The afternoon sun hung quietly above the Nozomi household, casting long shadows across the backyard. For a moment the training ground remained silent, but the calm never lasted long when Kosoku and Gabriel were involved.
Kosoku stood at the center of the yard, his small hands clenched loosely at his sides. His breathing remained steady while he focused on the movement of mana flowing through his body. Beneath his skin, lightning stirred restlessly, flickering through his veins like sparks searching for a path.
Five years old.
That was his age now.
Children his age usually spent their afternoons in playgrounds or arguing over toys in parks. Kosoku had seen those kids whenever his mother took him outside. They ran freely, laughing without a care.
Their lives were simple but his was not.
A thin line of sweat rolled down his temple as he exhaled slowly.
Across the yard, Gabriel Cruz stood with his arms folded, observing every movement. His expression remained calm, but nothing escaped his attention. Years of surviving inside monster-filled portals had sharpened his awareness to the smallest details.
Foot placement, breathing rhythm and the tension in a muscle before movement. Right now, all of that attention was focused on his son.
"Again," Gabriel said.
Kosoku nodded and raised his right hand.
Mana responded immediately. Lightning gathered near his fingertips, thin strands of electricity weaving through the air before snapping together with a sharp crack.
A small bolt shot forward and struck one of the metal rods along the wall. The rod vibrated with a dull metallic hum, Kosoku lowered his hand slowly.
Gabriel tilted his head. "That's better than yesterday."
Kosoku kept his eyes on the rod where the lightning had landed. The bolt had not been strong, but it had followed his intention precisely. Control mattered more than power.
Small sparks flickered across his knuckles before fading. Gabriel walked closer, boots pressing softly against the dirt. "You're forcing it too much."
Kosoku looked up. "Forcing it?"
Gabriel nodded toward his hand. "Lightning listens to you, but that doesn't mean you should drag it out every time you move."
Kosoku frowned slightly. "Then how should I use it?"
Instead of answering directly, Gabriel stepped past him and picked up a small wooden stick lying beside a training dummy. He spun it once between his fingers before tossing it lightly into the air.
"Watch carefully."
The stick began to fall. Before it reached the ground, Gabriel moved, his body shifted forward so quickly the motion blurred. One hand caught the falling stick while the other shot forward in the same motion, stopping just before striking the dummy's chest.
The entire action ended almost as soon as it began.
Gabriel lowered his arm. "That," he said calmly, "is instinct."
Kosoku blinked. "You didn't use lightning."
"I didn't need it." Gabriel walked back toward him. "Your elements are tools. They're not something you lean on every second."
Kosoku looked down at his hands. A lightning flickered faintly across his skin.
Three elements lived inside him. Lightning, wind and water. Each one carried a different presence. Lightning felt sharp and impatient, eager to strike, Wind moved lightly and constantly, like a restless breeze that never stayed in one place and Water flowed quietly, deep and calm beneath the surface.
Lightning was the easiest to summon. Maybe because it was the loudest. Kosoku closed his fist and the sparks vanished.
Gabriel nodded once. "Well done."
For a moment they stood quietly while distant traffic drifted through the air beyond the fence.
Then Gabriel gestured toward the training circle. "Come here."
Kosoku stepped into position again.
Gabriel rolled his shoulders before settling into a relaxed stance. "We're trying something new today."
Kosoku raised an eyebrow. "What kind of new?"
"You'll fight without lightning."
Kosoku stared at him. "You're serious?"
Gabriel's mouth curved slightly. "Did I sound like I was joking?"
Kosoku rubbed the back of his neck.
"But lightning is the fastest thing I've got."
"Exactly, this time control it."
Kosoku sighed quietly. That answer sounded exactly like something his father would say.
Gabriel lifted his hand. "Ready?"
Kosoku nodded, though he did not look thrilled. "Alright."
Gabriel moved, his body surged forward without warning, his hand slicing toward Kosoku's shoulder.
Kosoku reacted quickly, stepping backward while twisting his body. Gabriel's fingers brushed the fabric of his sleeve before pulling away.
Kosoku tried to counter him, he stepped forward and drove a quick punch toward Gabriel's chest.
Gabriel blocked it easily, their arms collided with a dull thud. Kosoku immediately felt the difference in strength. Gabriel shifted his weight and pushed forward, forcing him back two steps.
"Balance," Gabriel said calmly.
Kosoku adjusted his footing then Gabriel attacked again. This time the strike came low. Kosoku bent his knees and ducked beneath the blow before jumping back to regain distance, his breathing grew slightly faster. Without lightning boosting his speed, everything felt slower.
Gabriel studied him. "Feel the difference?"
Kosoku nodded. "Yeah, a lot."
Lightning would have made that dodge effortless. "I slowed down when i didn't use it."
Gabriel stepped forward again, Kosoku steadied himself. The next exchange happened faster, two quick strikes forced Kosoku to block before retreating again. Each impact rattled his arms, but he stayed upright then Gabriel suddenly stopped.
Kosoku blinked. "Why'd you stop?"
Gabriel turned his head slightly toward the street beyond the fence.
Kosoku followed his gaze. "What is it?"
For a moment Gabriel said nothing and Kosoku scanned the road. At first he noticed nothing unusual then he saw it, a dark sedan parked along the curb across the street. It had not been there earlier.
Kosoku frowned. "Someone's watching us again."
Gabriel glanced at him. "You felt it?"
Kosoku nodded slowly. "Just a little."
Gabriel relaxed slightly. "What do you think?."
Kosoku looked confused. "Think what?"
"About how strong their mana."
"They're not as strong as you are," Kosoku looked confused. "You're not worried?"
Gabriel shrugged. "If they wanted trouble, they wouldn't sit quietly in a car."
Kosoku glanced at the vehicle again. The windows were dark, hiding whoever sat inside.
Gabriel stretched his arms casually. "Forget them."
Kosoku looked back at him. "They're probably from the Warrior Association."
" They are watching you, of course." Gabriel said.
Kosoku blinked. "Ohh, I wonder why."
Gabriel smirked faintly. "You're throwing lightning around in a city backyard. Of course someone noticed."
Kosoku sighed. "That's annoying."
Gabriel laughed softly. "You'll get used to it."
Kosoku returned to his stance.
Gabriel nodded. "Alright, again."
Kosoku drew a deep breath and focused.
No lightning only movement and raw speed.
The sparring resumed.
—0—0—0—0—0—0—0—0—0—0—0—
Across the street, inside the parked sedan, two men observed the training through a long camera lens.
One of them lowered his binoculars. "He noticed us."
The other glanced down at the tablet resting on his lap. "That kid's instincts are sharp."
"Just like his father." The first scout leaned back slightly. "How old was he again?"
The second scout tapped the screen. "Five years old, turning six soon."
The first scout looked out the window once more. "....Five."
For several seconds they watched the boy spar with his father in silence then the first scout spoke quietly. "For now, we observe."
His partner nodded.
Outside, the training continued in the Cruz backyard as if nothing had changed.