The Academy's training grounds were transformed. Students, instructors, and allies moved with a renewed sense of urgency, each one acutely aware of the ancient evil that now threatened their world. Every corner of the Academy pulsed with the intensity of preparation, the hum of powers and techniques filling the air like static before a storm.
In the heart of the grounds, Kujo, Mira, and Rei stood before Sensei Jiro, who regarded them with a look of fierce determination. The stakes had never been higher, and each of them felt the weight of what lay ahead. But they also knew they wouldn't face it unprepared.
"Your training starts now," Jiro said, his voice firm, his eyes sweeping over them. "Each of you has your strengths, but Sukuna isn't like any opponent you've faced. To stand a chance, you must surpass your limits."
Jiro turned to Kujo first. "You carry a unique responsibility. Zephyr's eyes grant you the potential to disrupt Sukuna's energy, to counter his monstrous aura. But power alone won't be enough—you need control, absolute mastery."
Kujo nodded, his gaze steady. The new energy pulsing within him felt raw, volatile, like a double-edged sword. He knew Jiro was right—tapping into it recklessly would do more harm than good.
"Understood, Sensei," Kujo replied, steeling himself. "I'm ready."
Jiro nodded, motioning for Kujo to follow him to a secluded area of the grounds, separated from the others to minimize distractions.
"Your new power operates on a different frequency than the abilities you've trained in before," Jiro explained, his tone instructive. "You must learn to harness it as an extension of yourself. Let's start by focusing on control."
He placed a series of heavy, reinforced spheres on the ground, each one designed to test Kujo's command over his power. "I want you to lift these with Zephyr's power," Jiro instructed. "But remember, they're not just weights. They're resistant to most abilities, built to push you to the limit. Try to lift them without relying on brute force."
Kujo took a deep breath, focusing as he activated Zephyr's energy, feeling the rings in his vision pulse with power. He extended his hand, reaching out with the power that surged through him. The first sphere trembled, lifting slightly before wobbling in the air, but as Kujo focused, he felt its resistance, like a force pushing back against his will.
"Focus, Kujo," Jiro urged, watching him closely. "Feel the power in every movement. Don't just command it—become it."
Kujo closed his eyes, concentrating on the flow of energy, feeling it connect with the weight before him. Slowly, the sphere stabilized, floating in the air, steady and unmoving. The second sphere lifted, then the third, each one rising in turn as Kujo learned to match his power to their resistance.
Jiro watched, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Good. Keep going. Build on this control, and soon you'll be able to manipulate not just objects, but the very fabric of energy that surrounds you. That's the level you'll need to reach to face Sukuna."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the grounds, Rei and Mira stood together, their training equally intense.
"Mira, your illusions are powerful, but Sukuna saw through them too easily last time," Jiro had explained earlier. "You need to push them beyond mere images—make them tangible, a part of the world around you. We'll start by enhancing your ability to create solid illusions, illusions that can withstand physical attacks."
Mira focused, her brows furrowed in concentration as she summoned an illusion—a clone of herself, shimmering and slightly transparent. She worked to solidify it, willing it to feel real, to hold form and substance. She visualized it standing before her, imagined it breathing, moving as she did.
Rei, charged with testing the illusion's resilience, summoned a kinetic blast in his hand, its energy humming as he launched it toward the clone. The blast struck, and for a moment, Mira's clone held, its form absorbing the impact. But after a second, it flickered and dissipated, dissolving into nothing.
Mira gritted her teeth, frustration flickering in her eyes. "I thought I had it."
"Don't let the illusion mimic only the appearance," Jiro advised, observing her closely. "Make it a true extension of yourself, an entity that carries your will. When you create it, see it as more than a projection—make it real."
Nodding, Mira closed her eyes, channeling every ounce of focus into the next attempt. She pictured the clone with a heartbeat, a pulse, the subtle movements of a person alive with intention. She summoned it, feeling a new depth to the illusion as it took form.
When she opened her eyes, she met her clone's gaze. It looked more solid, more defined. She could sense its presence, like a silent twin.
Rei launched another kinetic blast, and this time, the clone held firm, deflecting the energy with a burst of resistance. Mira's eyes lit up with triumph, a small smile breaking through her concentration.
"Nice one," Rei said, giving her an approving nod. "We're getting somewhere."
Next, Jiro turned to Rei. "Your kinetic energy is powerful, but it's scattered. We need to refine it, make it a focused weapon you can channel precisely. Imagine it like a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer."
Rei nodded, shifting his stance. Jiro set up a row of targets in varying sizes, each one farther than the last. Rei summoned his kinetic energy, shaping it into a thin, sharp line, trying to concentrate its force into a precise, narrow beam rather than the usual explosive blast.
He fired, the thin beam of energy cutting through the first target, slicing it cleanly. He aimed at the second target, but his control wavered, and the beam flickered, dissipating before it could hit.
"Focus, Rei," Jiro instructed. "Channel it like a thread, concentrate on holding it steady."
Rei took a deep breath, grounding himself, visualizing the energy as a constant, narrow stream, sharp and unbroken. He fired again, the beam of kinetic energy slicing through the next target with precision, leaving only a faint trail of smoke.
Kujo watched them from across the field, a sense of pride filling him as he saw their progress. They had come so far, each one mastering their powers, refining their strengths. But he knew they still had more to learn, more to overcome.
As the days turned into weeks, their training grew even more intense. Kujo spent hours honing his control, feeling Zephyr's power merge with his own, learning to wield it with precision and finesse. He experimented with bending energy fields, manipulating the space around him, creating barriers and force fields that could withstand even Rei's most concentrated blasts.
Mira's illusions evolved, becoming almost indistinguishable from reality. She could now summon multiple solid clones, each one moving independently, reacting as if they had minds of their own. Her illusions could withstand blows, absorb damage, and even retaliate, a tactical advantage that gave their team a new edge.
Rei's kinetic energy was now razor-sharp, a weapon of pure precision. He could channel it into beams, create defensive walls, and use it to manipulate his surroundings with finesse, making him a versatile and unpredictable force.
The final phase of their training brought them together, facing off against each other in a series of mock battles, testing their abilities in real-time scenarios. They pushed each other to the edge, learning to work as a team, each one compensating for the others' weaknesses, enhancing their strengths.
One evening, after an especially grueling session, Jiro gathered them around, his face filled with pride and resolve. "You've each come a long way," he said, his voice strong. "You're no longer the students who joined this Academy. You're warriors, each of you ready to face whatever darkness lies ahead."
He looked at them, his gaze filled with a quiet confidence. "When the time comes, you'll be ready. Remember, strength alone doesn't make a hero—it's the heart, the will to protect, and the courage to face fear itself."
Kujo, Mira, and Rei exchanged a glance, a newfound determination uniting them. They had faced their demons, strengthened their resolve, and become more than they'd ever imagined possible.
And as they stood together, feeling the weight of their training, they knew that they were ready.
Sukuna was coming, but this time, they would face him as a team—stronger, more focused, and unbreakable.
YOU ARE READING
Phantom Awakening
Fantasía[ALL CHAPTERS PRE-WRITTEN] a world where those with powerful abilities shape the fate of nations, fourteen-year-old Kujo enters the legendary Academy, a place known to forge heroes-or break them. Gifted with the rare power to control metal, Kujo hop...
