The hum of the plane's engines was the only sound in the cabin as Hinata's squad made their way back to Japan. Ezra leaned his head against the window, watching as clouds drifted lazily below them, though his mind was elsewhere. His grimoire, invisible to everyone but him, hovered in the air before him, its pages flipping as it presented his newly upgraded stats.
He scanned them, impressed with the transformation.
---
**Ezra's Current Stats:**
- **Speed**: 50 (Previously 20)
*"As fast as sound,"* the grimoire noted. Ezra's heart raced as he imagined how that would feel, how he'd move effortlessly, like a shadow in the blink of an eye.
- **Strength**: 55 (Previously 30)
*"Able to lift over two elephants with ease."* The thought made him clench his fists. He had never truly tested his limits before, but with this power, he could topple enemies without even breaking a sweat.
- **Agility**: 40 (Previously 15)
*"Your movements are now twice as fast as the eye can see. In battle, you can dodge, parry, and counter with flawless precision."*
- **Durability**: 35 (Previously 10)
*"You can now withstand direct hits from most physical attacks, shrugging off damage that would shatter bones."*
- **Intelligence**: 60 (Previously 30)
*"Your mind processes information at twice the normal rate, making you a strategist in real-time. With this, your grasp of magic and combat tactics is unmatched."*
- **Energy Capacity**: Over 10,000 units
*"Your energy reserves have grown. You can now maintain high-level techniques for extended periods without draining yourself."*
---
His abilities had leveled up as well. The page flipped, revealing new insights about his powers.
---
**Abilities:**
- **Weapon Construction**: Level 3
*"You can now construct weapons made of fire, combining both your physical prowess and the raw destructive power of flame. Swords, spears, and shields—all forged from fire itself."*
- **Flash Step**: Upgraded to **Flash Walk**, Level 3
*"You can now move at the speed of sound for short distances, covering ground in an instant. This ability allows you to seemingly teleport, making you nearly impossible to track."*
- **Poison Nullification**, **Pain Resistance**, and other abilities had also been enhanced, their effects amplified to a new level of mastery.
---
Ezra smirked to himself as the grimoire's final page faded away. **"This is only the beginning."**
Before he knew it, the plane had landed, and they were now boarding a bus headed for the Tokyo sub-quarter. The headquarters wasn't as massive as the one in China, but it was still an impressive sight. Towering buildings and training arenas spread out in all directions, with soldiers moving in perfect synchrony. The bus rolled through the gates, entering a sprawling complex of sleek, modern architecture—high walls, watchtowers, and advanced training facilities. Ezra barely noticed the ride, too absorbed in his thoughts and the rush of newfound power coursing through him.
By the time the bus stopped, the recruits were already stepping out into the courtyard, the towering structures of the quarter looming over them.
The air was crisp, and the sound of training echoed in the distance—shouts of command, the clash of steel, and the hum of machinery. This place was alive with the pulse of discipline and raw strength. Soldiers moved in coordinated drills, some sparring in training grounds, while others practiced their weapon techniques or meditated in preparation for battle.
As Ezra took in the sight, Hinata appeared beside him. She moved with an effortless grace, her commanding presence evident. The other recruits immediately straightened up, bowing their heads out of respect. Ezra followed suit.
"Welcome to Tokyo's sub-quarter," Hinata said, her voice calm but firm. "This will be your home for the foreseeable future. Training here is rigorous, but you won't be alone. There are many soldiers who will be your comrades, your brothers and sisters in arms."
Ezra nodded, taking it all in. "It's... impressive," he admitted.
Hinata smiled faintly. "You've proven yourself once already, Ezra. That's why I know you'll thrive here." Her eyes flickered toward the main building, where her office was located. As she turned to continue speaking, the large steel doors swung open, and a soldier stepped out.
He was tall, with dark, wild hair and sharp features. His presence was immediate—commanding, yet approachable. His uniform was different from the others, marked with the insignia of a higher rank. He wore a black jacket, fitted with tactical gear, and a long katana strapped to his back. His eyes were sharp, glinting with an unspoken intensity, but there was a warmth in them as well.
Ezra couldn't help but feel the air change as the man approached. **"Who is this?"**
The man walked over to Hinata, saluting her in the soldier's style. She returned the gesture before they began speaking.
"Captain Hinata," the man said, his voice low but commanding, "there's been an increase in monster sightings near the western perimeter. We've sent scouts, but they haven't returned."
Hinata frowned. "The monsters are getting bolder. We'll need to tighten patrols."
As they spoke, the man's eyes shifted toward Ezra, studying him with interest. He broke off his conversation with Hinata, stepping forward to offer a hand.
"You must be the guy from the dungeon, right?" he said, his tone casual but curious.
Ezra blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"
The man grinned. "Hinata wouldn't stop talking about you. Ezra, right? I'm Isaac Itadory." He gave Ezra a firm handshake, his grip strong but not overbearing. "I hear you're quite something."
Ezra felt a slight flush of embarrassment but managed a smile. "I guess I got lucky."
Isaac chuckled. "Luck, huh? Well, luck doesn't get you through the trials we've got here. You'll fit right in."
Ezra studied Isaac for a moment. There was something different about him—an ease to the way he carried himself, but also a readiness for battle. His katana gleamed in the sunlight, and there was an aura of experience around him, as if he had seen and fought more than most.
Hinata cut in. "Isaac's one of our best soldiers. He'll be around to make sure you're not slacking off."
Isaac smirked. "Don't worry, I'll keep him on his toes."
Ezra nodded. "I'll do my best."
---
The group continued into the facility. The soldiers trained everywhere—sparring with weapons, running drills, practicing hand-to-hand combat. Some were using more advanced technology, virtual simulations that recreated battlefield conditions in real-time. As they walked through the training grounds, Ezra noticed the diversity of the recruits. They came from all over the world, drawn to the Kael Army by the promise of power and protection.
"Your training will begin tomorrow," Hinata said, her tone serious. "This facility is designed to push you to your limits. Physical endurance, combat strategy, and energy manipulation—you'll be tested in all of it. But remember, strength isn't just about brute force. It's about control, discipline, and knowing when to strike."
Ezra nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. He had already come so far, but he knew the road ahead would be even tougher. Still, the power coursing through him was undeniable. He had the tools to succeed—he just needed to master them.
Hinata led them to a large training arena where soldiers were engaged in intense combat. Weapons clashed, and energy blasts lit up the space. Ezra's eyes widened as he watched one soldier create a massive fireball, hurling it toward a target, while another dashed through the arena with lightning speed.
"This is what you'll be doing," Hinata said. "We train hard here. There's no room for weakness."
As they moved further into the facility, Hinata began introducing some of the other key figures in the army—fellow recruits and potential training partners. There was Kaito, a fierce warrior from Japan who specialized in close-quarters combat, and Leila, a sniper from Russia known for her precision and calm under pressure. Each one had their own unique style, and Ezra could already see the potential for growth by learning from them.
---
The day passed quickly, and by the time the sun began to set, the recruits were settled into their quarters. Ezra found himself alone for a moment, reflecting on everything that had happened. The grimoire remained silent, but he could feel its power humming in the background, ready to assist him when the time came.
As he lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, he thought about the days ahead. Training with Hinata's squad, meeting Isaac, learning from the best soldiers in the world—it was everything he had ever wanted. But there was also a weight on his shoulders, a sense that the challenges to come would push him harder than ever before.
**"This is where it begins,"** he thought. **"The real test of strength."**
And with that, Ezra closed his eyes, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
---
*End of Chapter 7*
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