The Night
As the last echoes of laughter faded into the night, Ravihiro felt a curious warmth in his chest. Rumina's playful teasing and the joy of the celebration lingered, making him momentarily forget his usual reservations. However, he couldn't shake off the reality of the commitment he was stepping into. Engagement was a serious matter, and he was determined to face it in his own way.
A New Beginning
The morning sun spilled golden light into Ravihiro's room, waking him from a restless sleep filled with dreams of his engagement. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead. "One step at a time," he muttered, recalling his promise to Rumina. Just as he was about to get out of bed, there was a knock on the door.
"Ravihiro, it's time to get up! We have training today!" Haruno called from the other side.
Ravihiro sighed, "Training? Can't a guy get a moment of peace after his engagement?"
Haruno opened the door, laughing. "You think an engagement means you get to slack off? Not in this family!"
"Great, just what I wanted to hear," he grumbled, pulling himself out of bed and slipping into his training gear.
Training in the Sky Demon Sect
Ravihiro and Rumina met at the training grounds, which were bustling with activity. Disciples from various sects sparred, showcasing their skills and techniques, while instructors watched closely, ready to offer guidance. Rumina, looking as fierce as ever in her training attire, greeted him with a bright smile.
"Ready to show off what you've got?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Always," Ravihiro replied, though his heart raced at the thought of sparring. He wasn't exactly the competitive type, but he felt a rush of adrenaline at the prospect of impressing her.
As they took their positions, Ravihiro felt the familiar buzz of energy around him. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and he found himself grinning despite his apprehension.
The Sparring Match
They began their match, and Rumina immediately launched into an attack, her movements fluid and precise. Ravihiro dodged and countered, trying to match her pace. The crowd of disciples watched intently, whispering among themselves about the future couple's combat skills.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Rumina taunted, executing a swift kick that Ravihiro narrowly avoided.
"Stop showing off!" he shot back, trying to regain his footing. He focused on his breathing, drawing on the energy around him as he summoned his martial soul, Kageha.
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a wave of shadow energy, attempting to surprise her. Rumina countered with a burst of light, the two energies colliding in a spectacular display of power.
The Crowd's Reaction
The spectators cheered, clearly impressed by the intensity of their sparring. Huo, standing among the onlookers with Kalki perched on his shoulder, shouted, "Go, Ravihiro! Show her who's boss!"
"Yeah, Uncle Ravihiro! Don't let her win!" Kalki added, waving his tiny fists.
Ravihiro couldn't help but smile at their encouragement. He felt more at ease, letting the excitement of the match wash over him. He could feel Rumina's energy intensifying as she pushed herself, and he responded in kind, throwing himself into the fight with newfound determination.
The Fight Escalates
As their match continued, Ravihiro started to lose track of the spectators, focusing entirely on Rumina. He was amazed by her agility and skill. "You've really improved!" he complimented, dodging another of her swift strikes.
"Of course! I have a lot to prove now that I'm engaged to the Reaper!" she shot back, laughing as she rolled out of his reach.
Suddenly, Ravihiro decided to show off a bit. "Okay, if you insist…" he muttered, summoning his Giant Yamihara.
The massive shadow creature emerged behind him, its dark form towering over the training ground. Gasps echoed from the crowd as they witnessed the raw power. "What the heck?! Is that a spirit beast?" one disciple exclaimed.
"Where did he even get that?" another whispered in awe.
A Shift in Focus
Rumina's eyes widened with surprise but quickly narrowed in determination. "Nice trick! But you'll have to do better!" she shouted, channeling her own energy and summoning her own Giant Spiritual Body, a breathtaking manifestation of her power.
The two giant forms clashed in a fierce showdown, each fighter using their energy to create devastating shockwaves. Ravihiro felt the exhilaration of battle coursing through him, the thrill of pushing his limits alongside Rumina.
As they fought, the lines between their personal rivalry and the engagement blurred. This was more than just a spar; it was a test of their bond, their strength, and their compatibility as partners.
The Moment of Truth
After several intense exchanges, Ravihiro found himself cornered. "Time to end this!" Rumina declared, gathering her energy for one final attack.
"Not if I can help it!" he shouted, channeling all his strength into a final technique. "Energy blast"
He released a powerful wave of energy that collided with Rumina's attack, creating an explosion of light and shadow. The shockwave sent the audience reeling, and the arena was filled with dust and debris.
When the dust settled, both of them stood panting, a mere few feet apart. They looked at each other, both exhausted but exhilarated. The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, clearly entertained by their display.
Aftermath and Laughter
As they caught their breath, Haruno and Huo rushed over. "You two are insane!" Haruno laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Did you really think you were going to kill each other?"
"Hey, it was all in good fun!" Ravihiro defended, wiping sweat from his brow.
Kalki, still buzzing with excitement, chimed in, "That was awesome! You should do that more often!"
Rumina, grinning, nudged him playfully. "See? You're not so bad when you try!"
"Yeah, just don't expect me to wear that ridiculous outfit during our next match," he replied, smirking.
As laughter filled the air, Ravihiro realized that maybe he could embrace this engagement thing after all. With Rumina by his side and a supportive family around them, he felt like he could take on the world.
A Celebration
After the training session, the sect held a small celebration in honor of Ravihiro and Rumina's engagement. Food stalls lined the courtyard, and laughter echoed as disciples shared stories and enjoyed the festivities.
Ravihiro found himself surrounded by friends, who continued to tease him about his earlier performance. Haruno leaned in closer, a conspiratorial grin on her face. "You know, the whole sect is buzzing about your engagement. You've officially got the spotlight now!"
"Great. Just what I wanted," he muttered, trying to suppress a smile.
Kaira joined in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Don't worry, Ravihiro. I'll help you prepare for all the attention. We'll make sure you shine on your wedding day!"
"Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?" Ravihiro sighed dramatically, but the laughter that followed reassured him that he wasn't alone in this journey.
As the day came to a close, Ravihiro looked around at the joyous faces surrounding him. The warmth of friendship, the thrill of new adventures, and the bond he was building with Rumina gave him a sense of belonging he hadn't anticipated. Maybe, just maybe, this engagement wouldn't be so bad after all.
End of the Chapter
With that thought, he raised his cup, joining in the cheers of celebration, ready to embrace whatever came next on this unpredictable journey.