The moment Ace returned to the forest, his body moved differently.
His steps were lighter, his balance steadier—each motion flowing into the next. Darian noticed it immediately.
"You're walking like you're about to dodge something," Darian said, narrowing his eyes.
Ace smiled faintly. "Eldoria taught me something."
Later that evening, Ace explained everything to Vargan—the Kingdom of Eldoria, Amagi, and the fighting style known as Shark's Fin. He demonstrated a few movements, his body twisting smoothly as his fists cut through the air with speed and precision.
Vargan watched in silence.
"A style based on flow and momentum," Vargan said finally. "Fast, adaptable… but reckless if overused."
Ace nodded. "That's why it's dangerous."
Meanwhile, far away in Eldoria, Princess Isami stood alone in the training grounds at dawn. She repeated the same fluid movements Amagi had shown Ace—again and again—until sweat soaked her clothes. Her strikes weren't perfect, but they were improving.
Each step, each punch, carried quiet determination.
Back in the forest, Vargan rose from his seat and picked up a wooden staff.
"If you've learned how to flow forward," he said, looking at Ace and Darian, "then it's time you learn how to strike back."
He positioned himself between them.
"This style is called Snake's Tail."
Vargan demonstrated—allowing Ace to attack first. The moment Ace struck, Vargan twisted aside, redirecting the force and tapping Ace's ribs with the staff before he could react.
"No wasted movement," Vargan said. "No aggression. Only response."
Darian attacked next, faster and stronger. Vargan countered again—every motion sharp, precise, and punishing.
"Snake's Tail is built on counterattacks," Vargan explained. "You let your enemy expose themselves. Then you strike where it hurts most."
Training was brutal.
Ace struggled at first. His instincts pushed him forward, but Snake's Tail demanded patience. Darian adapted quicker, his natural combat sense allowing him to read movements and react instantly.
"Again," Vargan ordered.
Hours passed. Bruises formed. Muscles burned.
But slowly—very slowly—Ace began to understand.
Shark's Fin taught him how to move.
Snake's Tail taught him when not to.
As night fell, Vargan looked at them both.
"When flow meets restraint," he said quietly, "that's when a warrior becomes dangerous."
Somewhere beyond the forest, unseen eyes were already watching that transformation begin.