Location: Lumina's House

  Time of Day: Morning

  Morning sunlight filtered through the tall trees around Lumina's house. A new day had begun and it was the first day of training.

  "Wakey, wakey!" Slayer called out cheerfully, strolling toward Captain's room with his usual chipper energy. He stopped just outside the door and blinked. It was already ajar.

  "Huh... didn't expect this to be left open," he muttered, tilting his head slightly. "Well, guess I'm coming in!"

  He stepped inside, only to find the room completely empty.

  "Hmmm... where'd you sneak off to, soldier boy." Slayer murmured, scratching the side of his helmet. "Maybe he's already at the dojo...? I guess only one way to find out." With a casual shrug, he turned on his heel and headed out.

  Meanwhile with Hikari...

  Knock knock.

  "Yes, come in!" came Hikari's voice from the other side of the door.

  Lumina opened the door. Hikari was already dressed and waiting, standing tall with a confident smile. She wore her white lab coat over a crisp shirt and black tie. Black shorts, thigh-high socks, a belt strap on one leg, and her black gloves completed the look.

  "Morning, Hikari," Lumina greeted with a warm smile, folding her arms loosely. "Ooo~ looking sharp. Someone is dressed to impress."

  "Hehe, thanks," Hikari replied with a sheepish grin as she tied her ponytail back with a quick tug. FWIP.

  "How'd you sleep?" Lumina tilted her head slightly.

  "Great, thanks for asking!" Hikari pumped a little fist, cheerful as ever.

  "Good to hear." Lumina nodded, her expression softening. "So, ready for your training today?"

  "Of course!" Hikari's eyes sparkled with excitement, though after a beat she scratched her cheek. "...Okay, maybe a little nervous."

  Lumina chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "That's normal. But with your spirit? You'll do just fine."

  Hikari slipped a slim notebook into her lab coat pocket, the one opposite where she kept the Artifact, then patted it once. "Well, I'm good to go so lead the way!"

  "Oh, and just so you know," Lumina added with a playful smile, "we'll have breakfast after training. So keep your energy up."

  "Sweet! Motivation acquired!" Hikari struck a mock salute with a grin. SNAP.

  Minutes Later...

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  They stepped outside into the fresh morning air and dew sparkled on the grass beneath their shoes. As they crossed the back lawn toward the dojo behind the house, faint voices echoed from inside.

  "Heh. Looks like we've got company," Lumina smirked. "Let's go in and say hi shall we?"

  She pushed the sliding doors open, and there stood Captain and Slayer inside the main hall. Slayer was mid-gesture, clearly telling a story.

  "Huh? Oh!" Slayer spotted them first. "Look who finally decided to join the party!" He spread his arms wide. "What's up, my beautiful people?"

  Lumina raised a brow. "Looks like you two wasted zero time."

  "Yeah, sorry to say," Slayer grinned, punching his open palm, "but me and Cap beat you to the punch!"

  Captain raised an eyebrow. "Correction, I got here before you did. So technically, it's Captain and Slayer who beat them to the punch."

  SIGH. Hikari looked down, shaking her head. "Do you two really have to argue about everything?" She lifted her gaze with a faint smile. "Well, at least they're getting along... I think."

  "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." Slayer waved Captain off with a chuckle. "We'll see who's really first once we hit the training grounds."

  "You're on," Captain's half-smirk tugged at his lips.

  "Haha! See?" Hikari beamed. "Told you guys you'd become good friends."

  "Don't push it," Captain muttered.

  "Dang..." Hikari mumbled, glancing aside.

  "Awwee, don't shut her down like that, Captain!" Slayer laughed, nudging Hikari's shoulder. "Don't worry, Hikari, he's just a little shy, that's all. We're already best friends, right, Cap?"

  Captain sighed, brushing past them. "Jeez, can we just start the training already? I'm done standing around and wasting time."

  "Haha, that's the soldier spirit!" Slayer's voice carried a grin as he drew his sword with a dramatic flourish. SHING! "Let's get this party started!"

  Lumina tilted her head, arms crossing with mild curiosity. "Wait a second... just curious, Captain. How did you even know where the dojo was?"

  Slayer elbowed Captain with a laugh. "Oh, you're gonna love this. He said he used his 'military instincts.'" He even made finger quotes, dropping his voice into a mock-serious tone. "Whatever that means."

  Captain exhaled through his nose, smirking faintly. "Let's just say... I accidentally found it while walking around the backyard."

  PFFT. Hikari giggled behind her hand. "Military instincts, huh? Sounds like code for getting lost with confidence."

  Captain rolled his eyes. "It's called tactical wandering, in case you didn't know."

  Lumina chuckled. "Works for me." She clapped her hands once. CLAP! "Now that everyone's here, let's begin the show." Her smirk lingered as she turned toward Hikari. "Ready?"

  "Born ready." Hikari pumped her fist.

  "Alright then." Lumina faced the group. "Here's how things will go. For the first stage of training, we'll split into two teams. Slayer will train Captain, and I'll work with Hikari. We'll explain this week's exercise once we're settled." Everyone nodded.

  "Let's give it our all!" Hikari said, holding out a fist toward Captain.

  Captain bumped it with his own. "Just don't fall behind."

  "Same to you, Skipper." Hikari grinned.

  "Good luck," Lumina added, looking at both pairs. "We'll regroup later."

  With that, the team split. Lumina slid open a door on the left side of the dojo. CREAK. Inside was a spacious training hall filled with natural light. Polished floors stretched wide, training dummies stood in neat rows, and wooden targets lined the far wall at different distances.

  "Whoa..." Hikari's eyes sparkled as she stepped in. "This is awesome!"

  "Glad you like it," Lumina grinned. "You'll be real familiar with it soon enough."

  Meanwhile on the opposite side of the dojo...

  Slayer shoved open a matching door. Bam. This hall carried a heavier presence. Reinforced pillars stood tall, racks of bokken swords lined the walls, and wooden training dummies waited in the corners. Captain followed him in, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. "Let's see what you've got in store."

  Slayer smirked, his hands on his hips. "Oh, trust me. You're gonna love this."

  Their training began, and none of them were ready for the challenges that came next...