Red Bird Dojo!

"Red Bird Dojo?" Harry murmured, eyes widening as he took in the sight before him.

He stood in front of a tall, imposing building that radiated prestige and power, a striking contrast to the humbler establishments around it. The Dojo was more extravagant than he'd ever imagined, a beacon of opulence and ambition that dwarfed its surroundings. Massive, ornately decorated columns flanked its wide entrance, and the building itself seemed to gleam, its exterior polished to perfection. The sheer scale of it all left Harry both excited and slightly intimidated.

"It's huge," he said, almost to himself.

Ellie, his guide for the day, smirked at his reaction. "Come on," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone, and led him up the steps toward the entrance.

Inside, they navigated through the registration process, moving from one marble-tiled room to another. The interior was as grand as the exterior: sleek counters, soft lighting, and walls lined with plaques showcasing the school's storied history. Everywhere Harry looked, he saw reminders of the Red Bird School's prestigious status, its banners emblazoned with symbols of strength and discipline.

After filling out the final form, Ellie handed him a sleek, crimson card with his name engraved on it in golden letters. She placed it carefully into his hand.

"Take this," she said, smiling. "This is your nameplate. It represents your identity here at the school. Don't lose it, or you'll have a hard time getting it replaced."

Harry turned the card over in his hands, admiring its weight and craftsmanship. It felt important, like a tangible symbol of his new beginning.

Ellie continued, a note of pride in her voice. "If you ever find yourself in trouble around here, just flash this card. Trust me, there's no one in the city who would dare disrespect the Red Bird Dojo; or anyone associated with it. You'll have my backing."

Harry nodded, absorbing her words. Her confidence was palpable, almost contagious.

"I heard there are a lot of fighters here," he ventured, his tone tinged with excitement. "Do you think… is there any chance I could join them one day?"

Ellie's smile faded into an amused smirk. She crossed her arms, regarding him with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, you think it's that simple?" She shook her head, a hint of laughter escaping her. "You're dreaming, Zack. Becoming a fighter isn't a decision you make on a whim. Fighters are disciplined, skilled, and they've dedicated years to their craft. You can't just walk in off the street and expect to be one of them."

She leaned in slightly, her gaze sharp. "Let me explain something to you. To be a fighter here, you need more than just enthusiasm. You need a proper training method, and we don't give that away to just anyone. Here at Red Bird, we teach the 'Red Bird Training Method,' one of the finest and most rigorous methods in the world. But it's not for the faint-hearte; or the unqualified."

She paused, sizing him up before continuing. "Right now, you're just a peripheral staff member. You're essentially on the same level as our other employees, here to do odd jobs and assist the fighters. If you want to be taken seriously, if you want to actually join us in training, there are conditions."

She listed them off, ticking each point on her fingers. "First, you need time. A certain number of years working here to prove your dedication. You also need a spotless record; no criminal history, nothing that could reflect poorly on us."

"Years?" Harry echoed, his enthusiasm slightly dimmed.

"That's right. And that's just the beginning," Ellie continued, unfazed. "After that, you'll need internal recommendations. It's not just about proving yourself to me; you'll need people within the school to vouch for your character and dedication. Those are the two biggest hurdles. And even then, there are other rules and requirements you'll have to meet."

Harry listened, absorbing the complexity of what he'd need to accomplish. It sounded overwhelming, but he felt a spark of determination light up inside him.

Ellie's expression softened as she looked at him. "Look, I understand where you're coming from. I've read your background. You're clean; no issues there. And for Marry' sake, I'm willing to give you a chance. If you prove yourself, I could be your first recommender when the time comes."

Harry's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Miss Ellie. Really, thank you." He dipped his head in a bow, his voice sincere. "This is an incredible opportunity."

Ellie smiled slightly. "Don't thank me just yet. You still have a lot to prove."

They spent the next hour exploring the vast halls of the Red Bird Dojo. Ellie showed him the gymnasium, the training rooms, and the equipment storage, explaining his responsibilities. For now, his job was straightforward: cleaning, organizing, assisting fighters with their gear. Menial tasks, yes, but he was content with that. This was his foot in the door, a chance to familiarize himself with the world of martial arts.

The best part, Ellie explained, was that during his free time, he'd be allowed to use some of the training equipment himself. It was a rare privilege for someone in his position, and Harry's eyes sparkled at the thought. Already, he could picture himself on the training floor, honing his strength and reflexes.

He'd fought before, of course; though he wasn't sure how he knew it. Since waking up in this new world, certain instincts had remained with him, a muscle memory that hinted at skills from a life he barely remembered. His body responded quickly, naturally, as if those skills had transferred over with him. It was a gift, one he intended to cultivate.

As they wrapped up the tour, Harry felt a thrill of excitement mingled with determination. He knew he was starting at the bottom, but the path ahead was clear, if challenging. Under Ellie's guidance and with his own fierce resolve, he was ready to rise.

This was just the beginning.

The message from the boundary stone had confirmed something crucial for Harry. The energy and skills from his original body weren't entirely lost in this new form, some of it could gradually flow back to him. According to the information he received, his original powers could actually influence this new body over time. As his consciousness settled, it would begin feeding his abilities from his past life into this one.

That explained why, on occasion, he felt a surge of strength or skill that seemed beyond the capabilities of his current physical self. The power from his old life was within reach, but under normal circumstances, this process would be painstakingly slow. It might even take years to fully reflect the strength of his former body.

But there was hope. The feedback from his original self could be accelerated through intense training. The harder he pushed himself, the faster he could reclaim his lost power. And it seemed fate had guided him to the right place for such an undertaking. The Red Bird Dojo was equipped with specialized gear and training props; everything he'd need to push his limits and expedite his growth.

So Harry dove into his routine with unrelenting focus. He divided his days between academic studies and intense training sessions at the Dojo. School occupied his mornings, and as soon as classes ended, he'd rush to the Red Bird School, where he would work tirelessly into the evening. His days became a cycle of learning, training, and self-discovery, his skills sharpening with each passing month.

Time flowed swiftly. One year later…

It was a bright early morning, sunlight spilling over the earth and illuminating the grand Red Bird Dojo. Inside, a middle-aged instructor named Edward, a respected senior in the school, was smiling broadly as he looked at Harry.

"Zack," Edward said warmly, using the name Harry had taken on here. "Congratulations. From today, you're officially one of us; a true member of the Red Bird Dojo."

Harry's face broke into a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mr. Edward "

Edward shook his head and waved his hand dismissively. "If you want to thank someone, thank yourself. Your progress over the last year has been nothing short of remarkable, and everyone here has seen it. I'd dare say that among all the new recruits we've had in recent years, none have matched your dedication or skill."

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with pride. "Honestly, if someone like you couldn't make it, then the rest would have no chance."

Harry smiled modestly, not taking the praise too seriously, though inwardly, he felt a sense of accomplishment. The journey hadn't been easy. He had pushed himself through rigorous routines, overcoming exhaustion, soreness, and countless challenges. But he'd persevered and earned his place here faster than anyone expected. For most, it took several years to reach this level. Harry had done it in a single year.

Around him, a small crowd had gathered, fellow trainees and school staff watching him with looks of admiration, and envy. Many of them had been at the school longer than he had, yet they felt no resentment. Harry's progress and dedication were undeniable, and the respect he commanded was well-earned.

Ed clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Now, go home and get some rest. In a few days, I'll personally begin instructing you in the Red Bird Training Method. Prepare yourself; this is where the real journey begins."

As Edward spoke, the air in the room thickened with anticipation. The others watched with bated breath, knowing how rare it was for someone to be directly taught by Edward himself. Harry simply nodded, keeping his face calm and composed. "Understood. I'll be ready."

With a final nod, he left the martial arts hall, his mind already racing ahead.

Walking home, Harry reflected on his upcoming training. The Red Bird Training Method had proven to be unlike anything he'd encountered before. Ed's announcement had been largely ceremonial; in reality, Harry had already begun learning this elite method two months prior, though it had been kept under wraps until today. This official declaration served to show the others that Harry had been deemed worthy of the school's most coveted knowledge.

Having studied the Red Bird Training Method for a while now, Harry had developed an understanding of its unique aspects. It differed significantly from the traditional knightly Aura Techniques he'd known in his previous life. There was an elegance and intensity to it, a focus on not just brute force but on refining one's control and precision.

The contrast was stark. Even within his past life's world, different schools and families had their own Aura Techniques; the Gale Aura Method, with its focus on speed and agility, or the Cecil Family's Violent Bear Aura Technique, which emphasized raw, overpowering strength. But the Red Bird Training Method was distinct from any of those, blending power with a grace that made it formidable in its own way.

As Harry walked, he felt a surge of anticipation. He was on the path to reclaiming his lost strength, and now, armed with this new method, he was closer than ever to fully realizing his potential. The journey was far from over, but as he took in the quiet morning air, he knew one thing with certainty: he was exactly where he needed to be.