The battle was behind them now, but the aftermath lingered in the air. Company 8 had wrapped up the situation and ensured that no civilians had been harmed during the confrontation. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the streets, Kazuki found himself sitting alone on the rooftop of the firehouse, gazing out at the city.
The hum of the evening traffic below was faint, almost drowned out by the occasional crackling of embers in the distance. Kazuki sat in silence, his Asauchi resting across his lap, the blade catching the last rays of sunlight. The events of the day ran through his mind in quiet reflection.
The system's progression was steady, the synchronization rate now at 19%, inching him closer to mastering the power he had inherited. There was a sense of control, a growing understanding of his abilities. He wasn't overwhelmed by them or concerned about losing control—those thoughts rarely crossed his mind. Instead, he focused on the training, on getting stronger, and learning more each day.
It was clear that the Infernal they'd faced earlier had been different from the rest. Stronger, more dangerous, and possibly part of something bigger. But there was no point in speculating. Kazuki knew that Company 8 would investigate further, and when the time came, he'd be ready to fight again.
He glanced down at the Asauchi, the plain blade gleaming faintly in the fading light. The system had given it to him as a tool, a weapon to be shaped and honed with his skill. There was something familiar about it now, almost like an extension of himself. His Zanjutsu was improving with each session, each battle, and he could feel the potential of the sword waiting to be unlocked.
"Hey, Kazuki," a voice called from behind him, breaking the quiet.
He turned to see Maki stepping onto the roof, her usual energetic smile softening as she approached. "Mind if I join you?"
Kazuki nodded. "Go ahead."
Maki sat down beside him, folding her legs beneath her as she looked out over the city. For a moment, neither of them spoke, letting the comfortable silence settle between them.
"You were really impressive today," Maki said after a while, her tone thoughtful. "That spell you used—it was something else. I've never seen anything like it."
Kazuki shrugged slightly. "It's just one of the techniques I've been working on."
Maki chuckled. "You're pretty modest, you know that? Most people would be bragging after pulling off something like that."
He didn't respond immediately, simply nodding in acknowledgment. There was no need for boasting—his focus was on getting stronger, not seeking praise.
"I guess it's just that we're all still figuring out our place here," Maki continued, her gaze distant. "Company 8… we're not like the others. We don't have many members, and we're constantly fighting against something bigger, something more dangerous. It feels like every battle is getting harder."
Kazuki glanced at her, sensing the underlying tension in her words. He understood what she meant. The challenges they were facing weren't just physical—they were up against forces they didn't fully understand. But that was the nature of the world they lived in.
"You're strong, Maki," Kazuki said, his voice steady. "Everyone in Company 8 is. We'll figure it out, no matter what comes."
Maki smiled at his words, her usual confidence returning as she straightened up. "Yeah, you're right. We've come this far, haven't we? We'll keep fighting together."
Kazuki gave a small nod, his gaze shifting back to the horizon. The world was unpredictable, filled with dangers they couldn't always see coming, but that didn't worry him. He would continue to train, continue to improve, and face whatever came next without hesitation.
As the evening deepened and the city lights began to flicker on, Maki stood, brushing off her pants. "Anyway, I should head down. Hinawa's probably going to have us do some drills tomorrow, and I don't want to be the one slacking off."
Kazuki stood as well, sheathing his Asauchi and giving Maki a nod. "I'll see you tomorrow."
With a wave, Maki disappeared down the stairwell, leaving Kazuki alone once more. The silence returned, and he found himself drawn back into his thoughts. He had learned a lot in these past few weeks—about his power, about his role within Company 8, and about the people around him.
But there was still so much more to uncover. The system had opened doors for him, giving him access to skills and techniques he had never imagined. Yet it also reminded him that he had a long way to go. He hadn't even begun to scratch the surface of what the template could offer.
And then there was the larger mystery—the strange occurrences behind these Infernal attacks. He knew that something, or someone, was orchestrating these events. The system had given him an advantage, but he wasn't naïve enough to think it would be enough on its own.
The road ahead would be long, but Kazuki wasn't afraid of the challenges that lay before him. He had the tools, the strength, and the resolve to keep moving forward.
With a final glance at the city below, Kazuki turned and headed inside, ready to face whatever came next.