The special training area lay deep within the Outer Court, far from the noise and presence of other disciples. The path leading there was narrow and rocky, surrounded by towering cliffs that seemed to seal the world away.
Very few disciples had ever entered that place.
Even fewer returned in one piece.
Ken stood before a simple stone gate.
There were no guards.
No signs.
Yet the pressure emanating from within was enough to make an ordinary person turn back without hesitation.
"This is the place."
The instructor's voice came from behind him.
"If you want to play with power you cannot control… do it here."
Ken did not respond.
His gaze remained fixed forward.
"Go in," the instructor continued. "And don't expect anyone to save you."
Ken stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the stone gate, the air changed.
Heavier.
Denser.
As if every step carried weight.
Inside, the area was vast but empty. The ground was cracked in many places. Scars of explosions, deep slashes, and destruction were everywhere.
This was not a normal training ground.
This was a place where failed power had left its marks.
Ken stood at the center.
Closed his eyes.
Took a breath.
The four elements began to move within his body again.
But this time, they were wilder.
As if the place amplified everything.
Wood emerged first.
Water followed.
But before they could stabilize—
Fire surged forward.
Wind spun violently.
Ken opened his eyes.
"This won't work… not like this."
He recalled what happened yesterday.
What Lynea had said.
Don't force it.
Ken slowed his rhythm.
Restrained.
Controlled.
Carefully…
one by one.
Wood.
Water.
This time, more stable.
He did not rush to add the others.
He waited.
Felt the flow.
Suddenly
A deafening roar echoed through the area.
Ken's eyes snapped open.
From behind a massive rock in the distance…
a beast emerged.
Its body was large, its skin hardened like stone, and its eyes burned with a crimson glow. Its breathing was heavy, aggressive.
A wild beast.
Ken immediately understood.
This place was not only for training.
It was for survival.
The beast locked onto him.
Then charged.
The ground trembled.
Ken stepped back.
"Faster than I expected…"
He raised his hand.
Wood surged.
Roots burst from the ground, binding the beast's legs.
But only for a second.
Crack!
The roots shattered.
The beast broke through.
Ken moved sideways.
Wind pushed his body, accelerating his movement.
The beast's attack slammed into the ground, sending dust flying.
Ken's gaze sharpened.
"I don't have a choice…"
Fire ignited in his hand.
For the first time, he did not hesitate.
Fire and wind appeared together.
But not to merge.
Wind pushed.
Fire followed.
The attack was released.
Boom!
The explosion struck the beast, forcing it backward.
It growled but it did not fall.
Ken took a breath.
His body was starting to feel heavy.
"Not enough…"
He stepped forward.
Water flowed around his feet.
Wood moved again beneath the ground.
This time, not to attack but to bind.
To control.
The beast charged again, but its movements slowed.
That was enough.
Ken raised his hand.
Fire gathered.
Wind spiraled around it.
For a moment, the two elements nearly touched.
The energy trembled violently.
But Ken held it back.
"Not yet…"
He released the attack without forcing their fusion.
Boom!
The second explosion struck the beast directly.
Its body was thrown back, crashing into a massive rock.
Then stillness.
Dust slowly settled.
The beast… did not move again.
Silence.
Ken's breathing was heavy.
His body swayed slightly.
But he remained standing.
For the first time, not because of training but because of a real battle.
Ken looked at his hand.
The four elements…
no longer felt like enemies.
Not fully in harmony yet.
But no longer destroying each other.
Outside the area, the instructor stood silently, watching from afar.
"…He didn't die."
His voice was low.
But for the first time, it carried no doubt.
High above, the silver-haired girl observed as well.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"He learns… in the face of danger."
Cold wind swirled around her.
"Interesting…"