Chapter 2 - "As Time Pass"

After the loss of his parents and sibling, Shizu was raised by the man that had fought beside his father. Colt was dedicated to training Shizu and was determined that he would be as skilled as his father was. Even though Colt pushes Shizu further than Emiko had, he knew it was the only way and Shizu didn't even complain at all. Colt was stimulating Shizu into hating and eliminating the enemy oppositions such as the demons and the Hydra Kingdom.

Over the years, Shizu was already an adolescent and was capable of protecting himself. He had trained and was mostly experienced in his magic arts, Aeromancy. He was destined to recover his sister, Amikagi, from the hands of the Hydra kingdom as that was his only main objective after joining the Regiment. He would train day and night and at the end of the day, Shizu would usually follow his guardian, Colt Kaiser, to train in the forest, where he taught Shizu ways to cast destructive magic and martial arts.

While in the forest, Colt usually teaches Shizu and pushes him harder by giving him words that were demotivating him.

"Your mother wasted her time to train you. Nonetheless, you're a family of Cresta, aren't you? If you are, be like one!"

"The Cresta Family are supposed to be powerful magic users, and what are you?"

That had pushed Shizu to the point when Colt was almost defeated. Shizu had casted water magic that pierces Colt's shield through but it was dodged by Colt when he quickly jumped upwards. Fortunately, the magic that Shizu casted sliced a tree in half, and Shizu's mana was drained by many.

During some days when Colt was away for his duties, Shizu would attend a magic arts high school where Shizu would spend the rest of the day learning in a classroom. Although Shizu was mostly alienated at school and he wouldn't have any friends, he was always determined to learn magic.

Eventually, when Shizu was old enough to join the Mage Regiment, he was urged to join the regiment by Colt, which he accepted. While sitting on the porch on Colt's residence, he had a brief talk with Shizu on what he needed to follow.

"I'm proud of you, Shizu. You're just like your father, this is what he would want you to be."

"I know he would."

"But promise me, Shizu. From now on, your name will be Shizu Itsuki. You are not allowed to reveal your true family name, for your own safety... Am I understood?"

"Understood, sir."

When Shizu went to his assigned squad dormitory, he was greeted by the leader of the squad, Captain Alane. Alane had a peculiar personality, such as dirty jokes that she would usually go around with the members, however, she was attractive which made Shizu believe that he was already fine with the squadron. Other than Alane, there were Eririn, Amari, Hachiro, Akumu. During their greeting, they started to ask questions to each other. Shockingly, Shizu had a love affection for Captain Alane.

"I'm Eririn, I study Hydromancy and Archery. I'm from the Sagitarrius Division."

"My name's Amari, and I'm a part of the Bersagliere Division. I know the arts of

Geomancy."

"I'm Hachiro from the Securem Division and I am a Pyromancer. Nice to meet you, Shizu."

"Akumu from the Armis Division, I am a Hydromancer. I'm a swordsman."

Alane then appeared in front of Shizu and spoke while tipping her officer cap, "And me, I'm Alane, the Captain of this squad and I'm from the Armis Division like you. I learn both Pyromancy and Aeromancy. Call me captain but since you're the new one, I'll let you call me Alane."

"Uh. Nice to meet you all." Shizu responded while giving a slight wave.

Alane then showed Shizu to his room in the dormitory. The room was occupied by Akumu and Hachiro while the other room was occupied by the female squadron teammates.

In Shizu's room, Hachiro and Akumu tried to converse with Shizu. They summoned Shizu and sat in their places.

"You guys worried for tomorrow?" Hachiro asked.

"What's happening tomorrow?" Shizu curiously asked

"Haven't you heard? There will be a regiment-wide squad company selection will be held tomorrow. Some companies have hard missions and tasks, but I do hope that ours would be easier. Imagine us, going on a mission to cleanse demons. Heh, we would be dead before we get to kill one." Hachiro replied.

"No kidding, it's also confirmed by the captain." Akumu added.

"I suppose we'll have to see ourselves." Shizu replied.

"Say Shizu... Are you an acquaintance of the great mage, Noble Officer Colt Kaiser?" Akumu questioned

"How did you know?"

"Well... Let's say.. I'm precise in monitoring certain people since that's my job. You're quite odd at first sight, so that led me curious about yourself." Akumu responded.

"Well, Colt Kaiser is my guardian after all."

"Wait, wait, really? You must be really good at magic arts, are you?" Hachiro responded in amazement

"Wouldn't say I would, but I am experienced in Aeromancy." Shizu replied.

"We're happy to know that you're a part of the squadron." Akumu replied

While they were talking, the door suddenly burst open. It was captain Alane.

"Dinner is served! Oh, Shizu.. you've already gone along well with them, haven't you?"

"Yea." Shizu replied

"He's quite a peculiar cadet, captain. But we'll get to know better by time." Akumu added.

"Unquestionably accurate... What a good way to start your first day, Shizu. Keep it up with them and our teamwork performance will develop." Alane began.

"Anyways, as I said... Dinner is served. Like all of you, out... now."

"Aye, captain." Hachiro spoke

The three of them went out and ate together at the dining table.

"Wow, this is delicious." Shizu said.

"Aw.. that really made my heart race for you, Shizu." Alane replied

"Nevermind, I take that back..."

"Aw.. you're so adorable when you're against me."

"Okaay, both of you... stop. It's starting to get personal. Maybe both of you should talk privately." Amari added.

"My bad. Sorry... Please enjoy the food I made for you, Shizu." Alane spoke while walking off to the balcony with a sad expression.

After they've finished eating, Amari felt guilty and later persuaded Shizu to comfort Alane which had been on the balcony ever since they've been eating.

"Why me?" Shizu whispered.

"Just go." Amari responded

Shizu then walked to the balcony towards Alane and talked with Alane, "Captain? Something bothering you?"

"Call me Alane and no, I just wanted to wait for you to finish eating before talking with you about something."

"Well, I'm here. What do you want to talk about?"

"I just found out that you're from the Cresta Family."

"Wait, please, keep that a secret. I don't want them to know and my guardian wouldn't like that."

"I promise... It's about something else that I wanted to ask you about."

"Go ahead."

"About your parents, they were... Emiko and Kazuko Cresta. Is that true?"

"Right, they are my parents."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Alane spoke and immediately hugged Shizu

Shizu was surprised and he couldn't move. His face was blushing and red after being hugged by Alane.

"Your parents were saviors. Your father, the great Kazuko, saved me when I was a child, from being killed by a demon during the attack. He managed to take the demon down but he was badly injured due to fighting the demons and the Hydra infantry. After the attack, I heard that he was killed while protecting his family. And you were the only one left." she spoke in tears.

Shizu then flashbacked the time when his father was injured when Shizu met him at his house. It was aligned together when his father was unable to fight and was badly injured. Shizu then broke down in tears with Alane.

"I'm so sorry, Shizu."

"I wasn't brave enough to fight. It was my fault that my sister was taken away.."

"It's not your fault, Shizu."

While the other squad members in the dorm looking at the two in curiosity to them, wondering what they might've been crying about for the past hour.

"Jeez, I can't sleep like this, what are they crying about?" Eririn began, after waking up from her sleep after hearing Shizu and Alane's mourning.

"I think it's because of what happened during dinner. It's your fault then, Amari!" Hachiro blared.

"What!? I just advised them to talk privately. It's not my fault that their conversation was starting to get all romantically cheesy." Amari shouted

"You have a point there." Akumu responded.

"Are you saying that the captain has a crush on the new guy? Hah, odd." Hachiro added.

"Wait really??" Eririn was surprised.

"Now, now. Let's get back to our own businesses, I'll go talk to them." Amari blared.