The Day After the Announcement
The Rank Battle exam was set to take place in a week's time. After the intense announcement, each competitor was given a day off to rest and prepare.
Inside his room, Dan sat cross-legged in the center, deep in meditation. His focus was sharp, his breathing steady as he worked to expand his chi gates.
"Yes… I can feel it. My chi range is increasing little by little. I can—"
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Dan exhaled and opened his eyes. Oh, he must be here.
He stood up, stretched, and walked over to the door. As soon as he opened it, he was met with Ash's familiar grin.
"Yo," Ash greeted.
Dan smiled. "Great, you're here." Well, he's one of the appointments I made today.
The two strolled through the city streets, eventually heading into a restaurant. The bustling energy of the capital surrounded them—street vendors calling out their wares, knights moving about, and citizens going about their daily lives.
"Isn't this city beautiful?" Ash mused, taking in the sight.
Dan nodded. "Yeah, it really is."
Ash smirked. "Let me guess—you've never been to any of the Five Nations' main branches before, have you?"
Dan chuckled. "No, I haven't."
"Can you notice something about it?" Ash asked.
Dan glanced around. "Yeah… It's humongous. The land looks like it never ends."
Ash grinned. "Good observation. Also, this branch has three other cities outside the capital that are under it."
Dan blinked. "You mean villages?"
Ash shook his head. "No, cities."
"What?" Dan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Let me break it down for you." Ash leaned back in his chair. "Each of the Five Nations has Sixteen branches under them. And within each branch, there are three sub-branch families."
"That's huge…" Dan thought.
"Outside of the Sixteen cities where each branch is located, there are forty different states under each Nation," Ash continued. "Some of these states have small villages, others have four to six cities, and some are even independent countries that chose to fall under a Nation's rule. Some are as big as a branch city."
Dan furrowed his brows. "So… my town was small in comparison."
Ash nodded. "Yeah. In the grand scheme of things, your town was just a tiny dot in this vast world. We have so many countries and branches… Doesn't that sound exciting?"
Dan smiled. "Yeah, it does."
Ash's expression grew serious. "That's why we knights have to be strong. No matter what enemy comes our way, we must protect the people and keep their smiles intact."
Dan's eyes shone with determination. "I got you."
Ash studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Dan, are you aware that there can never be good without evil?"
Dan nodded. "Yeah. No matter how much knights risk their lives to stop evil, it always finds a way to return."
Ash leaned forward slightly. "Exactly. It's a never-ending battle."
Dan's gaze hardened. "But I will never let evil be dominant. As long as I live, it will remain dormant."
Ash raised an eyebrow, then smiled. This kid…
"Alright, Dan," he said. "Before we move forward, I want to know—what is your ultimate goal as a knight?"
Dan took a deep breath. "I used to have only one goal before I discovered I was from the Lightning Nation. But now, I have three steps to achieving my ultimate goal. First, I need to finish the Rank Battle at the top spot. Then, I'll become an Imperial Knight. Finally… I will be the first person to overthrow the King of the Lightning Nation. That way, I'll know I'm the strongest, and I'll be able to stop evil by being number one."
Ash let out a laugh. "Alright, alright, Mr. King, but you're still far from your goal."
Dan sighed. "Yeah… I know. That's why I need your help."
Ash smirked. "Fine, fine. Now follow me."
Outside the City – The Forest
Dan followed Ash deep into the forest, the rustling leaves and chirping birds filling the air.
"What are you going to teach me here?" Dan asked, looking around.
Ash crossed his arms. "Teach? I'm not teaching you anything today."
Dan tilted his head. "Huh?"
"Well… nothing new, at least," Ash clarified. "I'm just going to explain some basics to you."
Dan relaxed a bit. "Oh, alright."
"You've already experienced firsthand what the Five Nations' children are capable of," Ash said. "Tell me, how did it feel when you fought an ice user?"
Dan thought for a moment. "Well… the only one I met was you. I never even faced a fire user—only some sword guy and one air guy."
Ash's expression darkened slightly. "That's alarming. That means you have no idea how fire users fight—or how we ice users think."
Dan shook his head. "No, I don't."
"Good," Ash said. "Let me show you."
He raised one hand slightly, remaining completely still.
Dan frowned. "What are you doin—?"
Before he could finish his sentence, an ice spike shot up from the ground right next to his face.
Dan stumbled back. "What the hell?!"
Ash chuckled. "That's one of the ways we fight. We connect with the vines underground and channel our chi through them to attack from long range. It also helps us track people. And, of course, we can form ice attacks directly from our hands and legs."
Dan's eyes widened. "Whoa…"
Ash glanced at him. "Have you been working on increasing your chi gates?"
Dan nodded. "Yeah, I felt it expanding slowly."
"Hmm… me too." Ash thought. "Well, if your chi gate was wider, you would have sensed my attack before it happened."
Dan's expression became serious. "So chi gates can help detect invisible attacks?"
"Yes," Ash confirmed. "Depending on how advanced your chi is… Now, enough talking. Try dodging my next vine spike attacks."
Dan smirked. "Roger."
Ash spent the next few hours training Dan, pushing his reflexes and chi control to new levels.
Later That Night – Dan's Room
Exhausted but satisfied, Dan sat back in his room, once again meditating. His breathing was slow, his focus unwavering.
"Yes… I can feel it. My chi range is increasing little by little. I can feel myself getting stronger."
A knock on the door pulled him out of his trance.
"Seems my final appointment is here."
He got up and opened the door.
Samuel stood there, grinning, with bags full of snacks. "Hey, buddy! I brought all the chips and drinks."
Dan smiled. "Great."
Samuel stepped inside. "Let's party!"
Dan chuckled. "Not really a party… but I do need to relax once in a while—especially with my buddy." He eyed the bags. "Hope you brought the spicy chips."
Samuel smirked. "Of course."
As the two settled in for a well-earned break, Dan allowed himself a rare moment of peace. The battles ahead would be fierce, but for tonight, he could just enjoy the company of a friend.