The sun had already risen high, illuminating the clearing with golden rays that pierced the treetops.
Draven and Zayra stood face to face, ready for another training session. Both were still panting from previous exercises, but the determination in their eyes was clear.
"Today we're going to test your stamina and reflexes," said Draven, assuming a fighting stance.
"And I'm going to show you that you can't catch me so easily," retorted Zayra, with a defiant smile.
The training began intensely:
Zayra attacked with energy-charged punches and kicks, trying to predict Draven's movements.
He dodged with feline agility, counter-attacking with precise and quick punches, using Armament Haki to reinforce light blows, without causing serious injuries.
Each movement was calculated, but both tested limits, analyzing patterns and the speed of their opponent.
They moved between trees and fallen logs, jumping, rolling, and using the terrain to their advantage. The clearing seemed small for the intensity of the attacks and dodges, but both remained focused.
After a few minutes, they stopped to catch their breath. Zayra breathed deeply, but her eyes still shone brightly.
"Draven… you've trained alone long enough," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"And so have you," he replied, smiling slightly.
She hesitated for a moment, looking at the surrounding forest.
"There's a place where you could train even better," she began, in a serious tone, but without revealing everything at once.
"A place?" Draven raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. A kind of… academy. It's not big, but the instructors there know how to train young warriors and prepare them to face creatures and challenges that we don't even see around here."
Draven was silent for a moment, pondering.
"An academy… do you think I'm ready for that?" he asked, curious, but without seeming arrogant.
Zayra smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes.
"Maybe not completely. But there you'll have structured training, other warriors to test your strength against, and more challenges than the forest can offer. It's an opportunity to truly grow."
He took a deep breath, looking around the forest where he had learned everything so far: attacks, dodges, reflexes, Haki. But curiosity got the better of him.
"So… you're going to show me this place?"
"Of course," she replied, a slight, challenging smile on her face. "But first… let's continue training. I want to see if you can still keep up with me after everything you've learned here."
Draven smiled, ready to continue. The forest would still be the initial testing ground, but now with the prospect of something bigger, more structured. The academy wasn't just a place to train; it was a gateway to true evolution, facing new races and challenges, and becoming even stronger.