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The morning sun had barely risen over the vast training grounds of the Gilded Empire, yet the field was already alive with activity. The clashing of wooden training weapons, the grunts of exertion, and the barked commands of instructors filled the crisp air. Warriors-in-training were already running drills, their synchronized movements reflecting years of discipline.
Kumuna, however, was not yet one of them.
Standing near the edge of the training field, he shifted his weight slightly, taking in the overwhelming sight of rows upon rows of soldiers in perfect formation. This was different from anything he had ever experienced—organized, structured, and merciless.
His excitement was obvious, but so was the skepticism from those around him. The moment he had been introduced as the “Hero”, he could feel the judging gazes from the other trainees. Some muttered under their breath, while others openly scoffed.
“A kid? Really? He doesn’t look like much.”
“The gods must be playing a joke.”
“This is who’s supposed to save the world? We’re doomed.”
Kumuna smirked at their doubts but didn’t let it get to him. He had been underestimated before. That was nothing new. If anything, he was looking forward to proving them wrong.
However, one person was not amused by his attitude.
“Get moving, runt,” a deep voice ordered.
Kumuna turned to see Kai’Zen, The Indomitable Spear, standing over him with his arms crossed. His sharp gaze bore down on him like a mountain looming over a lone traveler.
Kai’Zen was an intimidating figure—tall, muscular, and carrying an aura of sheer authority. The spear strapped to his back looked well-worn, and the countless scars across his arms spoke of more battles than Kumuna could imagine.
“You think this is some kind of game?” Kai’Zen’s voice was sharp, filled with thinly veiled irritation.
Kumuna smirked, placing his hands behind his head lazily. “A little bit? I mean, it’s kind of crazy. One day I’m chilling in my world, next thing I know, I’m supposed to be a hero. So yeah, I’m still getting used to all this.”
Kai’Zen’s brow twitched. “Tch. A brat with no discipline. Just what we needed.”
Before Kumuna could fire back, another voice chimed in.
“Ease up, Kai’Zen,” Orwin, The Fangs of War, stepped forward. The beastling warrior was a sharp contrast to Kai’Zen—lean and fast, his wolf-like features giving him a more agile and calculating look. His golden eyes studied Kumuna with curiosity rather than disdain.
“He’s new. Of course, he’s going to be unpolished,” Orwin said, stretching his arms. “Besides, if he’s really as useless as you think, it’ll show soon enough.”
Kai’Zen exhaled sharply. “Fine. Then let’s see just how ‘useful’ he is.”
With a flick of his wrist, Kai’Zen tossed Kumuna a bundle of weighted clothing—thick, layered garments lined with heavy metal plates woven into the fabric.
“Put these on,” Kai’Zen ordered.
Kumuna frowned, catching the bundle. “…Man, what is this? A medieval weighted vest?”
Kai’Zen’s glare hardened. “If you want to train here, you do it under my terms. You wear those, or you walk off this field and never come back.”
Kumuna clicked his tongue. “Geez, alright, alright.”
He threw the garments over his usual outfit and instantly felt the difference. The weight dragged at his limbs, making even simple movements harder.
“Now, you’ll be doing double the drills that the other trainees are doing,” Kai’Zen continued. “You don’t get to complain. You don’t get to stop. You will train until your body screams, and then you will keep going.”
Kumuna sighed. “Man, do you enjoy making people suffer?”
Kai’Zen smirked. “A little.”
Orwin shook his head, patting Kumuna on the back. “Alright, come on, let’s not waste daylight. I’ll be guiding you through your combat stances. You’re going to need more than brute force to survive here.”
Kai’Zen crossed his arms and stepped back, watching with a scrutinizing gaze.
The Start of Wolf Stance Training
Kumuna wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing heavy.
After an hour of grueling warm-ups, Orwin had finally moved on to combat training. The other trainees were running advanced drills with spears, swords, and shields, their movements fluid and refined. Kumuna, however, was still trying to master the basics.
Orwin stood before him, his sharp gaze focused.
“Listen, kid,” Orwin said. “Fighting isn’t just swinging wildly and hoping for the best. You need control, balance, and adaptability.”
Kumuna rolled his shoulders. “Alright, so what’s the plan?”
Orwin smirked. “I’m going to teach you Wolf Stance.”
Kumuna raised an eyebrow. “Wolf Stance?”
Orwin nodded. “It’s a stance built for speed and precision. You won’t have brute strength like some of the warriors here, so you’ll need to move fast, stay low, and strike where it hurts.”
He crouched slightly, his legs bent, body loose, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice.
“You shift your weight between your feet, keeping yourself constantly in motion,” Orwin explained, his movements fluid as he demonstrated. “Your attacks need to be sharp, quick, and unpredictable. You don’t commit too hard to a strike—you move in, strike, then move out before the enemy can counter.”
Kumuna mimicked the stance, bending his knees and trying to stay light on his feet.
Orwin smirked. “Not bad, but your stance is too rigid. Loosen up. A wolf is never stiff—it flows, adapts, and reacts to every little movement of its prey.”
Kumuna took a deep breath, adjusting his stance. He bounced slightly, keeping his movements relaxed.
“Good,” Orwin nodded. “Now, let’s put it into practice.”
He lunged forward in a blur of motion.
Kumuna barely had time to react before Orwin was upon him, a blur of silver and fangs.
Kumuna jumped back instinctively, barely avoiding the strike.
“Better,” Orwin smirked. “Now, let’s see if you can actually land a hit.”
The training session continued, Kumuna slowly adapting to the Wolf Stance, his movements becoming more natural. Orwin pushed him hard, but unlike Kai’Zen, there was encouragement in his words, not just judgment.
From a distance, Kai’Zen watched from under the shade of a nearby tree, arms crossed. His expression unreadable.
Orwin, however, knew he was there.
But he didn’t react.
For now, his focus was on the boy in front of him, the so-called hero who had a long way to go.
Still…
There was potential.
And Orwin was willing to help him reach it.
“Let’s see what you’re really made of, kid.”
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