Corrupted Throne

She was so mean, Regan muttered to himself, dragging his feet along the narrow trail, fists clenched tight.

"I'll humble her one day... I'll make her mine. But first—I need to get strong. Strong enough to beat Vairan."

The words barely left his lips when a harsh, rhythmic sound caught his attention—THUD. THUD. THUD.

Metal striking stone. Over and over. Sharp and relentless.

Regan's brows furrowed.

"What the hell is that noise?"

He followed the echo, stepping cautiously between twisted trees and broken roots—until the clearing opened before him.

His breath caught.

There—Vairan stood alone in a storm of fury, his monstrous double axes blurring through the air as they slammed again and again into a massive boulder. The sheer force cracked the stone with each blow, splinters and dust flying.

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" Vairan bellowed like a beast possessed, eyes wild with rage.

"If it weren't for that damn Cladwill, I'd have *ended* Kairoz by now!" he shouted, his voice unhinged.

With one final, thunderous roar, he lifted both axes high—and brought them crashing down.

CRACK!

The boulder shattered, pieces scattering like bones across the clearing.

Vairan stood panting, chest heaving, sweat soaking through his tunic. His eyes scanned the forest like a predator searching for prey.

"This whole fortress…" he growled.

"…is filled with weaklings. Losers. I swear—I might just kill someone if they keep testing me."

Regan froze behind a tree, heart pounding, his skin cold with sweat.

How… how am I supposed to beat someone like that?

He took a slow step back, hoping to retreat unnoticed.

Then—

WHOOSH!

An axe whistled through the air embedding itself in the tree just inches from his head.

The blade quivered, humming with violent energy.

Regan stood paralyzed, eyes wide, breath locked in his throat.

Vairan started walking toward him.

Regan remained frozen—paralyzed completely.

He's coming toward me…

With each step Vairan took, **a suffocating aura pressed down on him**—thick, heavy, and unmistakably lethal. It clung to the air like smoke before fire.

This is death, Regan thought, eyes trembling.

Vairan stopped just a few feet away.

Regan's breath hitched.

What do I do?

His knees shook, his body locked up—then warmth trickled down his leg.

He had pissed himself.

Tears stung his eyes—whether from terror or humiliation, even he couldn't tell.

Then—

DING! DING!

The fortress bell rang in the distance—clear and sharp, slicing through the tension like a blade.

Vairan blinked once. Then he scoffed.

"Get lost," he muttered with a look of disgust, turning away like Regan wasn't even worth fighting.

He yanked his axe free from the tree in one smooth motion and began walking back toward the fortress, his silhouette fading into the forest light.

Regan collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath—his pride shattered, but his fear unforgettable.

Same time, at the training grounds...

Drex's massive fist slammed into Duke's gut.

"Ughhh!"

Duke dropped to his knees, coughing hard, breath knocked out of him.

Drex stepped back, shaking out his knuckles with a smirk.

"Uff, uff... Still wanna continue?" he asked, his voice calm but taunting.

"Woo! Wooo! He beat him again!" Samaira yelled from the sidelines, her voice filled with awe.

"Jack, man—when it comes to hand-to-hand, he's a monster!"

Jack nodded slowly, eyes wide.

"Yeah… Drex fights like a damn war machine."

Drex turned to Duke and gave him a rare nod.

"You're doing well, Duke. You too, Jack. You both got guts."

But Duke collapsed fully onto the dirt, gasping.

"Ugh… ufff…"

"Hey—look!" Samaira suddenly pointed toward the entrance to the grounds.

"Touka's coming!"

Heads turned.

"Hey! What are you guys doing?" Touka called out sharply, approaching with her arms crossed. "Didn't you hear the bell just now?"

"Huh? We heard it," Samaira replied, confused. "But... what was it for?"

"Yeah," Jack added, glancing around. "No one told us anything."

Touka sighed. "They're calling us in. I think it's for next session."

"*What?* Already?" Samaira groaned, rubbing her forehead.

"We should head back to the fortress," Drex said, dusting off his palms. "No point risking punishment."

"Yeah, you're right," Jack agreed quickly. "I don't wanna end up on another duty list."

"Wait—Touka and I already have punishment left," Samaira muttered under her breath.

With a mix of urgency and exhaustion, the group gathered their weapons.

"Hey, Duke, get up," Jack called out, glancing down at him. "We've gotta move, man. Where's my sword—?"

"I can't…" Duke groaned from the ground, face grimacing. "My body's not moving. I'm done for today."

Touka stood nearby, silent.

"Man, I can't even lift my arms," Duke muttered.

Without a word, Touka stepped forward and held out her hand.

Duke looked up at her—surprised.

Then, slowly, he reached out and took her hand. She pulled him to his feet.

"Thanks, Touka," Duke said softly, his voice sincere. "I really needed that."

Touka glanced at him, then turned. "We're already late. Let's go."

Duke gave a tired but grateful smile. "Yeah... let's go."

"Hey, wait—where's my sword?" Jack looked around frantically.

He spotted it leaning against a boulder.

"There! Got it!" Jack yelled, sprinting over and grabbing it.

He ran after the others, waving.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

All thirty recruits gathered at the gates of Bastionspire Fortress, their footsteps echoing across the stone courtyard.

Standing tall with his arms folded, Ron Clarson awaited them—his gaze sharp, posture firm as ever.

"So," he began in a commanding tone, "I assume all of you have gotten familiar with your weapons by now?"

"Yes, sir!" the group responded in unison, voices loud and clear.

Ron gave a curt nod. "Good."

"Now," he continued, "return your weapons to the racks. Your next session will take place inside the classroom."

Murmurs rippled through the recruits.

Ron's eyes narrowed. "This will be your first theory session on Kendra Energy—where you'll begin to understand its true nature. Not just how to use it... but how it flows, breathes, and lives within and around you."

The group fell quiet, listening intently.

Ron gestured toward the fortress doors.

"Head to the classroom. No delays."

Then, with a final look across the recruits, he gave the signal.

"You're dismissed."

Scene: The Classroom

One by one, the thirty recruits entered the fortress classroom. The air was cool and quiet, sunlight filtering through high, narrow windows. Stone walls lined with old Kendra diagrams gave the room an ancient feel—mysterious and alive.

Duke and Jack were the first to enter.

"Let's sit in the front row!" Jack said, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Yeah," Duke nodded, walking alongside him. He looked serious but quietly eager.

A few seconds later, Touka stepped in, eyes scanning the room without urgency. Just as she was deciding where to sit—

"Hey, come here!" Samaira called out, grabbing her hand with a grin. "Let's sit here together."

Touka blinked at her, slightly surprised. "Alright," she said flatly, letting herself be dragged.

Not like I had a choice anyway… she thought, sighing internally as they sat.

Soon after, Kairoz and Derius walked in.

Kairoz entered with his usual cold, unreadable expression, eyes sweeping the room once before settling near the back.

Derius followed, looking bored—half-dragging his feet like he'd rather be anywhere else. But the moment his gaze fell on Touka, his expression shifted.

A sly grin crept onto his face as he raised a hand and gave her a lazy wave.

Touka glanced at him.

Her face showed the faintest smile—but only on the surface.

*The only use of that clown,* she thought to herself, *is to figure out exactly where the Capital is.*

She turned away, eyes already drifting toward the front board, her mind sharper than anyone realized.

Vairan stepped in.

The entire room fell silent—like a breath being held. Even the chatter at the back ceased, tension crackling in the air.

His towering frame walked in slowly, eyes dull and half-lidded, as if nothing here was worth his attention. His presence was overwhelming—like a beast that didn't need to roar to dominate.

Without a word, Vairan moved to the side and dropped into an empty seat—right beside Duke and Jack.

Jack stiffened.

His eyes flicked sideways, remembering that moment during the first test—the way Vairan had shoved him down without a second thought.

His fists clenched under the desk.

But when he looked at Vairan now…

There was no anger. No smugness. Not even recognition.

Just that same disinterested, detached stare—like Jack didn't even exist.

He doesn't even remember… or care, Jack thought bitterly, jaw tight.

Duke noticed the tension but didn't say a word.

Beside them, Vairan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, staring blankly at the front of the classroom—completely unfazed by anyone around him.

The atmosphere remained heavy, the room quieter than before.

Then—

The classroom door creaked open.

Every head turned.

A woman walked in—tall, composed, around 25 or 26, with long black hair that shimmered under the ceiling lights. She stood about 175 centimeters, her presence commanding without needing to say a word.

She didn't acknowledge anyone.

No greeting. No smile.

She simply walked over to the desk at the front, placed her bag down with quiet precision, and sat on the chair.

The room was dead silent.

She let out a subtle sigh, as if already disappointed by the atmosphere, then picked up a glass of water from the table and took a slow sip.

*CLINK.*

The glass hit the desk softly as she set it down.

Finally, her eyes swept across the room—cool, sharp, observant.

Then she spoke, her voice crisp and unwavering:

"My name is Violet Smith. I'm the captain of Squad 7, and starting today, I'll be the one teaching you about Kendra Energy."

No dramatic flair. No excessive words.

"I sincerely hope none of you will take this knowledge… and use it against justice."

Her gaze lingered a moment longer, piercing through the silence like a blade.

Duke, Jack, and Samaira sat completely locked in, eyes fixed on the front.

The atmosphere in the room had shifted—tension and curiosity intertwined.

Kairoz, as usual, wore a serious expression. He knew just how important this knowledge was… and more importantly, how dangerous a Squad 7 Captain could be. He paid close attention, trying to understand everything Violet Smith taught.

Derius, surprisingly, was listening too—arms crossed, but eyes sharp. He liked knowledge. He was always interested in this kind of thing… especially if it gave him an edge.

Vairan sat slouched, still wearing that same uninterested scowl. As if none of it mattered.

And Touka?

Touka looked calm. Almost too calm.

She leaned back ever so slightly, her eyes half-lidded.

She already knew this shit.

"Kendra Energy."

She let the words hang in the air.

"It exists within every living being."

Her voice was calm, sharp like the edge of a clean blade.

"It is not magic. It is not gifted by gods or granted by fate. It is you."

The students remained still.

"Kendra Energy is the purest force stored inside your body—dormant, locked beneath the surface, waiting to be awakened. It lies in your breath. Your bones. Your heartbeat. Your spirit."

She took a step forward.

"Unlike raw strength or talent, Kendra is not something you 'get.' It's something you unleash.

It has always been there. Your job is to tear it out."

Violet picked up a piece of chalk and drew a simple silhouette of a human body on the board.

"There are two types of people in this world.

Those who live with their Kendra sealed…

…and those who force it out through will and discipline."

She tapped the chest of the drawn figure.

"The center of Kendra rests here—just below the heart. This is where the energy pulses the strongest. Your core."

She turned back to the class.

"To draw it out, you must go through pain. Strain. Repetition. Breathing techniques. Mental control.

It won't come easily. But when it does… your body will feel lighter. Your senses will sharpen. You'll move faster, hit harder, and react before your enemy even blinks."

Violet's voice lowered slightly—almost a whisper.

"And if you fail to control it… it will consume you."

She looked over at Vairan, who still had his usual uninterested face.

Then at Kairoz—who was already memorizing every word.

Then finally at Touka—who stared back with cool eyes.

Duke raised his hand hesitantly.

"Ma'am… but how are we supposed to bring it out?" he asked.

Violet's eyes settled on him—calm but sharp.

"Kendra lies in your core," she said. "And the only way to reach it… is through meditation."

The room went still.

"You must awaken it once—just once—with pure, uninterrupted meditation. Once it opens, you'll be able to use it without meditating every time. But…" she added, her gaze sharpening, "the stronger your meditation, the stronger your techniques will be. Your control. Your force. Your endurance."

She stepped back from the board and crossed her arms.

"I'll end the session here. Go eat. Rest."

Then her voice lowered, calm but commanding.

"Because when you return… we meditate."