As time passes, Moto gets better at his smoking abilities. Sheu, Sukai, and himself bond over being the weakest in their school, and their friendship deepens the more time they spend together while avoiding Mukai. However, Mukai's anger has not subsided, and he is still looking for a chance to discipline Moto.

One hot Thursday afternoon, the friends sit behind the shade of their classroom. By hiding behind the class, they have successfully avoided conflict once again. Moto expresses his annoyance with this way of life.

Moto: "I’m so tired of hiding. Is this what it takes to survive school?"

Sukai: "The king is coming home for a family dinner, so I must return early."

Sheu: "Can you ask the King about my father’s well-being on his mission?"

Sukai: "I will. Try to stay out of trouble, okay?"

Moto and Sheu train together until sunset to be sure that Mukai will not be around anymore. They walk home with a spring in their steps, confident in each other's progress since they started. Moto’s smoke dances in the air, carried by Sheu’s unpredictable wind. Sheu focuses her wind, trying to guide the thin smoke into forming a heart.

Moto: "You’ve almost got it."

The blob of smoke takes shape, but before it’s complete, a dense water bubble appears and dissolves the smoke.

Mukai: "Did you think you could run forever?"

It’s Mukai, leaning against a tree.

Moto: "Look, we don’t want any trouble."

Mukai: "You should have thought of that before you decided to run your mouth."

Moto: "What’s your problem?"

Mukai: "Weaklings like you shouldn’t be in the same class as me. You have no respect, and disrespecting me is unforgivable."

Mukai proceeds to beat them up. He uses his water to push Moto and Sheu into long-distance combat, their weakness. Mukai knocks Moto to the ground and pushes Sheu against a tree.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Rage stirs up within Moto. Everyone has been looking down on him, and Sheu is getting hurt too. As he gets up onto his knees, thick black smoke flows from his body. It continues to thicken the angrier Moto gets, to a point where the wind can barely carry it, and it covers the ground. His gold necklace glimmers momentarily before being engulfed by darkness.

Sheu has never seen Moto like this before. Mukai steps into the forming cloud to punch him, but he hesitates even after seeing the expression on Moto’s face.

Before he hits him, Sukai runs in, pleading with his brother.

Sukai: "Mukai, stop! Please, this isn’t right."

Mukai: "Stay out of this, Sukai."

Sukai: "No, I won't. This has gone too far."

Mukai eventually leaves them alone and goes home.

Sheu and Sukai calm Moto down. Sukai misses the family dinner and spends the night treating Moto and Sheu, asking them to forgive his brother.

Sukai: "I’m really sorry for what Mukai did. I’ll talk to him again. And Sheu, I promise I’ll ask the King about your father as soon as I see him."

Sheu: "Thank you, Sukai. And thank you for stepping in."

Moto: "Yeah, thanks. Let’s hope things get better from here."

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Meanwhile, Najo talks with his grandfather, telling him he misses his friends, so he won’t train with Dope tomorrow.

Ginimbi: "You’ve been working hard, Najo. Take the day and go see your friends."

The following day comes, and Najo goes to surprise Moto. Instead, he is met with an unpleasant surprise—both his friends are covered in scars and bruises.

Najo, furious: "Who did this?! Was it Mukai?"

Sheu nods, and Najo blitzes out of the house, speeding to class to confront him. He destroys the classroom door with his lightning, frightening everyone inside.

Najo: "Mukai!" he shouts. "What did you do?"

The students scramble around.

Mukai: "I have nothing to say to you."

Najo dashes at Mukai, but Mr. Jumbo speeds between them, holding both boys back.

Mr. Jumbo: "Calm down, boys. This isn’t a zoo. Do you wish to have a formal challenge?"

Najo: "I’m gonna kick his—"

Mukai interrupts, unphased: "I accept."

Mr. Jumbo: "Very well then. Meet at the Nyika arena at 2 pm. I’ll have it prepared. But until then, you will behave yourselves. Go back to your class, Najo."

Moto and Sheu learn of the battle that has been scheduled. Sheu thinks it’s a bad idea, but Moto is honored that their friend is sticking up for them.

On the other hand, Sukai tries to talk Mukai out of it. Mukai slaps him and tells him to stop telling him what to do.

Mukai: "I see the same weakness in you that I despise about Moto and our father."

It is now 1:55 PM, and the arena is packed with students. As far as Moto and Najo knew, the battle was about revenge against Mukai. However, the tension in the atmosphere hints at something else. The terraces are divided: the lightning students on one half, and the water students on the other. These are the two ruling classes of the nation.

Sheu notes: "This is a battle between the son of the king and the son of Ginimbi. This fight has political weight to it. Perhaps an intentional decision by Mr. Jumbo to allow this."

Moto: "I think you’re overthinking it, Sheu."