Dawn in Azoth carried a crisp wind that stirred the castle's banners. In the training yard, Eryndor stood with his hands clasped behind his back as Asori arrived, still bearing the weight of his loss against Jason. Blair and Mikan came along, having shared breakfast together.
—Today you will learn the meaning of silencing your emotions —the sage said, his deep voice carrying like the wind itself.
Asori frowned.
—Silencing them? What's the point of that?
Eryndor turned, pointing toward the horizon.
—When you fight with rage, your blows are clumsy. When you fight with fear, your steps falter. When you fight with guilt… you lose before the battle even begins. If you empty your heart of noise, your body will act on instinct, guided by the Astral. You'll be faster, stronger. Every decision will be pure action.
Asori knit his brow.
—But don't I… need those emotions? They make me who I am.
Eryndor smirked faintly.
—Exactly. I don't want you to stop being yourself. I want you to learn how to turn those emotions on and off at will. A warrior must not be a slave to his heart, but its master.
He clapped his hands, and the wind stirred the dirt in a spiral.
—Before anything else, stay transformed all day.
Asori blanched.
—All day?! I can barely last ten minutes…
Eryndor shrugged.
—Then extend your limit. If you collapse after two transformations… —he glanced sidelong at Blair— you can always ask your princess to wake you up with a kiss.
Asori flushed crimson. Blair too, heat rising in her cheeks.
—Wh-what?! —she shouted—. Don't say ridiculous things, Master!
Mikan burst into laughter, nearly rolling on the ground.
—Oh, I love this! The most romantic training I've ever heard of. Bet he doesn't complain!
Asori turned away, embarrassed—though deep down, the idea didn't sound so bad. His heart thumped hard just at the thought. Blair felt it through the Sweet Kiss, blushing even more.
Meanwhile, in the royal hall, Jason stood before Tifa, arms crossed, sparks of electricity still clinging to his body.
—The King of Donner is preparing for war, —he reported—. He asked me to enter the tournament to represent our alliance and test the bearers. In addition, he said Zeknier's troops are moving into other kingdoms, though oddly they haven't shown hostility. That's all I have to report, Tifa.
—Thank you, Jason. I'll send a messenger to Donner with our next instructions.
She studied him with suspicion.
—Jason… what kind of training did you undergo there? Your eyes are different. And that eye of yours… is it a Hakiri?
He was silent for a few seconds.
—I did what was necessary. Nothing else matters.
Tifa narrowed her eyes, calm yet taut.
—I'm glad your training bore fruit. Gaining a Hakiri should be a source of pride, and in a way it reassures me… considering the war we face.
Jason smirked arrogantly.
—I see you haven't been idle either. You've gathered new "allies," though they don't seem like much…
That was the spark that ignited Tifa's fury. She rose and strode toward him, each step heavy with authority. She had heard enough—how he'd treated Blair with cold disdain, wounding her feelings, and how he'd kept striking Asori even after defeating him, until Eryndor stopped him.
Face to face, her voice cut like steel:
—Listen well, Jason. If you ever treat Blair with that contempt again, or if you lay a hand on Asori outside of a fair fight, don't expect Eryndor to stop you. This time, it will be me.
Silence fell, sharp and icy. Tifa didn't blink, each word sharpened with contained rage.
—And I promise you—I will show no mercy.
Jason opened his mouth as if to answer, but the blade in her gaze silenced him.
—Am I clear? —she finished, voice like a sentence.
Jason didn't respond. He simply turned and said:
—I'm leaving. I want to test a new power before the tournament. We'll meet in the Capital.
And he was gone, leaving sparks in his wake.
Back in the yard, Asori did push-ups with Blair perched on his back while he held his transformation. Sweat rolled down his face, arms trembling.
—Come on, mountain boy! Or are you giving up already? —Blair teased, smiling.
Asori growled, pushing with everything he had.
—I can still…!
Suddenly he lost the transformation and collapsed, dropping Blair with him. She burst into laughter.
—That was pathetic!
—Not funny… —he groaned, sore. But seeing her laugh so freely, he couldn't help but smile too.
From the corner, Mikan watched, arms crossed.
—If you two lovebirds are done playing, I want to train with you, Blair.
—With me? —Blair blinked.
—Of course. You're not entering the tournament, are you?
Blair lowered her gaze.
—I can't… If I show up, they'll recognize me immediately. But yes, I'd like to train with you. Your stealth style interests me, and I could pick up a few tricks.
Mikan smirked.
—Perfect. I'll teach you a few dirty ninja moves.
That evening, as the sun sank behind the castle walls and the air still burned from training, Asori approached Blair. His voice was serious but tinged with nerves.
—Blair… can we talk?
She met his gaze, the Sweet Kiss vibrating faintly with his tension.
—Of course. Tell me.
Asori clenched his fists, summoning courage.
—I want… to try something. But I need your permission… to kiss you.
The silence dropped heavy, their hearts pounding loud enough to hear. Blair's eyes flew wide, her face blazing.
—A-a kiss…? —she whispered.
Asori nodded, swallowing hard. Both stepped closer, their eyes fixed on each other's lips. The bond's vibration grew, pressing from within.
But before closing the distance, Asori drew a deep breath.
—There's something I need to tell you first…
Blair blinked, puzzled.
He recalled his talk with Eryndor that morning. The sage had handed him a scroll tied with blue ribbon:
"Go to the mountains at once. Stay there a week. Follow these instructions exactly. If you survive, you'll be ready to face Jason in the tournament."
At the time, Asori had hesitated.
"What if I faint? I've already transformed twice today… I've got nothing left."
Eryndor had answered with a calm smile:
"Then let Blair restore your strength. But don't get used to it, boy. The wind won't always blow in your favor. Find the princess, regain your energy, and leave tonight."
When Asori finished recounting it, he looked at Blair again, his expression unusually firm.
—That's why… I need your help. And I trust you.
Blair swallowed, trembling. She tilted her chin just slightly, face aflame.
—You're reckless… —she whispered—. But if it's for training…
Their breaths mingled, warm. The Sweet Kiss pulsed harder, as if destiny itself waited on that instant. Their lips hovered just a heartbeat apart.