Upon returning, the first thing Jabari did was head straight to his training room.
Aziz had told him not to train today, but that didn't mean he would truly do nothing. Even if he couldn't push his body through brutal conditioning, he could still practice [Empyrean Breathing].
With the threat of Inayah's passing looming over him like a storm cloud, he couldn't afford to waste a single day.
Standing on his toes, feet shoulder-width apart, Jabari leaned back with his arms stretched out and began [Empyrean Breathing].
Almost two breaths later-
Thud!
Jabari collapsed onto the floor, chest heaving as he gasped for air.
But instead of frustration, a grin stretched across his face.
"Last time, I couldn't even hold on for one full breath… but now I can almost last for two!" His excitement burned through his exhaustion, the sheer progress keeping him from immediately passing out.
"Hahaha… I've really improved!"
Jabari climbed onto his bed with a satisfied smile, his body aching but his heart feeling light.
'Even though the old man's training is insane, the results are worth it!'
And just like that, he drifted into the best sleep he'd had in days.
…
The next morning-
BZZT!
Jabari jerked awake as an uncomfortable shock coursed through his body.
He grunted in irritation.
'Sadistic old bastard…'
The only thing worse than the shock was knowing Aziz was grinning somewhere, enjoying his torment.
Still, grumbling or not, Jabari got up and made his way to August's cottage.
By the time he arrived, August had just stepped outside with his buckets. Seeing Jabari for the first time in days, his expression flickered with mild surprise, but as always, he said nothing.
Without a word, both boys began their morning training.
At first, August thought nothing of it, but then-
He froze.
Jabari held the assisted horse stance for 31 seconds.
Nearly twice as long as before.
Thirty-one seconds.
August's normally unshakable expression cracked.
'How is this possible?!'
His fingers tightened around the buckets as he watched Jabari collapse from exhaustion, completely oblivious to the stunned look he was receiving.
Jabari, however, wasn't focused on August. He was too immersed in his own training, too caught up in his improvement to notice the rare flicker of shock in August's eyes.
After thirty minutes, Jabari was about to leave when August finally broke his silence.
"What have you been doing these past few days?" His deep voice cut through the morning air, carrying an undertone of genuine curiosity. "If it's private, you don't have to answer."
Jabari hesitated for a moment.
Then, with a perfectly serious expression, he said-
"I was learning how to lie down."
And with that, he walked off, leaving August staring after him in utter bewilderment.
"…If you didn't want to answer, you could've just said nothing," August muttered to himself before shaking his head and returning to his training.
…
After leaving August's, Jabari returned to his quarters, cleaned himself up, then made his way toward Aziz's residence.
As he walked through the institute, he barely noticed the stares. The whispers. The lingering looks of confusion and scorn.
Even when Gichinga and his friends hurled insults his way, Jabari didn't stop. He didn't care.
His focus was locked on one thing: getting to Aziz.
It wasn't until a familiar voice called out to him that he finally paused.
"Jabari."
He turned to see Kwame standing nearby, arms crossed, an expression of genuine concern on his face.
"Where have you been these last few days? Did your mentor do anything to you?" Kwame asked. "If he has, I can help you appeal for a new mentor."
Jabari blinked.
That wasn't what he had expected.
Unlike the other deacons, Kwame had never treated him with the same level of hostility. He wasn't sure why, but it made him cautious.
Still, he appreciated the concern.
"I'm fine," Jabari reassured him. "I was just training at my mentor's place and lost track of time."
Kwame studied him for a moment before nodding. "As long as you're okay. How's your training going?"
Jabari's lips curled into a grin as he flexed his skinny biceps.
"It's great! I feel myself getting stronger every day!"
Kwame let out a short chuckle. "And your mentor? He's… training you properly?"
"He is," Jabari said, his voice genuine.
The Deacon held his gaze for a few seconds before nodding. "Good. If you have any problems – any at all – come to me."
Jabari hesitated.
He didn't understand why Kwame was being so nice to him, especially when the other Deacons despised him for choosing Aziz.
But…
Something in Kwame's tone told him that the offer was sincere.
So, after a brief moment, Jabari nodded, offering a small smile before turning to leave.
As he walked away, Kwame watched his retreating figure with a regret-filled sigh.
…
When Jabari arrived at Aziz's accommodation, the first thing he noticed was the long, cloth-wrapped object in his mentor's hands.
His breath quickened as his heart pounded away.
"Is that my-"
"Here," Aziz said, tossing it toward him as if it were nothing more than a stick. "Catch."
Jabari lunged forward, barely managing to catch it-
Only to nearly collapse under its weight.
His arms trembled, every muscle in his body straining to keep it from falling.
'How heavy is this?!'
After quickly comparing it to the weights from the selection trials, Jabari estimated that it weighed at least 20kg.
With a grunt, he lowered one side to the floor, taking a moment to steady himself.
Once he was certain he wouldn't drop it, he carefully began unwrapping the cloth-
And the moment he saw what was underneath-
His heart raced.
The shaft was made of polished obsidian-black wood, smooth yet firm to the touch.
The hilt was a simple, golden metallic grip, etched with mysterious runic characters.
But the most breathtaking feature was the curved Y-shaped silver blade- (Check out the Instagram page for the official image: dreamtalesofficial)
It was razor-sharp, gleaming under the light, its design reminiscent of the jaws of a dragon.
Jabari stared at it, utterly entranced.
Aziz, meanwhile, simply smirked as he examined the weapon.
"They really went all out with the materials," he mused. "The shaft is made from the wood of a Nether Tree, which is unique to Ulo. Incredibly dense, nearly indestructible under normal conditions."
Jabari ran his hands along the shaft, his fingers tracing its smooth surface.
"If it weren't for the inscriptions on the hilt that lighten it, this thing would easily weigh over 200kg," Aziz continued.
Jabari's eyes widened slightly.
"Two hundred…?!"
"And the blade," Aziz went on, "is made of thrice-refined Lironite."
Jabari glanced up. "Lironite?"
Aziz nodded.
"It's a very rare and valuable ore. In its raw state, it's actually weak – useless, even. But with each refinement, it becomes stronger, harder, sharper – without increasing in weight.
That's what makes it so special."
Jabari listened intently as Aziz continued.
"The more times it's refined, the stronger it becomes – but also harder to refine. Only the best blacksmiths can handle it properly. The record is eight times refined.
Yours is three times refined. Nowhere near the record, but still more than enough for the current you."
By that end, he was barely listening. All he cared about was that it was his.
His fingers traced along the weapon's surface with reverence as though afraid to damage it – despite knowing that was impossible.
"I love it," Jabari murmured, his voice filled with pure sincerity. His eyes never left the glaive, completely captivated by it.
Aziz smirked. "Good."
Then, his expression turned devilish.
"Because now that it's here-"
Jabari felt the shift before the words were even spoken.
"-we can incorporate it into your training."
A chill ran down Jabari's spine. Aziz's evil grin was enough to make his stomach drop.
"Don't worry," Aziz said, his voice oozing with amusement. "There's not much of a change from before."
Jabari did not trust that tone.
"The only difference," Aziz continued, stretching dramatically, "is that from now on, wherever you go, you must always be in contact with your glaive."
Jabari blinked. "Wait… what?"
"Whether you're eating, sleeping-"
Aziz's grin widened.
"-or even on the toilet."
Jabari's eye twitched.
Aziz clapped a hand on his apprentice's shoulder, smirking.
"I want that glaive to become an extension of your body."
Jabari groaned.
'This sadistic old bastard…'
…
It had been just over a month since the new first-years had begun their journey at the Beast Warrior Institute.
And if there was one thing they all had in common, it was relentless training.
Some pushed themselves under the watchful eyes of the Deacons and Elders. Others pushed themselves, unwilling to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But today…
Today was different. Today was the first monthly assessment.
For most students, this was merely a test – an opportunity to see how much they'd improved and where they stood amongst their peers.
But for a select few, today meant everything.
For the seeded students, the monthly assessment was more than a mere evaluation – it was a threshold.
A test to see if they had reached the Five-Star Level in their chosen physical attribute.
A test to determine if they were worthy. Worthy of applying for a vial of elemental beast blood. Worthy of becoming true Beast Warriors.
The students were gathered in the same open field where the Supreme Elder had first welcomed them, but today, the field was lined with equipment of all kinds – each designed to test their growth.
Some students sat in tense silence, nerves gnawing at them.
Others were buzzing with excitement, eager to prove themselves.
And then, there was August. He sat with his eyes closed, utterly unbothered by the atmosphere.
It was as if none of this had anything to do with him.
His only reaction was an occasional glance toward the field. A glance filled with mild curiosity.
"…I guess he really isn't coming," August murmured to himself, his deep voice barely audible amidst the whispers around him.
He thought back to his conversation with Jabari that morning.
After a month of training together every morning, they weren't exactly "friends," but they had grown closer. Even if only slightly.
Before leaving for the assessment, August had casually mentioned, "See you later."
Jabari, however, had lazily replied. "I doubt I'm going."
And just like that, he strolled off.
Now, as August scanned the field, he noted that two students were missing.
Two seeded students.
Jamal's absence was expected – he had long since become a Beast Warrior and was training directly under the Supreme Elder.
But Jabari? Jabari's absence had already sparked rumours. According to Gichinga's followers, Jabari was afraid. They claimed he was hiding. That he had caught wind of Gichinga's plan to challenge him publicly during the assessment in front of all the first-years, the Deacons, and the Elders.
Most believed it, but August knew better. Jabari wasn't someone who shrank from a challenge just because of a difference in ability.
And besides, Jabari was no longer the same malnourished slum rat who had arrived a month ago. His growth was nothing short of monstrous.
Each day, August had watched his progress first-hand.
Every time he thought Jabari had hit his limit, he somehow broke past it. Physically, Jabari still wasn't on par with the strongest students.
Still, August had no doubt. If Jabari did show up, the fight wouldn't be nearly as one-sided as everyone expected.
Suddenly, the whispers ceased.
A commanding presence stepped forward.
Grand Elder Nala.
The moment she spoke, the entire field fell into absolute silence.
"Welcome, students, to your very first monthly assessment."
Her sharp eyes swept across the gathered students, her voice steady yet firm.
"Today is not just a test – it is an evaluation. A chance for us to see how far you've come. To understand how to best push you forward. To ensure you are trained to realise your fullest potential."
A wave of determination rippled through the crowd.
"But I won't bore you with a long speech," she continued, her expression unreadable. "All I will say is that it's in your best interest to give everything you have."
Then, she turned to one of the deacons.
With a single nod, the assessment began.
--------------------------------
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