After finishing the food, Ronan looked at them calmly.
"I hope you enjoyed it," he said. "I made it for you… with care."
Lebo smiled.
"Thanks, Master Ronan… but when are we going to learn Uniqe Orp?"
Ronan's expression turned serious.
"Later. It's dangerous. If you lose control… you could destroy more than just yourself."
Adam frowned.
"But you said we'd learn it."
Ronan nodded.
"I said that because you proved something—you managed to land a hit on me."
Jane laughed softly.
"That's exactly how we started too."
Zeliex smirked.
"Don't get excited."
Ams lowered slightly.
"I thought I'd get stronger… maybe new forms… become more useful…"
Lebo immediately shook his head.
"Don't say that. You're already important to me."
Ams smiled.
"…Thanks, Lebo."
Adam crossed his arms.
"So how dangerous is it really?"
Ronan's eyes sharpened.
"Very."
They all went quiet.
"I once saw an elder lose control of Uniqe Orp…" Ronan continued. "…he almost destroyed the entire village."
Jane blinked.
"You never told us that."
Zeliex added,
"Yeah… that's new."
Ronan shrugged.
"You didn't need to know."
He stepped forward.
"Now… training continues."
He looked at all of them.
"You will fight each other."
Adam raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't we already fight you?"
Ronan nodded.
"I want to see your real fighting styles. Your growth. Your thinking."
Jane smirked.
"I'll go last. I'm the strongest anyway."
Zeliex chuckled.
"We used to tie."
Jane crossed her arms.
"I still beat you twice."
"…Fair," Zeliex said.
Ronan raised his hand.
"Listen carefully."
"The rules are simple."
His voice became firm:
"Three falls… means defeat."
"If your body hits the ground and you lose control—that counts as a fall."
"No killing. No serious injuries."
"Fight seriously… but think."
Ams whispered,
"…This feels serious."
Adam smiled.
"Good."
"First match," Ronan said.
"…Zeliex vs Adam."
Lebo frowned.
"Why not me first?"
Ronan replied calmly.
"Adam has slightly better control—for now."
Lebo went quiet.
"…Understood."
Adam stepped forward.
"I don't know his Uniqe. Are you going to tell me?"
Ronan shook his head.
"No."
Adam blinked.
"…Seriously?"
"In real battles," Ronan said, "no one explains their power."
Adam smirked.
"…Then I'll figure it out."
Zeliex stretched slightly.
"Since you're new… I'll explain mine."
Jane sighed.
"Here we go…"
Zeliex shrugged.
"I'm being nice."
He looked at Adam.
"My Uniqe is storing power."
Everyone focused.
"I can store up to 500%… and release it as speed, force, or defense."
Ams whispered,
"…That's actually insane."
Zeliex stepped forward.
"Let's begin."
⚔️ Zeliex vs Adam
"Dragon Legs: Water!"
Adam moved instantly—fast and smooth like flowing water.
He appeared behind Zeliex—
Punch!
Nothing.
Adam froze.
"…What?"
Zeliex didn't move.
"…Defense boost…" Adam realized.
"Then I'll hit harder!"
"Fists of the Dragon: Rock!"
This time—
The hit pushed Zeliex slightly.
Zeliex smirked.
"Better."
He turned—
And punched Adam.
BOOM.
Adam slid back.
"Wings of the Clouds!"
Adam jumped—then jumped again mid-air.
Zeliex raised an eyebrow.
"…Nice trick."
But he grabbed Adam mid-air—
And slammed him down.
FIRST FALL.
Adam got up.
"…Again."
Zeliex increased speed—
He moved fast—
Adam couldn't react—
SECOND FALL.
Adam clenched his fists.
"…Last one."
He rushed again—
But Zeliex read him easily—
THIRD FALL.
"Match over," Ronan said.
Adam dropped to one knee… then laughed.
"…You're strong."
Zeliex nodded.
"You're not bad."
Lebo watched silently.
Then—
A memory flashed.
Ronan's voice echoed in his mind:
"Lebo… you don't understand your own power."
"Your Uniqe isn't weak."
"You just don't know what it can truly do."
Lebo's eyes sharpened.
He looked at Ams.
"…We can win."
Ams smiled.
"Yeah… let's prove it!"
⚔️ Lebo & Ams vs Zeliex
They stepped forward.
Adam smirked.
"Don't lose too fast."
Lebo smiled slightly.
"Watch us."
"Begin," Ronan said.
Lebo reduced gravity—
Jumped—
Caught Ams mid-air—
"Ams—harmless sword form!"
Ams transformed into a smooth glowing blade—sharp in shape, but completely harmless.
"Let's do this!" Ams said.
Lebo rushed—
Zeliex dodged—
Lebo fell.
FIRST FALL.
"…He's fast," Lebo muttered.
Then—
Gravity surged—
Zeliex lost balance—
FIRST FALL (Zeliex).
Zeliex smiled.
"Good."
"Uniqe Move… Ams Forcer!"
SLASH!
Hit.
"…Heavy…" Zeliex said.
"7 pounds," Lebo replied.
Zeliex charged power—
Holding himself steady—
But—
Gravity hit again—
SECOND FALL (Zeliex).
Zeliex's eyes sharpened.
"…Now I'll get serious."
He moved—
Fast—
Struck Lebo—
SECOND FALL (Lebo).
"…Where's Ams?" Zeliex asked.
Suddenly—
From behind—
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Weight increased.
21 pounds.
Zeliex struggled.
"…Smart move…"
Gravity pulled him down—
THIRD FALL.
"…Winner," Ronan said.
"…Lebo."
Adam froze—
Then shouted:
"NO WAY—YOU WON?!"
Ams bounced happily.
"WE DID IT!"
Lebo smiled, breathing heavily.
"…We're not weak."
Zeliex stood up slowly.
"…Not bad."
Then he added calmly:
"…That was only 12%."
Silence.
Jane laughed.
"You held back that much?"
Zeliex shrugged.
"They're still beginners."
Ronan stepped forward.
"I told you, Lebo…"
"…you don't know your true strength yet."
Lebo nodded.
"…I'll learn it."
Ronan raised his hand.
"Final match."
"…Adam vs Lebo."
Silence filled the dojo.
Jane stepped back, smiling.
"This is going to be good."
Zeliex crossed his arms.
"…Don't disappoint me."
Lebo and Adam stepped forward.
They faced each other.
No smiles now.
"Don't hold back," Adam said.
"…I won't," Lebo replied.
Gravity began to form.
Adam lowered his stance.
Ronan raised his hand.
"…BEGIN."
(end of chapter 8)