The courtyard of the Shadow Clan was buzzing with energy. Floki’s departure left the #2 spot open, and the disciples gathered to see who would claim the coveted rank.
Chang stood at the center of the training grounds, his commanding presence silencing the crowd. “The #2 spot is open,” he announced, his voice steady. “Hiro, as the #3 disciple, do you wish to claim it?”
Hiro stepped forward, his expression calm as ever. “No,” he said simply. “I have no interest in moving up.”
Surprised murmurs spread through the crowd, the ones whoknew Hirovery well, expected nothing less. He bowed slightly and stepped back, leaving the competition to the others.
Chang nodded. “As Hiro is exempt, the #2 position will be decided through competition. Anyone belowRank #3may challenge upward for a higher rank.”
Kaida’s Ascent
Kaida, the #4 disciple, stepped forward confidently, her daggers gleaming faintly. “I’ll claim the #2 spot,” she declared, her tone resolute.
The disciples exchanged startled glances. It was unusual for someone to skip directly to such a high rank, but Kaida’s determination was clear.
Chang raised an eyebrow. “You’re skipping the #3 spot entirely?”
Kaida nodded. “Hiro doesn’t want it. I’m the next logical choice.”
Chang studied her for a moment before speaking. “Does anyone challenge Kaida’s claim?”
The courtyard fell silent. No one dared step forward, and Kaida’s reputation spoke for itself.
“Very well,” Chang said. “Kaida advances to #2.”
Kaida held her head high as the murmurs began anew. She had claimed her spot without a single fight, and the respect in the air was palpable.
Bolo’s Challenge
As the focus shifted to the lower ranks, Bolo, the #9 disciple, stepped forward with a cocky grin. “Ren,” he called out, his voice loud and confident. “Let’s see if you’re strong enough to keep your spot.”
Ren, the #8 disciple, rolled his shoulders and stepped into the circle. His usual laid-back demeanor didn’t waver, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
“You sure about this, Bolo?” Ren asked, his tone casual. “You just got back in the game.”
Bolo cracked his knuckles, his grin widening. “That’s why I’m climbing fast. Let’s go.”
Chang raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. “Begin.”
Bolo charged immediately, his raw power driving him forward like a battering ram. Ren sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and calculated.
“You’re all brute force,” Ren said, smirking as he dodged another strike. “That’s not going to work.”
Bolo laughed, his attacks growing faster. “We’ll see if it works when you’re flat on your back.”
Ren countered with a sharp strike, his blade glancing off Bolo’s arm. The crowd watched intently, their focus locked on the heated exchange.
Bolo’s relentless strength finally broke through Ren’s defenses. A crushing blow to the chest sent Ren stumbling backward, gasping for air.
Ren groaned, shaking his head. “Alright, I yield,” he muttered, stepping back.
“Bolo advances to #8,” Chang declared, his tone steady. The crowd murmured as Bolo stood tall, his grin smug and his confidence unshaken.
A New Hierarchy
By the end of the competition, the ranks had shifted significantly. Kaida now stood proudly as the #2 disciple, her confidence unshaken.
Bolo’s climb stopped at #8, his victories marked by sheer determination. The remaining disciples adjusted to their new positions, their resolve to improve evident in their expressions.
Chang addressed the gathered disciples, his voice cutting through the air. “This competition reminds us that strength alone is not enough. Strategy, discipline, and resilience define us.”
The disciples nodded in agreement, their respect for Chang clear. Despite the tension, the competition had renewed their sense of purpose.
As the crowd began to disperse, Jace approached Bolo with a sly grin. “You’re climbing fast,” he said. “What’s next?”
Bolo’s grin widened, his gaze locking on Kaida. “Next is the top. She won’t hold onto #2 for long.”
Kaida, overhearing the comment, turned with a sharp glare. “You’re welcome to try,” she said, her voice cold.
The tension between them lingered as the courtyard emptied. The Shadow Clan’s hierarchy had shifted, but the air buzzed with the promise of future challenges.
A Quiet Talk
The competition had ended, but the air still felt heavy. A few hours later, Kaida walked across the training grounds, her steps firm. She had questions she needed answered.
Hiro stood near the edge of the grounds, his twin daggers resting on a rack beside him. He was calm as always, his eyes focused on the distant horizon.
Kaida stopped a few steps away from him. “You could’ve taken the #2 spot, Hiro. It was yours without a fight. Why didn’t you take it?”
Hiro turned to look at her, nodding slightly. “I wasn’t ready,” he said simply.
Kaida frowned, her arms crossing over her chest. “What do you mean? You’re the #3 disciple. No one would’ve questioned you taking the spot.”
Hiro picked up one of his daggers, turning it in his hand as he spoke. “Being #2 means constant challenges. I’d have to fight every day to keep it.”
He glanced at her, his voice steady. “If I spent all my time fighting, I wouldn’t have time to get stronger. I’d lose the spot anyway.”
Kaida tilted her head, considering his words. “So, you’d rather stay at #3 until you’re stronger? That’s your plan?”
Hiro nodded. “Yes. I’ll move up when I know I’m ready to stay there. For now, I’ll focus on training.”
Kaida sighed, her stance relaxing a little. “That makes sense. But don’t you think staying where you are makes people underestimate you?”
Hiro gave a small, rare smile. “Let them. It works to my advantage.”
Sharing Goals
Kaida sat on a nearby bench, resting her daggers across her lap. “What’s your goal, Hiro? Why are you even here?”
Hiro thought for a moment, then answered. “To master my skills. I don’t care about ranks or titles. I just want to be the best I can be.”
Kaida watched him, her fingers tapping her daggers. “I used to think like that too. But now... things feel different.”
Hiro raised an eyebrow, curious. “What changed?”
Kaida hesitated, looking down at her hands. “Floki.”
Hiro stayed quiet, letting her continue.
She sighed, shaking her head. “He’s arrogant, reckless, and always acting like a fool. But he’s also... amazing in his own way. He doesn’t follow the rules, but he still succeeds.”
Hiro’s expression didn’t change, but his tone softened. “So, you want to follow him.”
Kaida shook her head slightly. “Not yet. I’m not strong enough. But someday, I will be.”
Hiro nodded, understanding. “You want to leave the Shadow Clan.”
Kaida’s grip tightened on her daggers. “Yes. I want to follow him. I know it’s stupid. He probably doesn’t care about me, but...”
Her voice trailed off. She looked up, her eyes full of determination. “I can’t stay here forever. I need to get stronger first.”
A Moment to Think
They both sat in silence for a moment. Hiro broke the quiet, his voice calm. “If you’re serious about this, you’ll need to be much stronger. Floki’s path won’t be easy.”
Kaida smiled a little, though her eyes were firm. “I know. That’s why I’ll keep training. One day, I’ll be ready.”
Hiro stood and slid his daggers into their sheaths. “Good. Don’t rush it. Take the time you need to be prepared.”
Kaida watched as he walked away, her mind still full of thoughts. She knew her journey wouldn’t be easy, but she wasn’t afraid of the challenge.
As the night grew darker, Kaida stayed on the training grounds, gripping her daggers tightly. Her resolve was stronger than ever. She would prove herself to the Shadow Clan, to Floki, and to herself.
