Ks lay on the ground, barely conscious.
His breathing was heavy. Blood stained his lips. Every part of his body screamed in pain from Tejas's attacks.
Mizuki rushed toward him, a mix of anger and worry on her face.
"Idiot!" she snapped. "Who told you to jump into a fight like that?!"
Ks didn't respond.
For a moment, there was only silence… broken by his uneven breaths.
Then, slowly, he spoke.
"Now I get it…"
Mizuki paused.
"Why Tejas… is so serious about power."
She looked at him, her anger fading.
An hour later.
The battlefield was quiet again—broken ground, scattered debris, and cold air settling in.
Ks sat alone, his body wrapped in bandages, staring at the ruined field.
Mizuki walked up from behind him.
"It's cold out here," she said softly.
No response.
She sat beside him.
"So… you're thinking about the fight, huh?"
Ks let out a quiet breath. "I couldn't do anything."
His fists clenched slightly.
"I couldn't match his skill… not even close. I was just… helpless."
That word hung in the air.
Mizuki glanced at him, then looked ahead.
"Maybe," she said calmly, "you're fighting the wrong way."
Ks turned to her. "What do you mean?"
She smiled faintly.
"You're trying to force power… instead of understanding it."
He stayed silent, listening.
"If you really want to break your limits," she continued, "you have to do it your own way."
A pause.
Then she looked at him directly.
"If you want… I can train you."
Ks blinked. "Train me?"
Mizuki nodded.
"I'll teach you how to master the Water Element."
For a second, everything felt still.
Then Ks slowly stood up.
A cold wind began to blow across the battlefield, brushing past them.
This time, his eyes weren't confused.
They were focused.
"…Yeah," he said quietly. "I need your help."
He looked at her.
"Teach me, Mizuki-chan."
Mizuki smiled.
"Don't regret it. My training isn't easy."
The Next Day
The next morning, Ks returned to the base.
The battlefield still carried marks from yesterday's defeat. The pain in his body hadn't faded—but his mindset had changed.
He wasn't here to prove anything anymore.
He was here to improve.
In the center of the field, Mizuki sat calmly, water flowing around her like a living shield. The moment Ks arrived, she opened her eyes.
"You're late "
Ks nod and said
"…Sorry."
No excuses. No attitude.
Mizuki stood, observing him carefully. "Good. At least your mindset is changing."
From deep part of Mizuki body a voice echoes
Aqualith(giant turtle :water beast)
" atleast now he is admiring things at all."
Ks looked at her, serious. "I want to get stronger."
She nodded slightly. "Then stop fighting like yesterday."
Before he could respond, she added—
"Today, we fix your basics."
Ks frowned. "Basics?"
"Your reflexes. Your movement. The way you think in battle."
A pause.
Then—
"Show me if you're worth training."