[3 Months Later, Calming Serenity Dojo]
A handsome youth calmly stepped through a flurry of punches. He threw a palm through the open space, connecting with his target as she retreated. She landed further than expected even as he dashed to follow up. A quick one-two turned into a shuffle punch, homing at her. She strained to deflect them at the last moment, but the final punch blew her defense wide open. Right after, a shoulder slammed into her. She flew back several meters, unable to course-correct as she crashed onto the ground.
She got up, but there were no injuries. Only some dust that she brushed off.
"Fearless, unexpected, and wonderful control of power," April gave praise.
The handsome youth was shirtless, wearing black cotton pants and sneakers. He was leaning forward, his back perfectly straight, with his hands in his pockets. Curved spiky hair. Defined, sculpted, sturdy and chiseled muscles stood at odds with his lean physique. He looked at April, eyes filled with infinite depth. He didn't feel surprised by any of her moves. He recognized where they were lacking and the best way to use them. He already knew he would defeat her; he only had to decide when he wanted to defeat her.
This was Sikhail Godhaven. He remembered where he came from, but that figure felt distant, alien. He wasn't a new person, just a different perspective. Everything felt more natural like this was who he was always meant to be. Rebuilt? Reforged? Just re-tempered, resharpened.
"The Elder's and April's guidance naturally benefited the most," Sikhail nodded.
"You dismiss your own potential. An average disciple wouldn't be able to handle what you went through. Even if they did, these gains are unrealistic," April refuted.
"Perhaps they are not putting everything they have into it. Perhaps their motivation is inefficient," Sikhail commented.
"Hmmmmm," April muttered.
"It's been around three months since my sophomore year finished. Three months since I've halted full-time studies. Have you heard of those online stories called web novels? Those heroes had a life-changing event at 15. Compared to them, I'm a year later," Sikhail chuckled reservedly.
April opened her mouth but said nothing, speechless. Was he honestly comparing himself to a made-up story with made-up starting points? Real experts don't magically pop out at 16.
"Sikhail, Major Hsuzel from the military would like your thoughts. Would you like to listen? He said any input would be appreciated," Elder Sigfrey's voice drifted from afar.
"Grandpa, we're coming!" April screamed in response.
——|——|—|—|——|——
There was a holographic projection in the middle of the room with Major Tommy Hsuzel's face smack dab in the middle of it.
"Sikhail. Great to see you doing well. I've heard about your progress and learned that you sparred with that lass just now," Hsuzel said with a smile.
"He did well," April said unhappily.
Silence.
"Can I show you some footage? Tell me what you think?" Hsuzel asked, directing the question at Sikhail.
"Sure," Sikhail nodded.
"Please watch carefully. All pixels are important, and every frame contains vital clues. I won't influence your thoughts, so please tell me your initial reactions," Hsuzel commented.
As the video played, footage from Team A at the cold site and Team B at the hot site showed what happened. From entry to the strange behavior, what happened vs. the truth, the final result, and the final analysis of the two situations.
Hsuzel concentrated on Sikhail. There was a feeling at the bottom of his stomach that was quite hard to ignore. When he was a young lad, he had a mentor. A wise and powerful individual with a discerning eye. That person was a god-like figure to the young Tommy Hsuzel. He got this same feeling from Sikhail currently.
Although he couldn't see through the helmet, couldn't see the eyes, couldn't see what the boy was thinking, he was quite terrified. It wasn't the fear of the unknown but the fear of helplessness. He had once met an exceptional 5 Star General that gave him a similar feeling, but it was nowhere as intense as what he was feeling right now.
He had other leads he was following up on, but Sikhail gave him the most hope.
"Does anyone need the footage replayed?" Hsuzel asked after the footage was over.
"That would be nice. I didn't get much. A few clues, but I need to reanalyze," Elder Sigfrey admitted.
"Of course. It needs to be examined dozens of times," April said, as a matter of fact.
"The laugh was unnatural. Forced and surprised. It wasn't something she would've done. She's a cheerful person, and her work satisfies her. A natural laugh works with your face, not against it. An unnatural laugh is a marker for depression," Sikhail remarked.
As Elder Sigfrey and April processed what he said, Hsuzel widened his eyes.
"I know a little about her. Spent more time than required to move up the ranks. Never brought them up, never talked about it. Just worked in the lab all day. What does it mean?" Hsuzel asked, his eyes shining.
"He surprised her. His tone was very confident. His vocal chord shifted as he pushed one theory aside for another. Two similar theories, but he was much more excited about the alternative. Laughter was a way to adjust herself mentally and match his theory. They're split on which one is right, but he has higher seniority. It's also his project, so the more bizarre theory in his mind buried the other in the passage of time," Sikhail answered.
"What's the other theory?" Hsuzel asked, his breath quickening.
"It's a wholly organic, traceless method to let the truth escape," Sikhail said cryptically.
Hsuzel understood immediately and apologized for leaving abruptly.
"It won't lead anywhere," Sikhail said suddenly.
"You mean it's the wrong theory?" Elder Sigfrey asked after returning from his daze.
"Traceless means traceless, no matter how many times you say it. It leads somewhere but nowhere," Sikhail replied thoughtfully.
"Then, what should be done? Nothing?" April interjected.
"Trouble without context. Disorder. This person in the shadows is very calculating. If they're forced to recalculate, the outcome is frustration. The urge to course-correct means intervention is simply inevitable," Sikhail clarified.
"Disorder without causing damage? How?" Elder Sigfrey said with a frown.
"Aren't we already doing that? It just needs to be amped up a little more. Sow some discontent. Give the brass a headache," Sikhail answered. "Let the ripples lead us to the right person."
"I feel as though you're still holding back," Elder Sigfrey stated with a flushed face.
"What didn't happen is as vital as what did happen. This was simply a demonstration. Natural accidents lead to department-wide responses. This is controlled and restrained. It was meant only for certain people. It's a very patient partnership. The product is still being tested and controlled. A mature product goes through multiple demonstrations at once to give a bigger impact," Sikhail said to the shock of the two.
"Everyone's focused on the truth when you've already derived the method and motivation. How amazing," April said with a sigh.
"I'm not amazing. The process is still unknown to me," Sikhail replied as the two looked at him in disbelief.
"Silly kid, that can be found out in time with proper investigations," Elder Sigfrey said unhappily.
"I need to return to the military soon. Assessment is coming up," Sikhail said suddenly.
"You want to cause trouble? I'll come and join for some fun," April laughed, revealing his true intentions.
The Elder was speechless.
"No. That would certainly come with the occupation. I'm really interested in this person the military is trying to find. I want to meet them and understand their motivations," Sikhail said before taking a deep breath.
"Stop them, too," Elder Sigfrey interrupted.
"That is to be seen," Sikhail replied.
"Oh? A bizarre response. What else would you do besides stop them? Wouldn't you be hooked around their finger before you could do anything?" Elder Sigfrey questioned.
Sikhail turned to look at the Elder. His black cotton pants were fluttering. Massive, tyrannical pressure and aura overflowed from him, hitting the Elder straight on. The Elder felt like he was pushed into an ice bath falling into the depths of hell. The two extremes wrestled control from his body, even as he was gently pushed out of the room along with April.
They had only traveled a few feet outside the building when they saw it turn to ashes. 10 feet away, they were gently let down. It was until the pressure reached the next nearest building that it suddenly vanished. Dust flew everywhere, but that didn't stop the Elder from preparing for battle when he saw the terrifying lightning. When he saw that it was Sikhail, he became pale as shock overcame him.
Lightning was a trait common to formidable Supernatural Entities. It was the visible manifestation of their capabilities once it crossed a certain threshold. Sikhail had shown extreme restraint and control by gently escorting two people out while destroying everything else.
"This… how?" April finally muttered.