The sun was rising on the horizon, tinting the sky with a soft orange that blended into the pale glow of the 1000 moons that hadn't fully retreated yet. It was around 6:30 a.m. when Abraão woke to the distant sound of swords clashing in another room. The dormitory was quiet, Lia sleeping on the bed beside him, Liora curled up in the blanket on the floor as always. Abraão smiled softly, thinking about how the two had become part of his life. They make me want to be better.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He grabbed it, turned on the screen. A new video popped up, with the mysterious voice as always:
"Mission: Run 100 laps around the Els River, then another 100 swimming. Reward... Will be acquired upon completion of the mission."
Abraão blinked. What kind of mysterious mission is this? It doesn't even say the reward? But I'll do it anyway... it seems tough, but that's what makes me grow. He pocketed the phone, got dressed quickly, and slipped out silently so as not to wake anyone.
He passed through the empty Bastion cafeteria — grabbed a simple bread and an apple for a quick bite. Breakfast was basic, but it filled the stomach. He bit into the bread as he walked, thinking: Els River... that's the big one, near the edge of the Bastion. It's gonna be exhausting, but let's go.
He arrived at the river around 7 a.m. The Els River was massive — crystal-clear water reflecting the morning moons, wide banks with grass and stones. Abraão took a deep breath. "Okay, let's start." He began running around the river, feet pounding the damp earth. The first 20 laps were easy, but by lap 30, his legs started to feel heavy. Huff... I didn't think it'd be this hard. The river's bigger than I remembered. The sun rose higher, heat increasing, sweat dripping down his face. He stopped for a second to drink from the river, filling an improvised bottle with his hand. He drank about 5 full bottles. "Ah, now I feel refreshed!"
He continued. Lap 50: legs burning. Lap 70: breathing faltering. Lap 100: he stopped panting, hands on his knees. "Huff... huff... finished the run. Now the 100 swimming." He flopped onto the ground for a minute, staring at the moons. This is crazy...
Murata, who was on his morning run along the Bastion's edge, spotted Abraão from afar swimming from one end of the river to the other. The river was huge, with a light but challenging current. Murata stopped, thinking: No one's taking training this seriously. He does the whole class and still trains extra before sunrise. He wants to get stronger... and for that, he needs to train for real. Murata headed to the cafeteria, made some quick sandwiches (bread with cheese and herbs), and filled a bottle with fresh water. He returned and sat on the bank, waiting.
Abraão finished the 100 swimming laps around 8 a.m. He emerged from the water dripping, exhausted, hands shaking. "Huff... huff... finally done." He saw Murata and blinked. "Professor? What are you doing here? Am I late for class?"
Murata handed him a sandwich and the bottle. "Not at all! It's still early. I came because I want to talk to you."
Abraão took it, biting into the sandwich. "What do you want to talk about, sir?"
Murata stood up and placed a hand on Abraão's shoulder. "I've seen how dedicated you are to improving. The training you're getting is too simple for your determination. That's why I'm going to train you personally. Actually, I am the current Sword Master. I didn't want to tell this to anyone who didn't have true determination to become stronger. Don't tell this to anyone, not even your friends. Starting tomorrow, your special training will begin."
Abraão listened with his mouth open, almost dropping the sandwich. "I knew it... your cuts were too perfect to be from a beginner! But why do you hide this from other people?"
Murata sighed. "Because I want to find people with your determination. People without determination would never withstand the special training — they'd quit right at the start. I also want to teach people who aren't that good yet to become better and better. What's the fun in teaching someone who already knows everything? I'm going to train you as if you're going to become the greatest swordsman in the world!"
Abraão felt his eyes well up. "Thank you so much, professor!" He hugged Murata tightly. "But what about my friends? Will you train them too?"
Murata shook his head. "No, your friends are great students, but training them with you would be too complicated. The other teachers might end up finding out. They don't have the habit of getting up early to train, so they'd find it strange. Anyway, take these sandwiches and your water bottle. It's almost 8:30, so I'm heading out. See you in class!" Murata gave him a light pat on the shoulder and left.
Abraão finished the sandwiches and water, feeling a new energy. Sword Master... huh? This changes everything. He headed back to the dormitory and put his bottle back there. Before he knew it, his phone vibrated; he grabbed it and turned on the screen. "Mission accomplished. Reward: Will to live." Abraão looked surprised. "What? What the heck is this?" He pocketed the phone and wondered, "What kind of power did I receive?" Abraão shook Liora to wake him. "Ow, ow Abraão-nii, not like that, harder." Abraão paused for a moment to process, and wondered. "What is he dreaming about? Wake up, Liora! Class is about to start!" Liora sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Abraão-nii, you're already up?" He jumped into Abraão's lap. "Abraão-nii, I'm so tired, help me change clothes?" Abraão looked at him surprised. "Wh-What? You can change by yourself!" "Are you embarrassed, Abraão-nii? We're both boys, no need to be shy!" "If you say so." Abraão grabbed Liora's uniform, took off his pajamas, and helped him put it on. "Lia, wake up! It's time for class!" Lia sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. "Just five more minutes." "No more time! Let's go! We'll head out first." "Wait Abraão, let me change clothes." "Okay, I'll wait." After Lia changed, they went to the cafeteria for breakfast. They sat down and started eating. Liora leaned close to Lia and said: "Lia, Abraão helped me change clothes hehe." Lia turned red and shouted: "WHAT?" She'd never felt so jealous in her life; she started imagining: "Abraão-nii, help me take off my clothes." "Of course Liora-chan, with pleasure." "Don't touch him like that, Abraão-nii." Lia finished shouting: "NO!"
Lia stopped suddenly, breathing deeply, her face still red like a ripe lunar fruit. Abraão looked at her, confused. "Lia? You okay? You shouted out of nowhere." Lia shook her head, trying to compose herself. "It's... nothing. Just a silly thought. Lio, don't say things like that out of the blue. It sounds... I don't know, weird." Liora blinked innocently. "But it's true! Abraão-nii is kind, he helps me with everything." Abraão scratched the back of his neck, not understanding. "What are you guys talking about?" Lia forced a smile. "It's nothing. Let's eat quick, class is starting."
They finished breakfast around 9:10 a.m. — bread with honey, hot tea, juicy lunar fruits. The dining hall was fuller now, students chatting about the previous day's fights. Abraão noticed Jhonatam in the corner, looking at them with an arrogant smile, but ignored him. Around 9:30 a.m., they arrived at the training room. Murata was already there, sword in hand, sweating coldly as always.
"Good morning, students. Today we're doing something new: precision training with moving obstacles."
The training began. Sun beating hard through the window, hot air. Murata set up a circuit with targets that moved randomly, like lunar beasts. Abraão went first: ran, dodged, sliced a target mid-air. Missed the second. "Damn!" Lia laughed: "Your turn to fall!" She tried, hit two, but tripped on the third. "Ow! This thing moves too much!" Liora weaved between the targets, cutting with colorful lunar veils. "Look at this!" He hit three in a row, striking a pose at the end. Abraão: "Awesome, Lio! You're fast."
The training turned into a fun competition. Murata let them bet: whoever missed the most paid for the afternoon snack. Lia missed a target and fell on her butt on the tatami. "Not fair! That target cheated!" Abraão helped her up, laughing. "Cheated? It's made of wood!" Liora missed a spin and almost hit Abraão. "Sorry, Abraão-nii!" Abraão: "No problem." They laughed, sweating, breathing heavy, but having fun.
Around 11 a.m., Jhonatam appeared at the door with his friends.
"Look at the rookies' circus. How pathetic."
He glanced at Lia with charm. "Lia, come over here. I'll show you how it's really done."
Lia: "No thanks. I'm good right here."
Jhonatam laughed and looked at Liora with disdain. "And this little puppet is still here? How pathetic."
Liora hid behind Abraão, muttering: "I don't like him..."
Abraão frowned. "Just ignore him, Lio."
In the back of the room, Hermione Kurosawa watched everything in silence.
Around 12:30 p.m., they stopped for lunch in the dining hall. Lunar vegetable soup, herbed rice, and fruits. They sat together, still laughing about the training.
Lia: "That Jhonatam gets on my nerves."
Abraão: "He's arrogant. Ignore him."
Liora: "I don't like him... he looks at me like I'm trash."
The afternoon continued with light training until sunset. Night fell around 6:30 p.m. Dinner: light soup, bread, and cheese. They sat on the veranda.
Lia rested her head on Abraão's shoulder. "Thanks for today."
Liora fell asleep in his lap. Something's wrong... sometimes it feels like the day is repeating..