The days following the battle at the factory were tense. Company 8 had been on high alert, each member keenly aware that something unusual was happening with the Infernals. Kazuki, however, maintained a calm demeanor, his thoughts focused on the strange behavior of the Infernal and the growing connection he felt to the template. Each day brought subtle changes—an enhanced awareness, a quicker response time, and an increasing familiarity with the abilities at his disposal.
As dawn broke over the city, Kazuki was already in the courtyard, practicing his swordsmanship. The Asauchi in his hands felt more comfortable than it had just days ago. His movements, fluid and precise, reflected the training that had become a daily routine. Basic Zanjutsu techniques, which had initially felt foreign to him, now came naturally. Each swing of the blade sliced through the air with a purposeful ease, and every stance he took was firm and grounded. Kazuki had always been disciplined, but now, with these new skills at his disposal, his training felt more critical than ever.
He was in the middle of a particularly challenging sequence when Captain Obi's voice interrupted his focus. "Kazuki."
Kazuki sheathed his sword in one smooth motion and turned to face the captain. "Yes, Captain?"
Obi approached, his expression serious but not unkind. "We're heading back to the factory site today. Hinawa and Maki will be leading the investigation, but I want you to come along. Your input could be useful. You have a unique perspective that might help us figure out what went wrong with that Infernal."
Kazuki nodded without hesitation. "Understood. I'll be ready in a moment."
Obi gave a curt nod before turning back toward the building. Kazuki watched him go, then glanced down at his Asauchi. He didn't feel the same apprehension he might have had before. Instead, there was a quiet confidence within him—a sense that, whatever they found at the factory, he would be able to handle it.
When the team arrived at the factory ruins, the scene was even more desolate than before. Smoke still hung in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of burnt metal and ash. The once-bustling factory had been reduced to charred remains, twisted metal, and scorched earth. Hinawa and Maki immediately got to work, combing through the debris for any signs that might explain the Infernal's erratic behavior. Kazuki, on the other hand, took a more measured approach, walking through the ruins with a quiet intensity.
The site was eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional clatter of debris being shifted or the distant murmur of the city beyond the factory's walls. As he moved through the wreckage, Kazuki's eyes were drawn to a section of the wall that seemed out of place. Unlike the surrounding area, where the flames had left a chaotic pattern of destruction, this particular wall had burn marks that were almost deliberate in their formation. It was as if the flames had been controlled, directed by an unseen hand.
Kazuki knelt down beside the wall, running his fingers over the blackened surface. The texture was rough, brittle under his touch, but the pattern… There was something unnatural about it, something that didn't fit with what he knew about Infernals and their abilities.
"Find something?" Hinawa's voice broke the silence, calm and steady as always.
Kazuki stood and turned to face the lieutenant. "These burn marks—they're different from the rest. They don't look like they were caused by the Infernal's flames."
Hinawa walked over, his sharp eyes narrowing as he examined the wall. "You're right. This isn't the usual pattern we see with Infernals. It could be a clue, or it could be something else entirely. Either way, we need to take a closer look."
Kazuki nodded. "I agree. There might be more of these marks around the site. We should check the other areas."
The two of them spent the next several hours meticulously searching the ruins, looking for any similar patterns or anomalies. Maki joined them after a while, helping to cover more ground. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting harsh shadows over the wreckage, but they continued their work, driven by the need to understand what had happened.
Kazuki moved methodically, his senses tuned to the slightest change in his surroundings. He didn't speak much, allowing Hinawa and Maki to handle most of the discussions. Instead, he focused on his task, searching for any other signs that might explain the strange marks. His movements were careful, deliberate, the result of both his training and the growing familiarity with his abilities.
As the day wore on, the team reconvened near the center of the site. Kazuki had found a few more sections of the wall with similar burn patterns, but nothing definitive enough to provide clear answers. Still, it was something—something that might help them piece together what had gone wrong.
Hinawa was the first to speak. "We've found enough to warrant further investigation, but it's going to take time. We'll need to analyze these burn patterns more closely, compare them with what we know about Infernals."
Kazuki nodded, his expression calm. "Whatever caused these marks, it's not something we've seen before. But I'm confident we'll find out what it is."
Maki looked between the two of them, her brow furrowed in thought. "It's strange, though. Infernals don't usually behave like this, and these marks… It's almost like something else was involved."
Kazuki didn't respond immediately, but her words echoed his own thoughts. There was something unusual at play, something beyond the usual explanations for an Infernal's actions. He wasn't sure what it was yet, but he knew that they were getting closer to the truth.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the ruined factory, the team gathered their findings and prepared to return to the headquarters. The investigation was far from over, but they had made progress—enough to push them forward.
Kazuki walked at the back of the group, his mind turning over the day's events. His synchronization with the template had increased slightly, reaching 10%. He could feel the difference in his abilities, in the way his body responded to his commands. But there was still a long way to go, and he knew that the challenges ahead would only grow more complex.
As they approached the vehicle that would take them back to headquarters, Maki fell into step beside him. "You're quiet today, Kazuki. What's on your mind?"
He glanced at her, offering a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "Just thinking about what we found. It's… different."
Maki nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah, it is. But we'll figure it out, just like we always do."
Kazuki didn't respond, but he appreciated her confidence. The bond he was forming with the members of Company 8 was growing stronger, and with it, his determination to protect them.
As they drove back to the headquarters, the city lights flickering in the distance, Kazuki stared out the window, his thoughts focused on the path ahead. He didn't dwell on the power he had gained or the responsibilities that came with it. Instead, he remained focused on his next steps—on the battles yet to come, and the mysteries he would need to unravel.