The boys arrive back at their teachers’ quarters, still buzzing with excitement and curiosity about the canceled tournament and the mysterious events surrounding it. As they approach, they overhear the master and Eryndar in a serious conversation.

“It’s concerning,” the master says, his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. “Those figures mimicked us down to our essence control. It’s not just random corruption; there’s intelligence behind this.”

Eryndar nods, his fist clenched at his side. “And the fact that it could replicate your evasive footwork and my direct strikes… whoever is behind this knows us well.”

The boys exchange uneasy glances before stepping into the room. The master straightens, his expression softening slightly when he sees them.

“Back so soon?” he asks, trying to sound casual but failing to mask his fatigue. His tone shifts, and he adds, “Good. I need to tell you something.”

Eryndar takes a step back, letting the master take the lead. The boys look expectantly at their teacher, who sighs heavily before speaking. “I’ll be leaving for a few weeks.”

“What? Why?” Towan blurts out, his usual composure slipping.

The master chuckles dryly. “Relax, kid. I’m not abandoning you. I just… need to get back in shape. Last night’s fight showed me I’m not as sharp as I used to be.”

Elliot tilts his head, his calm demeanor unshaken. “You defeated all of them without using your essence. That doesn’t seem ‘out of shape’ to me.”

The master’s expression grows serious. “That’s exactly why I need to train. If I’d been forced to use my essence against something that wasn’t even real, what happens when we face the real threat?”

Kade steps forward, his voice unusually solemn. “What about us? What do we do while you’re gone?”

Eryndar answers this time, his voice steady and reassuring. “You’ll train with me. Don’t think you’re getting a break just because the master is stepping out.” He glances at the master. “Besides, I’ve been meaning to refine your techniques. Both of us have.”

The master nods, placing a hand on Eryndar’s shoulder. “You’ll be in good hands. Eryndar’s solid strikes are the perfect complement to my style. Learn from him.”

Towan narrows his eyes, suspicion flickering across his face. “You two know each other too well for this to be just a coincidence.”

The master smirks but doesn’t answer. Instead, he grabs his bag and heads for the door. “Don’t slack off while I’m gone. And don’t think I won’t know if you do.”

With that, he’s gone, leaving the boys with Eryndar. They exchange uncertain glances before Eryndar claps his hands together. “All right, enough standing around. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

As the master departed, Eryndar remained with the boys, ready to assess their capabilities. While he was already familiar with Rhys and Kade's abilities, Towan and Elliot were an enigma to him. Still, he had faith in their potential, knowing they were the pupils of his old comrade.

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“How strong is that master, really? Having to go train after fighting mere copies doesn’t sound impressive at all,” Rhys remarked, his tone laced with doubt. He had sensed little essence within the master compared to Eryndar—or even Towan and Elliot.

“Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him in action yet,” Kade admitted, though his voice lacked the skepticism of Rhys. He turned toward Towan. “Hey, Towan, when was the last time you saw your master fight?”

“We sparred with him a few days ago,” Towan replied.

“He overpowered us easily,” Elliot added, admiration clear in his voice. “He didn’t even need to use essence and didn’t break a sweat.”

“What about his essence control?” Rhys pressed. “We know he’s a skilled fighter, but if he’s not showing much essence, how strong can he really be?”

Towan hesitated, his brow furrowing as he tried to recall. “Well... I can’t remember the last time I saw him use essence in a fight.”

Elliot interjected, his tone more thoughtful. “We once saw him take down a corrupted bear when we were kids. I don’t think even the two of us together could handle something like that without taking damage.”

Before they could continue, Eryndar approached them. Each step radiated authority, and his very presence seemed to fill the air.

“Do not doubt him,” Eryndar said firmly. His words silenced any lingering doubts. “Even all four of you combined wouldn’t have survived what he fought last night.”

The boys froze at his statement, their expressions shifting from curiosity to disbelief.

“What?!” Rhys blurted out, his voice incredulous. “There’s no way it was that bad. They were just copies, weren’t they?”

Eryndar’s sharp gaze fell on Rhys, silencing him instantly. “Those ‘copies’ mimicked my abilities—and far more dangerously, his. Each one was a manifestation of corrupted essence, designed to kill.”

Kade swallowed hard, his earlier confidence shaken. “If it was really that strong… how did he survive?”

“Skill,” Eryndar said simply, his tone unwavering. “Your master is more than a fighter. He understands essence in ways you cannot yet imagine.”

Towan and Elliot exchanged glances. Towan’s face was tense with doubt, but Elliot’s expression was resolute.

Elliot spoke first. “If he says we couldn’t have survived, then I believe him.”

Towan hesitated but nodded reluctantly. “I just didn’t think the difference between us and him was still that large.”

Rhys crossed his arms, his pride clearly wounded. “I don’t buy it. We’re stronger than we look.”

Eryndar’s lips curled into a faint smirk, though his eyes remained serious. “Your strength is not in question, but your experience is. You have much to learn—and far more to overcome.”

His words hung heavy in the air, sobering the group.

“You’ve yet to see his true abilities,” Eryndar continued, his voice measured but resolute. “Your path is still in its early stages. You cannot yet comprehend the mastery he has achieved—something even I find challenging to grasp.”

Rhys and Kade bowed their heads, their respect for Eryndar evident. “As you say, Master Eryndar,” they responded in unison.

After a brief pause, Rhys hesitated before speaking again. “May I ask a question?”

Eryndar nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Do you know the master well?”

Eryndar’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Of course. Just as you do now.”

“I mean... did you know him before we met him?”

Eryndar’s gaze turned upward, his expression softening as memories from long ago surfaced. “You could say that... we were comrades, once.”

Kade leaned forward, curiosity lighting his face. “Then who’s stronger?”

The question lingered in the air. Towan and Elliot remained silent, though their focus was sharp, waiting for the answer.

Eryndar finally spoke, his tone thoughtful. “In terms of pure strength, I am stronger than he was in his prime.”

Rhys grinned. “I knew it.”

Towan, however, clenched his fists in frustration. “Damn it! So he’s not the strongest after all?”

Elliot remained calm, his respect for both Eryndar and his master unwavering. In his mind, strength wasn’t everything—his master’s skill spoke louder than raw power.

Eryndar turned toward them, his expression hardening. “Enough idle chatter. Now, it’s time for your next lesson in essence control.”