The village of Dawn was bathed in the golden light of a summer afternoon. The once soft greenery of spring had grown lush and vibrant, with flowers in full bloom and the air thick with the hum of insects and the sweet scent of blooming flora. The river nearby shimmered under the sun, its waters cool and inviting as it flowed through the heart of the village, providing a serene contrast to the intense training sessions that the cadets were still undergoing, even in the heat of the season.

Despite the heat, the cadets showed no signs of slowing down. Their progress over the past six months had been remarkable. Every day, they pushed themselves further, honing their skills, their Aura manipulation, and their physical abilities. Even in the dead of summer, the energy in Dawn remained high.

By the riverbank, Riku and Isaki faced off in a sparring match, their eyes locked in silent determination. The air around them buzzed with intensity as their Auras flared to life, enveloping their fists in a glowing, translucent sheen of power. The ground beneath them was slightly scorched where their feet moved, each step leaving an imprint in the dirt as they exchanged blows.

Riku was the first to strike, his footwork swift as he lunged at Isaki with a sharp right hook, his fist glowing a brilliant blue as Aura surged through his knuckles. Isaki countered with an equally fast block, his forearm shimmering with the familiar blue Aura he had come to master. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, rippling the surface of the river nearby.

Without hesitation, Isaki retaliated with a quick, spinning kick, his leg trailing a streak of light as it aimed for Riku's stomach. Riku barely managed to duck under it, the wind from the kick whipping past his face. He grinned, already anticipating Isaki's next move.

"You're faster than before," Isaki noted, his voice strained but excited as they continued to trade blows.

"And you're not holding back this time, are you?" Riku responded with a smirk, ducking under another punch and sending a swift uppercut into Isaki's defense.

The two continued their back-and-forth dance, their fists and legs coated in Aura as they exchanged strike after strike. Every hit crackled with energy, the glow of their Auras shimmering in the summer light. Each punch landed with the force of a thunderclap, yet neither seemed willing to back down. Both their physical and mental endurance had grown to exceptional levels in these last few months, and it was evident in the sheer ferocity of their sparring.

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A little ways off, sitting on the grassy bank and watching the sparring session with a mix of awe and exhaustion, were Balko and Jenia. They had finished their own training earlier and now sat catching their breath, shaded by the trees that lined the river. Jenia tilted her head, watching Isaki and Riku with a curious expression.

"How do they do it?" she wondered aloud, shaking her head in disbelief. "They've been training all afternoon, and here they are, still going at it like they're fresh out of bed."

Balko, who was usually robust and rarely fatigued, rubbed his sweaty brow, glancing over at the two with a tired sigh. "Beats me. I'm already exhausted just watching them. And here they are, bashing each other's skulls in like it's a morning warm-up."

Jenia chuckled. "I'm starting to think they're made of something else entirely."

"Maybe," Balko muttered, his eyes never leaving the two cadets. "Still, it's impressive. I don't think I could keep up with them, even if I tried."

Back at the river, the clash between Riku and Isaki was nearing its peak. Both of them were panting now, sweat dripping from their brows, but neither showed signs of quitting. With a final burst of energy, Isaki launched a powerful right hook at Riku, his fist glowing brighter than ever. Riku responded with his own punch, and their fists collided mid-air, sending a small shockwave rippling outward.

Both stood frozen for a moment, their arms shaking from the force of the impact. And then, with a deep breath, they both stepped back, panting heavily.

"Call it a draw?" Isaki suggested, still catching his breath.

Riku let out a short laugh, running a hand through his damp hair. "Yeah… I guess. Though I thought I had you for a moment there."

"I thought the same thing," Isaki grinned, his hands dropping to his sides. "Looks like we're both getting stronger."

They exchanged a look of mutual respect before bursting into laughter, the tension from their sparring melting away as they walked over to where Balko and Jenia sat.

Riku glanced at the two sitting comfortably in the grass, a mischievous grin forming on his face. "Hey, looks like the lovebirds are still enjoying their cozy little spot."

Jenia's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. "What?! We're not—"

Balko groaned, rolling his eyes. "Oh, please. Don't start with that again."

Riku and Isaki exchanged amused glances as Jenia and Balko began bickering, the playful exchange lightening the mood. The four of them fell into easy laughter, the camaraderie they had built over the years only growing stronger with each passing day.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm, orange glow over the village, the group made their way back to the cadets' quarters. The evening air was cool against their skin after the long day of training, and though their bodies were tired, their spirits were high. It was moments like these, filled with laughter and friendship, that made the grueling training worth it.