The sun peeked through the trees, scattering golden light across the training ground.The air was sharp, fresh — a kind of morning that only comes after nights of sweat and dreams.
Elric stood at the edge of the clearing, breathing slowly.His eyes were locked on the giant rock standing in front of him.
Two years… endless training… countless failures.And yet, here it was.Unmoved. Unbroken.
But Elric's hands didn't tremble anymore.They were steady — like a warrior ready for his final test.
As he stepped closer, a soft breeze brushed his face.That's when he saw them again.
Mira. And the masked boy.
They stood near the same place as before, watching him in silence.Elric stopped, tightening his grip on his sword.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
He pointed his blade slightly downward and walked toward them."Enough of this mystery…" he said with a calm but firm voice. "Tell me… who are you?"
The boy tilted his head, and then slowly removed his mask — the same red hair, the same scarred face."My name," he said, his tone smooth but light, "is Sunny."
"Sunny…" Elric repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with a strange familiarity.He gave a faint smile. "Nice name."
Sunny raised an eyebrow. "You're surprisingly calm today. Last time, you looked like you were going to punch a tree after fighting me."
Elric smirked. "Yeah well… trees have better defense than me sometimes."
Mira giggled softly, hiding her smile behind her sleeve.
Then Sunny crossed his arms, leaning slightly forward."Do you know why I fought you that day?"
Elric shook his head.
Sunny tapped his wooden sword on his shoulder. "I wasn't testing your strength. I was watching how far Mira's training had taken you. And I'll be honest…"He paused, smirking. "I didn't expect you to break my mask."
Elric raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome, I guess?"
Sunny continued, "And that mark on your wrist… that's no ordinary thing. Very few people in history ever awakened something like that during training."
Elric glanced at the faint glowing mark on his wrist. It had appeared during their last fight. He still didn't understand what it meant… and right now, he didn't care."I don't know what this mark is," he said quietly, "but right now… I only care about passing Master Orin's test. Once I cut this rock, I can finally move forward. I can become a Slayer."
Mira's eyes softened at those words.
Sunny's smirk faded into something a little more serious."Then show me. Show me that your blade deserves to cut through destiny itself."
Elric gave a short nod. "Alright. Let's do this."
Sunny took a few steps back, lifting his wooden sword again.This time, there was no mocking in his eyes. Only focus.
Mira stepped aside, folding her hands behind her. She didn't need to speak.The air itself was enough.
Two warriors stood facing each other.One, a boy who had clawed his way through blood and pain.The other, a shadow from nowhere, testing him.
The leaves rustled as the wind held its breath.
"Ready?" Sunny said.
Elric took a deep breath, lowering his body into position. "Always."
"Then—come."
The ground cracked under Elric's feet as he dashed forward.His blade slashed upward, his breathing sharp and steady.
Sunny moved just as fast — his wooden sword meeting Elric's steel with a powerful CLANG!
A shockwave burst out from their clash, rustling leaves and sending dust into the air.Both of them slid back a few steps.
"Nice swing," Sunny said, grinning. "Better than last time."
"Thanks," Elric replied, brushing dust off his shoulder. "I practiced on a few trees."
Sunny snorted, "Poor trees."
Without another word, they charged again.
Elric flowed like water, his sword cutting through air with precision.Sunny's movements were smooth and unreadable, his blocks fast, his counters faster.
The tak tak tak of their swords echoed like drumbeats across the forest.
Mira watched silently, her eyes glowing softly.She had seen Elric grow from a reckless boy to this — a warrior.
Elric feinted left, twisted his wrist, and aimed a clean strike toward Sunny's shoulder.But Sunny tilted his head slightly, dodging it with ease.
Elric jumped back, breathing heavily.Sunny raised a finger. "Breathing's stable. Posture's solid. But your eyes… they're still holding back."
Elric narrowed his gaze.
Sunny's smile sharpened. "Don't hold back. Not against me."
Elric didn't reply — he simply stepped forward again.This time, the air shifted.
Elric's feet slid smoothly on the grass.Water gathered around his blade, swirling like a living serpent.
"Water Breathing… Second Form—"
His eyes locked on Sunny.
"Flowing Slash!"
He moved faster than before. His sword became a streak of blue, slicing through the air with force.
Sunny's eyes widened slightly. His body blurred sideways — barely dodging it.
The blade didn't hit him.
It hit the rock.
A deep thrum echoed.
Dust flew. The water blade struck clean and hard.
Sunny turned around slowly, blinking at the rock.
Then he chuckled. "…Well, damn."
He dropped his sword and raised his hands in mock surrender."I admit defeat. No point getting cut in half."
Elric turned to him, panting heavily, sweat dripping from his chin.His chest rose and fell like waves.
And then—
CRAAAAACK!
The sound echoed across the entire training ground.A fine, thin line spread across the rock.
Mira took a small step forward, her lips parted in awe.
Sunny whistled softly. "Oh… oh that's clean."
The rock split down the middle with a loud THUMP as both halves fell apart perfectly, like they had been waiting for this moment.
For a second, there was silence.
Then Sunny burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "Bro… I've been watching this place for years and nobody—and I mean nobody—has ever cut this damn rock like this. You—" he pointed at Elric with his sword, "—are built different."
Mira's eyes softened as a proud smile bloomed on her face.
Elric stared at the two halves of the rock.His hands shook. But not from weakness.
From everything he had endured to get here.
Two years of pain.Two years of doubt.Two years of swinging a blade that had always failed.
And now… it had cut through the impossible.
He turned toward Mira and Sunny, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you. For everything."
Sunny crossed his arms, still grinning."Thank Mira. She trained you. I just annoyed you enough to bring out your real strength."
Mira chuckled softly. "You did more than that, Sunny. You tested him when he needed it most."
Sunny waved her words away. "Eh. Just doing my mysterious handsome guy job."
Elric snorted. "Handsome is debatable."
Sunny clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow. I help you achieve greatness, and this is the thanks I get. Pain. Pure pain."
Mira covered her mouth, laughing.
Sunny finally relaxed, looking at Elric with a more serious gaze."You've got something special inside you, Elric. That mark isn't ordinary. Remember my words… the world will either fear it or follow it."
Elric nodded slowly, gripping his sword tighter.
Sunny turned toward Mira. "You did good, Mira. Guiding someone like him isn't easy."
Mira lowered her eyes humbly. "He was the one who didn't give up."
For a moment, the three of them stood in that quiet clearing, surrounded by the sound of the forest and the perfect halves of a rock that had once been unbreakable.
Elric was exhausted.His legs felt heavy, his arms numb.He dropped to the ground with a thud, lying on the grass with a tired grin."I actually did it…" he whispered to himself.
When he opened his eyes again, Mira and Sunny stood a few steps away.
A soft wind blew, carrying leaves and smoke-like mist.
"Hey," Elric said weakly, sitting up. "Where are you two going?"
Sunny winked. "Where we always go… nowhere you can follow yet."
Mira smiled warmly. "Rest, Elric. This was only the first step. Greater paths await you."
Before Elric could say another word—The wind swirled. Their figures blurred like smoke…
And they were gone.
Elric stared at the empty space, then back at the split rock.A small, tired laugh escaped his lips."Guess I'm sleeping here tonight…"
He leaned back against one half of the stone, staring at the stars above.The air was calm. The night was silent.
For the first time in a long time, his heart felt light.
"Master Orin…" he whispered, eyes slowly closing. "I passed."
And with that, Elric drifted into sleep, right next to the rock that had once seemed unbreakable.