Dawn in the Training Grounds
The sun had barely risen over Asgard.
Mist clung to the marble arena.
Thor stood in the center, rolling his shoulders, Mjolnir resting in his grip. His eyes burned with excitement.
Across from him—
Alexander.
No sword.
No spear.
No visible aura.
Hands behind his back.
Thor frowned. "You're not taking this seriously."
Alexander tilted his head. "I am."
Loki lounged on the steps, chin in his palm.
"Oh, this is going to be beautiful," Loki muttered.
The Spar Begins
Odin's voice echoed.
"Begin."
Thor moved first.
A blur of muscle and lightning, Mjolnir roaring toward Alexander's head.
Alexander took one step to the side.
The hammer missed.
Thor overextended.
Alexander tapped Thor's shoulder.
Thud.
Thor stumbled.
"…What?" Thor blinked.
Loki snorted.
Thor attacked again—faster, harder, lightning crackling.
Alexander walked.
Not dodging.
Walking.
Every swing missed by a hair's breadth.
Thor spun, leapt, slammed Mjolnir down—
Alexander gently placed a foot on Thor's wrist mid-motion.
Thor's grip loosened.
Mjolnir fell.
Clang.
Silence.
Then—
Loki burst into laughter.
"I—HAHAHAHA—Brother, did you just lose to a step?"
Thor stared at the hammer on the ground.
Alexander crouched, picked it up, and placed it back in Thor's hand.
"You telegraph," Alexander said calmly.
"You overcommit."
"And you rely too much on strength."
Thor looked up.
Alexander flicked Thor's forehead.
Thor flew backward and landed flat on his back.
Defeat Without a Single Move
Odin raised a brow.
Alexander hadn't used:
Fire Water Magic Ryūjin Jakka Strength beyond Thor's level
Only:
Timing Balance Awareness
Thor sat up slowly, stunned.
"…You didn't even fight me."
Alexander smiled faintly. "You fought yourself."
Loki was wheezing.
"I'm engraving this day into history."
Loki Observes
While laughing, Loki's eyes were sharp.
He didn't move unnecessarily.
He controlled distance perfectly.
No wasted motion.
Loki realized something unsettling.
Alexander wasn't stronger.
He was efficient.
And efficiency scared gods.
Thor's Worldview Shifts
Thor stood.
Picked up Mjolnir.
Bowed.
Not deeply—but sincerely.
"I understand now," Thor said quietly.
"Power without control is nothing."
From that dawn forward—
Thor trained harder than ever.
Not just muscles.
But discipline.
Alexander's Request
Later that day, Alexander stood before Odin.
"I have a request."
Odin gestured. "Speak."
"I want to learn blacksmithing," Alexander said.
"And spear skills."
Odin frowned slightly. "Why a spear?"
Alexander produced a design.
A long, elegant weapon—golden and obsidian, ancient yet divine.
The Vortex Vanquisher.
Odin's eye widened.
"…This design," Odin murmured. "It channels authority, not brute force."
Even Odin was impressed.
"You don't want a king's weapon," Odin said slowly.
"You want a god-slaying instrument."
Alexander nodded.
Odin smiled.
"Very well."
A New Path Begins
Odin turned. "Heimdall."
Heimdall stepped forward.
"Take my son to Nidavellir," Odin commanded.
"Introduce him to Eitri."
He looked at Alexander.
"Learn from the best."
Heimdall nodded.
The Bifrost ignited.
Alexander took one last look at Asgard—
Then vanished in light.
Closing Line
Loki watched the rainbow bridge fade.
"…We are all in trouble," he said softly. 😈