Early the next morning…

  Eric made his way into the Dojo. He was wearing a hooded poncho and had a white mask with spiral patterns covering his face.

  “You made it!” Kevin called out enthusiastically, waving when he saw Eric enter the Dojo.

  The Dojo was the only was warrior agency in the city, they had recruited Eric at a young age with Kevin joining much later.

  Eric glanced at his eager friend and responded with a casual nod.

  Walking down the hallway, they were met with respectful bows from most of the people they passed. Eventually, they arrived at a room humming with technology. Massive monitors lined the walls, while several staff members worked diligently at their stations.

  At the forefront stood a woman radiating authority, her presence commanding the entire room. The two quickly bowed when they saw her.

  “Miss Matelda,” one of the staff members reported, “the rift is expected to stabilize in approximately three hours.”

  “I see,” Matelda acknowledged with a nod, her gaze fixed on the screen displaying a silvery sphere that pulsed rhythmically – periodically shimmering before fading into a dull glow.

  “Please contact those explorers and tell them to be early, I don’t want a repeat of last time.” She sternly warned.

  “Yes ma’am.” The staff responded back.

  Shifting her gaze to Eric and Kevin. Without a word, she gestured for them to follow.

  They stepped into a spacious training room, where racks of weapons lined the walls and a square arena in the center. With a swift motion, Matelda removed her coat and hung it aside, revealing her tightly knotted, muscular physique.

  She wore a form-fitting black tank top that highlighted her muscular physique and loose, baggy black trousers allowed for unrestricted movement with two twin swords sheathed by her hips. On her arms were golden bracers that she could use as defense, deflecting incoming strikes. Rolling her shoulders, she stepped into the arena, stretching her arms with practiced ease.

  “Come on,” she said, her gaze sharp and expectant. “Let’s see how much you’ve improved this past week.”

  Eric and Kevin exchanged a glance before stepping into the arena. Kevin drew his sword, a single-edged blade reminiscent of a katana. Beside him, Eric reached for his hair stick, which expanded in an instant, transforming into a sleek black staff adorned with golden dragon engravings and golden blunt tips.

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  Matelda watched them with an amused smirk her golden braces on her arms gleaming under the arena lights. "Whenever you're ready," she said, planting her feet firmly.

  Kevin was the first to move, dashing in low with his sword cutting a sharp arc through the air. Eric followed half a step behind, his staff sweeping toward Matelda’s blind spot. Without hesitation, Matelda leaned back, narrowly avoiding Kevin’s strike, and raised a bracer just in time to deflect Eric’s staff with a sharp clang. The force sent a gust rippling through the arena, but Matelda stood firm, her balance unshaken.

  They didn’t let up. Kevin spun, reversing his grip for an upward slash, while Eric twisted his staff, its golden end whistling toward Matelda’s ribs. Side stepping Kevin’s swing she caught Kevin’s wrist mid-strike and used his own momentum to spin him away. In the same motion, she swayed to the side, letting Eric’s staff pass by harmlessly before gripping it for the briefest second and shoving it downward, forcing him off-balance. Stepping forward, she was instantly inside Eric's guard, with a sweep and push she sent Eric flying to the other side of the arena.

  Kevin who had recovered rushed behind her hoping to catch her off-guard. He went for a straight slash but as if she had eyes behind her head she tilted her body just dodging the slash. Seeing his strike dodged he wasn’t discouraged but followed with another one. Slashes upon slashes rained down on Matelda but she dodged and bare handedly parried some. Within a second Kevin had unleashed a hundred slashes but none of them even got close to dealing her damage.

  Eric joined the fight and this time as he thrust the staff it instantly elongated. The staffs reach increased trying to get past her guard, whenever she would try to parry or grab the staff, it would shrink leaving her range. Matelda’s expression shifted slightly in approval.

  The fight became intense as they zipped from one corner of the arena to another. However the boys hadn’t yet landed a single hit. Eric glanced at Kevin and slightly nodded to him. Sensing the change Matelda got interested, keeping up her guard against anything the boys would come up. At this time Eric lunged towards her with a wide swing.

  She was just about to receive his attack when the floor below her suddenly shifted forward and her weight shifted backwards making her lose her balance. Eric and Kevin reached her in the split second she was in an awkward position. However her reaction was faster, changing her foot position, she exerted strength in her legs and lunged up evading their strikes.

  While midair, Matelda flexed her legs again and with a boom, darted towards the boys. They were quick to react but the next second they were sent crashing on the hall’s walls.

  They both landed with a grunt, staring up at their teacher as she stood over them, arms crossed.

  "You’ve indeed improved," Matelda mused, tilting her head. "That move you used, shifting the length of the ground was ingenious." She smirked.

  “Well I was inspired by one of the contestants in the Vireon tournament.” Eric said while clutching his chest.

  “I also noticed you’ve reached elite level, paired with your gift you could probably reach intermediate elite level. Keep it up.” Matelda said with a thumbs up.

  “Thanks Master.” Eric humbly responded.

  Turning her gaze to the exhausted Kevin slumped on the ground, Matelda continued, “You're still at the peak of the apprentice level, but your reaction time and combat speed have improved significantly. Keep at it.”

  “Cough! Cough… thanks… master.” Kevin forced himself to respond between heavy breaths.

  "I'm giving you ten minutes to recover." Matelda said as she grabbed he coat and headed for the door, “after recovering meet me in the briefing room.”