Chapter 13: Training Members

Chapter 13: Training Members

The next day, after finishing the administrative matters of the clan, Ren headed to the dojo with a sinister smile on his face. As he advanced, his energy seemed to fill the air with an intensity that the clan members could not ignore.

In the dojo, the members who were already training began to feel a strange sensation.

"Something is not right..." thought one of them, while another looked around uneasily. "Why do I feel like something terrible is about to happen?" Their thoughts connected them to a shared feeling.

When Ren entered the dojo, the atmosphere seemed to change immediately. Although he wore a relaxed expression, the clan members could not help but feel that he was plotting something. "Why does that smile seem so dangerous?" they wondered as they watched him enter.

"Good morning, everyone" Ren said in his calm tone. "Starting today, I've decided to instruct those who wish to improve their techniques. And, of course, the best way to do this is with a 'friendly' match."

The members exchanged uneasy glances. Although the idea of improving their skills was tempting, they were perfectly aware of what had happened with Ryuhei and how Ren had defeated him effortlessly. Most hesitated to accept the challenge, wondering if the risk of being crushed publicly was worth it.

Ren, seeing the indecision on their faces, said, "I can understand your doubts."

"But you don't have to do it alone" Ren continued, noticing how some tensed up. "You can form teams of two or three if you prefer."

This last proposal made some members feel as if they were being underestimated. Two members who knew each other well stepped forward. One of them, Daiki Nakamura (Grade 2), looked at him with a mixture of challenge and disdain.

"Ren, who do you think you are to talk like that?" Daiki said, crossing his arms. "You sound very arrogant. I don't think you can face us without falling flat on your face." His companion, Hajime Kuroda (Grade 2), looked at him nodding, clearly in agreement.

Ren let out a light laugh at his words, which only enraged Daiki and Hajime more. Then, looking at them with a seriousness they had not expected, he replied:

"It's a pity... But I'm really disappointed off you. You all are very weak."

That last word ignited the anger in the two members, who charged at Ren without a second thought. Daiki launched a punch charged with cursed energy, while Hajime accompanied it with a diagonal kick. However, to Ren, their movements were too predictable.

With fluid movement, Ren dodged Daiki's attack by slightly tilting his body to one side. Before Hajime could reach him, Ren spun his body and struck him, applying just a minimal amount of cursed energy, sending him flying backward. Then, without missing a beat, Ren grabbed Daiki's arm and lifted it into the air before slamming it down to the ground with a single blow.

"..."

The dojo fell silent.

Ren calmly stood up and looked at the other members.

"Their weakness, and yours" he said, pointing at the others, "is that you rely too much on brute strength. If you don't work on your control, you will always be exposed. The Kurogane Clan is no place for the weak. From now on, I will train you... if you wish to keep improving."

The members, though impressed and somewhat resigned to Ren's strength, did not dare to complain. They knew his words were true. strength had the final say, and Ren had demonstrated enough power to earn their respect.

---

Some time later...

As he left the dojo, Ren stretched his shoulders with a satisfied expression. The sun was setting, and the golden light bathed the clan's grounds. Behind him, inside the dojo, nearly all the members could be seen on the ground, exhausted and gasping for breath after an intense training session. The scene looked as if they had been victims of a tornado that had left them out of commission.

"Today was a good day of training" Ren thought with a smile as he walked through the clan's corridors. He decided to review the rewards he had obtained from the duels against the different members.

---

Defeated Members:

1. Nori Kuroda (Grade 2): +12% CE, 150 CP.

2. Daiki Nakamura (Grade 2): +10% CE, 130 CP.

3. Hajime Kuroda (Grade 2): +10% CE, 130 CP.

4. Shinjiro Tanaka (Grade 3): +9% CE, 120 CP.

5. Haruto Yamada (Grade 3): +9% CE, 120 CP.

6. Taro Matsuda (Grade 3): +8% CE, 110 CP.

7. Akane Yamaguchi (Grade 3): +7% CE, 100 CP.

8. Yuko Kurogane (Grade 4): +5% CE, 50 CP.

---

Rewards Summary:

CE: 8,634 + 70% = 14,677 CE.

CP: 2,860 + 910 = 3,770 CP.

Ren let out a light laugh as he reflected on the rewards.

"In the end, I'm just a benefactor of the clan, instructing everyone and making them stronger".