The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
Leo sat cross-legged in the shade, chewing on a leaf he pretended was tea-infused.
The girls were training nearby, though "training" mostly meant Rina setting bushes on fire and Aira freezing the smoke out of spite.
Lira, as usual, floated in a meditative trance while her illusions reenacted yesterday's fight in the background.
Leo sighed. "System, can we just have one peaceful day?"
SYSTEM: No.
A loud BOOM echoed from the north.
Everyone froze.
Another BOOM. Then a CRACK.
Leo peeked between the trees—and his heart stopped.
A boulder—an actual, full-size boulder—was rolling down the slope.
Behind it, a girl was chasing it.
Then she stopped.
Raised her fist.
And punched.
BOOOOM!
The boulder shattered like it owed her money.
Silence.
Dust.
Then the girl stood there, brushing rock fragments off her knuckles like it was just a Tuesday morning.
Leo blinked.
"…System?"
New Potential Disciple Detected.Name: KaraFuture Title: Goddess of War. Fist Domain. Physical Strength: Absurd.Warning: May not understand "restraint."
She spotted Leo and walked up.
"You the Master?"
Leo stood up slowly, hand ready to fake a summoning spell if needed.
"…Who's asking?"
"I heard your disciples are strong. I wanna fight. Then train."
"You mean then train me, right?"
"No. Train with me."
Leo muttered, "This is the fourth one. I swear the next one better be a chef."
Aira and Rina stood behind him now, both eyeing the new girl like a rival.
Kara looked them over.
"You guys look soft."
"Oh, hell no," Rina growled.
Aira narrowed her eyes. "Can I freeze her mouth?"
"Enough!" Leo barked.
They all stopped.
Leo sighed.
"System, please tell me you're giving her a weapon. Preferably a muzzle."
SYSTEM: Granting Disciple #4 – Fist Wraps of Divine Fury.
Golden wraps materialized around Kara's wrists.
She flexed her hands, and the forest wind shifted.
Even Rina and Aira stepped back.
Lira blinked. "…She's going to break the house."
Leo muttered, "I just fixed the wall…"