UNIFIED W

Chapter 7: Proving a point

The day after the first phase, Kai was exhausted and didn't have the energy to do anything else.

Kai couldn't sleep all night because of what happened in the first phase and the tension it caused between him and Zeru.

While putting on his tracksuit and getting ready to head out, Kai quietly thought to himself.

'Ahhh... I hope everything returns to normal soon.'

On his way out, Kai glanced at Zeru's room, but Zeru wasn't there.

He then did his usual 30-minute run around the neighborhood before heading back home to shower and eat breakfast.

"Good morning, Kai. Have you slept well?"

"Good morning, sir. I'm still tired, but I'll rest well before the second phase."

The fire clan leader took a seat next to Kai at the dining table.

"It's important that you all are at your best before the next phase."

"You can count on me, sir. I won't let you down."

The fire clan leader stood up from his seat, and Kai did the same. They both started walking toward the front gate of their home.

"That's the spirit, Kai. I have some business that needs my attention, so I won't be training you and Zeru today."

"I'll notify Zeru about the situation. Have a safe trip, sir."

"Thanks, Kai, and remember to get some rest."

The fire clan leader and his two servants left for the city, leaving Kai standing alone at the front gate.

Soon after, Zeru appeared out of nowhere, sweating and covered in dirt.

"Where have you been, Zeru? Your grandfather left for an important trip to the city and said we should train on our own today."

Suddenly, Zeru screamed at Kai, his face filled with anger.

"You will address him only as sir."

"Are you okay? Why are you so angry all of a sudden?"

Zeru walked up to Kai and glared at him.

"You should know your place before you speak."

Kai could tell that Zeru was trying to provoke him, but he didn't want to make the situation worse.

"Alright, if that's what you want."

"Let's head to the nearby arena. There's something I want to check out."

Zeru walked toward the arena without saying another word, and Kai quickly followed behind.

***

The arena was as crowded as always, but today, Kai experienced something he never had before.

As soon as the crowd in the arena spotted Kai, they gathered around him.

"You did great the other day, Kai."

"You're lucky, man—living with the Fire Clan and, on top of that, having the Wind attribute."

"Can you show us some of your moves, Kai?"

The crowd's constant questions left Kai feeling a mix of confusion and unease.

"Guys, I know you're all excited, but I came here to train with Zeru."

"Did you hear that, guys? Kai is about to spar with Zeru."

"I bet all my points that Kai will mop the floor with Zeru."

"Shut up, you idiot. He's going to hear you if you shout like that."

By the time the person in the crowd finished speaking, Zeru had heard everything and became furious.

"If you guys want your life, I suggest you choose your next word carefully and step away from the arena."

Without hesitation, the crowd cleared out, leaving only Zeru and Kai standing face to face.

The announcers in the arena called for a training match between Kai and Zeru, and the crowd cheered for Kai.

As soon as the match began, Zeru attacked with full force. His punches landed with tremendous power.

Thwack... Thwack... Thwack!!!

Zeru's punches landed, but in terms of physical strength, Kai was superior to Zeru.

"Why don't you use your newfound powers, Kai? Do you think I can't handle them?"

"I don't know how to control my powers yet, so I have to rely on my physical strength."

"You're weak if you can't use your power when you need it."

Kai broke free from Zeru's attacks and countered with kicks and low body punches.

Zeru jumped back, maintaining his distance from Kai.

"Don't you think this training is getting out of control, Zeru?"

"HAHAHA, the real training starts now—try to keep up if you can."

Zeru drew Inferno, his eyes glowing brightly.

Kai backed away, maintaining a safe distance, and drew his sword.

The blue flames from the chain knife were so intense they melted the ground.

"Zeru, stop this. Someone will get hurt if you keep fusing your powers with that weapon."

"Don't tell me what to do. I'm from a superior clan. How dare an outcast order me around?"

"Zeru lost control and began attacking the crowd, and that's when the arena managers moved to intervene."

But suddenly, Kai raised his hand to stop the managers in the arena.

"Don't interfere with the match. I can handle this myself."

Kai closed his eyes and recalled the first time he used his powers.

'What was I thinking when my powers were first unlocked?'

Kai was dodging Zeru's attacks, but the crowd was defenseless.

'I must get close to Zeru in order to stop his attacks.'

Suddenly, Kai's movements changed pattern, becoming faster as he dodged Zeru's attacks.

It was too fast for Zeru to follow Kai's movements, and before he knew it, Kai had gained the upper hand.

With a single swing of Kai's sword, Zeru was sent crashing into the wall.

The wind pressure from the strike sent him flying.

After the dust settled, Kai stood there, staring at Zeru.

"Zeru, you may be a member of the superior clan, but I possess the superior power."

The people in the arena didn't know how to react and instead whispered to each other.

The training match ended, and Zeru left without saying a word.

'I wish you would tell me what's bothering you, Zeru.'

Kai went back home after their match, hoping to find Zeru, but unfortunately, he wasn't there.

With the second phase approaching, Kai decided to take a day off to rest and recover from the intense training.

Now was the time for Zeru and Kai to settle their differences and fight like brothers if they were to have any chance of winning the second phase.