Snow had swallowed the Wind Village.
Nearly two years had passed since the Whispering Wind Festival, and the village now rested beneath the quiet grip of winter.
White blanketed the rooftops.
The stone paths that once glowed with lantern light were now dusted with snow that crunched beneath every step. Thin trails of smoke rose from chimneys across the village as families warmed their homes against the cold.
The wind still moved through the streets—soft, cold, and steady.
But life in the village had never slowed.
Villagers swept snow from their doorsteps.
Merchants reopened their small stalls along the main road.
Children ran across the open courtyards, laughing as they tossed handfuls of snow at each other.
Some attempted to build crooked snow figures that collapsed seconds later.
Others chased each other through the drifting wind like tiny storms of their own.
Winter had arrived.
But the Wind Village remained alive.
Beyond the main streets, near the outer training fields of the Kaze estate—
Two figures stood facing each other in the snow.
One tall.
One small.
Akira slowly lifted his hand.
Pulse gathered around his palm with quiet precision.
The air sharpened.
Then—
SHHHHNNK.
A blade of compressed pulse formed instantly in his hand.
A Pulse Blade.
The weapon hummed faintly as currents of air rotated along its edge.
Across from him stood a boy.
Kaito.
He looked taller now.
Stronger.
His movements carried a sharpness that hadn't existed two years ago.
His hair swayed slightly in the cold wind as he rolled his shoulders and adjusted his stance.
Snow crunched beneath his feet.
Akira held the blade casually.
His voice remained calm.
"Come at me whenever you're ready."
Kaito smirked.
His eyes sharpened.
"I'm always ready."
The moment the words left his mouth—
He vanished.
Snow exploded behind him as Kaito shot forward across the training field like a gust of wind unleashed.
Akira's eyes moved slightly.
Fast.
Much faster than before.
Kaito closed the distance instantly.
His body twisted mid-dash and he launched a sharp kick toward Akira's side.
Akira stepped aside effortlessly.
But Kaito had already moved.
His foot touched the ground for only a fraction of a second before he spun, using the momentum to launch a second strike.
A punch.
Fast.
Fluid.
Precise.
Akira raised the Pulse Blade and deflected it.
The air cracked as the wind blade clashed against the force of Kaito's movement.
Kaito ducked instantly beneath the counterattack and slid across the snow before springing upward again.
His body flowed like moving wind.
No hesitation.
No wasted movement.
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly.
He's improved.
Kaito dashed again.
This time he circled Akira completely.
Snow scattered beneath his feet as he appeared from the side—
Then behind—
Then above.
Each movement chained perfectly into the next.
A kick.
A punch.
A sweeping strike.
Akira blocked each one with minimal motion.
But the boy wasn't slowing down.
If anything—
He was getting faster.
Kaito flipped backward, landing lightly on the snow before rushing forward again.
His foot slid across the surface as he pivoted sharply.
Akira swung his blade.
Kaito leaned sideways.
The blade missed him by inches.
He countered instantly.
Palm strike.
Akira blocked again.
But this time—
Akira pushed forward.
The training field erupted with motion.
Kaito suddenly found himself on the defensive.
Akira's attacks came calmly.
Efficient.
Precise.
The Pulse Blade flashed through the air again and again.
Kaito dodged.
Twisted.
Blocked.
But step by step—
Akira pushed him backward.
Snow scattered behind Kaito as he slid across the field.
Then—
Akira moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
The blade flashed toward Kaito's chest.
Kaito's eyes widened—
Then suddenly—
Everything slowed.
The wind quieted.
The snowflakes drifting through the air seemed to freeze.
Kaito inhaled slowly.
His chest rose.
Then fell.
His eyes sharpened.
"Wind Assertion…"
The wind around him shifted.
"…Gale Step."
A burst of wind exploded beneath his feet.
KSHHHHH!
Kaito shot sideways like a sudden storm gust.
Akira's blade sliced through empty air.
Then—
Kaito reappeared beside him.
A sharp strike landed against Akira's arm.
The impact pushed him back slightly.
Just a little.
But it was enough.
Kaito jumped back, breathing hard.
Then—
He grinned.
Wide.
Proud.
"Hah!"
He pointed at Akira.
"You almost lost."
Akira stared at him silently.
Kaito placed his hands on his hips proudly.
"I told you I've been training hard."
He cracked his knuckles.
"And I'm just getting started."
He leaned forward.
Ready to charge again—
Then suddenly—
He froze.
A cold blade rested beneath his throat.
Kaito blinked.
Slowly…
He turned his head.
Akira stood behind him.
Calm.
Holding the Pulse Blade under Kaito's neck.
Kaito's eyes widened.
Then he slowly looked forward again.
Akira still stood there.
In front of him.
Kaito's brain stalled.
"…Wait."
Akira's voice came quietly behind him.
"If you celebrate before the battle ends…"
The blade shifted slightly closer to his throat.
"…you lose."
Kaito stared forward for several seconds.
Then sighed.
"…I lost."
Akira removed the blade.
The wind dispersed.
Kaito turned around and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"But I pushed you back."
Akira nodded once.
"You did."
Kaito brightened immediately.
"Really?"
"You improved."
That was enough to make the boy smile proudly again.
Soon the two of them sat down on the snowy field.
Kaito leaned back on his hands.
"I've been training really hard."
Akira glanced at him.
"I noticed."
Kaito stared up at the gray winter sky.
"…I want to get stronger faster."
Akira was quiet for a moment.
For a moment the two of them simply sat in the quiet of the winter field.
Snowflakes drifted slowly through the air, carried by the cold wind that passed over the training grounds.
Kaito leaned back slightly on his hands, catching his breath after the fight.
Akira glanced toward him.
Then he spoke.
"You're almost eight."
Kaito turned his head toward him, already knowing where the conversation was heading.
"Yeah."
His eyes shifted briefly toward the distant estate.
"Three months."
Akira nodded faintly.
"The Master Exam begins in April."
Kaito exhaled through his nose.
"I know."
There was no excitement in his voice this time.
Only focus.
Akira watched him quietly for a moment before continuing.
"The Wind Clan has many ranks."
His voice remained calm, steady.
"Masters."
"Elite Masters."
"Grandmasters."
"Sovereign Masters."
Kaito listened silently.
He already knew this, but when Akira spoke about it, the words carried a different weight.
A reminder.
Not a lesson.
Akira continued.
"Toru is a Sovereign Master."
"Hana is a Sovereign Master."
" I am as well."
His gaze shifted slightly toward the mountains beyond the village.
" "And there are thousands of Sovereign Masters in the wind clan."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"I know."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"But before any of that…"
Akira looked back at him.
"You must first become a Master."
The wind moved quietly across the snow.
Kaito sat up straighter.
Akira raised a finger.
"To become a Master, five things are required."
Kaito listened carefully.
"First."
"You must control the natural wind."
Kaito frowned slightly.
"I can create wind."
Akira shook his head.
"That is not the same."
"You create wind from your own power."
"But controlling the wind that already exists…"
He gestured toward the air moving through the field.
"…is far more difficult."
Kaito looked out at the drifting snow.
He understood.
That would be a challenge.
"Second."
"Master Pulse."
Kaito nodded confidently.
"I'm close."
Akira didn't disagree.
"Third."
"You must possess intelligence."
Kaito smirked slightly.
"I think I'm doing alright there."
Akira ignored the comment.
"Fourth."
"You must know at least four Wind Assertions."
Kaito sighed.
"…I know one."
Akira nodded.
"And finally."
"You must be strong."
Silence returned for a moment.
Kaito stared at the snowy ground in front of him.
Then slowly clenched his fist.
"So basically…"
He looked up.
"I need to get a lot stronger before April."
Akira nodded once.
"Yes."
Kaito stood up suddenly.
Snow scattered from his boots as he turned back toward the training field.
His expression had changed.
Determined.
Focused.
"Then we shouldn't be sitting here."
Akira raised an eyebrow slightly.
Kaito pointed toward him.
"Again."
The cold wind moved between them.
Akira sighed softly.
But the faintest hint of a smile appeared.
"Very well."
He stood.
"But this time…"
The wind gathered around his hand again.
"…I will push you harder."
Kaito grinned.
"That's the point."
He stepped forward into his stance.
The snow shifted beneath his feet.
"Come on, Master."
"Let's go again."
Later.
Much later.
Kaito lay face-down in the snow.
Completely destroyed.
"Somebody…"
He groaned dramatically.
"…help me…"
Akira stood nearby.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"I'm dying…"
Akira placed a hand on the boy's head.
"You are not dying."
Then footsteps approached.
Kaede.
She stopped beside them and sighed softly.
"You really should reduce the intensity of your training."
She knelt beside Kaito.
Soft light gathered in her hands.
Warm energy spread through his body.
The bruises and soreness faded instantly.
Kaito sat up.
"Thank you!"
Kaede shook her head.
"No need to thank me."
"That is my duty."
Kaito smiled warmly.
"Still. Thank you."
She stared at him quietly.
Before she could reply—
"Kai!!"
A small figure ran across the snowy field.
Hina.
Now three years old.
Her tiny boots kicked up snow as she rushed toward them.
"Kai!"
She jumped straight into Kaito's arms.
They both fell backward laughing.
"Hina!"
Kaede sighed again.
"Be careful."
Hina sat on Kaito's stomach.
Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Big brother."
"Did you lose again?"
Kaito groaned.
"…Yeah."
"Your brother lost again."
Hina shook her head dramatically.
"Disappointing."
Kaito laughed.
She grinned.
"But next time…"
She poked his chest.
"You will beat Akira."
Kaito smiled.
"That's the plan."
Akira watched them quietly.
Then smiled faintly.
The two siblings sat upright.
Hina still on his lap.
Akira spoke.
"That will be enough training for today."
Kaito nodded immediately.
"Yes please."
Hina, who was still sitting comfortably in Kaito's lap, waited until Akira had walked a few steps away before she leaned closer to her brother.
She tugged gently on his sleeve.
"So… Kai Kai."
Kaito tilted his head slightly, smiling at her.
"Yes, cute sister of mine?"
Hina looked up at him expectantly.
"Can we go now?"
Kaito blinked.
"Go where?"
Hina stared at him.
For a moment she thought he was joking.
"…Big brother."
Her small brows slowly furrowed.
"Did you forget what you promised me?"
Kaito suddenly leaned back slightly and placed a hand on his chin.
"Hmmm…"
He closed his eyes dramatically.
As if he were searching through the deepest corners of his memory.
"Promised you something…"
He scratched his cheek.
"What was it again…"
Hina watched him carefully.
Waiting.
A few seconds passed.
Kaito continued pretending to think.
"…Was it sweets?"
Hina shook her head.
"…No."
"Hmm…"
"A toy?"
"…No."
Kaito tapped his chin again.
"Huh…"
"That's strange."
"I can't seem to remember."
The words hit harder than he expected.
Hina's shoulders slowly lowered.
Her bright expression faded little by little.
"…Oh."
She looked down at the snow.
"That's okay…"
Her voice had become much quieter.
"Maybe next time."
For the first time since running across the field, she looked genuinely disappointed.
Kaito opened one eye slightly.
He saw her expression.
And immediately felt a tiny stab of guilt.
He lasted exactly one second longer.
Then—
He laughed softly.
His hand reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"Hey."
Hina blinked and looked up.
Kaito smiled warmly.
"I didn't forget."
She froze.
"…Really?"
Kaito nodded.
"How could I forget what I promised my little sister?"
Hina's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really really?!"
"Really really."
Kaito leaned back slightly and explained.
"Last month was your birthday."
"You turned three."
"But I got sick that week and couldn't take you anywhere."
Hina nodded quickly.
"You promised!"
Kaito smiled.
"So today we're fixing that."
"You get to pick whatever you want."
Her jaw dropped.
"Anything?!"
Kaito raised a finger.
"Within reason."
But it was already too late.
Hina threw her arms around his neck.
"Best brother!"
The sudden hug knocked Kaito backward and the two of them fell into the snow again, laughing.
Nearby, Kaede watched the scene with quiet amusement.
She folded her arms.
"Kaito."
He looked up from the snow.
"Yes?"
Kaede raised an eyebrow slightly.
"For someone who remembers entire training sequences after seeing them once…"
Her gaze shifted slightly.
"…you expect us to believe you forgot a promise."
Kaito scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"…Worth a try."
Kaede sighed softly, though the corner of her mouth almost twitched into a smile.
"You should get ready before leaving."
She stood up and brushed snow from her robes.
"If you plan on going into the village."
Kaito nodded.
"Right."
He stood up and helped Hina to her feet.
The moment she was standing, she grabbed his hand tightly.
"Let's go!"
And immediately started running.
"Kai! Hurry!"
Kaito laughed as she dragged him toward the estate.
"Hey, slow down!"
Behind them, Kaede called out calmly.
"Do not run."
But the warning came too late.
The two siblings were already racing across the snowy courtyard.
Their laughter echoing through the winter air as they rushed toward the house to prepare for their trip.