Liyn attacked first.
Moving at a moderate speed, he lunged forward and unleashed a series of rapid attacks. Punches, kicks, and small bursts of flame alternated. But Leith easily parried them all. He dodged with minimal movement—just a slight tilt of his body or a quick raise of his hand.
However, that didn't mean he was underestimating his opponent.
Leith kept all his movements below his full capabilities. He didn't use his full aura, didn't channel Veyra, and hadn't even unlocked his basic seal. He chose to match Liyn's rhythm, giving the girl space to learn to read the gaps.
"Too hasty," Leith murmured, parrying Liyn's attack before twisting his body and blocking the left-handed strike with his elbow.
Liyn stepped back slightly, then took a breath. This time she tried a different strategy—she leaped upward and fired a spiral-shaped burst of flame. A basic combination technique, but challenging for a beginner.
Leith stared at the fire for a moment, then raised one hand. The air around him forced the spiral to break—he redirected the pressure of Veyra's attack without destroying it outright. The fire struck the ground beside him, leaving a scorched mark.
"Good. But if you want to defeat someone like Viola, you have to be able to read the fight. Don't just rely on instinct."
Liyn growled softly, then attacked again. Now faster, more agile. But Leith still didn't counterattack. He only parried, occasionally giving instructions:
"Turn your feet a little more, your attacks are too predictable."
"Focus on one point. Don't spread your energy in all directions."
"Control your emotions. Winning or losing depends on how well your emotions are controlled."
After several minutes of intense training, Liyn finally stopped. Her breath was labored, her body slightly bent forward, and sweat trickled slowly from her temples. Her left hand trembled slightly. But her eyes—those eyes still shone. She hadn't won. Yet, for the first time in a long while, she felt… alive.
Leith walked closer, unzipping his small bag, then handed her a bottle of cold water.
"You have potential, Liyn," he said softly but firmly. "But you're too hard on yourself."
Liyn took the bottle, looked at it for a moment before answering, "Because I have to be strong. There's no other choice."
Leith rested his hands on his hips. His tone remained calm. "But that's not how it works. Pushing yourself beyond your limits doesn't mean you're strong—sometimes it's the fastest way to break."
Liyn lowered her head, silent. In her heart, she murmured softly,
"You don't filter your words, Senpai…"
But before she could say more, Leith continued. His gaze was serious, gentle yet piercing, as if he wanted to strip away her deepest feelings.
"Now, I'll ask you one thing." He stepped closer, then gently touched Liyn's head, making her look up. "What is your purpose in trying so hard?"
Liyn fell silent. A heavy silence hung between them. The question... sounded familiar. Like something from the past she didn't want to touch again.
"…Maybe, because I want to be strong." Her voice was soft, sounding like doubt wrapped in an answer.
Leith watched her without speaking. But in that silence, there was understanding.
Then, with a calm, nonjudgmental smile, Leith asked again, his voice soft yet sharp,
"Then, what do you feel… when all your efforts fail?"
Liyn suddenly looked at him. For the first time, she truly looked at Leith. A gaze without caution, without barriers, without pretense. Just the gaze of a girl on the brink of drowning.
Instantly, her chest tightened. She wanted to cry. All the burdens she had carried alone, all the pressure she had silently endured… it felt like it was about to explode. Bitter. Painful. And disruptive. She had always believed it was all her fault—because she hadn't tried hard enough, wasn't good enough, wasn't worthy enough.
And because of that… she kept punishing herself.
Liyn's hands trembled, her eyes glistening with tears. Not long after, Liyn lowered her head again. Seeing Liyn's reaction, Leith felt guilty, wondering if his question had reminded her of something painful.
Leith approached Liyn and stopped directly in front of her. Without a word, he reached out and gently pulled her into his embrace—softly, without forcing her. Leith's hand rose, carefully stroking Liyn's hair. Liyn did not return his embrace, nor did she reject it. She simply let herself lean against Leith's chest—momentarily releasing the burden without needing to explain it.
And at that moment, Liyn began to cry.
Her sobs were quiet, muffled, without sound. There were no complaints. No words. Only tears falling one by one, as if all the pain she had been holding inside had finally found a way out.
Leith said nothing. He simply remained silent—but in that silence, he understood.
The pain Liyn was enduring wasn't just about training, or losing a fight. It was about wounds that had never truly healed. About the lingering feeling of failure. And the only way Liyn could confront her fear... was by continuing to challenge it.
Somehow, realizing that made Leith's chest ache too. There was something about Liyn that was too honest in her suffering, so without realizing it, Leith moved like this—not out of intention, but out of a deeper urge. As if her body understood before her mind could catch up.
Liyn's POV:
I completely humiliated myself in front of someone I'd only just met. Showing my most vulnerable side, crying… just because of a single touch.
But strangely, amidst the shame and suffocation—this was the most intense moment I'd ever felt. Because for the first time, there was someone who understood. Who truly saw me… and paid attention to me.
And it felt like a gift—something I'd never dared to imagine before.
My hands began to clench his black shirt. Warm. Real. It had been so long since I'd longed for a hug like this. Since Mother's departure… there was only one thing I'd always wanted:
A hug.
One that could make me feel safe again.
"Can I have it? Please… let someone like me—weak and full of wounds—stay by his side. To be his… completely. But… is it possible? Will he accept all the wounds within me?"
I kept crying. With each sob, I poured out the questions I'd kept to myself all this time. The small hopes I'd quietly tucked away in my heart—ones I was even too afraid to truly believe in myself.
But then, my body began to give in.
My head felt heavy, throbbing violently as if pierced from within. The pain came alongside the accumulated fatigue—so piercing, enveloping every muscle and joint. Though my heart began to feel slightly calm, my body couldn't keep up.
My vision started to blur.
With the last of my strength, I lifted my head. Staring at Leith-senpai with a blurred gaze. My lips moved slowly, almost silently. I didn't even know if he heard it or not.
"Thank you… Senpai."
And after that—
everything went dark.