“You don’t have to decide now. Think about it,” said Yu-Han before sending the group off.

  They walked toward Layla’s house.

  “What a night…What are you going to do about the old man’s offer?” asked Albert.

  “I’ll go back,” Damien answered without hesitation.

  “Me too,” added Yulian.

  “If you’re going, then I’m going,” Mason jumped in.

  “I want to know what’s really behind all this,” said Edward.

  “…Well, no choice.,” sighed Albert.

  “And you, Sarah?” Yulian asked.

  “I don’t know. I have a little girl to take care of… and I want to know how Jonatan is doing.”

  Damien lowered his gaze.

  Mason exploded:

  "That bastard hit you And you’re still worried about him?”

  “Mason...,” Damien cut him off. “Sarah, if you decide not to come back, that’s fine,” he added calmly.

  When they arrived, Layla had been listening and smiled.

  “I’m in. Sounds fun.”

  She let them crash at her place until morning.

  Two days later, the group gathered at the outskirts of the estate. The air was cold, and the silence was heavy.

  "Looks like Sarah’s not coming"… Damien muttered.

  "Don’t worry, bro..." Mason started, but the sound of heavy breathing cut him off.

  Sarah climbed out, adjusted her backpack, and walked toward them with a stride that wasn't there two days ago. Her face was pale, but her gaze was iron.

  "I broke up with him". she said, before anyone could speak. "I’m here because I never want to be a victim again".

  Damien didn't smile, but the tension in his shoulders vanished.

  "Glad you made it" he replied.

  On the way, Layla whispered to Sarah:

  “How did he take it?”

  “Really badly… he blew up my phone with insults and threats. But I don’t want the others to know. I don’t want another fight.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me,” Layla assured her.

  At the entrance, Yu-Han was waiting with a smile.

  “I knew you’d return. Let me introduce Gonzo, my driver and disciple. He’ll be your first instructor.”

  Gonzo, a tall bald man with a goatee, spoke bluntly:

  “I’ll be teaching you Nature Koa.”

  “And you won’t train us yourself?” Damien asked.

  “I will, but each of you has turns: Gonzo on Mondays and Thursdays, my wife on Tuesdays and Fridays, and me on Wednesdays.”

  Albert scoffed.

  “Beast Koa must be easy.”

  “Quite the opposite. That’s why you only see it one day a week—so it doesn’t exhaust you,” Yu-Han replied before leaving.

  Training with Gonzo began with physical exercises: running, push-ups, weights.

  “This is just like going to the gym!” Damien grumbled, dripping sweat.

  “Yeah… has nothing to do with Koa,” Albert added.

  “The body is the foundation. The second part is the mind,” Gonzo explained.

  He guided them into meditation under the trees, then led them to a clearing. From his hands appeared paper figures that absorbed energy, growing until they stood nearly two meters tall.

  “Each of you will face one. If you can’t beat them, you won’t be able to use Koa consciously.”

  “With bare fists!?” Damien shouted.

  “If you align body and mind, a miracle will happen,” Gonzo said firmly.

  “I’ll go first!” Yulian jumped in.

  In seconds, he charged energy into his hand and split his opponent in two.

  “That’s Yulian for you! A genius,” Damien cheered.

  “Incredible… he mastered in an instant what takes others weeks,” Gonzo thought, stunned.

  “My turn!” Edward launched himself, but his fight was tougher. He barely dodged, took hit after hit, and when cornered, his instinct awoke: one punch tore through the paper man’s chest.

  “You did it,” Gonzo said, satisfied.

  “They get stronger?” Albert protested.

  “That's right, they get stronger every second that passes, so it's best to defeat them quickly.” Gonzo said calmly.

  “That puts even more pressure on us!” Mason screeched.

  One by one, the others passed the test. Exhausted, Sarah finally brought hers down.

  Only Damien remained.

  The fight was disastrous from the start: blow after blow landed on him, unable to align body and mind. The creature grew stronger by the second.

  “Why can’t I…?” Damien panted.

  Gonzo understood: He doesn’t feel like he’s in real danger.

  Then he shouted:

  “Change of plans! Attack Damien’s friends!”

  The paper man spun, arms morphing into stakes, and charged at the group.

  “Wait! The fight is with me!” Damien cried.

  The creature was about to strike when Damien roared:

  “NOOO!”

  His Koa burst out, and with one punch he shattered the creature into a thousand pieces.

  Silence fell.

  “Just as I thought… your instinct to protect is stronger than your instinct to survive. That’s a gift… and also a risk,” Gonzo said gravely.

  “You pulverized it!” Albert’s eyes widened.

  “Well done, brother. Although you took your time…” Yulian laughed.

  “That’s enough for today. Tomorrow you’ll train with Mrs. Yianiss,” Gonzo announced.

  As he drove away, he thought:

  "A group with potential. But Yulian… that boy is something else".

  What did you think of the group’s first trial? Any predictions on what Mrs. Yianiss’s training will look like?