Tragic Martial Arts

Kael and Ren had surpassed the basic trials, but their journey was far from over. To stand a chance at the Divine Academy, they needed to become more than just above average—they needed to break into the Fifth Realm and beyond.

Their new training was different from anything they had faced before. It was not just about endurance or willpower but refinement. Every move, every breath, had to be sharpened to perfection. The master introduced them to higher-tier techniques, movements so intricate that a single mistake could render them useless.

To prepare for the Fifth Realm, their bodies had to adapt. Weight training intensified. Kael and Ren carried massive stones while balancing on thin wooden poles, forcing their muscles and balance to work in perfect harmony. They practiced chi circulation techniques, learning how to make their energy flow through every fibber of their being, reinforcing their bones, strengthening their reflexes.

"Breaking through isn't just about power," the master explained one night, as they sat, drenched in sweat. "It's about understanding your body, pushing it past limits while keeping control. If you force your way into the Fifth Realm without mastering control, your body will break."

Kael learned this lesson the hard way. During a spar, he forced too much energy into his strike, and his muscles tore. The pain was agonizing, but it taught him restraint. He trained for weeks, adjusting, perfecting his control until he could release his energy without backlash.

The Sixth Realm demanded more than just physical prowess—it required adaptation. Here, they learned advanced martial techniques: shadow steps, movements so swift they left afterimages; internal strikes, blows that could shake an opponent's organs without breaking the skin. Every battle became a puzzle, forcing them to think beyond brute force.

Reaching the Seventh Realm was an entirely different challenge. It required them to harmonize completely with their chi, allowing their energy to move as an extension of themselves. They trained in absolute darkness, relying only on their internal senses. They meditated for days, merging their awareness with the flow of the world.

Weeks turned to months. Their bodies changed, their movements sharper, their strikes faster. And finally, after what felt like an eternity, they stood before their master, power radiating from them.

"You are no longer just students," he said, nodding in approval. "You are warriors. And soon, the Divine Academy will see what you are capable of."

Their journey had only just begun.

One day, after months of relentless training, the master gathered them in the courtyard. He exhaled deeply and said, "There is something you both must know. I am not the true master of this dojo. I was once a student, just as you are now. Our true master is much stronger, but he is far too busy to train you directly. I have only been passing down what I have learned."

Kael and Ren exchanged glances, shocked but determined. If their master was only a student, then what kind of strength did the real master possess?

That night, after an exhausting day, they sat together, eating a rare feast. Their bonds had grown stronger. In a moment of laughter, their master tossed a pillow at Kael, igniting an all-out pillow fight. They laughed, something rare in their lives. That night, as they lay on their mats, Kael felt something unfamiliar yet comforting—belonging.

Tomorrow, training would resume. But for now, they were just boys. Just warriors in the making.

The laughter echoed through the dojo, a brief moment of peace in their arduous journey. The master, despite his strict nature, allowed this one night of joy. But even as they played, Kael couldn't shake the thought of the true master—the legend whose strength was beyond imagination. One day, he would meet him. One day, he would stand before the real master as an equal. For now, he had to train harder, push further, and rise above all limits.

As the fire dimmed and they prepared to sleep, the master spoke once more, his voice calm yet filled with meaning. "Tomorrow, we begin refining your essence. True strength is not in force alone, but in the will to shape the world around you." Kael closed his eyes, determination surging through him. The path ahead was clear—he would forge his own destiny, no matter what it took.