The morning run ended in dust, breath, and burning lungs.
Gu Xu staggered the last few steps into the courtyard behind Maki's residence, his chest rising and falling like a bellows. Sweat clung to his neck and soaked through his training clothes. His legs trembled—not from fear this time, but from effort.
Beside him, De Qianfan slowed to a stop, rolling his shoulders as if the run had barely touched him.
"You're slower today," Qianfan said casually.
"I ran… further…" Gu Xu shot back between breaths.
Qianfan grinned. "True."
Gu Xu bent over, hands on his knees, sucking in air. He didn't collapse anymore. That alone felt like a victory.
Before either of them could say more—
A voice cut through the quiet morning.
"You're both late by three breaths."
Gu Xu stiffened as he cautiously looked up towards the place where the voice he had heard was.
It was Maki standing near the edge of the courtyard, hands folded behind his back, expression calm as ever. It was impossible to tell how long he had been watching.
Qianfan straightened immediately. "Master."
Gu Xu followed quickly, bowing. "Master!"
Maki's eyes moved between them, sharp but not unkind.
"Your pace has improved," he said to Gu Xu. "Marginally."
Gu Xu blinked, then felt a small burst of pride.
Marginally… meant that his improvement was noticeable.
Maki stepped forward onto the packed dirt of the courtyard.
"Today," he said, "we begin contact."
Gu Xu's heart skipped.
Contact?
Maki turned to Qianfan. "You will spar with him."
Qianfan's brows lifted slightly. "Now?"
"Yes."
Gu Xu froze.
"W-wait—what?!" he blurted. "Already?!"
Maki ignored the outburst.
"No weapons," he continued. "No strikes."
He paused.
"Whoever touches the other's head first wins."
Gu Xu blinked.
"That's it?"
"That is enough."
Qianfan stretched his arms lazily. "Sounds easy."
Gu Xu looked at him, then at Maki.
Easy?!
His palms suddenly felt sweaty.
They moved to the center of the yard.
The ground was uneven but firm, hard-packed earth, worn from years of training.
Qianfan stood loose, light on his feet while Gu Xu stood stiff.
Maki raised a hand.
"Begin."
Qianfan moved first.
He darted forward—fast.
Too fast.
Gu Xu flinched, instinctively throwing his arms up.
Qianfan's hand shot toward his head—
Blocked.
Gu Xu's forearm caught it.
Both of them paused for a fraction of a second.
Qianfan blinked.
"…Huh."
Gu Xu didn't think.
He just reacted.
Another attempt—Qianfan circled, light and quick, stepping to the side.
Gu Xu turned with him.
Not gracefully.
Not smoothly.
But steadily.
His feet stayed planted.
Firm.
Heavy.
Like roots digging into the ground.
Qianfan lunged again—
Blocked.
Again.
Blocked.
Again—
Blocked.
After a minute, Qianfan's grin faded slightly.
Gu Xu wasn't fast.
Not even close.
But—
He wasn't easy to get past.
His arms were slower, yes.
But they were there.
Always in the way and intercepting Qianfan's attacks.
Like a wall that kept shifting but never breaking.
Gu Xu's breathing grew heavier.
His arms started to ache.
But he didn't move his feet.
He remembered what Qianfan had shouted at him during training:
"Don't lose your base!"
So he didn't.
Time stretched.
Dust kicked up under their feet.
Qianfan circled faster.
Gu Xu turned slower.
But he kept facing him.
Blocking.
Blocking.
And blocking.
Don't chase him…
Just block...he thought to himself.
His movements weren't clean. They weren't even half trained yet.
But they were stubborn and solid.
Qianfan stepped back suddenly.
For the first time, he frowned.
"…You're annoying," he muttered.
Gu Xu blinked.
"W-what?!"
"You're like a tree."
"That's not a compliment!"
"It is right now."
Qianfan rolled his neck. And then he smiled again.
He rushed forward once more.
Same as before.
Same angle.
Same speed.
Gu Xu braced himself.
He raised his arms ready to block.
Qianfan feinted.
His hand flicked upward
Then dropped.
Instead, he stepped inside.
Too close.
Gu Xu's arms crossed awkwardly.
Wrong angle.
Wrong timing.
Qianfan's other hand shot up!
Tap.
Right on the head.
Everything stopped.
Gu Xu froze.
Qianfan stepped back.
"…Got you."
Gu Xu stared at him.
Then slowly reached up and touched his own head.
"I—"
He didn't even see it.
Maki stepped forward.
"It is over."
Gu Xu lowered his hand.
His chest was heaving.
His arms felt like lead.
But he hadn't been knocked down. He hadn't fallen. And at least he hadn't lost immediately.
That… felt strange.
Maki looked at Qianfan first.
"You won."
Qianfan nodded, still catching his breath.
"But—"
Maki's voice sharpened slightly.
"If a beginner can hold you off for several minutes, your speed is insufficient and your strategy is shallow."
Qianfan's expression stiffened.
He said nothing.
But his hand moved to his arm, rubbing it absently.
"…Yes, Master."
Even he had felt it.
Something was off.
Qianfan glanced at Gu Xu.
"Why is he so hard to break through? He's only a beginner."
Gu Xu wasn't fast.
Wasn't skilled.
But his body, his weight and most importantly his balance. It made him difficult overcome.
Annoyingly difficult.
Maki turned to Gu Xu.
"You."
Gu Xu straightened instinctively.
"You lasted longer than expected."
Gu Xu blinked.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
That was it.
It was a simple compliment.
But Gu Xu felt it in his chest.
It was warm and comforting to know that he was on the right track. Gu Xu did not smile widely.
He just nodded.
"…Thank you, Master."
Inside, the dining area was already prepared.
The smell hit them immediately.
Fatty roasted meat, of pork, lamb, goat and beef, the type of food nest for muscle growth.
It smelled rich and very savory.
Gu Xu's stomach growled loudly.
Qianfan laughed. "There it is."
They sat.
Servants brought the dishes of roasted cuts of fatty meat, stewed meat in thick broth, lightly grilled strips with salt and fresh juice in wooden cups.
Gu Xu didn't hesitate. After they all sat down and Maki had started eating, he too began eating, fast at first.
Then slower.
He remembered Maki's lessons.
Even eating… could be disciplined.
For a short while,
There was peace.
No running, nor shouting, nor hunger.
Simply food, warmth, and quiet.
Footsteps approached.
A servant entered, bowing slightly.
Behind him stood a messenger.
Who looked dusty though formal. He seemed to be holding a rolled letter.
"Master Maki," the servant said. "A message."
Maki gestured.
"Read."
The messenger stepped forward and bowed.
Then opened the letter.
"All members of the Cheetah tribe are to gather at the central grounds at noon today," he read.
"To discuss preparations for the upcoming tribal hunt."
He paused.
"Master Maki is to inform all students under his instruction."
Silence followed.
Then Maki nodded.
"I understand."
The messenger bowed and left.
The mood changed slightly.
Qianfan leaned back.
"The hunt is upon us already?"
Maki stood.
"Yes."
He looked at both of them.
"You will attend."
Gu Xu blinked.
"…Me too?"
"Yes."
Gu Xu's heart beat a little faster.
"The Cheetah tribe hunt…"
Maki adjusted his sleeves.
"I will go ahead to the training school."
He paused.
"Finish your meal. Do not be late."
"Yes, Master," they both said.
Then he left.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, Qianfan grinned.
"Well."
Gu Xu looked at him.
"Well what?"
"We've got time."
Gu Xu blinked.
"…For what?"
Qianfan stood, stretching.
"For not training."
They finished the rest of their food quickly. Then stepped outside. The sun was higher now and the village was awake. Full of lively voices and movement.
"Come on," Qianfan said, already walking. "Let's go look around."
Gu Xu hesitated.
"…Are we allowed to?"
"We're not forbidden."
"That's not the same thing."
Qianfan laughed. "You think too much."
They moved through the streets.
Looking at stalls and vendors. They bought some street candies and ate them together.
People were glancing at the two young friends wondering about which illustratious families these two young masters came from.
Some of them recognized Gu Xu.
But this time—
The looks were different.
Less mocking and more curious.
He was walking straighter now. The training had naturally improved his posture. A boy can't fight well when he's bending with a slouched posture. It was one of the first things from the old Gu Xu to go away early in his training.
They stopped at a weapons stall.
Then another stall.
Qianfan pointed things out without hesitation. He walked around while talking and joking.
Gu Xu listened.
And sometimes responded.
Quite awkwardly.
But he was trying. And Qianfan did not judge him.
For the first time in a long while—
Gu Xu wasn't thinking about his layabout, angry father and his harsh punishments.
The sun climbed higher.
The streets began to shift.
People were beginning to move in one direction.
Toward the center and towards the gathering.
Qianfan stretched his arms.
"Time to go."
Gu Xu nodded.
"…Yeah."
They walked together. Not as strangers and not quite as friends.
But something in between.
And as they joined the flow of the crowd, Gu Xu felt something unfamiliar.
Not fear.
Not shame.
But a small, quiet anticipation for what would come next.