Chapter 35——— Training 'Em When They're Ripe [3/3]
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Ryoji's Part
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Training was still in session for Ryoji as it has been an hour since his training had commenced. His Aether were dwindling down even in his synchronized form much to his dismay while his opponent was still going strong in this "session".
To Ryoji, this was one of the hardest battles he had to deal with as of late. Even that team he fought, Funka, Kadoku and Helene were nothing compare to this. Even going in this form of his, that hybrid of a red dragon and demon——He still felt weak compared to him.
For Lino, it was an ordinary day in an ordinary week.
Although——This young boy was shaping up to be quite a catch: He was no pushover.
With smoke overcasting the training field, the master of many could not see anything before him. Quite pellicular, considering he could smell them.
Couldn't pinpoint them.
"Where did you go?" Lino asked himself a bit loudly, hoping to get some mental activity from the boy he was avoiding. His strategy was sound, even smiling as his pupil's thoughts became coherent.
Right here, you son of a bit..... Ryoji plotted as he proceeded to ambush Lino, only to be disappointed as he was not quick enough.
.....Ch? Right: Telepathy at its best. Yet again, it dawned on Ryoji, there was no way that he could complete his mission.
"Even thinking about it gives him the advantage!" Igneus pointed out.
Yeah. I know.
"Then why did you give him the slip-up?!" He fumed at his Bonder, even trying to slap his brain around.
My bad. Ryoji smirked under the smoke, making his intentions clearer than day. He jumped out of his synchronized body, showing his regular form to Lino.
Before they have
The boy's fast! Even without synchronization, he's not one to be underestimated and even got me there for a sec!!! Lino was in distress, actually being serious for a second as his student was tumbling before stopping.
"Can't give me a break, can you?" Ryoji asked loudly, rolling back to stand up and fight again.
This protector has seen many promising champions come and go, which left him with high expectations. "No...." Lino said as he was catching his breathe for a femtosecond before floating in the air. "Like I said before, I have high expectations for you and you will surpass them." At least they aren't like shrikes.....Imagine that, Ravens that kill with no remorse. Butchers instead of surgeons. Lino thought deeply. He was avoiding Ryoji in order to test him.
I need to get him but how exactly? Ryoji was planning to use a short burst of wind to propel him towards him. To catch a dog, you'll need a lure to do so.
A hair's inch and he would have tasted victory. So damn close! Ryoji gritted his teeth in frustration, one inch away and he would have become his next student. He came so far and was not going to throw it away but he reached into his back leg. "Deer Jerky?" He asked himself.
"Oh yeah, that's right——he's a dog! Use the deer jerky!" Igneus told Ryoji on what to do, a plain to which they both agreed upon.
Ryoji threw the jerky behind Lino and immediately like a dog would,he came to it and sniffed it before wolfing it down.
Before realizing what it truly was. Wait a second....Ugh, this is deer jerky. I hate this stuff. Lino cringed, spitting out the chewed remains of that jerky lure. The jerky was so disgusting to him
Before Ryoji had come around to gain victory, even Lino looked in despair.
It was a great feeling——to win on his and Igneus's behalf, no one helping him; no Akina swooping in.
Just Ryoji Dragomir Kazama doing all the work while Igneus assisted. It was their teamwork.
His chance was robbed when a sudden——An alarm clock echoed through the area. "Time's up!" Lino yelled out stopped Ryoji in his tracks, feeling much more relaxed as the Heart-Bond was done chasing him. Goodness lord...It's finally over....The boy's scary...
Ryoji reverted back into his human form in disappointment as Igneus standing by him, caring for him more than the other. "It's okay, Ryo. We did our bestest when no one could."
Damnit! Ryoji threw his fist to the ground, ignoring Igneus as he did it again and again. Upset that he failed, he couldn't
"It's okay. You're still my pupil."
He raised his head up to see Lino looking down with admiration.
"What I meant was that you need to keep up with me for the duration of the sparring, which was forty minutes." He corrected himself as he looked up and Ryoji turned around to see a clock that was beeping. "You lasted about forty-two minutes. New record."
His eyes widen with happiness, he lasted more than Hanianna Cortes. One of the Incredible Tri couldn't last longer than me.... Ryoji thought cockily asked he smirked.
Lino corrected him before he continued on. "In this line of work, you need to be vigilant around your surroundings. Not every area you will be in isn't a battle zone, you must show initiative in this case." He talked more of what Ryoji needed to improve. "You must always pay attention and learn if there are any suspicious activity or things that don't seem right. As for your reward....." He whistled for Kaimana for his cue, which then he disappeared and came back with something.
Could that be..... Ryoji started to marvel, his heart began to pulsate from the overbearing excitement as
Kaimana came out holding something wrapped in a brown cloth
"That's your Heartzschwert, kiddo." Kaiman addressed, it was Lino's turn to speak to his newly delegated pupil. "Job well done, Mr.Kazama. I am impressed by your skills and thus," Lino stated as his friend Kaimana gave him before Ryoji gave it back to him.
"Sir, I can't take it though. I think this was more of a playtime, for me: It was serious. I don't deserve it." Ryoji rejected before Lino forced him to have it.
"It's yours to keep." Lino approved, forcing Ryoji to unwrap it. Oh ho, but you do in fact: I actually got serious for a minute. Lino thought, feeling how the small drop of blood was slowly coming down from his face. Not bad, Young Kazama. Not bad at all. He thought to himself as Hakea held it and kneeled for him———he's finally getting it!!
What will it be? An actual sword? Something unorthodox like a naginata ?
Oh, the excitement was unbearable!!
He never felt such joy before a weapon.
Ryoji started to unwrap it, he hasn't felt like a child in such a while.... Even Igneus looked at him and smiled while his Bonder continued to unravel the mystery.
Then he frowned at it. What the hell?
It was a severely rusted blade, two feet tall and seven inches in height.
It had no edge to cut as it was blunt as a butter knife, but no weight to it.
The weirdest weapon that he has ever seen.
There were these little vents on the sides of it——with a faded diamond like symbol in the center of the rusty sword. Ryoji assumes that it was once a golden color. However, the tip of it was sharper than anything. The guard was shaped in an uppercase "I" and was a jade color, the handle hasn't been tainted from oxidation yet. It was a bronze color, and sticky and robust.
So, he test to see if it was still useable in actual combat. He swung with it——unexpectedly: It felt good. It wasn't heavy and momentum came through faster than light can travel. I guess looks can be deceiving at times. Ryoji thought.
Still! There's no edge! The shape of the blade was not made for slashing like an actual sword; This could be French..It's more of a rapier.
"Interesting Heartzschwert." Kaimana stated, he got closer to the boy. "After all the Heartzschwerts you could've had, Lino choose one where even you, a former child assassin/orphan/Heart-Bond/soldier, will have extreme difficulties and inconveniences with Ifrit's Heart."
"Ifrit's Heart?" Ryoji asked curiously.
"....This is the first time in a long time has been given a weapon that of a maestro, not a noob. This blade is the embodiment of power——No: It is power. Treat it with care." Lino warned him about the blade.
There was a myth that a dead Aeon lives in the blade and each time of you managed to activate it; you would have the power of a primal god in you. Those are mere fables that a sane person shouldn't take heed for it. Lino thought to himself.
"This Heartzschwert is made of Orichalcum——one of the strongest and oldest metals here our our lush and beautiful planet. The session is now over. I'll advise you to not tell anyone that you are under my wing now. Don't tell a soul."
Ryoji knew he was holding something back but played along with him, grateful that he had sanctuary with the strongest hero in the N.U.S.N.
"I won't." Ryoji nodded.
"One thing before you go, I think you should know this since I share everything with my students.... I am aware that Chief Apex has a new apprentice as well. You know her very well: It's Akina Willoby. Your friend." Lino confessed
Lino saw the shock in Ryoji's eyes, of how this girl was lucky enough to be in Surwick to eventually being stronger than the entire class. He too, was surprised of how bold his inferior had become.
"She is an Ultimen, just like Chief Apex. I will tell you more about them when you get back from your "informational" field trip. Goodbye." He said goodbye to the boy as he teleported him back to Earth.
Although the boy had many things to ask him, it was too late for it. Akina's under the tutelage of Chief Apex!?! How!?! And what the hell is an Ultimen?! What field trip is he talking about?! these thoughts came inside his head as he arrive in the office. He left it and went to Joseph Vigouroux in Houndspire.
Akina's Part
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After a dreadful two hours of moving trash, Akina couldn't do it anymore. This training was getting to her. The Ultimen, in spite of all their powre and glory, had a short amount of Aether in them.
Not to mention, they couldn't even perform magic in the first place.
The final obstacle was the ton of trash stacked together to make a massive wall of rubbish.
Akina was ready for the wall of trash, albeit she was feeling weaker than before. She didn't want to tell her idol that two of her fingers were broken.
It was a sharp pain, and holding it in was horrible for her. Man, all of this to gain the respect of my favorite hero? Akina quipped in her thoughts. What's next: I'll have to fight Thanos?
"Are you okay?" He asked her, which she nodded yes in response.
"Okay, then…..Try to use a flick or to so that this trash can leave and make this beach….A beach." He told her what she needed to do.
If I can't flick it to that trash boat…..What if I went into that form from before….. Akina theorized as her hair stood up once again and strange markings appeared on her face. Instead of using two of my fingers to make a wind blast, why don't I throw a punch instead? It's not gonna break my body…..
She got into a position and put her back to the punch before even Enapay knew what she was doing. "Wait, wait, I didn't mean move it with a punch!"
It was too late, as she threw her back and made the winds dance with grace.
"IMPACT!" She yelled out as the entire trash flew across the ocean and onto the garbage scow over three miles away, her feet was planted strong to the ground while she felt every bone in her arm fractured from the tremendous force
Now she couldn't move anymore.
There was a big grin on her face, however; knowing full well that the sea life can enjoy life and people can relax here on Memorios beach without having to look at plastic.
Don't be punching the air to move trash boulders anymore! Enapay wanted to yell that but was astonished of how she did such a thing.
"I….think I…..broke my finger….Or two…." Akina weakly laughed before fainting again.
More like your entire arm! Enapay thought before giving out a small sigh. You're something else. You have guts for a little girl yourself. You will be a great hero someday…..
———In Surwick's Medical Wing———
Akina was laying in a bed with an IV needle implanted in her left arm, drifting in her sleep while Chief Apex and Red Alert were chatting up.
After all, they are good friends. Been friends since they were boys, even shared the same dirty magazines and reviewed some of the models from Playboy.
Ever since growing up, Liucius working at the medical wing of Surwick and Chief Apex served the government as their No.2 , they haven't had anytime to talk about the good times. They stood together at the glass window; observing his new pupil.
While they were in school, Lucius, or his hero name Red Alert, was more of the mischievous one while Enapay followed the rules. Lucius used to skip his classes and devoted into being a Hero; but turned around after "something" happened. The two of them didn't wish to converse it.
It was very excruciating for them. But that was when they were eighteen. They are now almost thirty years old. "So, she's your first?"
"Yep."
"What about the ones at your office?" Lucius asked, all what Chief Apex do and scratch his chin nervously. Jesus Christ....Was he always asking so many questions.? "Well, not really cause they're only interns that are only there for a week. Her? I am going to be there for her."
"She's an Ultimen like you too?" Red Alert asked, he used his blood spans turned green, and place it in a little capsule for Akina to take. His best friend nodded and took off his shoes; for they were starting to be a little uncomfortable for him. He did have rough feet after all. He remembered that Takeo was his adopted son.
Enapay also that he was a real piece of work. "How's Takeo doing? He did so well in the Cult Takeover Exam...." Lucius explained that he has improved drastically.
Takeo used to have many friends because of his three tails and his cold exterior. After meeting Ryoji and lost to him, he has flip a new chapter in his life. He has become more peaceful and was open to civil conversations now with anyone he came across. He has even played with Red Alert Yu-Gi-Oh two times since then. Sure Red Alert beats him twice due to his son not know on what to doing, so intense that game. Takeo's favorite monster cards were the "Dark Magician Girl", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", and "Obelisk the Tormentor" cards. He was not picky if cards.
"Good, he wanted to take a nap soon after. He was tired." Lucius took a deep breath and spoke with a stoic tone, "I'm not gonna heal her every time she breaks a finger."
"I know, Luci." He stated, sighing as he sat down his chair. "Luci" was the nickname for his dear pal given by Chief Apex, he didn't seem to mind it despite it being somewhat feminine. "Then why are you here?"
"I'm here to talk to my best friend! I haven't seen you in two years! I'm busy all the time but recently, I haven't!" Enapay sheepishly said, but Red Alert rolled his eyes as he changed Akina's IV.
"I'm glad you came to me, Enapay. You're still the skinny goody two shoes I know back then." He stopped before reawakening bad things from the past. "Ace, on the other hand....." He looked around
"Yeah. I dare not say."
I wouldn't either. Enapay held his tongue.
"You know that the kids are having a field trip?" His friend revealed information about the Salamanders's trip.
"No. Lino never told me anything about it and yet he knows so many things about everyone else…."
"I feel something bad is gonna happen during this field trip." He fretted to his friend.
"What? Is your Red Alertness tingling?" Chief Apex jested. "I'm serious, Enapay. Go with them." Red Alert beseeched him, his response was dismissing that and actually thought about it.
"Since the Principal doesn't really trust me that much like he used to, I'm not in his little circle of trust.
"I know that Lino took Young Kazama under his paws for whatever reason and you know me: I'm as stubborn as a bull and I won't stop until this girl——Is an actual super hero. I have to go; something came up. It was nice to see again, Luci." He walked out the door, the Medicinal Hero tried to stop him but was too late.
I just wanted to…..Nevermind. You're always busy. Red Alert stopped himself and continued on with his work.
Soon, the pink-haired girl opened her eyes sluggishly and stretched her limbs.
Only to realize that her teacher was gone and her arm was killing her,
She felt woozy from from the medicine in her. Red Alert smiled and explained.
"Good Evening, Ms.Willoby. You arm was only fractured a bit, I managed to get the swelling down and I fused your bones back together." The doctor took a good look at her paperwork before dismissing her. "You're all good to go. I recommend that you call your parents and stay in your dorm tonight. The medicine…..And Chief Apex left to do his errands, he told me to tell you that you did extremely well." He added.
It took some time for her to get up and go to her dormitory. She was received a green apple lollipop from the Doctor, she was barely awake when he left.
It took a few minutes for Akina to come back to her dorm, which she received a text and Funka wrote her a text five minutes ago. It went like this-
-Hey are u okay? ive been worried about
So protective of me...I better write to her, just to tell her I'm fine.
I'm still outside from my dorm room, so I should take a selfie of me being fine. She held her phone far from her and held a thumbs up and smiled widely. After she sent the picture to her, she used her one arm that didn't hurt to text her.
-IM not with him Fu-Fu. Im bout to go to my room. TYL-
✅
Earlier
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Before Akina
It was none other than Cecilia Harmaajärvi from the top of the gates in Surwick, but even she did not suspect Masaru Nagata.
They were hidden high on a building six blocks from Memorios Beach, both were stealthily good at. Cecilia did not need any night goggles due to being a snow owl and their eyes magnificent, able to see in the night.
One weakness with her eyes is that they are very light sensitive. She stood on the pinnacle of the foundation with her wings low to her waist,
where as Masaru, a "creepy mofo", stood by in the shadows.
This lethargic boy has droopy eyes the color of cold ashes. His silky, wavy, jet black hair is worn in a style that reminds you of a flowing cape. He is tall and has a boyish build. His skin was tanned from sunbathing four months agonizing He has a wide forehead and small ears.
His hair camouflaged well into the shadows.
Masaru trained himself to the extreme that he can merge into anything that has a shadow of the color black. His family used to be gods when it came to assassinations and stealth missions, but were disgraced and banished when his father was involved in a scandal.
When a Shinobi from noble blood is involved with something like a scandal for an example, either death or excommunication is the outcome of it. Masaru enrolled in Surwick for one reason; to restore his family's honor.
Even though he was sarcastic and didn't care about anyone's opinions; he was very fragile and was an attempt to work with the world. The two people that he thought of highly was Armando Ayala and Hrishti Khatun.
Hmm...So the owl's spying for Haritoka? Sensing her movements, looks like she's about to fly back to her captain...He thought, interpreted that his recon mission could be in peril. Stay quiet; she won't hear me but dumb birds like her have good hearing. What is she doing here in the first place?
Her wings unfolded and caused strong gales of wind from them flapping numerous times, even Masaru thought that her wings were one of a kind. Her hair was unique, with those brown specks dancing in her hair. she reached in her back pocket and grabbed her Samsung out. He presumed that she was talking her partner-in-crime.
She put it on speakerphone , and the hasty Haritoka yelled out of it. "Hey Ceecee!! You got any juicy details for me?"
"Yeah." She simply stated, "My theory was indeed correct. One way or another: They are connected. The N0.2 Hero is interested in her."
Unfortunately for Cecilia, his patience was running out with her. "I wanna know more 'bout her! Give me details, wahmen!"
She never liked him; he was the representation of unneeded narcissism. He was uglier than a horse fly, still had that confidence. Cecilia hated males with a passion. She never was friends with them.
It was a damn shame, seeing how some boys that had harbored feelings for her... "Tell me more of it!!Akina Willoby is actually intriguing me a lot now!! Even more than that Fireball Heart-Bond!" He pleaded, all what she did in response was rolling her eyes, irked by him. "What's her superpowers from what you saw before?"
"She can move large amounts of trash by using air."
".....So, She's an airbender. Big shot."
"No." Cecilia fumed. "She threw a punch and made a large hunk of trash go away."
"So?"
"Three Miles and she isn't twelve yet. She's got potential." Cecilia sighed finally after five seconds, addressing this; "It's not safe talking it here, I feel an itch on my shoulder. I give you more intelligence when I come to your dorm. Goodbye." She hung up on the phone, and flew felicitously in the sun setting skies. She smiled; knowing that Masaru eavesdropped her while talking.
Christ! Did she know my presence?!? He panicked, he revert back to his normal form and ran back to Jordyn.
I better get back or else: Jordyn is gonna kill me.
He put on a brave face on and went back to her, where he was met with harshness from her.
———Track 35 Ended———
———Track 35 Ended———