The sun had begun climbing toward noon by the time Gabriel finally decided the next phase of training would begin. The backyard training ground had grown quiet again after nearly an hour of lightning control practice, but the dirt clearing showed clear signs of Kosoku's effort. Small scorch marks dotted the ground near several metal rods, and the air still carried the faint metallic smell that lightning often left behind.
Kosoku stood in the middle of the yard, stretching his arms while trying to loosen the stiffness in his muscles. The training earlier had been exhausting, but the excitement in his eyes had not faded. Learning how to control lightning with less mana had felt frustrating at first, yet each successful strike had made the process strangely satisfying.
He glanced toward Gabriel, who had stepped into the training circle with a calm expression.
"You mentioned combat drills earlier," Kosoku said cautiously. "Are we starting that today?"
Gabriel nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. It is time for your first spar."
Kosoku blinked.
"You mean… with you?"
Gabriel gave a small smirk.
"Unless you see another opponent here."
Kosoku looked around the empty yard as if hoping someone else might magically appear.
"That seems slightly unfair."
Alisa, who was watching from the porch again, let out a quiet laugh.
"You wanted real training," she reminded him gently.
Kosoku scratched the back of his head.
"I did not expect the opponent to be my father."
Gabriel stepped closer and stopped a few meters away.
"This will not be a real fight," he explained calmly. "The purpose of sparring is to learn how your abilities behave under pressure."
Kosoku tilted his head.
"So you will not attack seriously?"
Gabriel shook his head.
"I will attack fast enough to test your reactions, but not hard enough to injure you."
Kosoku thought about that explanation for a moment.
"Alright," he said finally. "That sounds reasonable."
Gabriel nodded once and gestured for him to take position.
Kosoku stepped back and raised his hands slightly, instinctively entering the stance Gabriel had taught him months earlier. His feet planted firmly against the dirt, and his body remained light enough to move in any direction.
A faint current of lightning flickered between his fingers.
Gabriel noticed immediately.
"Do not rely on lightning too early," he said. "Your body movement should come first."
Kosoku lowered the sparks slightly but kept them ready. The yard fell silent for a moment. Then Gabriel moved. The motion happened so quickly that Kosoku barely saw it. One moment Gabriel stood still, and the next he had already crossed half the distance between them.
Kosoku reacted instinctively. He jumped backward while twisting his body to the side.
Gabriel's hand passed through empty air where Kosoku had been standing. The boy's heart pounded as he landed several steps away.
"That was fast," he muttered.
Gabriel did not give him time to relax. He stepped forward again with another swift strike aimed toward Kosoku's shoulder.
Kosoku ducked this time.
His body rolled across the dirt before he sprang back to his feet.
Gabriel stopped moving and observed him quietly and in his thoughts. He moved faster than B-Rank Warriors.
"Your reaction speed is acceptable," he said.
Kosoku raised an eyebrow.
"That sounded like a compliment."
Gabriel crossed his arms.
"It was an observation."
Kosoku could not help smiling slightly.
"Then I will take it as a compliment anyway."
Gabriel suddenly moved again. This time the attack came from a different direction.
Kosoku barely avoided the strike by jumping sideways. As he landed, his instincts told him to counterattack.
Lightning surged into his hand. A small bolt shot forward.
Crack Crack Crack.
Gabriel shifted his body slightly, allowing the lightning to pass harmlessly beside him before fading into the air.
Kosoku blinked.
"You dodged that easily."
Gabriel nodded.
"You warned me by releasing too much energy."
Kosoku frowned.
"So I need to hide the attack better."
"That is correct."
Kosoku took a slow breath. "Alright."
Lightning flickered again around his fingers, but this time he kept the energy far smaller.
Instead of releasing it immediately, he began circling slowly around the yard.
Gabriel watched carefully.
"Good," he said calmly. "Movement makes your attacks harder to predict."
Kosoku continued moving while carefully controlling the lightning inside his hand. The sparks were small now, barely visible in the daylight.
Then he struck. A thin bolt shot forward. The attack was far weaker than before, but much faster. Gabriel leaned slightly to the side. The lightning missed him by only a few centimeters before striking one of the metal rods behind him.
Crack Crack Crack.
The rod vibrated loudly.
Kosoku's eyes widened.
"That was close."
Gabriel nodded.
"Yes. Your accuracy improved."
Kosoku felt a small wave of confidence rising inside him. Maybe he actually had a chance in this spar.
He began moving faster now, letting lightning flow lightly through his legs the same way he had practiced earlier. The electricity accelerated his movement just enough to make each step quicker.
Gabriel noticed immediately.
"You are using lightning to enhance your speed," he said.
Kosoku grinned.
"I learned that trick this morning."
Gabriel's smirk returned.
"Then show me how well you can control it."
Kosoku dashed forward.
His small figure moved quickly across the yard, leaving faint sparks trailing behind him. As he approached, he raised his hand and released another controlled lightning strike.
Gabriel stepped aside again. Kosoku expected that. He shifted direction instantly and attempted a second strike from the side.
Crack.
Lightning flashed again.
Gabriel blocked this attack by redirecting the energy with his own lightning.The sparks scattered harmlessly across the ground.
Kosoku stumbled back slightly, surprised by the counter.
"You can block lightning with lightning?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Elemental users often cancel each other's power."
Kosoku looked more excited than discouraged.
"That means I need to be faster."
Gabriel said nothing.
Kosoku rushed forward again. This time he did not attack immediately. Instead he closed the distance and swung the wooden knife in his hand.
Gabriel raised his arm and blocked the strike easily. Kosoku followed with a lightning burst from his other hand. The spark flashed toward Gabriel's side. For the first time, Gabriel had to step back to avoid the attack.
Kosoku froze.
"Wait." His eyes widened. "Did I actually make you move?"
Gabriel lowered his arm slowly.
"Yes."
Kosoku stared at him in disbelief.
"That means I landed a good attack."
Gabriel nodded slightly.
"It means your timing improved."
Kosoku grinned proudly.
"I knew today's training would help."
Gabriel stepped back and relaxed his stance.
"That is enough for today."
Kosoku blinked.
"That was short."
Gabriel shook his head.
"You are already exhausted."
Kosoku opened his mouth to argue but then realized his legs were trembling slightly from fatigue.
"...Okay, maybe you are right."
From the porch, Alisa clapped softly.
"That was impressive for a first spar."
Kosoku walked toward her with a proud smile.
"Did you see when he stepped back?"
Alisa nodded.
"I saw."
Kosoku looked toward Gabriel again.
"Next time I will land a real hit."
Gabriel's expression remained calm.
"That is a good goal."
By the time training ended, the sun had risen high above the neighborhood. The smell of food soon filled the house as Alisa finished preparing lunch.
Kosoku sat at the table eagerly. His training had completely drained his energy.
On the table were several dishes:
Steamed rice, spicy pork adobo — Kosoku's favorite as always, grilled fish, sautéed vegetables and a bowl of ampalaya without egg.
Kosoku's eyes immediately locked onto the adobo.
"Yes. A lot of foods" He grabbed his spoon.
"This is exactly what I needed."
Gabriel sat across from him.
"You only say that when there is adobo."
Kosoku shrugged while scooping rice.
"Because adobo is the best."
Alisa laughed softly.
"Eat your vegetables too."
Kosoku glanced at the ampalaya.
"...Do I have to?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Protein builds muscle. Vegetables keep your body healthy."
Kosoku sighed.
"This family has too many rules."
Still, he took a bite. His face tightened slightly.
"Hmm not bad."
Then he immediately ate another spoonful of adobo.
"...But the adobo fixes it."
After lunch, Kosoku dragged himself toward the bathroom. His body felt heavy from the morning training. When he opened the door, he froze. Inside the bathtub floated several large chunks of ice.
Kosoku stared.
"Woah, perfect for tropical climate."
Gabriel leaned against the hallway wall.
"It seems you love taking an ice-cold bath."
Kosoku looked horrified.
"Yeah, It feels good."
Gabriel shrugged.
Kosoku slowly dipped one foot into the water.
"THAT IS FREEZING!"
Gabriel smirked.
"You get used to it."
But after a moment, he finally stepped in.
The cold water shocked his muscles, but after a few seconds the soreness slowly faded.
Kosoku leaned back and sighed.
"...Okay."
"I hate to admit it."
"But this actually helps."
"I will practice submerging myself in ice-cold water."
Far across the city, inside the Philippine Warrior Association headquarters, Vice Director Helena Aragon reviewed another update from the surveillance system.
The energy readings from the Nozomi residence had spiked briefly.
Helena studied the data carefully.
"Lightning bursts during movement," she murmured.
Her assistant looked at the screen.
"That suggests combat training."
Helena nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Her eyes remained fixed on the glowing point on the map.
"That boy is no longer just learning control."
She folded her arms thoughtfully.
"He is learning how to fight."