As Ren and Kaito emerged from the special training grounds, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, mingled with the faint echoes of exertion that lingered from their rigorous training session. Making their way down the hallway, they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of Mt. Tashiro, their footsteps echoing softly against the walls as they ventured towards the normal training grounds.
As they approached the designated area, Aria's figure came into view, her form a testament to her dedication and perseverance. Pausing in her training regimen, she turned to greet them, her breath coming in short, measured gasps as she struggled to regain her composure.
"Well, how did it go...?" Aria inquired, her voice tinged with a note of curiosity. Despite the fatigue that clung to her, there was a spark of anticipation in her eyes, a silent plea for validation of her efforts.
Ren, however, seemed preoccupied, his expression clouded with an air of uncertainty. "He got immense talent, but... Something just doesn't fit," he mused aloud, his words carrying a weight of uncertainty. It was clear that something troubled him, though the nature of his concerns remained shrouded in mystery.
Aria, sensing his hesitation, pressed for clarification. "What do you mean? Isn't that great?" she asked, her tone tinged with a note of concern. It was clear that she valued Ren's opinion, and his cryptic response left her feeling uneasy.
Ren's response, though terse, offered little in the way of reassurance. "Forget about it," he replied dismissively, his words tinged with a hint of frustration. It was clear that he harbored doubts about Kaito's potential, though the reasons for his reservations remained elusive.
As the trio stood in awkward silence, the weight of Ren's words hung heavily in the air, casting a pall over their otherwise jovial mood. Despite their best efforts to brush aside his concerns, the lingering sense of unease remained, casting a shadow over their otherwise promising prospects.
For Aria, the uncertainty surrounding Kaito's potential was a source of frustration, a nagging doubt that threatened to undermine her confidence in their abilities. As she grappled with the implications of Ren's cryptic remarks, she couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for their fledgling team.
Aria's gaze remained fixed on Ren, her curiosity unabated as she awaited his response. The question hung in the air, a tangible reminder of the uncertainty that lingered between them. With a sigh, Ren sought to address her inquiry, though his words carried a note of reservation.
"It's not exactly my part to rate... I can make a rough estimate, but I can talk with one of the head scientists and find out," Ren explained, his tone measured as he sought to temper her expectations. It was clear that he harbored doubts about his ability to accurately gauge Kaito's progress, though he remained determined to seek out answers.
Kaito, sensing an opportunity to glean insight into his own development, interjected with a note of curiosity. "What? How would they know? They didn't measure my power when I entered," he remarked, his brow furrowed in confusion. It seemed inconceivable to him that his abilities could be quantified without his knowledge or consent.
Ren's response, however, shed light on the mysterious process by which their powers were assessed. "Once you pass the gate, with the help of... Well, I'll just tell you the summary. Once you enter through the gate, your power gets measured, unless it's too high. Right now, your power is also being measured," he explained, his words tinged with a sense of intrigue. It was clear that the intricacies of the testing process fascinated him, despite his reluctance to delve into the details.
Kaito's eyes widened in astonishment, his mind racing to grasp the implications of Ren's revelation. "That's... Fascinating," he murmured, his thoughts consumed by the implications of this newfound knowledge. It was a revelation that challenged his preconceived notions of power and potential, leaving him eager to learn more about the inner workings of their world.
Seizing upon the opportunity to gain further insight into his own abilities, Kaito pressed Ren for answers. "So, how much more powerful have I become?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a note of excitement. It was clear that he was eager to gauge the extent of his progress, though he remained uncertain of what the future held.
Ren, however, remained noncommittal in his response, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he contemplated the best course of action. "Were you not paying attention? I need to talk with one of the head scientists," he replied, his words tinged with a hint of impatience. It was clear that he was reluctant to speculate on Kaito's progress without first consulting with those who held the key to unlocking the mysteries of their power.
Ren's footsteps echoed softly in the corridor as he made his way to the designated area within the facility. The familiar hum of machinery and the occasional murmur of conversation filled the air, signaling that they had reached the heart of the scientific operations.
Approaching one of the scientists stationed nearby, Ren wasted no time in making his request known. "Can I meet one of the lead scientists?" he inquired, his tone firm yet polite. The scientist, recognizing Ren's authority, nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, please wait a moment," he replied before turning to summon the appropriate individual.
After a brief interlude, a figure emerged from the depths of the facility, their lab coat pristine and their demeanor professional. It was clear that this was one of the esteemed lead scientists, well-versed in the intricacies of their research. Ren exchanged greetings with the scientist, his expression betraying a sense of urgency as he posed his question.
"How much did Kaito improve during the training session?" Ren inquired, his voice carrying a note of anticipation. The lead scientist, accustomed to such inquiries, paused momentarily to gather the necessary information. Retrieving a tablet from their pocket, they swiftly navigated through the data before arriving at the desired metrics.
"Give me a moment," the lead scientist requested, their fingers dancing across the screen as they accessed the relevant data. Ren watched intently, his anticipation mounting with each passing second. Finally, after a brief pause, the scientist spoke, their voice measured and precise.
"The disparity observed between Kaito's performance pre and post-training session equates to an improvement of 339.42%," they announced, their words carrying a weighty significance. Ren absorbed the information, his mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of Kaito's progress.