A few hours later, the sun gradually sank below the western horizon, and the entire continent descended into a tranquil and darkened stillness.
Will and Jin sat cross-legged on the mountaintop, their expressions focused and solemn. Meanwhile, Master Hakin and Lysa stood opposite them. Lysa gazed intently at Will and Jin, curious about what transformations they might undergo under Master Hakin's tutelage. At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, resenting their opportunity to train under him. As for Master Hakin, he stood in place, sound asleep.
"Master Hakin!" Lysa, standing beside him, awkwardly observed as the swaying form of Master Hakin remained oblivious to the world around him.
"Ah," Master Hakin mumbled, roused from his slumber by Lysa's call.
"How could you fall asleep again?" Lysa asked reproachfully, her expression one of mild embarrassment.
"It's because you woke me up this afternoon," Master Hakin said, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.
"Grumble..." At that moment, Master Hakin's stomach growled loudly, a sound that startled the other three. They, too, had not eaten since the afternoon and were now ravenous.
"Well... I suppose I'm a little hungry," Master Hakin said sheepishly.
No sooner had he spoken than the other three turned their eyes to him, full of expectation.
"I'll go find some food," Master Hakin said, waving his hand as he conjured a portal once more.
"Little Lysa, make sure they don't slack off," he added, stepping through the portal.
After a short while, Master Hakin returned through the portal, and behind him floated a table laden with an array of food. Will and Jin, their hunger now unbearable, swallowed audibly as their eyes locked on the bounty before them.
"Alright, it's time to eat," Master Hakin said with satisfaction, eyeing the spread with a smile. Upon hearing his words, Will and Jin sprang to their feet and rushed toward the table.
"What are you two doing?" Master Hakin asked sternly. Will and Jin, on the verge of devouring the food, froze in their tracks, taken aback by his question.
"Didn't you say we could eat?" Will asked, confusion clouding his face.
"The training isn't over yet," Master Hakin replied, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Ah?" Will and Jin exclaimed in surprise.
Master Hakin, undeterred, snapped his fingers, and two high-backed chairs appeared beside the table.
"Little Lysa, let's eat," Master Hakin said, settling into one of the chairs. Lysa glanced at Will and Jin, then slowly took a seat opposite them.
"Dammit, why are only the two of us left without food?" Will suddenly shouted in frustration.
"I told you, you're in the middle of training," Master Hakin said through a mouthful of steak, his words mumbled by the meat.
"Ah! I don't care, I'm starving too, I want to eat!" Will yelled, leaping toward Master Hakin and Lysa.
"Be quiet!" Master Hakin lifted his right hand, sending a faint shockwave toward Will, sending him crashing backward.
"Ugh!" Will fell hard to the ground, his energy completely drained from hunger, barely able to muster the strength to rise.
"Dammit!" Will grumbled from the floor, his frustration palpable.
"Will, all you're doing is wasting energy. Just stay calm like me, and soon you'll forget about your hunger," Jin said, still sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, not giving the food a second thought.
"Grumble..." Before Jin finished speaking, his stomach, too, betrayed him with a loud growl.
"Seems like Jin's a bit of a hypocrite," Will remarked, slowly sitting up and teasing him.
Once again, the two fell into a peaceful silence, the quiet broken only by the sounds of their hunger.
The next morning.
After an entire night without food, Will and Jin seemed to have reached a state where hunger no longer registered. Both sat motionless, cross-legged, no sound escaping them.
"You're doing well so far. Ah!" Master Hakin yawned as he spoke, looking fully rested after a good night's sleep.
"They've been like this all night," Lysa, who hadn't slept at all, appeared weary and exhausted.
"Mm," Master Hakin nodded at Lysa's comment.
"Alright, that's enough. Will and Jin, you may stand now," Master Hakin instructed.
The moment he spoke, Will and Jin opened their eyes, their gazes sharp and alert, their eyes now filled with an intense, powerful focus that surprised even Master Hakin.
"Very good," Master Hakin murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Now, let's move on to the second training," Master Hakin continued, his smile never wavering.
"What's the next training?" Jin asked as he stood up.
"You two will engage in physical combat," Master Hakin replied seriously, his gaze fixed on Jin.
"Physical combat?" Will asked, puzzled.
"Exactly," Master Hakin confirmed with a smile.
"But we haven't eaten anything all night; we have no strength left," Will said, clearly exhausted.
"No, you still have strength left," Master Hakin said, his smile unwavering.
"But..." Will began to protest.
"Enough. Trust me, start now," Master Hakin interrupted, his voice firm but encouraging.
At this, Will and Jin slowly rose to their feet, their movements sluggish and hesitant, clearly drained from hunger.
"Alright, Jin, don't hold back," Will said seriously.
As soon as he finished speaking, Will clenched his fists and charged toward Jin.
"Come on, Will!" Jin, equally determined, clenched his fists and charged back at him.
With a heavy "thud," they both collided, their bodies impacting with dull force. However, due to their lack of energy, the blows lacked power, and both lost their balance, collapsing weakly to the ground.
"Still... not enough. I'm out of strength... I have nothing left," Will groaned, lying on the ground.
"Me too," Jin responded.
"No, you still have strength. Think carefully," Master Hakin said, his tone filled with meaning.