The next morning, Kazuki, Mitsu, and Mio woke up early in their forest camp. The first light of dawn seeped through the leaves, casting long shadows across the soft ground. Mio was playing with the small cat, her laughter light and cheerful, while Kazuki and Mitsu prepared themselves for another day of intense training. The crisp morning air filled their lungs, refreshing their spirits and sharpening their senses. Mitsu suddenly broke the silence.
"Have you forgotten? I was going to tell you my story," he said, looking at them with a playful smirk.
Kazuki and Mio exchanged surprised glances. "Right… tell us," Kazuki said, curiosity lacing his tone.
Mitsu smiled faintly, "Since I was a child, I was naturally gifted. My family is wealthy, so I never trained as much as you. That's all."
Kazuki and Mio blinked in surprise. "What? That's it?" Mio asked, incredulous.
"Yes, that's all," Mitsu said, laughing softly.
The three decided to rest a little to regain their energy. Each went to their own tent, but that night, something strange happened—they all shared the same dream. A mysterious figure appeared, warning them that the Gkargha would soon return and pose a great danger. The dream left them uneasy, lingering in their minds as they awoke.
Mitsu went to the market to buy food, his thoughts still clouded by the dream. As he walked, he overheard people discussing the same vision from the night before. Stepping further, he discovered another group speaking of it too. Every Parka User seemed to have dreamed the same warning. Mitsu muttered to himself, "Yes… I dreamed it too."
Returning to his friends, he found them playing with the cat instead of training. He smiled, shaking his head. "You fools… what are you doing?" he asked. Then he added calmly, "It doesn't matter, but time is passing quickly." They sat together to eat, the morning sun warming their faces.
Mitsu asked, "Did you have that strange dream about the Gkargha monster?"
"Yes," they replied.
"While buying food, I heard people in the market discussing the same dream," Mitsu continued. "It seems the Gkargha have returned in large numbers since the exam."
Kazuki frowned. "My teacher Tatsu told me about a war 63 years ago. It was a fierce battle involving 100,000 Gkargha monsters and 20,000 Parka Users. My father's closest friend, Tread, the strongest Parka User of that era, fought in it. The Parka Users won, and since then, the monsters appeared rarely, mostly third-class."
Mio's eyes widened. "Perhaps they have begun moving again."
Mitsu nodded, looking determined. "What do you say we start training now?"
The three stood together in the open field, each focusing on improving speed, strength, and coordination. The weight of responsibility pressed down on them—they knew any mistake could be fatal against the real Gkargha. Yet, excitement stirred their hearts.
They trained all day. Kazuki concentrated on speed and power, Mitsu honed his concentration and basic techniques, and Mio perfected her flexibility and team coordination. They pushed their bodies and Parka to their limits. By evening, they rested and shared stories from their childhoods, laughter mixing with the scent of the forest and the fading sunlight. Mio recounted losing her parents at age three and the hardships she had faced, while Mitsu explained how his natural talent meant he had trained little as a child.
Kazuki shared his story: "On the day I was born, my mother died. My father cared for me until I was five, then he passed away. I met my teacher Tatsu, who trained me for nine years. At four, I spent a year on Mount Nirgi practicing endurance, meditation, and patience. After that, I joined the Parka School to become stronger and met you both."
Even after dinner, they continued training, aware that the real challenge had not yet come. Every strike, every jump, and every movement strengthened their skills and refined their Parka.
That night, lying in their tents, they spoke quietly about the strange dream. Fear lingered in their hearts, yet being together gave them a sense of safety. Cooperation and trust among the three would be key to staying strong. The forest was calm, but the lingering threat of the Gkargha reminded them that the real battles were yet to come.
Every training moment heightened their skill, sharpened their senses, and strengthened their resolve. By the end of the day, they were exhausted but satisfied. The day's work had not been wasted—their will had grown, their abilities refined, and their minds sharpened. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but together, they were ready. Each moment of training brought them closer to protecting others and confronting the Gkargha when the time came.