"What... is a reverse contract mark?" Vierne said.
"You know what a contract mark is?" Akagi said.
"Yes, it's the name of the star spirit engraved on that part of their body where their master touched them for the first time after forming the pact." Vierne said.
"Yes, and a reverse contract mark is the name of that star spirit engraved on their master's chest." Akagi said.
"Do you have one too?" Vierne said.
"It's not very easy to give a reverse contract mark. It is only given by those stars, who have complete faith in their master and they strongly believe in them. Only one out of 1000 Demigod contracts are strong enough to form a reverse contract mark. You are quite lucky." Akagi said.
"What do you mean by lucky?" Vierne said.
"He believes in you...tell me, do you believe in yourself?" Akagi said.
"I do." Vierne said.
"....Then, you should be training hard right now." Akagi said.
"I WANNA TRAIN! WHEN CAN WE START?" Vierne said.
"Right- now." Akagi said.
"Right now? But it's almost midnight." Vierne said.
"That's even better, follow me." Akagi said.
As they walked through the rose garden, Akagi started talking to Vierne...
"So Vierne, tell me. What according to you makes a Demigod strong?" Akagi said.
"Un...A sword?" Vierne said.
"No, it's agility and balance. If you're able to focus your powers at a single point, you've actually achieved half of your goal. We have the power to control our surroundings and use it to our advantage. Demigods spend years to master the art of nature control, but, I can teach that to you within one month." Akagi said and turned towards Vierne.
"You're gonna train me to control my powers?" Vierne said.
"I'm gonna tutor you." Akagi said.
"Lord Akagi…I can never control my powers...." Vierne said.
"Not until you try. And there are tricks to learn it. What you lack Vierne, is not agility but precision. You cannot focus on your core. So, we'll be doing something about your physical and spiritual body balance." Akagi said.
"How?" Vierne said.
"Like this." Akagi said as he started running. He did a cartwheel and a triple back flip, then jumped on the ground and stood on his hands.
"I can...never do something like that." Vierne said.
"It's okay. Let's do something simpler first. Try doing a handstand, 10 seconds hold" Akagi said.
"I-"
"Vierne, do it." Akagi said.
Vierne slowly got on her hands and raised her body up "UGH! I CAN'T!! I'M GONNA FALL!!"
"Of course you can. You just-"
"GAH!" Vierne shouted and fell into the rose bushes "Ow! THORNS!"
"*Sigh* Calm down, me." Akagi said.
*RIIIIING!*
"RUN!" Akagi shouted as he stood on a skateboard and Vierne ran beside him.
*Huff Huff* ALMOST!!" Vierne said as she ran and finally reached the mansion's door.
She fell on the ground and started panting.
"I've never…run so much….My head feels weird...I feel like I'm gonna die!" She said to herself.
"Get up! You're not gonna die just because of something like this." Akagi said.
The harsh training started with full power....and increased practice sessions.
Vierne jumped towards the branch and plucked the leaf but again, the branches started moving.
Picking up marshmallows from the hot flames of fire.
'You are a Demigod. You won't burn as long as you have speed.'
"WAH!! MY HAND!!!"
Shooting apples on the trees or birds in the sky without looking at them.
Jumping inside the puddles without splashing the water.
...Vierne practiced all of these everyday...Until she perfected all these skills.
Akagi even taught her fighting styles and how to use a gun and a rod for fighting and defence.
That was also a difficult part of the training.
Everyday, for one hour, she practiced how to control her sila.
*CRASH*
"It broke again." Vierne said as she looked at the broken earthen pot.
"It's okay, do it again." Akagi said.
"AGAIN!
AGAIN!
AGAIN!!"
"Do it again."
Running for two hours in the morning.
Meditation and sila control techniques.
Reading books as heavy as 30kg. Learning about the different types of spells and magic.
Vierne memorised it all, within one month.
There were even times when she got up at night to train.
She trained in solitude along with studying all the books which were given to her.
And finally came that moment....
"I DID IT!! LORD AKAGI!! SEE!!! I CAN CONTROL MY SILA!!!" Vierne said as she picked up an earthen pot without using her spell binding ring.
"Good work." Akagi said as he brushed her hair.
"YAY!!!" Vierne said with a smile.
"Vierne." Akagi said "Now that I've taught you everything, I want you to remember something...
Don't ever be afraid to shine. Remember, the sun doesn't give a f**k if it blinds you. You are a sun. So, light someone's day."
"....Everyone wants to be the sun to light someone's day. But why not be someone's moon and light them up in their darkest hour?" Vierne said.
Akagi smiled as he patted her head "*Chuckle* Guess you're right, Lady."
"...Did you just call me Lady? You never acknowledged me as an Earl! What does that mean?!" Vierne said.
"You know what, never mind." Akagi said as he turned back.
"WAIT- TELL ME!!" Vierne said.
"Akagi, is Vierne's training over?" Melissa said as she sat on the terrace railings.
"Yes. I have taught her everything I know.... But, it's rather disheartening." Akagi said as he stood beside her and lighted up a cigarette.
"Why?" Melissa said.
"It's so unfair. Although she lacks self esteem, she's a fast learner but she was never taught by anyone just because they thought she was a monster. It's as if... it's a crime to be different.
People don't understand that what makes you different...makes you special."
"Lord Akagi...You like Vivie, don't ya~" Melissa said as she hugged Akagi and pressed her cheek on his cheek.
"Why? You can smell the pheromones?" Akagi said.
"No, my heart tells me that you like her." Melissa said.
"She reminds me of the past me. Once upon a time, even I was like her." Akagi said.
"What do you mean?" Melissa said.
"I don't understand when people will wake up. Teens are suffering so much nowadays and in that world, a girl is trying to rise up."
"Teens are suffering?"
Akagi exhaled some smoke and said,
"Teenagers.... You know what teenage is? It's when your best friends become strangers.
When lollipops turn into cigarettes,
The innocent ones turn into sluts,
Homework goes in the trash
Soda becomes beer
And kisses turn into s*x.
Remember when getting high meant swinging on the playground?
When protection meant wearing a helmet?
When the worst things you could get from boys were cooties?
Dad's shoulders were the highest place on Earth and mum was your hero?
Your worst enemies were your siblings?
Race issues were about who ran the fastest,
The only drug you knew was panadol,
Wearing a skirt didn't make you a slut,
The only things that hurt you was your grazed knee and goodbyes meant till tomorrow?
We said we couldn't wait to grow up, I wonder what were we thinking...
However,
When I look at Vierne now, I feel like.... I'm living my teenage life again and I don't want to make it a depressing experience... I want her to have the time of her life. And tomorrow, we are gonna go to the blank space.... that would be her test."
"I wish that Vivie wins... I'm seriously rooting for her. I want Litty Litty to come back too... And then we'd all have dinner together, just the four of us." Melissa said.
"I wish that too... If only I could turn back time by more than a minute..." Akagi said.
-To be continued