The early morning sky above Manila was still dim when Kosoku stepped into the backyard of the Nozomi residence.
The air felt cool and fresh, carrying the quiet calm of a city that had not yet fully awakened. Only the distant sound of passing vehicles and chirping birds broke the silence.
Kosoku stretched his arms above his head and yawned.
"…Why does training always start before sunrise?"
Several meters away, Gabriel stood with his arms crossed, already fully awake and prepared.
"Because discipline starts before comfort," Gabriel replied calmly.
Kosoku sighed.
"Great."
He walked toward the center of the yard and dropped to the ground.
"One… two… three…"
Push-ups.
"Eight... nine... ten..."
His arms moved steadily as he counted.
By the time he reached ten, his breathing had already deepened slightly.
Next came sit-ups.
Then curl-ups.
After the final repetition, Kosoku rolled onto his back and stared at the brightening sky.
"I just woke up…"
Gabriel pointed toward the street outside the house.
"Jog for ten minutes."
Kosoku groaned dramatically.
"You always say that like it's optional."
Gabriel didn't respond.
Kosoku sighed again and slowly stood up.
"Okay fine."
He began jogging down the quiet street surrounding the neighborhood.
The early morning breeze brushed against his face as the sun slowly rose behind the rooftops. A few delivery trucks passed in the distance while the city gradually came to life.
Ten minutes later, Kosoku returned to the yard breathing a little harder but looking more awake.
Kosoku wiped his forehead.
"Now I'm hungry."
Inside the house, the smell of food filled the kitchen.
Kosoku immediately brightened when he saw the dining table.
Garlic fried rice, boiled eggs, grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes and a plate of sautéed vegetables.
Kosoku sat down quickly.
"This looks amazing."
Alisa smiled while placing another bowl on the table.
"Eat well. You will need energy for training."
Kosoku immediately started eating. Gabriel sat across from him.
"You eat like someone preparing for battle."
Kosoku shrugged.
"Training feels like battle."
Alisa laughed softly.
"That's because your father treats it like one."
Kosoku then noticed another plate.
"…Ampalaya again?"
Alisa nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Kosoku poked the bitter melon with his spoon.
"I thought we agreed to stop attacking me."
Gabriel chuckled.
"Vegetables build strong warriors."
Kosoku reluctantly took a bite.
He chewed slowly.
"…Still bitter."
Then he quickly took another bite of garlic rice.
"…But I'm starting to like you now."
Gabriel and Alisa smiled.
After finishing breakfast, Kosoku stood and stretched.
"Alright," he said. "Let's get this over with."
Gabriel walked toward the backyard.
"Training starts now."
By the time they returned to the yard, the sun had risen fully above the neighborhood.
Kosoku sprinted between the metal rods planted around the clearing while lightning flickered across his arms.
Each step kicked up dust from the dirt ground. Sparks crackled through the air.
Gabriel watched from the side with calm focus.
"Maintain your control," he said.
Kosoku increased his speed slightly. Lightning danced around his body like thin silver threads as he moved through the rods.
After several minutes, Gabriel finally raised his hand.
"Stop."
Kosoku slowed down and bent forward with his hands on his knees.
His breathing was uneven.
"I think I understand why you wake me up so early," he said between breaths.
"If training lasted any longer, I would collapse before lunchtime."
Gabriel stepped closer and looked around the training ground.
"You lasted longer today than yesterday."
Kosoku wiped sweat from his forehead.
"That doesn't make it less exhausting."
Alisa approached from the porch with a towel and a glass of water with ice.
"You are improving quickly," she said gently.
"But remember that your body still needs rest."
Kosoku drank the water immediately.
"I know. Dad just pretends I'm already a warrior."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"You asked for real training."
Kosoku sighed.
"Fair point but I'm five."
After a small break, Gabriel looked toward Kosoku's hand.
"Your lightning control during movement is improving," he said.
"But there is still a serious problem."
Kosoku tilted his head.
"What problem?"
Gabriel pointed at his fingers.
"Your output."
Kosoku looked down as small sparks flickered between them.
"I thought that part was fine."
Gabriel shook his head.
"No. Your power becomes unstable when you are tired."
Kosoku thought about that.
"So I lose control when I get exhausted?"
"Exactly."
Kosoku raised his hand and produced a small lightning spark.
The energy flickered weakly.
"Oh I see."
Gabriel nodded.
"Mana is like water in a reservoir. If you release too much too quickly, you will run dry before the battle ends."
Kosoku looked thoughtful.
"So I need to hold back."
"Yes."
Kosoku scratched his head.
"That sounds difficult."
"In that way, you can appear weak in the eyes of others."
Gabriel pointed toward three metal rods around the yard.
"Hit those targets."
Kosoku smiled.
"That sounds easy."
Gabriel continued.
"But you will use the smallest amount of mana possible."
Kosoku's smile disappeared.
"Ohh…That sounds much harder."
Kosoku raised his hand again. Instead of releasing a full bolt of lightning, he tried guiding the mana carefully.
A thin spark formed between his fingers. He aimed at the target
Crack Crack Crack.
The rod vibrated softly.
Kosoku smiled.
"That worked."
Gabriel shook his head.
"Too much power. Control it."
Kosoku blinked.
"Seriously?"
"You used far more mana than necessary."
Kosoku stared at his hand.
"…Lightning is difficult."
He tried again. This time the spark was much smaller. The lightning stretched forward like a narrow thread.
Crack Crack Crack.
The rod vibrated again. Gabriel nodded slightly.
"That's better."
Kosoku smiled proudly.
"I'm getting better."
As he repeated the exercise, the lightning occasionally gathered into a thin shape before firing.
A narrow spike.
Almost like a blade.
Kosoku stared at his hand.
"Again... That's weird."
Gabriel noticed.
"What is it?"
Kosoku lifted his hand slightly.
"The lightning keeps trying to form something."
"What kind of shape?"
Kosoku made a small throwing motion.
"Like a tiny knife."
Gabriel remained silent for a moment. But the idea stayed in Kosoku's mind. A lightning weapon. Kosoku smiled quietly.
He would definitely experiment with that later or sooner.
Across the city, inside the Philippine Warrior Association headquarters, Vice Director Helena Aragon studied the newest mana report.
Her assistant stood beside her desk.
"The boy's output decreased," the assistant said.
"But his efficiency increased."
Helena folded her arms.
"That means his control is improving."
She stared at the glowing marker representing the Cruz residence.
"Gabriel Nozomi is training him properly."
Helena's eyes narrowed slightly.
"No surprise,the strongest warrior in the Philippines and if that child continues growing at this pace…"
She paused.
"…his potential will increase far faster than the Association expected."
The glowing marker on the screen pulsed quietly.
And far away in the Nozomi backyard, the training continued as the morning slowly moved toward noon.