Deep within the heart of a silent mountain range, hidden from wandering eyes and untouched by time, there was a cave. It was not just any cave—it breathed with a quiet, ancient power. The air within it was cool and heavy, humming faintly with energy that only those attuned to the unseen could perceive. Crystals embedded in the walls emitted a dim, bluish glow, casting long shadows that danced like spirits across the uneven stone.
Inside this cave, Sunny trained.
It had been one month since Sunny and his companions chose to halt their journey. A temporary pause, they had called it—but deep down, each of them understood that this pause was necessary. Growth required stillness, and strength demanded patience.
The Dragon King stood across from Sunny.
Or rather… what looked like the Dragon King.
Gone was the towering, majestic creature of scales and fire. In its place stood a boy no older than thirteen. He had sharp golden eyes that seemed far too ancient for his youthful face, and his movements carried a weight that betrayed his true nature. Even in this human form, there was something overwhelming about him—something that made the air tense when he moved.
"Again," the Dragon King said calmly.
Sunny exhaled slowly, steadying himself. Sweat clung to his skin, his breathing controlled but heavy. Without hesitation, he launched forward, his feet pushing off the stone floor with precision. His fist cut through the air toward the Dragon King's chest.
The boy didn't move.
At the last second, Sunny twisted his body, redirecting his strike into a sweeping kick aimed at the Dragon King's legs.
A blur.
Sunny's attack met nothing.
Before he could react, a hand lightly tapped his shoulder.
"You hesitate," the Dragon King said.
Sunny froze.
Then—
A gentle push.
Yet it felt like a mountain had struck him.
He flew backward, crashing against the cave wall before dropping to the ground. Dust rose around him as he coughed, trying to catch his breath.
"Your body improves," the Dragon King continued, his voice neither harsh nor kind. "But your mind still clings to doubt. In battle, doubt is death."
Sunny wiped his mouth and stood again. There was no frustration on his face—only determination.
He had grown stronger. He knew that.
But not enough.
Not yet.
Elsewhere in the cave, Ava stood before Modret.
If the training between Sunny and the Dragon King was brutal and direct, Ava's method was something else entirely.
Graceful. Calculated. Precise.
"Again," she said.
Modret moved.
His body flowed like wind—each step light, each motion controlled. He wielded his weapon with elegance, striking forward with speed that would have overwhelmed most opponents.
Ava sidestepped effortlessly.
Her hand brushed against his wrist, redirecting his attack. With a simple twist, she sent him off balance—but Modret adapted instantly, spinning with the motion and regaining his footing.
A faint smile touched Ava's lips.
"Better."
Modret had changed.
A month ago, he had already been impressive. Now, he was something more.
His physique had developed, his body stronger and more refined. His movements were sharp yet fluid, like a noble warrior born into perfection. There was a certain charm to him now—something regal.
He looked like a prince.
But beneath that elegance was power.
Real power.
His techniques had become flawless, as though guided by instinct rather than thought. And perhaps most importantly, his mind had sharpened. He observed, analyzed, and adapted with frightening speed.
"You're thinking less," Ava noted. "Good. Overthinking slows you down."
Modret lowered his weapon slightly. "And Sunny?"
Ava's gaze shifted briefly toward the other side of the cave.
"He improves," she said simply.
That was all.
But there was more behind those words.
Sunny was different.
His growth was subtle. Quiet. It didn't show as clearly as Modret's transformation—but something was changing within him. Something deeper.
And Ava noticed.
She always noticed.
Ava was the leader of the group.
Not because she demanded it.
But because it simply… became so.
She had a presence that commanded attention. A mind that saw things others missed. And a calm, calculating nature that made her decisions difficult to question.
She guided them—not just in battle, but in purpose.
Yet despite her strength, there was one thing she lacked.
Opportunity.
For weeks, she had searched for blood demon creatures—rare, powerful beings whose defeat would allow her to advance in rank.
But fate had not been kind.
No matter where she looked, they remained elusive.
It was as if the world itself denied her progress.
Modret often accompanied her.
Unlike Sunny, Modret's role extended beyond combat. He gathered information, tracked movements of creatures, and reported everything back to Ava. He was sharp, reliable, and always present when needed.
And perhaps… something more.
There was a quiet shift in how he looked at her.
Something unspoken.
One night, the cave was silent.
The training had ended. The others rested.
Sunny lay still, his eyes closed, his breathing slow and steady.
But he wasn't asleep.
Not really.
Voices.
Soft at first.
Then clearer.
Ava… and Modret.
Sunny remained motionless, listening.
"I didn't plan for this," Ava said quietly.
"Neither did I," Modret replied.
There was a pause.
Then—
"I love you."
The words hung in the air.
Sunny's heart skipped a beat.
He didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't react.
"I love you too," Ava answered.
Something shifted.
A strange feeling stirred within Sunny—something he couldn't quite name.
He had always seen them as companions. Teammates.
But now…
Now things were different.
He continued to listen.
And what he heard next… he wasn't sure he was meant to hear.
Their voices softened further. Their movements subtle but unmistakable.
Sunny understood.
He closed his eyes tighter.
Not out of embarrassment.
But to steady himself.
He said nothing.
Did nothing.
Just listened… and learned.
Sunny knew Ava's flaw.
It wasn't something she spoke of openly—but he had figured it out.
She would forever look young.
Time would not touch her appearance.
At first glance, it seemed like a gift.
But Sunny understood.
It wasn't.
To remain unchanged while the world moved forward… while others grew, aged, and evolved…
That was not a blessing.
It was a burden.
Yet Ava carried it well.
She had molded herself into the body she inhabited—a cold, calculating young woman whose presence could command and intimidate.
She didn't let her flaw define her.
She controlled it.
Just like everything else.
Sunny had his own secrets.
One of them… involved Modret.
There had been a moment—just once—when Sunny had tried something.
An experiment.
He had focused his ability… and entered Modret's body.
Not physically.
But mentally.
For a brief moment, Sunny saw through Modret's eyes.
He heard his thoughts.
Felt his awareness.
But that was all.
He couldn't control anything.
Couldn't influence anything.
He was merely… a passenger.
An observer.
And then it ended.
The connection broke.
Sunny never spoke of it.
But he remembered.
Of all the things Ava taught him, one stood above the rest.
Duplication.
The ability to create another self.
Not an illusion.
Not a shadow.
But a true clone.
At first, Sunny had been confused.
"How is that even possible?" he had asked.
Ava's explanation was simple… but not easy to follow.
"You circulate your essence," she said. "Not just through your body—but through your entire being."
"Your body, mind, soul, and spirit must align."
Sunny listened carefully.
"You choose something," she continued. "An element. A skill. A core aspect of yourself. You focus on it until it becomes you."
"And then?" Sunny asked.
"And then," Ava said, "you let it separate… without breaking."
That was the difficult part.
To divide oneself… without losing oneself.
To create… without weakening.
Sunny became obsessed with the idea.
Not because of its power.
But because of what it represented.
Control.
Mastery.
Understanding.
If he could truly duplicate himself…
Then he would no longer be limited.
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Sunny trained relentlessly.
Not just physically—but internally.
He sat in silence for hours, focusing on his essence. Feeling it move through him. Understanding its flow.
At first, there was nothing.
Then… something.
A flicker.
A sensation.
Like a second heartbeat.
He pushed further.
Deeper.
His awareness expanded.
His body felt distant.
His mind… sharper.
And then—
For a brief moment—
He felt it.
Another presence.
Faint.
Incomplete.
But real.
Sunny's eyes snapped open.
It was gone.
But he smiled.
Because now he knew.
He was close.
Across the cave, the Dragon King watched.
He said nothing.
But his golden eyes gleamed with interest.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Because Sunny…
Was changing.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But undeniably.
And soon—
That quiet change…
Would become something far greater.