"Skills? What's that?" Adrian asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Kenji crossed his arms, his wooden katana resting against his shoulder. "A skill," he began, "is something anyone can achieve. You don't have to be a superhero to use one. In fact, many heroes who seem 'powerless' rely entirely on their skills. But if you can master both your powers and skills—" he paused, giving a knowing smile, "—then you'll become truly unstoppable."
Adrian's curiosity grew. "Huh, interesting. But how do I even get a skill?"
Kenji stroked his beard, thinking for a moment. "Well… there are several ways. Some gain them through experience. Others, through adaptability. But I'll mainly be teaching you two paths—the training method and the adaptability method."
Adrian nodded eagerly. "So, which one are we doing first?"
"For now, we'll start with the training method," said Kenji as he turned and gestured for Adrian to follow. "Come along."
They walked down a narrow hallway that opened into a massive training room. Adrian's eyes widened in awe. The room was packed with equipment—rows of weights, racks of swords, suits of armor, gadgets, and even strange machines Adrian couldn't recognize.
Kenji walked over to a pile of heavy metal weights and casually picked one up as if it weighed nothing. Then, without saying a word, he crouched down and attached the weights to Adrian's ankles.
"Alright," Kenji said, stepping back with a grin. "Try to walk."
Adrian took a hesitant step forward. The weights immediately dragged him down, forcing him to struggle to stay balanced. Each movement felt like his legs were being pulled by gravity itself. But slowly—bit by bit—he managed to take another step, and then another.
Kenji's expression softened slightly. "Good. You're adapting faster than I expected."
After watching him for a while, Kenji clapped his hands once. "That's enough for now. As our lesson comes to an end, I want you to keep those weights on for the rest of the day. Oh, and make sure to run for at least an hour."
Adrian nearly fell over. "W-What?! Run? With these?"
But Kenji was already walking away, waving casually. "See you tomorrow!"
By the time Adrian got home, every step felt like torture. He knocked on the door, and David opened it with a wide smile.
"Oh! Looks like your first lesson's done," his father said cheerfully—until his eyes fell on Adrian's weighted legs. "He's teaching you how to use a skill already?"
Adrian blinked in surprise. "Wait—you know what a skill is? Can you use one?"
David scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Not really… anyway, come on in. Dinner's ready."
Adrian sighed but followed him inside. After eating, he could barely keep his eyes open. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep, already eager for what tomorrow's training would bring.
Morning came faster than expected. Adrian woke up sore but determined. After a quick breakfast, he headed straight for the Hero Headquarters.
Kenji was already waiting inside the training room, sitting calmly on the floor. As Adrian entered, the old man's gaze dropped to his feet.
Adrian hesitated. "Yeah, but… are these weights even useful? They just feel heavy."
He didn't even see it coming.
A sudden sting spread across his cheek, and Adrian realized he'd been struck again. He looked up in disbelief—Kenji was still standing in the exact same position. His sword hadn't even moved.
"Ouch! What was that for?!" Adrian yelled, rubbing his face.
Kenji chuckled. "That's what you get for questioning my methods!"
Adrian's frustration boiled over. "Alright, that's it!" He lunged forward, swinging his wooden katana. But Kenji effortlessly dodged, barely shifting his stance. In a blink, he disappeared from Adrian's sight and reappeared behind him, tapping his shoulder with the sword.
Adrian spun around, swinging again—missed. Again—missed. Over and over he attacked, but Kenji dodged every strike as if he could read Adrian's mind.
At one point, the old man even yawned. "Do you really want this to last the whole lesson?"
Finally, panting heavily, Adrian dropped his sword and gave up.
Kenji smirked. "Well! I was planning to double your weights today… but since you gave up so easily, I suppose I'll just make them even heavier."
Adrian's eyes widened. "Heavier?! Wait, that's not fair—"
But Kenji was already walking toward the equipment again, humming to himself. He returned holding a pair of even larger weights, his grin unmistakably mischievous.
"Try them on," he said.
Adrian hesitated but did as told. The moment the new weights locked around his ankles, his legs nearly gave out.
"A-Are you trying to kill me?!" Adrian shouted. "This is way too much!"
Kenji laughed heartily. "Now, now. Consider this a reminder not to doubt your teacher."
Adrian shot him a glare. "Ha! Just wait! Once I get stronger than you, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Kenji smirked. "I look forward to that day, boy."
Still grumbling, Adrian stomped toward the exit—well, more like tried to stomp, but the weights turned it into an awkward shuffle.
And so, his second day of training ended—with sore legs, bruised pride, and a burning determination to improve.