back down to eat. He ate mechanically, the flavors blending with the dissonance of his own thoughts. After finishing his meal, Kurashi returned to his room to get ready, changing from sleep-wear to more suitable clothes for training. Putting the strap over his shoulder, the sheathe laid on his back. He tightened the strap, and slid the katana in before leaving the house.

The crisp morning breeze greeted him as he came out of the house. He silently wandered through the streets, the cool air refreshing him during the walk. The streets echoed with activity—blacksmiths crafting weapons, dojos filled with students training, kids running through the streets, and shop stands making batches of food.

Upon reaching the cliff edge, Kurashi found Hikari in the midst of shadow boxing, his movements fluid and precise. With his keen perception, Hikari noticed Kurashi's presence, and turned around to greet him.

Hikari said, "What's up, you ready to start?", his demeanor a mixture of camaraderie and focused intensity.

"Yeah, I think so...", Kurashi responded in a monotonous tone.

Hikari stated, "Good to hear, I want you to start by stretching. I don't want you catching a cramp mid-training.", in a half-suppressed laugh.

Kurashi asked in a dull tone, "What are we going to be doing?", not finding humor in the statement Hikari made.

"I'm glad you asked, your training regiment consists of a 4-mile run, 600 push-ups , and a 45 minute sparring session. Simple is it not?", Hikari replied.

The training began and despite being in good physical shape, Kurashi still found the training physically demanding. The 4-mile run pushed Kurashi to his limits, every breathless step becoming blurred by the lack of oxygen. The push-ups also proved challenging, with each burning repetition pushing his muscles further to their limits. After finishing his workout, drained from the exertion, he kneeled to the ground to catch his breath.

"Now that the warm-up is over, it's time to get to the real training.", Hikari said while walking over to Kurashi.

"Warm-up?", Kurashi questioned to himself.

"Stand up Kurashi, the session starts now.", Hikari said in a commanding tone.

Kurashi slowly stood up, his legs still weak from the 4-mile run.

"Draw your sword.", Hikari ordered as he pulled his kunai out of his leg holster.

Kurashi gradually slid his katana out of the sheathe, letting it hang off by his right side. Hikari proceeded to flip his kunai to a reverse grip, holding it in front of his face. A sudden spark of blue electricity then appeared from under Hikari, and before Kurashi could blink, Hikari was already behind him.

It was only when he felt a warmth dripping from his chest that Kurashi realized that he had been cut. Slowly touching his chest with his left hand, Kurashi looked down to see that his fingertips became stained with blood. Glancing over his shoulder, Hikari stood there, the blue electricity crackling around his body.

"Don't let your guard down, vigilance will be the difference between life and death.", Hikari said in a stern voice.

In a flash, Hikari continued to strike with blinding speed, his attacks coming from all angles. Unable to withstand the perpetual attacks, Kurashi eventually fell to the ground, his eyes slowly closing.

Looking down at Kurashi, Hikari states in slight disappointment, "Is this truly where you fall?".

After concealing his kunai in his holster, Hikari turned around to walked away, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. However, as he began to walk away, he glanced back to find Kurashi, bloodied and battered, attempting to stand once more. There was a flicker of surprise in Hikari's gaze, an acknowledgment of Kurashi's resilience.

"You just don't know when to quit.", Hikari stated while flipping his kunai back out.

Kurashi, struggling to keep himself up, gripped his katana tightly with both hands. With one last strike, Hikari dashed back at him to deal the final blow. In a split second, Kurashi deflected the oncoming strike, his senses momentarily sharpened. With a swift motion, Kurashi countered with an ascending slash, the blade of his katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. In a burst of speed, Hikari evaded the lingering attack. Despite the effort, Kurashi succumbed to his wounds, collapsing to the ground.

"He deflected my attack...without any prior training?", Hikari questioned to himself in a serious tone.

As Kurashi slowly regained his consciousness, the sterile scent of the hospital filled his senses. He laid still in bed, his bandaged body heavy from the intense training. The room was dimly lit, with a single window casting a soft glow onto the pale walls. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor providing a backdrop to the silence that enveloped the room.

"You awake Kurashi?", Hikari asked with concern.

Kurashi turned his gaze slightly to the right, noticing Hikari sitting in a chair nearby, his expression a mix of worry and relief. Kurashi's gaze slowly drifted back towards the ceiling. A nurse then entered the room, fitted with a long white medical coat. She held a notepad in her left hand, pen poised to record any pertinent information.

"Sir Aoirai, will you please be more careful with your future training. We don't need unnecessary injuries within the base.", the nurse said gently.

"I know, I'm sorry for causing an inconvenience.", Hikari replied.

"The wounds were fatal...excessive for just mere training. Though thankfully, he is recovering rather quickly. The wounds should be healed within a few days.", the nurse stated.

Hikari nodded, an acknowledgment of the nurse's words.

"Now if you will excuse me, I will be going now.", the nurse said before leaving the room, her footsteps muffled by the sterile floor.

A silence envelops the room, broken only by the distant hum of medical equipment.

"Kurashi, what you're going through...it's essential.", Hikari stated with a sympathetic tone.

"Why?", Kurashi said in a quiet tone.

"I've already told you...the vast potential you have is only obtainable by putting in the proper training. It won't be easy, but nothing of value ever is.", Hikari said as he stood up from the chair and walked to the door.

Hand on the door handle, Hikari stated, "Rest well, Kurashi", before walking out of the room.