[Volume 2]
Bang! Bang!
A fist came flying right at Rhian's face.
He ducked low, sliding on the training mat, sweat dripping from his chin. His heart pounded in his chest, but his lips curled up slightly.
"Missed me!"
Nia clicked her tongue, a sharp grin spreading across her face. "Tch… lucky."
She charged again without hesitation.
The room they were in wasn't crowded. It was one of the smaller training rooms inside the academy's combat building, walls padded, weapons mounted on the sides, and the sound of sparring echoing lightly around them.
Rhian stepped back, shirtless, his breathing rough but steady. His body had changed over the weeks. He wasn't big, not even close to Aras or some physical types, but his frame was now lean, sharp, and defined. Muscles formed where his skinny frame used to be. Not bulky, but athletic. A body molded from hard work and relentless training.
His black hair was cut short now, still messy but styled enough not to look like a forest child anymore. And of course… his signature black glove covering his left hand, always present.
Across from him, Nia stood with that same energy she always carried.
Her bronze-brown skin was glistening with sweat, toned with clear muscles. Her black braids were tied tightly back, not a single strand loose.
She wore a black sports bra and long dark tights, practical for movement, showing off her body curved hips, but also strong legs.
But even with all of that power, Rhian had become a problem.
He wasn't just dodging wildly anymore. His stance was cleaner. His footwork smarter. The old rough brawler who swung like a cornered animal was still there… but refined.
Every step he took connected to the next.
Every punch he threw was tighter.
Still unorthodox and rough around the edges.
But smart.
Nia lunged, throwing a heavy right aimed for his ribs.
Rhian braced, blocking with his left forearm.
The impact rattled him, 'damn she still hit like a truck,' but he gritted through it, twisting his waist and sliding to her blind spot.
Boom!
His fist connected with her side.
Nia hissed through her teeth. "Oho? That one actually stung."
Rhian grinned, sweat dripping down his face. "Thought you said I hit like a baby?"
"You still do," she fired back, spinning with a sweeping kick.
Rhian barely jumped back in time.
Over the weeks they had fought more times than he could count
It was fun.
Rhian respected the hell out of her. And Nia? She probably wouldn't admit it out loud.
Punches flew. Dodges followed. Kicks clashed against blocks.
Even when Rhian got thrown, and he still did, a lot, he landed better, moved faster, returned to his stance like it was nothing.
They both stood there after another clash, breathing heavy, eyes locked, sweat dripping.
Rhian breathing heavy, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
Nia stretched her neck, rolling her shoulder where he landed that last hit. She shook her head, a little grin tugging at the corner of her lips.
"For an F-rank, you're annoying as hell," she said.
Rhian chuckled, walking over casually. "Yeah? For someone built like a truck, you complain a lot when I hit you."
She raised a brow at him. "Truck? Real original."
"You want me to say Goddess?" He shrugged. "Nah, truck fits. I feel like I'm fighting for my life every time you start smiling."
She actually laughed.
Rhian grabbed his water bottle from the side and took a long drink. She did the same. For a second, it was quiet, the comfortable kind.
They stood side by side, both sweaty, exhausted, marked up from their little war... but weirdly content.
"You know…" Nia started, glancing at him. "You're getting better faster than I thought. Soon I'll actually have to try."
Rhian smirked. "Soon? You been playing with me this whole time?"
She didn't answer.
Just side-eyed him.
Rhian shook his head, a small grin stuck on his face. "Guess I gotta catch up then."
"Guess you do," she replied.
They sat down near the wall, shoulders barely brushing, but neither of them moved away.
Nia leaned her head back against the wall, her braid sliding over her shoulder as she caught her breath. The faintest curve of a smile formed on her lips as she glanced sideways at Rhian.
"Well… you don't have to wait long," she said casually. "I heard we're finally getting access to portals soon. Actual practice runs."
Rhian, who had been stretching his neck and rotating his shoulder, immediately paused.
His eyes lit up.
That grin of his practically exploded across his face.
Like a kid being told, he finally gets to step into the world he's been staring at from the fence his whole life.
"For real?" Rhian asked, voice low but full of excitement.
Nia gave a lazy nod. "For real. I figured you'd be happy about that… seeing how you keep staring at the weapon racks every time we train."
Rhian didn't even deny it. "Damn right I'm happy. I've been waiting for this."
Ever since he got here… this was what he wanted. Not status. Not to impress anyone.
Just the chance to step into a portal and fight.
He could already feel his blood pumping at the thought.
Nia chuckled, sitting up properly. "Better start preparing then. I'm not carrying your body back if you get folded in there."
Rhian snorted. "Please, after today? You should be worried about keeping up with me."
She laughed harder this time.
Rhian leaned back against the wall next to her, still grinning, still thinking about the portals.
'Finally... it's almost time.'