Except for Nobu, The soldiers settle into the vast and spacious barracks, each engrossed in their papers, meticulously crafting designs for their distinctive outfits. Amidst the collective focus, Reina turns to Osamu, seeking conversation.
"Your name is Osamu, isn't it?" Reina inquires, receiving an affirming nod from the seasoned soldier. "Did it take you long to come up with an idea for your outfit? I feel like I'll be spending quite some time designing mine."
Osamu chuckles softly, his eyes gleaming with a hint of nostalgia. "To be honest, Master Shinso designed my outfit for me," he reveals. "So I suppose I can't really answer that question."
"Master Shinso?" Reina repeats, surprise coloring his voice. "Was Master Shinso your mentor as well?"
"Yes, he was," Osamu confirms with a warm chuckle. "And being his only student at that time certainly had its challenges."
Reina jumps to his feet, a mix of astonishment and curiosity evident on his face. "Hold on a minute! You're 24 years old, so having Master Shinso as your mentor isn't that surprising. But how old were you when you became a sacred soldier?" he stammers. "Her Majesty mentioned that you were one of the survivors of the Fire Kingdom's invasion by the other kingdoms."
Osamu's expression softens, the weight of memories etched in his eyes. "I... I was 14 years old," he reveals, prompting gasps of disbelief from his fellow recruits. "I know the minimum age to become a soldier is supposed to be 17, but I entered three years earlier due to Master Shinso's recommendation."
Impressed murmurs ripple through the room as the newcomers absorb this remarkable revelation. Katsu's eyes widen, his admiration evident. "That's truly extraordinary," he murmurs, his voice filled with awe. "To be recommended by the captain of the sacred soldiers is one thing, but to become a sacred soldier at 14 years old? It's truly remarkable, Osamu."
Osamu's humility shines through as he bashfully shrugs off the praise. "Come on, guys," he interjects, a touch of self-deprecation lacing his words as he brushes the back of his head. "You're flattering me a bit too much, don't you think?" Yet the admiration in his comrades' eyes remains, a testament to the awe-inspiring journey that led Osamu to his current station as a revered sacred soldier.
"What about you, missy?" Sayuri inquires, hopping over to sit closer to Kokoa, causing the young lady to startle, "M... Missy?" Kokoa protests, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Your name is... Yeah, it's Kokoa!" Sayuri continues, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Your outfit looks really unique as well! Did it take you a long time to design it?"
"N... Not really..." Kokoa responds, a faint smile gracing her lips. "I had already planned it as soon as I knew I needed an outfit, so it didn't take me that long."
"Is... Is something wrong?" Kokoa asks, her voice laced with a hint of concern, as she notices Sayuri's unwavering gaze fixed upon her.
"No, nothing!" Sayuri assures her, vigorously shaking her head yet still fixing her eyes on Kokoa, "It's just... I want to be your friend, Kokoa!"
"Really?" Kokoa's eyes widen in surprise, taken aback by Sayuri's sudden declaration as her hand reaches out to cover her unique eye.
"Yeah, I mean it!" Sayuri affirms, perching herself back on the desk and taking up a pen. "Somehow, you remind me of Nono... The one who tried to kick your face. And when I'm close to you, I feel really comfy and happy!"
"But... But we've only just met..." Kokoa interjects, her gaze fixed on Sayuri while the little girl absentmindedly brushes her hair with the back of her pencil. "How can you feel safe and happy around me when we only met today?" Questions Kokoa, still taken aback.
"I don't know..." Sayuri replies, her words carrying a sense of sincerity. At that moment, Kokoa's heart flutters with a warmth she can't explain, her eyes never leaving Sayuri's adorable, radiant face brimming with cuteness and kindness. "Seeing you just makes me happy! That's all I can say!" She concludes her statement with a soft, melodic laugh, and Kokoa's left hand instinctively finds its way to her chest as she recalls hearing similar words from someone she holds dear, a reminder of the preciousness of her own life.
"I want to be your friend as well," chimes in Nobu, appearing suddenly behind Kokoa, much to the surprise of everyone in the room. Kokoa leaps away in startlement, and Ash lets out an uncontrollable scream, though quickly recovering, "Oh, it's just Nobu," Ash remarks, his voice returning to a calm tone. He resumes writing, saying, "I need to get used to that, to be honest."
Still taken aback by Nobu's sudden appearance, Kokoa stammers, "What did you... How did you do that?"
Nobu walks closer to Sayuri with a mischievous grin, his eyes brimming with playful energy. "I sensed your presence and switched right next to it, that's all," he explains casually. Then, turning his attention to Sayuri, he adds, "Pipsqueak, pass me that pen, okay?"
Sayuri rolls her eyes playfully but obliges, handing him the pen. "Just remember to return it," she says, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Amidst the confusion, Osamu speaks up, his brow furrowed with confusion. "You switched what?" he asks, seeking clarification. "Am I the only one who's not getting it?"
Yagami, who had finished designing his outfit, sets down the paper and chimes in, "Don't think about it too much. 'Switch' is the name of Nobu's unique skill. It allows him to exchange his location or even switch objects with anything he chooses. It's pretty handy if you think about it." As he speaks, Yagami's paper suddenly begins to glow, and it swiftly transforms into the exact set of clothes he had described.
"Yeah, about that..." Nobu begins, his voice tinged with curiosity as he delicately balances the pen on his upper lip. "Ashide told me that Switch isn't my unique skill..."
"Don't go calling the queen by her name like that!" Satomi interrupts sharply, her palm connecting forcefully with the back of Nobu's head. The impact causes the pen to tumble from its precarious perch, clattering onto the floor.
"Ow..." Nobu winces, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion, "Aw... I was just about to impress everyone with my pen-balancing act..."
"She was the one who asked me to call her Ashide, to be honest..." Nobu continues, bending down to retrieve the fallen pen, his pain momentarily forgotten. "I wouldn't casually address the Queen by her name without her permission."
"So? What is it?" Ash interjects eagerly, taking a step closer to Nobu. Placing both hands on the desk with visible excitement, he can't contain his anticipation any longer. "Did she reveal your powers? What is it? What's your element? Please, tell me already!"
"I mean... I won't be able to speak if you keep bombarding me with questions like that," Nobu interjects, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. He shifts his focus to the paper he had just pulled out of his pocket, his attention fixed on the task at hand. "As I mentioned before, Switch isn't my unique skill. It is, in fact, a skill derived from my main element."
The revelation hangs in the air like an electric current, and the entire group is jolted into shock as Nobu's next words reverberate through the room. "Void," he states firmly, his voice carrying a weight that demands attention. "Void is my main element, which means I possess not only two elements but also the powers of a demon. I suppose you could say I'm quite the extraordinary individual."
"I see..." Thinks Kokoa silently, her eyes narrowed as she gets Nobu's words, "So that's how you decided to hide it, your majesty..."
As for Osamu, he furrows his brow, his hand finding its way beneath his chin as he contemplates this revelation. "Void?" he muses aloud. "I must confess, the concept of a void element is entirely foreign to me. I've never encountered anything of the sort before..."
"Me too..." Satomi's eyes widen, her concern for Nobu etched upon her face. "I'm along with Osamu's sentiments, Nobu. This element, void, is entirely unfamiliar to us. Could you shed some light on its attributes? We're all eager to understand."
"Let's see..." Nobu takes a brief moment to gather his thoughts, his pen poised above the paper. The room descends into a heavy silence, every member of the group leaning in with bated breath, eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the long-awaited description.
Nobu's eyes, now aglow with a captivating purple radiance, command the attention of everyone in the room. The sheer intensity of his words electrifies the atmosphere, drawing all focus to the profound revelation unfolding before them.
"She said I don't have magical energy because I don't need it," he begins, his voice infused with an otherworldly resonance. "I don't have magical energy because the world isn't aware of my existence. Unlike all of you, the powers that course through my body are nothing, quite literally nothingness. And soon enough, as I delve deeper into the depths of my void powers, even Chi, the life force that sustains my stamina, will cease to exist, making me physically unique as well."
A palpable hush descends upon the room, the weight of Nobu's words echoing in the silence. The gravity of his being, shrouded in the enigmatic veil of the void, captivates the minds of those who listen.
"My unique skill is called 'Spatial Awareness'," he continues, raising the palm of his right hand, conjuring the pen that once rested in Katsu's grasp to materialize within his own. The seamless display of control over his switch technique leaves the onlookers awestruck.
"It allows me to sense the presence of anything within a staggering seven-kilometer radius," Nobu explains, his voice tinged with a touch of modesty, "However, I can only switch with other things within a radius of 800-meters..."
"Seven kilometer radius?" Katsu interjects, his disbelief palpable. "What the hell, Nobu? Your unique skill is on a whole different level!"
A mischievous grin dances upon Nobu's lips as he acknowledges Katsu's astonishment. "Thank you," he nods playfully before resuming his explanation, his pen gliding effortlessly across the paper as he continues to write after switching Katsu's pencil back to its original place, "Being neglected by the rules of the world gave me quite something, for I don't need to take food and water regularly to survive. I can stay for a whole week without even sipping water, and I'll survive just fine! The way I harness the power of the void is slightly divergent as well. Unlike the generation of magical bolts or the manipulation of elemental forces, my abilities revolve around the utilization of emptiness itself. I tap into the vast expanse of vacant space surrounding me, channeling it to my advantage."
A profound silence descends upon the room, as Nobu's words reverberate through the air, leaving an indelible impact on the minds of his comrades. Reina's chuckle falters, gradually transforming into a contemplative smile as he absorbs the weight of Nobu's revelation, "But... But we're not in space," Reina chuckles, still grappling with the concept as he slightly raises his hands, "There's no void in here, so you're basically..."
"No. You're wrong about that, Reina," Nobu interrupts, his voice carrying a gravity that demands attention. His gaze, filled with a newfound intensity, locks with his team. "The void is not confined to physical space. It transcends the boundaries of our perception. It exists within and without, in the depths of our very being. The void is the embodiment of nothingness, the essence of everything."
His words hang in the air, weaving a tapestry of paradoxes and hidden truths. The team members, captivated by Nobu's enigmatic demeanor, lean in, eager to grasp the intricacies of his revelations.
"It is the weakness found within strength, and the strength derived from weakness," Nobu continues, his voice resonating with wisdom beyond his years. "The void teaches us to embrace the ebb and flow, to find power in surrender and vulnerability. It is the art of taking whatever comes our way and transforming it into an opportunity, giving our all when faced with nothingness. The void is omnipresent, even when it eludes our senses, and we will find it when it seems nowhere to be found."
His words hang heavy in the air, stirring a sense of contemplation and reflection within each soldier's heart. They contemplate the essence of existence, the intricate dance between presence and absence, and the profound interconnectedness that binds their destinies.
"The world is void, guys," Nobu concludes, his tone returning to its usual cadence as he resumes his writing. "In its absence, we too cease to exist. But within that void, within that emptiness, lies the potential for boundless creation and transformation. So, I'll embrace the void, not as an absence, but as the canvas upon which you paint your existence."
"Oh, I believe I have completed the description of my outfit!" Nobu exclaims, lifting his paper with a lighthearted tone that dispels the seriousness of the atmosphere. "I simply cannot wait to try it on!"
"What? Already finished?" Reina stammers, his interest instantly reigniting in his paper as he gasps in disbelief. "That was awfully fast, Nobu!"
"Nono! I've finished mine as well!" Sayuri chimes in, presenting her paper to Nobu with a gleeful smile. "Shall we mend our descriptions together?"
"Huh? You too?" Reina interjects once more, caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation.
"Reina, my dear friend, it seems you are the one proceeding at a more slow-paced rhythm," Katsu adds, his mischievous grin accompanied by a raise of his paper toward Reina. Magically, his paper transforms into a visual representation of his desired clothes, leaving Reina even more astounded.
After meticulously describing their outfits and witnessing the mending of their clothes, the soldiers disperse to their respective rooms to change into their newfound attire. Osamu, however, remains outside the barracks, patiently awaiting his new team's emergence.
Meanwhile, Kokoa navigates her way to the rooftop of the barracks, seeking solace amidst the vast expanse above. Perched upon the highest point, she curls into herself, her delicate chin resting upon her knees, lost in the depths of her thoughts. The soft breeze caresses her long hair, causing it to sway in sync with the rhythm of her contemplation.
"Nobu... " Kokoa whispers inwardly, her voice carried away on the wind, "If only I possessed my powers, I could have delved deeper into the enigma that Nobu spoke of."
"Yo!" Nobu's voice echoes through the air once again as he suddenly and effortlessly switches beside Kokoa, eliciting a startled reaction from her. Startled in turn, Sayuri swiftly rises from her spot, her fist enveloped in a vibrant cloak of wine-satin red energy, poised to strike Nobu in the abdomen.
"Aré?" Nobu utters an unintelligible word, his left hand gracefully intercepting Sayuri's cloaked fist. With remarkable agility, he transitions into a one-handed handstand, using Sayuri's fist as a springboard to propel himself upward. Maintaining perfect balance, he executes a flawless one-arm push-up before returning to his feet. "Well... That almost caught me off-guard," he remarks casually, his composure unwavering as he looks at his slightly burned palm, "And that energy of yours is crazy hot, I like your powers!"
"You gave me quite a fright," Kokoa confesses, her initial surprise fading as she settles back onto the rooftop. The animated swirls in her eye keep casting their charm as she gazes curiously. "So... what brings you here?" she inquires, her voice laced with a tinge of playful intrigue. "Are you already fixated on me?"
Nobu's chuckle resonates through the air, accompanied by a mischievous twinkle in his captivating orange eyes. "Fixated? Perhaps," he playfully admits, his hand firmly gripping the end of his long coat. He directs his gaze towards Kokoa, seeking her opinion. "So... what do you think of my outfit? Isn't there something about it that you're familiar with?"
Intrigued by his words, Kokoa's gaze carefully scans Nobu's freshly made outfit, as her eyes finally flicker down to his dark tactical pants, her eyes widening in surprise. "It's... your pants," she finally manages to utter, her voice filled with a mix of astonishment and curiosity. She lowers her head, her gaze shifting to her own pants before continuing, her words stumbling out, "They... they look like mine."
A chuckle escapes Nobu's lips, his amusement evident. "Sure they are!" he affirms, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now we're matching, aren't we?"
The air grows still, with only the rustling of leaves and the gentle breeze whispering its presence. Nobu, emboldened by Kokoa's interest, gathers his courage and makes a heartfelt request. "Can I sit next to you? Or am I crossing the line?"
Kokoa's eyes remain fixed on Nobu, her heart fluttering in her chest as she gazes at the mesmerizing boy before her. A faint smile graces her lips, and she welcomes him with open arms. Without uttering a word, she pats the space on the roof beside her, inviting him to join her. In response, Nobu takes his place beside her, pulling out a chocolate bar as he settles in. Kokoa stretches her legs forward and leans on her arms, placing her hands on the roof behind her.
"I am keenly attuned to the nuances carried within your presence, Kokoa," Nobu begins, his eyes seamlessly transitioning back to their customary shade of deep blue. He chooses to sit cross-legged, an air of serene introspection surrounding him. "It has become evident to me that you are not wholly human, nor are you purely a demon. Rather, you exist as a unique amalgamation, entwined with the essence of both races."
Kokoa, unfazed by his revelation, turns her head to meet his figure. As he indulges in his chocolate, his eyes fixated on the far-reaching horizon, she simply observes, appreciating the tranquility of the moment. A gentle breeze dances through the air, caressing their surroundings, while Kokoa tilts her head skyward, marveling at the clarity of the heavens above, "Also..." Nobu continues, his voice carrying a tender concern, "I can tell that your thoughts are plagued by a certain something. Although I can't read your mind, so I can't really tell what it is. However, despite our 10 years of age difference, I hope you take on my advice and consider easing your mind a little!"
Kokoa's voice quivers with a mixture of resignation and vulnerability as she responds to Nobu's revelations. Her words carry the weight of unspoken burdens, a lament that has long been held within the depths of her heart. "That's quite difficult to fathom, Nobu," she says, her voice tinged with a sigh that seems to release some of the pent-up emotions she has carried. "I yearn for the ability to forget, even if only for a brief respite, but it seems that such a luxury eludes me."
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and with a deep breath, Kokoa finally allows herself to open up, to reveal the profound struggles that have plagued her existence. "Life, in its essence, seems unfathomably unfair," she confesses. "Here I stand, trapped in the liminal space between human and demon, unable to fully embrace either identity as my own."
A tremor of vulnerability runs through her voice as she continues, her words a raw outpouring of her inner turmoil. "I've grown weary of forming connections with others," she admits, her voice faltering slightly. "It pains me to witness those I care for being consumed by suffering, while I, in my very nature, am powerless to offer them solace. And the perpetual wariness that surrounds me, the constant guard that others keep due to my unconventional appearance, only serves to deepen the sense of isolation I carry."
"Not to mention that before such transformation takes place in my body, my eyes used to make people stay away from me, and consider me a symbol of bad luck..."
"I want to take back what was mine as well," She continues, her lips quivering as she speaks, "And if I'll be losing something else, then throwing my life would be far easier for me..."
"It's tiring, Nobu... I'm really tired..."