Chapter 14

I left the room dressed in my white training kimono. It was already past eight when I went downstairs to meet the others. The silver light bathed the garden, and the cold wind was refreshing.

"Is Kenji coming?" Hou asked me when I reached the hall. He was short, with nearly shaved hair and a body full of muscles.

"No, he has too much homework to finish," I replied, knowing he wouldn’t leave his room until he was done.

"Only you could make that kid study," he joked before running off to join the other members.

I walked into the middle of the conversation happening in the large courtyard near the garden. Shin was among them, wearing the white kimono and having his hair tied up with an elastic band. I looked at the slender girl beside him—Artemis had a light expression as she watched him speak.

"Hey, Ryuuji," a girl stopped in front of me, catching my gaze. "It’s so good to have you back. Maybe you don’t remember, but..."

"I remember you," I assured her, making her smile widen. "Ayumi, right?" I asked uncertainly.

She was one of the few girls in Hebi. It was rare to find a female willing to be part of the family, to enter a world where there might be no return. The girls were always the most cautious, filled with hesitation and distrust, and the few who swore loyalty were usually running from something.

"You look different," I commented, noticing she had grown taller and more built.

"Daily training and three meals a day would change anyone," she said lightly.

Our small conversation caught the attention of the others, who slowly began gathering around us.

When training time began, everyone headed to the hall, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart racing as I took my position. It had been a long time since my last training with the Hebi, and even though I had stayed active in the reformatory, it was nothing compared to this.

The martial arts training was strict, and attendance was mandatory for everyone. To be a Hebi, you had to know how to defend yourself—and how to hurt in the worst way. I started training as soon as I could talk. I am Hataki, and it was my duty to be the best.

I am the best.

Sweat was already dripping down my skin when we took the first break. I ran my fingers through my damp hair, feeling my breathing still steady. Even after months, my body still seemed accustomed to the movements.

"I was wondering when you’d join us," Sensei accused, studying me carefully. "I started thinking that punishment made you lazy, but from what I see, it looks like you were just uninterested in my classes," he criticized with a sharp look.

Sensei Takami was a difficult man, bordering on unbearable.

"Since you're back, you can start the duels," he ordered and turned his back on me.

"I bet you didn’t miss this," Shin shot, sending me an amused smile. His pale skin was just as sweaty as mine, and a slight flush colored his cheeks.

"That old man should retire already," I grumbled, making him laugh.

"He’s the best. He came from Japan just at your father’s request," he reminded me, nudging my shoulder with his.

"That, and the huge salary," I retorted mockingly, but Shin couldn’t argue. Sensei was one of the few Hebi who had an enormous salary. However, my friend was right—he was the best.

"Are you ready?" I asked, looking at him eagerly.

"You have no idea how much I’ve been waiting for this," he replied, giving me a wink.

Our first rest time ended, and Sensei ordered everyone to sit on the sides, leaving me alone in the center. My gaze was drawn to the smile still lingering on my friend’s face, and beside him, Artemis stared at me directly, not hiding her irritation over what had happened.

"Let’s..."

"I’ll choose," I interrupted Sensei, adjusting my kimono.

Sensei hid his hands behind his back and waited for me to continue. My eyes automatically went to the handsome Shin, sitting with his back against the wall. However, my attention was caught by the dark-skinned girl with piercing eyes.

"Artemis," I chose, drawing all eyes toward her.

Shin was the only one still watching me, but I ignored his tension and focused on the girl who stepped forward without any expression of surprise. Maybe she had already expected this.

"Prepare yourselves," Sensei ordered.

"Just to be clear, I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a girl," I warned, holding the weight of her gaze.

"Well, then don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re the Hataki heir," she shot back firmly, sending me a smile full of arrogance. "Don’t underestimate me just because you think I’m new to your world. I may not have been a Hebi since birth, but like you, I was placed in the best dojos since I was five," she explained with a shrug. "So please, don’t go easy on me just because I’m a beautiful girl," she ordered, positioning herself for combat.

Damn her.

"Great," I murmured, forcing myself to smile before glancing at Shin. His expression was serious, but I could see the layer of apprehension mixed with irritation over my choice.

"Begin!" Sensei commanded, starting the fight.

Artemis and I moved in sync, like an angry dance over the dark tatami. Even though she was a slender girl, she was quite strong and agile. Under everyone’s attentive gaze, I felt my body tense, and I could distinctly hear the heavy breathing escaping from my adorable half-sister’s slightly parted lips. I was curious to know if it was from excitement or nervousness.

When an opening finally appeared, I firmly grabbed her kimono and kicked her knee, bringing her to the ground so abruptly that the loud impact echoed through the hall.

"Separate," Sensei ordered, forcing me to let her go.

I took a few steps back, feeling several points of pain running through my arms. Yes, she was stronger than she looked. Standing still, I watched her get up and adjust her kimono. The fury in her gaze seemed to intensify, but her expression didn’t change.

"Begin!"

Artemis attacked so quickly that she forced me to retreat. However, she was faster, clinging to my body and using my own strength against me. In a second, I was on the ground with my dominant arm trapped between her thighs.

Artemis released me at Sensei’s command, and I got up quickly, feeling the tension lingering in the air. There were no points in training, but everyone was keeping score.

There would always be a winner and a loser. But I would never be the latter.

At Sensei’s command, my body moved quickly. Artemis followed me with her sharp gaze, aware of every step. But the time for playing was over. I attacked with brute force, forcing her to dodge.

"Too slow," I murmured, striking her stomach with my fist and her cheekbone with my elbow.

Artemis fell to the ground, breathless, a thin line of blood trickling from her broad nose. Whispers filled the room as red droplets stained her kimono.

"Ryu..." Sensei tried.

"Get up," I ordered. She wiped the wound with the back of her hand, ignoring the blood as she stood.

"Is this how you want to play?" she asked with disdain. "Alright, I’ll play your game, Ryuuji," she declared, licking her dry lips.

"What..." Sensei tried again, reading our intentions. This was no longer just training—this was personal.

Artemis screamed and attacked me.