Scene – The next day. The weather is clear—no more rain. We see Era walking through the forest, heading toward the same abandoned mansion where he left the kids yesterday.

Era (thinking):
“Alright… I’ve made my decision. I’ll train them myself. They need to become both mentally and physically strong. That’s the kind of training I’ll give them. Let’s go.”

Scene – Era arrives at the mansion. It’s a massive structure—orange at the top, with white and black on the lower floors. Many of its windows and walls are broken. The inside is dark due to no electricity.

Scene – From the shadows of the mansion, four figures appear—A1, A2, A3, and A4.

A1:
“Welcome back, Nightmare.”

A2, A3, A4 (in unison):
“Welcome back, Nightmare!”

Era (noticing A1 standing in front):
“So… looks like you chose A1 as your team leader?”

A1:
“Yes.”

Era:
“Alright then. Your training begins today. Let’s get started.”

Scene – Inside the dark hall of the mansion, all four kids are sitting cross-legged on the floor in silence. They are meditating, while Era watches over them.

Era:
“Focus all your attention on your breath. Complete control.
Once that’s done, we’ll begin training to strengthen both your body and your mind.
No one is allowed to lose focus. Keep your attention steady.”

Scene – Everyone begins deep breathing, concentrating hard. The room is silent except for calm exhales.

Era (stern tone):
“Good. Stay focused. You’ll keep at this for three hours.”

Scene – Time passes. If anyone loses focus, they’re punished with five punches. The mental discipline is brutal.

Scene – After three hours...

Era:
“Okay… time’s up. Everyone, stand up. You’ve got four minutes. Rest, drink water if needed. After that, next phase begins.”

Everyone:
“Yes, Nightmare!”

Scene – A1, A2, and A3 collapse to the ground, exhausted, trying to catch their breath. A4 grabs some water.

Scene – Four minutes pass.

Era:
“Break time’s over. Everyone outside.”

Scene – They step outside. The sun is blazing, and the heat is intense.

A3 (confused):
“Why are we out here in this heat?”

Era:
“Because this is where your next training begins.”

A2:
“Training… in this sun?”

Era:
“Each of you—go stand beside a tree.”

Scene – They do as told, each standing beside a different tree.

A1:
“What now?”

Era (calmly):
“Punch the tree.”

Everyone:
“Huh?!”

Era:
“You heard me right. Punch the tree—
Make sure the punch lands exactly at your shoulder height.
Don’t stop until your fist leaves a perfect mark on the tree.”

Everyone:
“Yes, Nightmare!”

Scene – They begin punching. At first, their fists hit the right height. But gradually, the punches drop lower.

Era (correcting them):
“A4, your punches are falling too low.
A2, you’re too slow. Speed up a little!”

Scene – After 30 minutes of continuous punching... their knuckles are red and bleeding. Skin torn.

Era:
“Stop.”

A1 (groaning):
“Aahh...!”

A2 (collapsing):
“Aaagghhh... finally...!”

A3 (barely standing):
“Aiiiighh... ahhh...!”

A4 (shaking):
“Auuuhhhh… I can’t take anymore...”

A1 (panting):
“Nightmare… this training… it’s too much… too harsh...!”

Era (serious tone):
“I know. But if you can’t endure this pain now,
how will you face the pain that awaits in the future?
The missions ahead will bring even greater pain.”

A3:
“Ughhh... but it hurts so much right now...
Please, just give us a break!”

Era (smirking slightly):
“No problem. We have an entire year.
We’ll take it step by step.”

A2 (grateful):
“Haahh... Th-thank you, Nightmare...”

Era:
“Rest for now. I’m leaving.
Oh—and today’s homework:
You must walk on your toes for the rest of the day.”

Everyone:
“Whaaat?!”

Era:
“Bye.”

Scene – Era walks away as the four of them collapse on the ground in pain and exhaustion.

Scene – Back at Era’s house. He steps inside.

Era:
“I’m home.”

Yumi (his mom) (yelling from inside):
“Where were you all this time?! Out playing again, weren’t you?!
And what about your studies?! You used to get such good marks—
Now you’re scoring 30, 35 out of 80!
What happened to you?!
You’ve gotten too much freedom with your phone and outside roaming!
Should I take your phone away so you start studying again?!”

Era (hesitant):
“W-wait, Mom... At least let me come in first—”

Scene – He’s still standing near the door.

Yumi:
“And what will you do after coming in, huh?!”

Era (mumbling):
“Okay fine! I’ll go study… after eating.”

Yumi:
“No food until you study for 1 hour!
You’ve been out for 5 hours, now you’ll study for 1 hour first, then eat.
After that, you’ll study for another 5 hours!
Only then you’ll get your phone or permission to go out!”

Era:
“But—!”

Yumi (cuts him off):
“Ammm!!”

Era (defeated):
“Alright… fine!”

Scene – Era walks to his room, opens his book, and starts studying.

[End of Chapter 2]