The group approached the Challenge Stage with amazement. The stage was a large diamond encrusted square platform, about 100 meters on each side. The stage itself was also on a separate mountain near the Guard Office. On the stage was a group of men and in the middle stood a tall male in an orange uniform. He stood 6 ft 4 inches, 2 inches taller than Hittan, with orange hair and a battle-tested face featuring a scar running under his left eye.
The girls looked at Hittan in a bit of a worry, as the uniform worn by that person was that of the Immortal Balancing ranks. Hittan himself looked none too bothered by the difference in the attire of the warrior, as he could tell that his power only stood at 150,000 units. A Power no longer a threat to him but certainly a concern, if this Aapo family junior had goons of this level available to him then what else could the family have? But deciding he would have to deal with it when the time came. As worrying to death now would not save him.
Hittan would also make use of this opportunity to take advantage of the Princesses.
"Girls, I think I'm in a bind this time… maybe we can revisit my request of a hug?"
The girls knew that Hittan was stronger than them, but how much they were not fully clear. So hesitantly Kaia approached Hittan and gingerly placed her arms around his neck and whispered, "we expect our future husband to be strong and not have us worry so much." Left shocked at her casual address of him as their future husband he was only awakened by her gentle but familiar laughter.
Curiously Kaija looked at her and inquired with a turn of her head, "go on, I only gave him a little encouragement." Kaija walked over to Hittan slowly with her head down a bit worried. Seeing this Hittan took a step forward and placed his arms around her waist and whispered, "I know you're lonely even with your sister by your side. But you don't have to worry as I promise I won't let you both bare that lonely pressure."
With that, he released her and headed to the stage.
"Sister, he gave us encouragement instead? Kaija nodded slowly with a little smile present on her face. One could even question if she knew she was even smiling.
"Aapo family, yes? I warn you to stop this antagonising farce as I am not a patient person. You've caused my wives to worry for my safety, needlessly."
"Don't worry about your wives after your death I'm sure they will find better suitors."
"So, you really want to pursue a death challenge with me? Just you? You must be joking."
"No, you are an Elder, instructor Hittan, and I am a student. As such I must give way to my own Elder. Elder Andras, if you please."
"Youngster, I don't know how you managed to upset the young master. But I hope you learn your lesson in your next life."
"In your next life pick a better dog to follow." With that said they both vanished!
BANG!
BANG!!
BANG!!!
"HOW IS THIS HAPPENING!!?? I THOUGHT YOU SAID HE WAS AT LEAST 150,000 UNITS IN STRENGTH!!
"Young master Malach, what we said is true. But it seems the young teacher is stronger!"
"Sister, did you hear that? He was playing us! Just wait and see how I punish him for this!"
"Hahaha, well you did ask him not to be a husband that makes us worry."
"Edan, did you know he was now, this strong??"
"Falkner… does it look like I knew!?"
"Sang! Are my eyes deceiving me??"
"Jager you aren't blind are you! Damn it!"
BANG!!
BANG!!!
Punch after punch and no response could be given by Andras. Hittan had found the fight fruitless and boring so it was time to end it.
Grabbing Andras by his neck Hittan looked at Malach and shook his head.
"Even your goons are worthless."
"Hittan don't think this is over! You haven't won!"
"Won? Am I playing a game with you? Some people won't learn until it's too late."
SNAP!
Andras fell to the ground, lifeless!
*Gulp!*
Sang, Jager and Malach all swallowed hard at the decisive actions to take the life of Andras without any signs of hesitation or remorse.
'I need to consult my father about this before I take any further action… just you wait, Hittan! You've not seen the last of Malach!'
"We're leaving! Someone take the corps and carry it back!"
'Mmmh, I hate leaving potential threats… alive. Soon I'll visit you soon Malach and the Aapo clan.'
"Class let us return and call it a day." Hittan addressed the class while making his way to his team and Princesses.
"So, you wanted a hug and encouragement, huh?" Kaia looked at Hittan with her arms crossed and pouting.
"But it was a life and death challenge and I could have tripped and ended up dead. You both wouldn't want to become widows before brides right?"
"Humph! We're leaving you!"
"Wait please, I made a mistake! It was an error in judgement, I won't do it again!" Hittan chased after the girls as they left.
"The leader seems so docile now compared to a moment ago, right Ona?"
"He at least knows who is in charge of their future relationship. Isn't that how you want it too, Valencia?"
"Maybe. What about you Sahar?"
"I want someone that takes charge!" As Sahar said this she subconsciously eyed Edan.
Feeling the stare Edan ordered everyone to return home, anxiously.
...
"Girls I'm sorry. I really do mean it… but I did enjoy the hugs." Mumbling the last part. But it was still heard by the girls and as an added measure of torture, Kaia jumped onto the chance to get back at Hittan truly.
"Which hug did you prefer? Mine or Kaija? Come on, oh husband, your poor wives want an answer?"
Hittan's face went immediately pale and his jaw dropped stunned stiff by the sudden question and marital references. The girls could only laugh, even Kaija chuckled a bit.
"Okay, okay, Kaia stop. He's learned his lesson. Hittan, walk us home please."
"Certainly, and thank you for saving your poor husband."
Not being able to change Hittan's way of addressing them or himself, Kaija seemed to accept it.
"I think you should be careful of Malach and his family. Especially since our Aunt is away for the next few days."
"I will. I'll certainly increase my training regimen over the next few days in preparation. But I'm not too worried, not much can happen while on Academy grounds."
"Hittan, I would like to ask you a question relating to our hug?"
"Not you too Kaija. I can't choose, I loved both equally."
"Haha, not that. You said something about me being lonely, where do you get that impression from?"
"... It was from a memory about both of you. Would you both like to hear it?"
"Yes."
"Sure"
"Okay, let's first have a seat in the courtyard." Having arrived at the residence, Hittan invited himself inside, which the girls took as somehow normal behaviour.
Having found three seats under the shade the trio sat and enjoyed an easterly wind. The girls watched as Hittan seemed to sink into a pleasant mood. As the smile on his face showed a serenity they had not seen before.
"When the 'me', of that life, met you, Kaija, for the first time, you saved my life. Out of a sense of gratitude or maybe it was a sense of hope, but I stuck with you like a lost dog that found its home.
Haha, I know it seems a bit sad but back then it was one of the happiest moments of my life. However, it seems you were running away from something back then maybe it was your family or some responsibility. I'm not sure, you never wanted to talk about it. Instead, you opted to focus on the present and on us.
I can't say I wasn't happy about your choice but I was also sad that you chose not to ultimately confide in me or to trust me enough to help. But I certainly didn't blame you, only myself, for being weak. We would spend the next few months living together in a state of willful ignorance of the pressures you faced. Certainly, I couldn't press you about it, if even my own secrets were never laid bare to you. Then one day you vanished or you left or you were taken… [throat cleared] Sorry, I was too weak to find you then and being on my own didn't help.
It was almost 50 years later when we met again and at that time it seems I met Kaia pretending to be you. For some reason, she sought me out. But I didn't notice the change in you or I attributed it to time and let my longing for you wash over any doubt. We eventually formed our own groove and I fell in love again with you… or I guess both of you. But even then that version of you also seemed sad and lonely and would often hide it beneath your laughter and playful antics. You eventually told me you would leave and I shouldn't look for you. Because the things you faced were bigger than what I could imagine.
So to me, of this life, you both are still the same in that life and now... lonely. However, I have changed and this time around I am no longer alone. I have my family, my clan, and team New Hope with me. This time, give me a little more time before you both leave me, trust me a little more than then. I promise you can count on me, this time."
"... you do seem to know us... and if nothing else we appreciate your care and comfort. But we can't control our own fate, so how can we involve you?" Kaija looked deeply at Hittan while holding Kaia's hand while barely being able to get her words out.
"Firstly, let me say that I don't care about fate! I will make fate bend in my will if it interferes in my goal to protect you both!"
"... Hittan. Please, don't say things you can't hope to do and shouldn't. All our fates and that of Gilead are connected."
"Okay, I get it. Your responsibilities or obligations are bigger than what I know. But at least share it with me and let me judge if I am capable of bearing them!"
"We can't speak on it as it's not something we have to right to discuss currently with our strength. But, while we are here, in this academy and while the connection we share still holds us together we can at least live in this moment together. Right, Kaija?
"Yes, Kaia. We can at least do that, but we can't control much more than that."
"... How much? How much stronger do I need to be so that I can keep you both by my side forever?"
"Before you strive for that, at least let our friendship blossom first, then work your way up to "forever" status."
"Kaia, that might be too big of an encouragement for him." Seeing that Hittan started to look depressed at the thought of losing them again. They tried in their own way to pull him back from the edge of sadness and worry.
"Kaia, Kaija you don't have to worry about me, or yourselves for that matter. All I need is time and as I said before, this time I am different!"
"... Okay." Both girls answering in unison as they themselves clung to hope.
"For the next two weeks, I will forego my teaching requirements and focus on training in the Fire Realm. If you can, just wait patiently for me."
"Okay."
"Sure."
Kaia and Kaija responded.
…..
Hittan had gone straight to his residence on the commune and informed the team of his plans to enter the Fire Realm once more. They were asked to be careful of the Aapo family and to look after Kaia and Kaija while he was away. He then advised the Administration office of his plans and asked that his class be handed to another teacher for the 2 weeks he needed. By taking advantage of his status he was able to use the portal once more before a month's time had passed. Then he went straight for the Flame portal and quickly descended to 3750 °C and started his training.
"It took me 3 days to improve two Ranks and 2 days essentially wasting time to hide the energy signature. But this time I'll refocus on what I need to do!"
...
Meanwhile, Malach had learned of Hittan's sudden actions and was furious.
"Okay, if you want to hide then hide, you turtle! But I'll get those around you and especially your wives! Guard! Get me an audience with my father, now!"