The Bastion of the Eternal Moons appeared on the horizon like a floating fortress of crystal and moonstone. Tall towers reflected the 1000 moons in shades of silver, blue, and red, while bridges of energy connected platforms suspended over the abyss. The air was colder up here, a constant wind carrying the scent of ozone and hot metal.
Abraham, Lia, and Liora arrived early in the morning, after a long hike along the mountain trails. Abraham carried his old sword on his back, Lia the basket of fruit (so she wouldn't go hungry), Liora jumping excitedly beside him, her pleated skirt billowing.
"Look at this!" Liora pointed to the towers. "It's huge! Abraham-nii, are we going to live here?"
Abraham laughed. "Let's see if we pass the registration first."
Lia squeezed his hand. "You'll pass. We will."
The registration line was long — Awakened of all kinds: some with gleaming cursed swords, others with dramatic cloaks, pulsing lunar tattoos. Abraham, Lia, and Liora seemed out of place: simple clothes, low official level.
Entry test: cutting a target made of wood reinforced with lunar energy.
Abraham went first. He took a deep breath, old sword in hand. Simple Light Cut. The blade pierced the target like butter, leaving a clean cut. Judge noted: "Pass. Beginner level."
Lia went next. Wooden sword, trembling slightly. Crooked cut, but it hit. Judge: "Pass. Beginner."
Liora danced a little before the strike — lunar veil appeared, thin sword cut the target with a graceful spin. Judge: "Pass. Beginner."
They were led to an orientation room. A famous Master appeared: Master Kaelor, tall, flowing red cloak, sword with gleaming runes. Deep voice:
"Welcome to the Great Dojo of the Eternal Blades. Here you will learn to cut destiny. But only the worthy survive. Advanced classes for the strong. Basic classes for... the others."
Abraham and the trio were placed in the basic class. Simple room: old tatami mats, wooden targets, few spare swords.
The teacher entered: a man of average height, parted black hair, simple black eyes, the common uniform of the Bastion. He trembled slightly, sweating cold.
"Ah... hi... I'm Murata. Murata Voss. I'll teach you... please don't kill me if I make a mistake..."
The students laughed softly. Lia whispered to Abraham: "Is that the teacher?"
Liora blinked: "He seems nervous... but cute."
Abraham felt something strange. He remembered rumors: "Murata survived everything... how?"
Murata cleared his throat. "Well... today we'll start with the basics. A simple Lugua cut. It's... just follow the flow. Like this."
He picked up a spare sword. Crooked posture, trembling hand. He made a "basic" cut. The blade pierced the air and cut the wooden target in half—a perfect, clean cut, without visible effort. The target fell into two equal parts.
The room fell silent.
Murata blushed: "Oh no... it was just a normal cut... nothing special... sorry if I scared you."
Abraham felt a shiver. This wasn't luck. It was too precise. He... knows what he's doing.
Lia whispered: "He cut perfectly... even trembling."
Liora: "Abraham-nii... I think he's really strong."
Murata continued, stammering: "Now... you try. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just... try."
Abraham went first. A light cut with an old sword. He hit the target, but crookedly.
Murata: "Good... good. You just need to loosen your wrist more. Like this."
He demonstrated again—a simple cut, the target cut in half again.
Abraham tried again. He improved. His level didn't go up, but he felt the difference.
Lia tried. She missed, laughed. Murata corrected her in a low voice: "Take a deep breath... don't force it. Let it flow."
She got it right. "I did it!"
Liora danced the lunar veil + cut. Murata shyly praised her: "Cool... you're funny."
At the end of the class, Murata called Abraham aside.
"You... have something different. Your cut is very precise. Keep practicing. But... don't tell anyone I said that, okay? I'm just a bad teacher."
Abraham nodded. "Okay... but I know you're not bad."
Murata blushed. "Oh no... please don't say that out loud."
Her cell phone vibrated. Mission: "Participate in a new class. Post a group photo with the teacher. #FirstDayDojo"
Reward: +2 levels (80). New layer: "Basic Flow" (cuts gain +5% fluidity in simple techniques — minimum).
Abraham took the photo: sweaty trio + Murata trembling in the background.
Lia: "This teacher is strange... but I think he knows what he's doing."
Liora: "I like him! We're going to learn a lot!"
Abraham looked at the sky — moons shining.
Maybe here we'll get stronger... together.