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DEITY
INT. THE ROYAL PALACE OF ONDUR-TRAINING GROUNDS

INT. THE ROYAL PALACE OF ONDUR-TRAINING GROUNDS

Minho, on the other hand, remained calm, his eyes flicking between the charging Spade Wolves and the swiftly approaching Si-Woo. He waited, his body poised like a spring, ready to unleash the fury of his Berserk Body Stature at any moment.

The first to reach him was Tic, its teeth snapping just shy of Minho's leg. He leaped high into the air, evading the wolf with a beautiful grace. Tac, not to be outdone, followed close behind, but Minho was already moving. He twisted in mid-air, his arms and legs spinning like a tornado. When he landed, Tac found itself caught in a whirlwind of steel and serein-infused fury, the force sending it sliding across the ground, stunned but unharmed.

Si-Woo took this opportunity to attack, his instincts guiding the blade of Eternity in a series of swift, precise movements. Each strike was calculated, each feint a silent question. Yet, Minho parried with ease, his own hands singing a song of defense that was centuries old. His eyes never left Si-Woo's, reading his intentions with uncanny skill.

"Your specialty doesn't lie in offense, young one," Minho said, his voice a mix of amusement and sternness. "Not yet, at least. You must learn to anticipate and protect before you can truly strike with divine power."

With those words, he shunted Si-Woo onto the defensive side of the battlefield, forcing him to rely on instincts and speed rather than brute force. Si-Woo felt his heart race as he faced Minho.

Si-Woo's eyes darted around, searching for an opening in Minho's guard as he danced around the master's whirling attacks. His mind raced with thoughts of his mother, her gentle encouragement echoing in his head. He knew that she would be proud of the warrior he was becoming, but the path was fraught with peril.

Meanwhile, Ha-Yoon took a step back, her mind racing with a strategy. The Spade Wolves, Tic and Tac, responded to her thoughts, their movements a silent testament to their bond. They circled Minho, darting in and out, feinting and retreating, creating a mesmerizing dance of teeth and claws. It was a dance designed to tire and distract, to give Si-Woo the chance to strike.

Minho's eyes never left Si-Woo as he blocked and dodged the wolves' attacks with fluid grace. "You must learn to be unpredictable," he shouted over the cacophony of their clashing steel and snarling beasts. "Predictability is a warrior's greatest weakness!"

Si-Woo clenched the hilt of the kunai between his teeth, the tension in his muscles palpable as he maneuvered through Minho's unyielding assault. "He bites down on the kunai to focus, then twists his body to launch an attack. Quite ingenious," Minho thought. Si-Woo was aware that victory wasn't within reach, not this time. However, he was absorbing, and adjusting. Every block and deceptive move brought him nearer to mastering the cadence of battle, the harmony of motion and purpose.

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In a final burst of strength, he managed to parry Minho's palm thrust one last time before his legs gave out beneath him. He crashed to the ground, his breath ragged and his body aching. Ha-Yoon's eyes grew wide with panic, and she sent Tic to stand protectively over her brother's prone form while Tac darted around Minho, aiming for a surprise attack. But Minho was a seasoned warrior, his senses honed by centuries of battle.

With a swift turn, Minho caught Tac in mid-leap, his hand wrapped around its throat, gently halting its assault. He looked at Ha-Yoon, his gaze a mix of disappointment and understanding. "You must learn to control your emotions," he chastised, his voice firm but not unkind. "Letting your fear for your brother cloud your judgment will only put you both in danger."

Tic, sensing its companion's distress, rushed to its aid, teeth bared, but it was too late. With a flick of his wrist, Minho sent Tic flying with a thud into the hard ground beside Si-Woo. The siblings lay there, panting and bruised, the reality of their limitations starkly apparent.

Minho's expression softened, his eyes glowing with a gentle light. "You both have much potential," he said, his voice filled with a hint of admiration. "But potential is nothing without discipline and control. You must learn to harness the power that is within you, to become one with it, not let it overwhelm you." He offered Ha-Yoon a hand, helping her to her feet. "Your body stature is 'Cunning Mind, Unyielding Body', Ha-Yoon. It will allow you to manipulate serein through behemoths with precision and cunning."

He turned to Si-Woo, extending a hand to help him up as well. "And you, young Si-Woo," he said, his voice deep with anticipation. "Your destiny lies with the 'Divine Guardian'. A body stature that allows for unparalleled defense and protection, a style that has been lost to time. It is a great responsibility and an even greater burden."

Si-Woo took Minho's hand, his eyes never leaving the master's face. "I will not disappoint," he vowed, his grip firm. "I will become the shield that protects my sister and this world."

Minho nodded, a rare smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I know you will," he said, his eyes shining with belief.

The siblings picked themselves up, dusting off their uniforms. Si-Woo turned to find Tic and Tac sitting obediently by Ha-Yoon, their eyes still glowing with energy but their demeanor calm and protective.

"Thank you, Master," Ha-Yoon said, her voice still shaky from the adrenaline of the fight. "We're ready for whatever comes next."

Minho nodded, his smile fading into a more serious expression. "Your hearts are strong, but your bodies need rest," he said. "The training ahead of you will be much more intense. You must prepare yourselves for the pain and the growth it will bring."

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon looked at each other, understanding Minho's words. They had come so far in such a short time, but the path to mastering their serein was just beginning. Ha-Yoon bent down to stroke Tic and Tac's fur, whispering words of comfort. The spade wolves' eyes glowed softly, a silent pledge of support.