The dawn painted the academy’s sparring grounds in soft, muted hues. A gentle mist lingered over the field, giving the space an ethereal quality. Luna stood alone, her breath visible in the crisp morning air, waiting for Elara to arrive. She had barely slept, her mind replaying yesterday’s spar, overthinking every movement, every word. Now, with only the whispering trees and the distant call of birds for company, the tension within her rose.

Footsteps approached from the path leading to the arena. Luna turned to see Elara, her silhouette cutting through the mist with a calm grace. Elara’s attire was more relaxed than usual—a simple, fitted shirt and dark pants, allowing her freedom of movement. She carried no visible weapon, her only accessory the confident expression on her face.

“Good morning, Luna,” Elara greeted her, her voice warm yet measured. She set down a small bag on the side of the ring, then took a few moments to assess the sparring grounds, as though weighing the perfect starting point for their lesson.

“Good morning, Instructor,” Luna replied, her voice tinged with nervousness.

Elara shook her head with a gentle smile. “Just call me Elara. I want you to feel at ease, Luna. This is as much your time to explore as it is mine to teach.”

Luna nodded, letting the formality slip from her mind. She focused on steadying her breath, feeling the ground beneath her feet, anchoring herself. Elara approached her slowly, her eyes examining Luna’s posture with a discerning gaze.

“Before we begin, let me make one thing clear,” Elara began, folding her arms. “I don’t want you to hold back. I know there’s a part of you that resists showing your full capability. Out here, in this lesson, that resistance won’t serve you.”

Luna bit her lip, struggling with how much to reveal. But Elara’s gaze was patient, encouraging without pressing. She nodded. “Understood.”

“Good.” Elara stepped back and motioned for Luna to take a stance. “Let’s start with something simple. Show me the foundation of your fighting stance. How you position yourself tells me a lot about your fighting approach.”

Luna settled into a stance, centering her balance and keeping her weight light on her feet. She didn’t know if she should start with something overly basic, but she decided to follow her instinct, positioning herself in a stance rooted in agility rather than force.

Elara tilted her head, studying the subtleties of Luna’s form. After a moment, she nodded approvingly. “Interesting choice. I see you’re naturally inclined toward fluidity rather than brute strength. But let’s see how you hold up under pressure.”

With a swift motion, Elara lunged forward, sending a low, controlled strike toward Luna’s midsection. Luna reacted instantly, sidestepping and blocking with her forearm, deflecting the strike with precision rather than force. Elara’s hand halted, just inches from Luna’s arm.

“Good,” Elara murmured, smiling. “You rely on precision—very wise, but there’s something more in your movements, almost… reserved. As if you’re fighting against yourself.” She circled Luna, her eyes sharp. “Have you ever trained with weights?”

Luna shook her head. “No. I rely on agility and speed, mostly.”

“That’s a start, but you may find strength can enhance speed, especially if controlled,” Elara remarked thoughtfully. “Let’s try a series of controlled strikes, and focus purely on your reaction time.”

Elara stepped back, her body loose but coiled with energy, a calm focus in her eyes that Luna had never seen. She began with simple attacks—jabs, feints, and low sweeps. Luna dodged each one, feeling the rhythm of Elara’s movements and matching her pace.

Then, Elara’s attacks grew faster, sharper. She aimed a high strike toward Luna’s shoulder, following with a low kick. Luna blocked, redirecting the force with minimal contact, her body responding almost by instinct. But as she blocked the kick, she felt Elara’s strength surge subtly, testing her stance.

“Balance, Luna,” Elara reminded her gently. “In real combat, you won’t have time to adjust yourself perfectly. Every strike should allow you to return to your center, no matter the direction.”

Luna adjusted, recalling Elara’s words as she continued to parry. Slowly, she began to incorporate Elara’s guidance, focusing on each strike’s after-effect. Her movements became smoother, more grounded, each block and counter flowing into the next. Elara’s nod of approval spurred her on, encouraging her to let loose.

After a few minutes, Elara stepped back and raised a hand, signaling for a pause. “You’re getting better with each exchange,” she observed, her tone pleased. “But there’s a hesitation in your blocks, as though you’re holding back something.”

Luna hesitated, uncertain of how much she could explain without revealing her true abilities. But Elara’s gaze softened, inviting trust. “Think of this as a place to shed your fears, Luna,” she urged quietly. “Combat isn’t just about physical skill—it’s about self-trust, letting go of everything holding you back.”

Luna felt a surge of courage, and before she could second-guess herself, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll try.”

Elara smiled, then took a new stance, raising her hands to demonstrate a sequence. “Watch closely,” she instructed. “These are rapid-rotation strikes, designed to counter multiple opponents while keeping your core steady. If done right, they’ll make your speed feel effortless.”

Elara launched into a fluid series of strikes, her movements hypnotic in their precision and grace. Each strike was calculated, balanced, and she moved in a circle, her hands a blur. When she finished, she looked at Luna expectantly.

“Try it,” she encouraged. “And remember, keep your core steady.”

Luna took a deep breath and mimicked Elara’s stance, her body tensing as she prepared. She began the series, her hands cutting through the air in calculated arcs. She could feel her core tighten, her balance becoming a steady anchor as she moved. There was a rhythm to it, a natural flow that Elara’s technique unlocked within her.

Elara watched closely, a hint of pride in her eyes as Luna completed the sequence. “Excellent. I knew you had it in you,” she said warmly. “Now, let’s add some speed.”

They ran through the strikes again, faster each time. Luna’s heart raced, her body tingling with exhilaration as she matched Elara’s pace. She could feel her limits expanding, her body responding with a strength and agility she hadn’t fully accessed before.

After several repetitions, they paused, both breathing heavily. Elara chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Not bad for a first lesson,” she teased. “You’re picking this up faster than I expected.”

Luna smiled, her confidence swelling. “It’s because I have a great teacher.”

Elara’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Luna saw a deeper warmth in her gaze. “Thank you, Luna,” she murmured. “And remember, in our lessons, you’re free to be yourself. Whatever you’re hiding—it’s safe with me.”

The words resonated in Luna, stirring a fierce gratitude and trust she hadn’t felt before. She felt an urge to open up, to reveal her powers, but the thought terrified her. Instead, she nodded, silently vowing to honor this connection, to protect the fragile bond growing between them.

“Same time tomorrow?” Elara asked as she gathered her things.

“Yes,” Luna replied, her voice steady, filled with anticipation.

As Elara was leaving, she paused, glancing back at Luna. “By the way, we should exchange contact information. If we’re training like this more often, it’ll make coordination easier.”

Luna felt a small thrill as she fished her phone from her pocket. They quickly exchanged numbers, a simple gesture that somehow solidified the trust and connection she felt with her instructor.

“Yes,” Luna replied, her voice steady, filled with anticipation.

As Elara’s figure disappeared down the path, Luna lingered, her mind racing with the lesson’s intensity and Elara’s words. The academy was stirring to life around her as she finally left, the first rays of sunlight breaking through the mist, illuminating her path. With a heart full of promise, Luna knew this was just the beginning.