With that, Minho carefully placed Si-Woo's kunai and Ha-Yoon's book into a satchel strapped to Lemmy's side. The wyvern's scales shifted slightly under the new weight, but otherwise, he remained unfazed, his gaze fixed on the siblings.

"Meditation is crucial," Minho began, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "It's the foundation of our power here in Ondur. The purer your energy, the stronger your serein." He looked at them both, his eyes searching for understanding. "You must have practiced this at the academy."

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon nodded, recalling the sessions where they sat in silence, trying to still their racing thoughts. It had been a challenge, but it had become a part of the routine, a quiet moment of peace amidst the chaos of their new lives.

"But it appears you two are not as skilled in martial arts as many Ondurians your age," Minho observed, his face reflecting both disappointment and resolve. "I will train both your body and mind so that you may bear the responsibility of the weapons bestowed upon you by the king, as well as the weight of your very existence."

With that, Minho reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of rubber balls. He tossed one into the air and caught it, the smirk on his face hinting at a hidden challenge. "We'll start with this," he said, tossing the ball to Si-Woo. "I will be throwing these at you from different angles and distances. Your task is to dodge or catch them without moving from your spot."

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon looked at each other, thinking it sounded simple enough. Ha-Yoon smirked, eager to prove herself. "We can do this," she whispered to her brother.

Minho's smile grew broader as he swung his leg over Lemmy's back, the creature rising slightly in response. With a nod to the siblings, he took a deep breath and urged the beast into a sprint. As they gained speed, Minho's arm blurred as he threw the rubber balls with astonishing velocity. They zipped through the air like projectiles, bouncing off the edges of the platform and ricocheting toward them in unpredictable patterns.

The kids yelled out in surprise as the first ball flew at them, Si-Woo's instincts kicking in as he barely managed to duck in time. Ha-Yoon, however, wasn't as fast. She flinched as the ball smacked into her shoulder, the impact echoing through the air. Wincing, she glared at Minho, who merely laughed and tossed another at her.

"Focus," he called out, his voice carrying over the din of the training grounds. "Your mind must be sharp at all times."

The siblings did as they were told, their concentration never wavering as the hours ticked by. The suns began to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the emerald landscape. The air grew cooler, hinting at the approaching nightfall. Despite the bruises and scrapes, the siblings felt a growing sense of pride and unity as they faced each new challenge Minho threw their way.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"That's enough for today," Minho finally said, his voice echoing across the now-silent training grounds. His earlier playfulness had given way to a look of solemn satisfaction. "You both have the potential to become great warriors."

Si-Woo let out a sigh of relief, his legs trembling from the exertion. Ha-Yoon gasped, her voice tight with pain. "I can't feel my kneecaps," she murmured, her legs buckling slightly. "MY KNEECAPS," she yelled.

Minho and Si-Woo chuckled, the sound echoing across the now-silent training grounds. "You're doing well," he said, his eyes twinkling with mirth. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a serein stone, holding it up for them to see." I'll heal your minor injuries."

He approached Ha-Yoon, the stone pulsing with a gentle blue light. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a stream of healing energy into her bruised shoulder. The pain dissipated instantly, replaced by a warm, tingling sensation that spread through her body like a comforting embrace.

"You too, Si-Woo," he said, turning to the younger brother. The stone's light enveloped Si-Woo's head, the swelling in his ear retreating as if it had never been there. The relief was palpable, the tension in his body melting away like ice in the sun.

Now," Minho declared, eyes twinkling with mischief, "I expect you both to practice meditation nightly before sleep. We'll continue this routine daily after school until your bodies adapt to the strenuous training. Henceforth, refer to me as 'Master' during our sessions."

The siblings nodded, too tired to argue. They knew they had much to learn.

"It's YES MASTER' Minho exclaimed.

"Yes, master," Si-Woo corrected himself, bowing slightly. Ha-Yoon followed suit, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and determination.

Minho nodded, pleased with their response. "Now, let's get you both home," he said, his voice filled with a hint of mischief. He turned to Lemmy, who was watching them with a keen interest.

With a graceful leap, Minho mounted the wyvern, his movements fluid and practiced. He extended a hand to Ha-Yoon, helping her up behind him. "Careful," he warned. "Lemmy can be a bit jumpy when he's tired."

Si-Woo climbed on next, his legs straddling the creature's powerful body. Despite his fatigue, a thrill shot through him as he felt the muscles ripple beneath him. The siblings held onto Minho tightly as Lemmy took to the skies once more, the wind whipping their faces as they soared over the breathtaking landscape of Ondur.

...

The next day, as dawn painted the sky with soft hues of pink and gold, Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon made their way to the academy. The anticipation of what the day might hold was palpable.

As they approached the grand entrance, Ha-Yoon tugged on Si-Woo's sleeve, her eyes wide. "Look," she whispered, pointing in the direction of the academy. There, standing at the top of the steps, was a girl with long, flowing hair the color of freshly fallen snow. Her gaze was fixed on Si-Woo, an intensity in her eyes that was almost unnerving.

Si-Woo followed her gaze, his heart skipping a beat as he recognized the girl. "Mai," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the wind.

"What?" Ha-Yoon turned to look at him, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"It's okay," Si-Woo assured her with a forced smile. "I'll catch up. You go ahead."