The sun had barely risen, yet the training arena behind the palace already buzzed with tension. In the center, Shen and Leonidas faced each other.
"I heard that when you first arrived," Leo began with a grin, "you struck my father. How did that feel?"
"Like hitting a concrete wall with a baseball bat," Shen muttered, shuddering at the memory of the pain in his legs.
Leo smirked. "That would be his ability:
Shen's eyes widened, filled with awe—until Leo continued.
"But not yet."
Shen's heart dropped. Then why even get my hopes up, you water-god wannabe?
"Your body isn't ready," Leo said firmly. "If you tried to use it now, you'd drop dead from the strain."
Leo paced in a circle around Shen. "Think of your body like a battery. The more energy you take in, the more powerful your abilities become. But if you overload the battery, it explodes. To wield stronger skills, you first need to strengthen the container—your body itself."
Shen frowned. "So I can't learn anything yet?"
Leo chuckled. "There is one skill you're ready for.
Shen squinted at him. …Did he just compare me to a schoolkid?
"Focus," Leo said, ignoring Shen's glare. "This technique accustoms your body to holding energy. You'll breathe it in, let it flow through you, and gradually increase your tolerance. Sit."
Shen crossed his legs.
"Close your eyes. Feel the energy around you."
Shen inhaled deeply. Slowly, warm spots of light bloomed across his skin—like sunlight dappling through shade. The sensation was calming, almost making him drowsy.
"Good," Leo said softly. "Now, breathe it in."
Shen drew the warmth into his lungs. It surged down his spine, hot and heavy, almost burning. He held it, teeth clenched, until Leo's calm voice reached him.
"Exhale. Let it go."
Shen released the breath with a sigh. In that instant, something clicked inside his head.
Shen's eyes shot open. He sprang to his feet, jaw dropped.
Leo smiled proudly. "Good job, Shen. You learned it on your fir—"
"ThanksforthelessonI'mreallytiredgoodnight!" Shen blurted, bowing in a rush. Before Leo could react, Shen bolted back toward the palace.
Leo stood there dumbstruck. Then, with a chuckle, he muttered, "He reminds me of a kid I used to know…" Hands clasped behind his back, he strolled away.
---
Later, in Shen's room…
Shen bounced on his bed, fists pumping. "YES! One step closer to getting stronger!"
He tossed Monsoon's training book against the wall. "Don't need this trash anymore. Okay… what was that other skill called? Water… something?"
[Water Blade eligible to be learned. Learn? Yes/No.]
"YES!" Shen shouted.
Warm light enveloped his body, and motions flooded his mind—stances, swings, the flow of liquid steel. His body buzzed with excitement.
[Water Blade: A curved weapon formed from liquid. One cup of water required.]
"Oh, I need water." Shen dashed out the door—only to nearly collide with Sebastian.
"Do you require anything, sir?" the butler asked calmly.
"Yeah, a cup of water, please!"
"I'll bring it at once," Sebastian said with a bow, disappearing down the hall.
Shen blinked. How does he always show up at the right time? Morning, directions, even now—
"Here you are, sir," Sebastian said, returning almost instantly with a glass of water.
Shen blinked again. "Sebastian… how do you always know when I need something?"
"Your clothing, sir. It signals hunger, thirst, and even confusion about where to go."
"Oh," Shen said, stunned. "Well, thanks."
"Anytime, sir." Sebastian departed with perfect poise.
---
Alone again, Shen set the cup of water on the floor. He clapped his hands together.
"Water Blade!"
Nothing happened.
"Uh… Water Blade, I choose you! Summon forth, my sword of destiny!" He tried again and again for nearly an hour until he groaned. Why can't I use this stupid thing?
[Would you like to use Water Blade? Yes/No.]
"YES!" Shen shouted.
The water trembled, then erupted upward into his hands. It solidified into a curved blade, gleaming like tempered steel. Shen's eyes sparkled.
"Hell yeah!" He swung the weapon experimentally. It felt real—solid, heavy, sharp.
He placed the cup on his nightstand, grinned, and raised the blade. "Let's see how good this thing is."
With a downward slash, the cup split clean in half.
"Wooow, it cut like water—" Shen froze as the marble nightstand also split cleanly in two, collapsing with a crash.
"…Okay. Maybe too good."
[Maximum energy expenditure reached. Shutting down host body.]
"What?" Shen said—before collapsing face-first onto the floor, butt in the air.