After Lebo, Ams, and Adam finally landed a clean hit on Ronan, they stood there, breathing heavily.
Ronan looked at them with a small smile.
"Now… let's start the training," he said. "Go rest. I'll bring you food. Wait here."
Then he walked out.
The moment he left—
They exploded.
"WE DID IT!" Adam shouted.
Lebo laughed, still catching his breath.
"Wow… I actually feel better at using gravity now. I pushed him to the ground with everything I had… that was really hard."
Adam grinned proudly.
"And I did the seven hits! Yeah, I missed… but still, we did great."
Ams bounced happily in the air.
"Yeah! We all did great! But did you guys see how he became FAST after we figured out the limit?"
Lebo nodded.
"Yeah… he was still holding back."
Adam crossed his arms, smiling.
"Even then… we barely managed to hit him."
Lebo laughed.
"Yeah… but we did it."
Ams spun in the air.
"He's a really good trainer!"
Lebo nodded.
"I feel stronger already… just from that one fight."
Nearby, Jane watched them quietly.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Then she turned and walked outside to meet Ronan.
Ronan was waiting.
When he saw her, he smiled.
"Jane… long time no see."
Jane smiled back.
"Yeah… it's been a while."
Ronan looked toward the dojo.
"I see you brought your brother… and his friends."
Jane nodded.
"I did. And I know you're the best teacher here. You even taught me how to become strong… with what everyone thought was a weak Uniqe."
Ronan chuckled proudly.
"I knew you had potential the moment I saw you challenge the elders."
Jane crossed her arms slightly, remembering.
Ronan continued:
"You stood there after passing the trial and said—"
'I don't want to be a supporter. I want to be what I want.'
Jane smiled faintly.
Ronan's tone deepened.
"And they told you—"
'You can't be strong. You're just medical support for others.'
Jane's eyes sharpened.
"I told them…" she said quietly,
'I won't let others choose my path. I'll prove it myself.'
Ronan nodded.
"And that's why I trained you. Because of your determination."
Then he looked around.
"So… when was the last time you saw Zeliex?"
Jane blinked.
"…It's been a long time. I haven't seen him in a while."
She looked at Ronan.
"…Is he coming?"
Ronan smiled slightly.
"Yes."
Then he turned.
"Come on. Let's bring the kids their food. They've been waiting."
Jane sighed.
"Alright… I'll wait outside."
Ronan shook his head.
"No. Eat with them."
Jane raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Ronan smiled.
"I want my student back."
Jane paused… then sighed again.
"…Fine."
She walked back inside and sat with the others.
Adam looked at her.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be outside?"
Jane smirked slightly.
"He told me to sit with you."
Ams grinned.
"That's cool!"
Then—
The door opened.
Someone walked in.
A boy.
Around their age.
Calm.
Quiet.
He walked past them…
And sat down.
They all stared at him.
"…Uh… who is this?" Adam whispered.
Jane smiled.
"Zeliex… long time no see."
Lebo, Adam, and Ams all froze.
"…Wait… WHAT?" Ams whispered.
Zeliex looked at them calmly.
"Hi. I'm Zeliex."
He leaned back slightly.
"Ronan's senior student… just like her."
The three looked at each other.
"…Ohhh…" Adam said slowly.
They leaned closer to Jane.
"Why is he here?" Lebo whispered.
Jane replied calmly,
"Because he still trains with Ronan."
"…Ohhh yeah…" Ams said.
Then they turned back.
Lebo smiled slightly.
"I'm Lebo."
Adam grinned.
"Adam."
Ams bounced.
"Ams!"
Zeliex nodded once.
Then—
The door opened again.
Ronan walked in, carrying food.
He stopped when he saw Zeliex.
"…Zeliex."
Zeliex looked at him.
"Long time no see."
Ronan smiled.
"Welcome back."
They all sat together.
Eating.
Talking.
Soon—
The room filled with laughter.
Jokes.
Voices.
For a moment…
It felt peaceful.
End of chapter 7