When Kazuki awoke, the man was nowhere to be found as expect. As Kazuki emerged from the cavern's comforting embrace, the bright morning sun greeted him with its radiant warmth, momentarily blinding him as he ventured out into the world beyond. The air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the promise of a new day filled with untold possibilities.
His steps led him to the nearby river, where the tranquil waters beckoned to him with their shimmering allure. Casting a cautious glance around, Kazuki approached the river's edge, relieved to find no signs of the formidable bears that had roamed its banks the previous day. With a sigh of relief, he knelt down, cupping his hands to draw water to his parched lips, the cool liquid washing away the lingering traces of sleep from his weary eyes.
As he lifted his face from the water, his gaze swept across the river's expanse, only to freeze in astonishment at the sight that greeted him. Across the river, the man from the previous day was engaged in a stealthy pursuit, his movements fluid and purposeful as he closed in on a massive bear prowling along the water's edge.
Kazuki's heart raced with anticipation as he watched the scene unfold before him. With a sense of determination coursing through his veins, he raised his hands in a familiar gesture, his fingers forming a makeshift gun as energy crackled and coalesced at their tips. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he focused his intent, channeling his newfound power towards the unsuspecting beast.
In an instant, his muscles tensed with effort as a brilliant beam of energy erupted from his fingertips, slicing through the air with deadly precision. The beam struck true, piercing the bear's skull with unerring accuracy, its massive form collapsing to the ground in a motionless heap.
Kazuki's eyes widened in awe and disbelief at the display of power he had just witnessed, his mind reeling with the implications of what he had accomplished. "Could that have been Dengen? It's gotta be!" he marveled, his voice tinged with a mixture of wonder and excitement.
But before he could dwell any further on his newfound abilities, a familiar voice cut through the air with a sigh of resignation. Startled, Kazuki turned to find the man standing beside him, his presence looming like a shadow against the backdrop of the sunlit landscape.
"You saw that? Now you're gonna follow me everywhere and pester me with questions about it," the man remarked with a hint of annoyance, his tone tinged with a gruff edge.
Kazuki winced slightly as the man delivered a swift kick to his stomach, the impact driving the air from his lungs. Regaining his composure, he managed to choke out a question amidst the discomfort, "That... was that Dengen?"
The man turned his head back to Kazuki, his expression a mixture of surprise and suspicion. "Oh? You know about Dengen?" His voice carried an undertone of incredulity, as if probing for any signs of deception.
Struggling to speak amid coughs, Kazuki managed to muster a response, albeit strained. "Y-Yeah..." Each word emerged amidst the struggle to suppress his coughs
The man's demeanor shifted slightly, his gaze intensifying as he scrutinized Kazuki. "I didn't kick you that hard, did I? Stop coughing for a second and tell me why you know about Dengen before I kill you." His words were laced with a subtle threat, indicating a volatile disposition beneath his outward composure.
Fear flickered in Kazuki's widened eyes as he looked up at the man, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "W-Wha-"
"You heard me, now speak up!" The man's interruption was abrupt, a sharp command cutting through the air with an unmistakable sense of urgency.
Feeling a primal instinct to retreat, Kazuki began to crawl away, his movements marked by a palpable sense of unease. "O-Okay okay, it's nothing interesting really," he stammered, his voice trembling with trepidation. "As I was getting chased by the justice wardens, they mentioned it after a burst of flames emerged from me!"
The man's expression shifted from anger to surprise, his brows furrowing in confusion as he processed Kazuki's revelation. "Wait a second, rewind. Did you just say flames emerged from you?" he interjected, his tone tinged with disbelief.
Kazuki nodded fervently, his heart pounding in his chest as he relived the harrowing moment in his mind. "Yeah, then shortly after, this weird purple aura engulfed my arm when they attacked me. It protected me from a sword attack, then I punched the guy, sending him flying through walls, brick walls!" he recounted, his words rushing out in a breathless torrent.
The man's reaction was one of incredulity mixed with mounting concern, his hand moving to rub his weary face in a gesture of frustration. "Okay, so not only do you know about Dengen, but you've used it," he muttered, his voice heavy with apprehension. "And not only did you use it, you awakened it instead of being taught it. AND not only did you awaken it, you have dual affinities."
Kazuki's confusion deepened at the man's cryptic words, his brow furrowing in bewilderment as he struggled to make sense of the implications. "Meaning...?" he ventured tentatively, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
The man let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration palpable as he struggled to process the gravity of Kazuki's revelation. "Meaning," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of incredulity and apprehension, "that you're not just some ordinary kid stumbling into Dengen by chance. You're a rarity, a prodigy even."
Kazuki's eyes widened in disbelief at the man's words, the weight of his newfound potential settling heavily upon his shoulders. "But... what does that mean?" he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
The man regarded him with a solemn expression, his features shadowed by a veil of concern. "It means," he replied gravely, "that you're a target now, whether you like it or not. The Justice Wardens won't rest until they've captured you, and there are others out there who would seek to exploit your abilities for their own gain including the Wardens themselves."
Kazuki's heart sank at the realization of the perilous path that lay before him. "So what do I do?" he whispered, his voice barely audible above the rustle of the wind.
The man's gaze softened, a flicker of empathy shining through his steely exterior. "For now, you stick with me," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I can teach you how to control your abilities, how to survive in this world where strength is everything. But make no mistake, kid," he added, his voice taking on a note of warning, "the road ahead won't be easy. Are you prepared to face it?"
Kazuki's resolve hardened as he met the man's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'll do whatever it takes," he vowed, his voice ringing with newfound resolve.
With that, the man nodded in approval, a faint glimmer of respect shining in his eyes. "Good," he said simply. "Let's get started then."
With a nod of approval, the man, now revealed as Kiyoshi, fixed Kazuki with a steady gaze. "Good," he said simply. "Let's get started then."
Surprise flickered across Kazuki's features. "Wait, right now?" he asked incredulously.
Kiyoshi shrugged. "Well, yeah, what did you expect? Follow me," he replied, gesturing for Kazuki to join him.
Kazuki followed Kiyoshi through the dense foliage, his heart pounding with anticipation and uncertainty. As they reached the top of a majestic waterfall, Kazuki couldn't help but gasp in awe at the breathtaking view spread out before him.
Turning to Kiyoshi, Kazuki finally mustered the courage to ask the question that had been lingering in his mind. "What's your name?" he inquired.
Kiyoshi regarded him with a measured expression before responding, "Kiyoshi, but you'll call me sensei from now on. Understand?" His tone brooked no argument, leaving Kazuki with no choice but to nod in agreement.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Kazuki couldn't help but question their location. "Why did you bring me here?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Kiyoshi's smile widened as he turned to face Kazuki. "Because," he said softly, "there's something comforting about being up here, isn't there? The roar of the waterfall, the rush of the wind... it's a reminder that no matter how chaotic the world may seem, there's always a sense of peace to be found in nature. Not to mention it's the perfect place to begin your training."
Kazuki nodded eagerly at Kiyoshi's words, a sense of determination burning in his eyes. "Well, whatever you say, master. What exactly will I be doing up here though?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.
Kiyoshi regarded him with a measured gaze before posing his own question. "Tell me, do you know how to bring out your Dengen, the purple aura?" he asked, his tone serious.
"I've tried, believe me, but it just wouldn't come out again," Kazuki admitted, frustration evident in his voice.
"Hmm, that's fine. I could bring it out forcefully, but you'd probably be better off doing it the slow—" Kiyoshi began, only to be interrupted by Kazuki's fervent insistence.
"No! I'd much rather the faster way, sensei!" Kazuki interjected, his eagerness palpable.
Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow at Kazuki's fervor. "Why, are you in a rush or something?" he inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"Not necessarily, I just don't want to waste any time at all…" Kazuki explained, his voice trailing off slightly as he struggled to articulate his urgency.
Kiyoshi regarded him with a mixture of concern and contemplation. "The fast way… You could die from the pain, you know?" he warned, his tone somber.
Despite Kiyoshi's cautionary words, Kazuki's resolve remained unshaken. "I'm willing to take that risk," he declared firmly, his eyes blazing with determination.
Kiyoshi nodded in resignation at Kazuki's insistence, his expression betraying a mix of concern and resignation. "Well, whatever, it's your funeral…" he muttered, his tone laden with a hint of exasperation. "First step, you must be on an empty stomach."
Kazuki furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why's that?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Without warning, Kiyoshi closed the distance between them and shoved his finger into Kazuki's forehead, eliciting a surprised yelp from the younger boy. "I don't want you throwing up all over me when we start!" he retorted, his tone laced with irritation.
Kazuki recoiled slightly from the unexpected jab, his eyes widening in shock. "Speaking of throwing up, since you wanted to cut me off earlier…" Kiyoshi began, his voice trailing off as he raised a fist in preparation.
Before Kazuki could react, Kiyoshi's fist collided with his stomach with startling force, causing him to double over in pain. A wave of nausea washed over him, and he gagged involuntarily, clutching his stomach as he struggled to regain his composure. As he began to retch, Kiyoshi's voice rang out sharply, "Don't cut off your sensei again!"
Despite the discomfort and humiliation of the moment, Kazuki gritted his teeth and nodded in reluctant acknowledgment, his resolve unshaken. He knew that if he wanted to master his Dengen, he would have to endure far worse than a mere punch to the gut.
"If you're done vomiting, then take off your shirt and stand in front of me!" Kiyoshi's voice echoed sternly in the cavern, cutting through the remnants of Kazuki's discomfort.
Kazuki, still reeling from the effects of Kiyoshi's earlier strike, moved sluggishly towards him. His movements were strained, each step a reminder of the lingering pain in his abdomen. With a determined expression, he removed his shirt and stood before Kiyoshi, his hands instinctively gripping his stomach in an attempt to alleviate the ache.
Kiyoshi regarded Kazuki with a mix of seriousness and concern. "Basically," he began, his voice steady, "Basically, I'm gonna channel some of my Dengen into you, right into your core, which in turn should open up the threads in your body, I'll explain what those are later. That should release the purple aura that you mentioned before." He paused, his gaze searching Kazuki's face for any sign of hesitation. "As I mentioned earlier, this process will be extremely painful, so please, try not to vomit whatever is left in your stomach all over my head…"
Kazuki responded with a nervous smile, attempting to mask his apprehension. "Heh, no promises," he quipped, a hint of humor underlying his words.
Kiyoshi sighed in exasperation, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "You little…" he muttered under his breath, before shaking his head and refocusing on the task at hand. "Ah, whatever. Are you ready?"
"Yes, sensei," Kazuki replied, his voice steady despite the lingering uncertainty that gnawed at his insides.
Kiyoshi's hand descended onto Kazuki's abdomen with a gentle yet firm touch, the warmth of his palm seeping through Kazuki's skin. As Kiyoshi concentrated, a crimson aura enveloped his hand, crackling with energy as it danced across his fingers.
With a focused expression, Kiyoshi channeled the energy directly into Kazuki's core, the red aura pulsating with intensity as it merged with Kazuki's own energy. At first, Kazuki's senses were flooded with a comforting warmth, akin to the sensation of sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a chilly evening. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins, invigorating and electrifying.
However, the tranquility was short-lived. As the energy spread throughout his body, Kazuki's muscles tensed and his nerves ignited with searing pain. Agony washed over him like a tidal wave, overwhelming his senses and leaving him gasping for air. He cried out in anguish, the sound echoing off the cavern walls as his body contorted in torment.
Through the haze of pain, Kazuki heard Kiyoshi's voice, distant yet reassuring. "Try to stay still," Kiyoshi urged, his tone laced with urgency. Despite the excruciating ordeal, Kazuki fought to heed Kiyoshi's words, clinging to the hope that the pain would soon subside.
As Kazuki gritted his teeth against the overwhelming agony coursing through him, he felt a subtle shift within his body. Slowly but surely, wisps of purple energy began to seep from various parts of his being, emerging like tendrils of mist swirling in the air. Despite the relentless pain, Kazuki's determination remained unwavering, his resolve steeling him against the torment.
After what felt like an eternity of enduring the searing pain, Kiyoshi's voice cut through the haze of agony, his tone tinged with concern. "We should stop before you pass out from the pain," he suggested, his gaze fixed intently on Kazuki's trembling form.
However, Kazuki shook his head adamantly, a fierce determination gleaming in his eyes. "No... I can handle it," he gasped out between clenched teeth, his voice strained with effort. "Keep going..."
Encouraged by Kazuki's steadfast resolve, Kiyoshi nodded solemnly, his expression reflecting both admiration and apprehension. With a renewed focus, he continued to channel the energy into Kazuki's core, guiding the flow of power with precision.
As minutes passed and the pain persisted, the purple aura surrounding Kazuki began to intensify, its brilliance growing with each passing moment. Kiyoshi watched in awe as the aura expanded, enveloping Kazuki's entire body in a radiant glow. "Remarkable," Kiyoshi murmured, his voice tinged with astonishment. "I've never seen such a large amount of Dengen emanating from a single individual before..."
Despite the lingering agony, Kazuki couldn't help but feel a surge of pride welling within him. He had endured the pain, transcended his limits, and unlocked the true extent of his power. And as the vibrant purple aura pulsed around him, he knew that he was one step closer to mastering his newfound abilities.
As the vibrant purple aura continued to swirl around Kazuki, Kiyoshi approached him with a mixture of admiration and caution evident in his gaze. "Congratulations, Kazuki," he said, his voice tinged with genuine pride. "You've successfully awakened your Dengen."
Despite the sense of accomplishment that washed over him, Kazuki's expression darkened as Kiyoshi delivered a sobering warning. "But listen carefully," Kiyoshi continued, his tone grave. "If you don't learn to suppress your aura within the next hour, you'll die."