“In the School Garden” 

Teo lied on one of the benches in the garden, gazing at the clouds in the sky and thinking about his conversation with Tyr. "I didn't even scratch him. He could see through my illusion." 

Teo closed his eyes and began to recall his mother's words to him in the hospital. 

Teo's Mother: You were just lucky. You weren't born strong like your father. That's why you won't be able to determine your own future. 

Teo heard someone speaking to him. 

Evan: Why do you look so miserable? It might rain today, and you’re not even wearing a coat. 

Teo opened his eyes and lifted his head to see who is talking. It's Evan. Teo sit up and leaned back against the bench. 

Teo: I... I don't want to talk. Excuse me. 

Evan sit beside Teo, crossing his right leg over his left. 

Evan: Man, your fight against Sam was amazing. Winning against him without any aura enhancement... you're really talented. Did you learn to fight somewhere? 

Teo (thinking): He seems like a good person... Should I trust him? Teo: My name is Teo. Sorry I wasn't polite to you before. 

Evan put both hands behind his head. 

Evan: Man, don't worry about it. I'm Evan from the second grade. You can call me "Eve." 

Teo turned to him. 

Teo: Why are you so interested in getting to know me? 

Evan: Let's see... Well, I'm someone who has nothing to do in this world. (smirking) Or maybe I have other reasons. Hehe. But when I saw you act with confidence and toughness, trying to assert control, and then defeat that fool with your abilities hidden... 

Teo grabbed Evan by his shirt. 

Teo: How did you know that?! 

Evan: You need to calm down. ( He pushed Teo's hand away) Man, you need to control yourself. 

Teo: S-sorry... Is my ability really that obvious? 

Evan: Of course not. Your ability is hidden excellently. I could give you an A+ for hiding it, but the thing is... I could see it. 

Teo: But... how? 

Evan put his finger to his lips. 

Evan: That's a secret. 

Teo leaned back in the chair again. 

Teo: I see. Sorry. 

Evan lightly punched Teo's shoulder. 

Evan: Man, cheer up a bit. Why do you look so defeated? 

Teo (thinking): Should I tell him?  

Teo: Actually... I want to ask you something. 

Evan: Go ahead. 

Teo: How can I activate my aura? 

Evan: Let's see... It takes a few days of practice. You'll need to train your ability as well. You have to push beyond your body's limits. 

Teo (excitedly): Does that mean I can learn it? 

Evan: Of course, you can. In fact, you can activate it faster than anyone else, but you'll need to train under an expert. 

Teo clenched his hand and looked at it in frustration. 

Teo: So, how did you learn it? 

Evan looked away, gazing at the sky. 

Evan: Don't worry, I can teach you myself. 

Teo: R-really? But can you really do that? 

Evan chuckled. 

Evan: Of course, but it’s not easy at all. But why are you suddenly talking about aura enhancement? 

Teo pressed his palms together. 

Teo: I... I want to become stronger... (I don't want anyone to call me weak again.) I... I want (I don't want to be seen as useless.) I want to win without ever losing! 

Evan is silent for a few seconds, then said: That sounds fun. Do you want to try now? 

Teo: Try what? 

Evan: Let's train together. I'll evaluate your level today. Follow me. 

Evan stood up and walked, with Teo following him. 

Teo: Where are we going? 

Evan: To the best training spots! 

They arrived behind the main building. 

Teo looked around, finding the place dirty, full of dust, and littered with garbage. 

Teo: Are you kidding me? This place is cursed. 

Evan: Man, this is where you'll build yourself up to the sky! ( He took off his coat and threw it on the ground) Now tell me, have you trained in any martial arts? 

Teo: N-no. 

Evan: You looked great back there. Are you sure you haven’t trained before? Your targeting of the nose and your quick thinking weren't the work of a beginner. 

Teo: I used to do some simple exercises, but I’ve never trained in any martial arts. 

Evan: I see. (He rolled up his sleeves and took a fighting stance, putting his right hand forward) Come at me with everything you've got, Teo. 

Teo: Are you sure? 

Evan lifted his right foot slightly, then stomps it on the ground with a loud thud. 

Teo flinched and covered his ears. 

Teo: W-what was that? 

Evan raised his voice, smiling broadly. 

Evan: Come on, I said advance! 

Teo hesitated at first, standing still for a few seconds, then finally rushed towards Evan, punching him in the face. But to Teo's surprise, Evan remained unaffected. 

Teo: W-why didn't you react? 

Evan's smile fades. 

Evan: If you're planning to take someone down, you can't do it with a punch like that. When you punch me, your whole body needs to be in harmony. Using just your hand? That's nonsense. Watch this, Teo. 

Evan stood facing the wall in front of him, then positioned his feet apart, stepped forward, and punched the wall with his left hand, producing a loud sound. 

Teo stands amazed (This sound... this punch could kill anyone). 

Evan moved his hand away from the wall, blood dripping from his knuckles. 

Evan: Look closely. What do you see? 

A crack appeared on the wall beneath Evan's fist, forming a small hole. 

Teo is stunned by Evan's strength. 

Teo: Y-you cracked the wall... You didn't use your ability... or that aura enhancement... did you? 

Evan: Man, if I used my aura, this wall would have fallen without even injuring my fist. Did you see how my body moved? I didn't just step forward, draw back my fist, and release it. I shifted my weight between my feet, turned my waist to align with the punch, and pushed with my shoulder and arm. My fist wasn’t fully clenched. Honestly, executing a perfect punch like this during a fight is tough. There’s no time to pull your fist back like I did. You'll only think about taking down your opponent without putting yourself in too much danger, just like you did. 

Teo: W-what do you mean? 

Evan: You acted on your natural instincts against Sam. You knew if you didn’t end the fight quickly... you’d lose. So, you didn't bother creating something big to defeat him. You acted as fast as you could, and when you were about to fail, you figured out the next point to hit. Even with constant, grueling training, developing such instincts is hard. That’s why I admire your abilities... you have the instinct to become strong. 

Teo scratched his head, embarrassed. 

Teo: N-no, I think I could have done better using the illusion as we-- 

Evan interrupted him while wiping the blood from his fist. 

Evan: But relying entirely on illusions like that won't get you anywhere. From now on, forget you even have that ability. We need to hone your body first. 

Teo: I-I understand-- 

Evan interrupts him again. 

Evan: Now let’s take this seriously. I won’t train you until you declare war. 

Teo: W-war? 

Evan: Yes! Tomorrow, after school ends, go to Harit, the second-year student ranked number twenty, and schedule a fight with him for two weeks from now. 

Teo: Are you kidding me? You're trying to get me into trouble... Listen, I’m not in the mood for this. Will you teach me or should I figure it out myself? 

Evan: Man, don't misunderstand me. You're already talented. You have the instincts to fight even in gang alleys with high stakes, but you're not a genius. It will take years to learn it alone. (smiles again, extending his right hand to Teo) I can teach you everything I know. 

Teo: You really scare me. 

Evan: You could even compete with the elite in just two months of training with me... or even the masters. 

Teo was silent for a moment, then responded. 

Teo: I'll think about it. 

Evan: The deadline is tomorrow. If you don't do as I say... I'll pretend I never talked to you. 

Teo: Okay, okay, whatever... Can I ask you something? 

Evan: Of course, go ahead. 

Teo: What is... your rank? 

Evan: My rank? Let's see... it was... I forgot. (He laughed loudly) Let me check. (pressed a button on his watch and showed it to Teo) Here it is. 

Teo is shocked and amazed after glancing at Evan's watch. 

(It started to rain) 

Evan picked up his coat from the ground and sheltered himself with it. 

Evan: Oh God! Damn, how I hate the rain! 

Teo: I'll be going now, Evan. Nice meeting you. 

Evan followed Teo. 

Evan: W-wait, hold on-- (trips and falls) 

Teo and Tyr's Room 

Teo entered the room and finds Tyr holding his phone and playing a game. 

Tyr: Damn, you idiots! Attack with me, why am I always playing alone? We're supposed to be five against five-- (looks up at Teo, then continues playing silently) 

Teo went to the bathroom to change his wet clothes, then came out and lied on his bed, holding his phone and seeing three unread messages from Emma. 

• How's your first day? 

• Do your best, Janet will catch up with you the day after tomorrow! 

• (cat emoji) 

Teo closed his phone and shut his eyes (Emma messaged me, but my mom didn't... she must be really mad at me. (remembers his mother calling him weak) That's enough... I want to take a break from this). 

Teo closed his eyes. 

The Next Day After School in the Second Grade 

Evan stretched on his chair, yawning (It seems he didn't come after all. I thought he’d be filled with determination and resolve, or at least a little excited... I feel really disappointed. I need to find another way--). 

Teo kicked the door, then entered with his hands in his pockets, turning to Evan and then pointing at Harith. 

Teo: You, the one ranked twenty or whatever, here I am in front of your audience, and I say it to everyone. (glances at Evan from the corner of his eye, then back at Harit) Two weeks from today, I'll kick your ass in an official match just like I did with your pet.