Rika slid back across the training floor, boots grinding against reinforced concrete.
Her arms were locked in a tight guard, forearms crossed—
Blocking.
"…That was a good hit."
Smoke curled upward from Sora's fist.
Her breathing was sharp, uneven—but her stance held.
Across the room, Akira and Jackson sat watching.
Akira leaned forward slightly, a grin tugging at his lips.
"Woah… she's gotten stronger."
Jackson gave a small nod.
"…Yeah."
Then he just let himself fall backward—
Flat onto the ground.
"Man…" he exhaled, staring up at the ceiling.
A pause.
"…Akira."
Akira glanced over.
"When you were talking about a dream you're willing to die for…"
Jackson scratched the back of his head.
"What does that even mean?"
Akira blinked. "Why are you asking this now?"
Jackson stares straight. "Just answer."
Then tilted his head.
"…When you were fighting," he said slowly, "you were yelling stuff like 'let's die' and all that."
He smirked slightly.
"You seemed like you understood it then."
Jackson yawned.
"I was caught up in the moment."
He stretched one arm lazily.
"I wasn't thinking straight."
A beat.
"…Is there really anything worth throwing your life away for?"
Akira stared at the ceiling for a second.
Then laid down beside him.
"It's not that I want to die."
His voice was calm.
"But I'd gladly risk my life to become King."
Jackson turned his head slightly.
Akira continued.
"I learned something a few days ago."
His eyes narrowed faintly.
"You should never aim for the worst option."
Jackson frowned.
"…What does that even mean?"
Akira raised a hand, gesturing vaguely.
"Like… if someone told me—kill Jackson or work for it…"
He paused.
"…Actually I don't know."
A grin crept onto his face.
"I'd probably kill you."
Jackson stared at him.
"…You're a terrible person."
Akira laughed.
"But you get the point."
Jackson sighed.
"…No. I don't."
Akira closed his eyes.
"It means…"
He thought for a second.
"…don't settle."
His voice softened slightly.
"Don't pick the path where you lose something important if you don't have to."
Jackson went quiet.
The room filled again with the sound of impact—
Sora lunged forward.
Faster this time.
Her foot pivoted sharply as she closed distance on Rika—
A straight punch—
Rika shifted.
Blocked—
But her stance slid again.
Further than before.
Sora's eyes sharpened.
Rika smiled.
"That's it."
Sora didn't respond.
She moved again—
This time she didn't wait.
Didn't hesitate.
A second strike came immediately—
Then a third—
Rika's arms moved in tight, efficient motions, deflecting each blow—
But she wasn't standing still anymore.
She was being pushed.
Back.
Across the floor.
Akira cracked one eye open.
"…She's actually doing it."
Jackson sat up slightly.
"…Yeah."
Rika suddenly twisted her body—
A quick counter—
Her palm shot toward Sora's shoulder—
Sora reacted instantly—
She stepped inside the strike—
Too close.
Rika's eyes flickered.
Sora drove her fist forward—
Point blank—
Impact.
A burst of Tao exploded outward—
Rika slid back again, boots screeching.
Then—
Silence.
Sora stood there, chest heaving.
Rika slowly lowered her arms.
Then—
She laughed.
A bright, genuine laugh.
"Okay… okay."
She rolled her shoulders.
"That's a real improvement."
Sora blinked.
"…Really?"
Rika pointed at her.
"You stopped thinking."
She grinned.
"That's step one."
Across the room—
Jackson leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
"…So that's what it looks like."
Akira sat up beside him.
"Yeah."
Jackson's gaze shifted.
Toward the far side of the training hall.
Where another section of the floor was still glowing faintly.
Maya's training diagram.
"…You really think all that stuff she gave us is enough?" Jackson asked.
Akira didn't answer immediately.
He stared at Sora.
At Rika.
At the way the fight was changing.
"…No."
Jackson raised an eyebrow.
"…But it's a start."
A pause.
Jackson leaned back again.
"…You're serious about that King thing, huh?"
Akira didn't hesitate.
"Yeah."
Jackson closed his eyes.
"…Then I guess I need to figure out what I'm serious about."
Akira glanced at him.
Jackson smirked slightly.
"…Because right now?"
He let out a slow breath.
"I've got nothing worth risking my life for."
Silence settled between them.
Then—
A loud crash echoed from another training room.
Both of them looked over.
Akira grinned.
"…Sounds like Gaku's still going."
Jackson chuckled.
"…Yeah. That guy's insane."
Rika clapped her hands suddenly.
"Alright, break's over!"
Sora groaned.
"…Already?"
Rika pointed at her.
"You wanted to get stronger, right?"
Sora straightened slightly.
Her expression hardened.
"…Yeah."
Rika's grin widened.
"Good."
She stepped forward.
"Then come at me again."
Sora exhaled slowly.
Then—
She moved.
No hesitation this time.