The next morning, Kaelen arrived at the academy with a sense of purpose. His first sparring match had taught him much: the flow of chakra, the speed of his peers, and most importantly, how his sword could dominate in ways the academy hadn't seen before. But today was different. Today wasn't about testing limits—it was about connection.
He walked into the classroom and scanned the room. Most students were busy with drills, but a few glanced his way, their expressions curious. One boy with messy blond hair and a wide grin waved immediately.
"Hey! You're the guy from the courtyard yesterday, right?" the boy asked. "That sword of yours… insane!"
Kaelen hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Kaelen."
"I'm Riku," the blond said. "You're really quiet for someone that strong. Come on, don't just stand there! Sit with us."
Kaelen scanned the table. Three others were there: a tall girl adjusting her headband, a shorter boy flipping a kunai between his fingers, and a quiet kid in the corner scribbling symbols into a notebook. They all smiled or nodded at him. Interesting group, he thought. They might be useful.
The instructor entered, calling the class to attention, but Kaelen's mind wandered as he observed his tablemates. Riku was energetic and reckless—someone who would throw himself into battle without thinking. The girl, Kiyomi, seemed precise, calculating her every movement. The quiet boy, Haru, reminded Kaelen of himself in a strange way: observant, analytical, silent.
Lunch was a mix of awkward conversation and subtle observation. Kaelen learned that Riku had a knack for wind-style jutsu, Kiyomi specialized in genjutsu, and Haru had an affinity for lightning. They joked about their previous sparring matches, teasing each other, and slowly Kaelen found himself laughing. It felt… human.
After lunch, the instructor assigned a team exercise: capture the flag using both strategy and chakra. Kaelen was paired with Riku, Kiyomi, and Haru.
"Follow my lead," Kaelen said quietly, sheathing his sword so it wouldn't alarm the others. "We'll flank from the north. Haru, cover our rear with lightning. Kiyomi, distract with genjutsu. Riku… go loud, fast, and unpredictable."
The plan unfolded perfectly. Kaelen's movements were precise, slicing through obstacles, knocking aside wooden barriers, and keeping pace with his teammates' chakra attacks. Riku's reckless charges drew attention, Kiyomi's illusions confused their opponents, and Haru's lightning traps blocked reinforcements.
In the end, Kaelen held the flag high while the others cheered. They didn't know just how much control he had held back. He could have won alone in seconds—but that wasn't the point.
As they walked back, panting and laughing, Riku slapped Kaelen on the back. "Man, you're not just strong—you actually care about the team. That's rare!"
Kaelen allowed himself a small smile. Maybe this world isn't just about battles, he thought. Maybe it's about who you stand beside.
The first seeds of friendship had been planted. And Kaelen knew one thing for certain: in this world, allies were as important as skill—and these three would be his first.