Rei descended through the dark passageway, the air cool and dense with an earthy scent, until he arrived in a cavernous, high-ceilinged cave hidden far beneath his mansion. The space was dimly lit, its rocky walls faintly glimmering from strips of embedded lights that followed the edges of rugged stone. Large monitors flickered against one wall, and towering shelves filled with equipment and data files lined the sides of the room. Various high-tech consoles and advanced gadgets were spread throughout, each occupying a carefully designated space on metallic workbenches.
Rei walked over to the central workstation, where a massive monitor bathed him in a cold glow. He dropped into the sleek chair and cracked his fingers before tapping away on the keyboard, his expression focused and intense. As digital schematics and map coordinates scrolled past, he muttered, "Where did you disappear to now, Kurogane?"
Before he could delve deeper, his butler appeared from the shadows, holding a steaming cup of tea on a silver tray. The butler, dignified and calm, approached quietly and said, "Master Rei, you've been at this for hours. Perhaps you should take some rest."
Rei glanced up from the monitor, his exhaustion showing briefly. "I can't rest now. There's something off, and I won't stop until I know what happened to Akira."
The butler placed the cup beside Rei, a small smile of understanding on his face. "Your devotion is admirable, but even the most driven minds require moments of respite. After all, answers sometimes come easier with a clear mind."
Rei sighed, taking a reluctant sip of tea.
As he dropped the cup back to its original position, he sighed again, rubbing his temple as he studied the screen. "I've scoured every security camera feed in the city," he murmured. "The last footage shows Akira heading toward the outskirts… but why there? What could he possibly be doing out in the middle of nowhere?" He took another sip of tea, his gaze distant, trying to piece together the puzzle. "If only there were cameras out there."
The butler gave a thoughtful nod, watching his young master with quiet concern. "Perhaps something did happen out there," he suggested. "Why not visit the area yourself tomorrow, Master Rei? A closer look may reveal more than any camera feed could."
Rei tapped his fingers on the armrest, weighing the idea. "Maybe you're right," he said finally, the edges of his worry softening into resolve. "If there's anything to be found, I'll find it. Prepare everything I'll need for the morning."
The butler bowed slightly. "As you wish, Master Rei. And please… try to get some rest tonight. You'll need it."
The next morning, Takashi woke up to get ready for school, After taking a quick bath and brushing his teeth, he mulled over the fragments of last night as he prepared for the day. Once he was ready, he made his way to the dining room, where Rei was already seated, sipping his morning tea, while reading a newspaper.
"Good morning," Takashi greeted as he sat down, lifting the cloche from his plate.
Rei looked up with a slight nod. "Good morning. How was your night?"
"Good," Takashi replied, though a slight unease lingered. For a moment, an awkward silence filled the room, as if both of them didn't know what to discuss about.
Breaking the silence, Rei continued, "So, what are you planning to do this weekend?"
Takashi blinked, suddenly realizing it was already Friday. "I... hadn't really thought about it." Then he added, "Are we going somewhere?"
Rei chuckled lightly. "No, not really. Just wanted to remind you that your Radiant Order test is on Monday. Not that you need reminding, right?"
Takashi's eyes widened. The Radiant Order test had been on his mind for days, but recent events had shoved it to the back of his mind. "Oh, right... it's already that close."
Then Takashi asked, "Are you planning to train me for the test?".
Then Rei smirked. "I was planning to train you anyway, Radiant Order test or not."
Takashi felt a flicker of relief and nodded, grateful for Rei's help. They continued chatting casually while they ate, a comfortable routine forming between them.
When Rei had finished drinking his tea, he pushed his chair back and stood up. "I'm going to be busy today, so don't expect me to be around when you get back from school."
"Is it work stuff?" Takashi asked, curious.
"Something like that," Rei replied with a vague smile. "But don't worry, I'll tell Edgar to pick you up." He paused thoughtfully, then added with a playful grin, "Actually, maybe I should just get that self-driving car from my company for you… or maybe you should start learning to drive yourself."
With that, Rei tossed a sleek car key across the table, which Takashi barely managed to catch. "Use it to practice. Edgar can teach you if you're up for it."
Takashi glanced down at the key in his hand, a bit taken aback. "Wait… seriously?"
Rei chuckled as he headed toward the door. "Of course. It's just a car. Besides, learning to drive might come in handy, don't you think?" He gave a brief wave over his shoulder. "Take care, and try not to crash it too much."
As Rei's footsteps faded down the hallway, Takashi couldn't help but smile to himself. A weekend with Edgar driving lessons might just be the change of pace he needed.
As Rei arrives, a chilling silence hangs over the city outskirts. He walks carefully through the sand, his footsteps muffled by the dense layer of sand and debris. Some buildings tower over him like silent sentinels, some leaning at precarious angles, casting twisted shadows across the desert floor.
Rei notices signs of movement in the sand—a footprint, faint but recent. "Could it be…Kurogane?" he murmured, leaning down to take a closer look.
Following the trail, Rei's footsteps slowed as he examined the area before him. His eyes narrowed in frustration as the faint traces he'd been tracking abruptly ceased. "Looks like it was erased," he murmured under his breath. "Either naturally or artificially."
He bent down, his fingers brushing the ground where the trail had disappeared. No signs of disturbance. No clues left behind. It was as though the city had swallowed any evidence of what had been here. The unease in his chest tightened.
"Another dead end," he sighed, straightening up and running a hand through his hair. His eyes scanned the surrounding area, the barren landscape of the destroyed city outskirts stretching endlessly before him. The ruins of what had once been a thriving metropolis stood silent, empty—haunted by its own past.
Turning away from the spot, he continued his walk through the desert-like remnants of the city, his boots kicking up loose gravel with each step. He knew time was running out. Every day that passed without finding Kurogane or uncovering his mysterious actions felt like another piece of the puzzle slipping further from his grasp. Rei's mind was a whirlwind of possibilities. Was someone else pulling the strings? Or was Kurogane simply playing a game of his own?
The wind howled, stirring dust around his feet as he pressed on. Each crumbling building, each shadowed alley felt like a reminder of the city's former splendor—now nothing more than ruins. The faint scent of decay mixed with the dry air. It was almost suffocating.
Rei's thoughts shifted, his mind now focusing on something else. There had to be another lead, another trace hidden in the vast emptiness. He had no choice but to keep searching.
Meanwhile Takashi who went school, his day ahead was a blur. His focus remained elsewhere, but he kept it together. There were questions to be answered, mysteries to unravel—and Takashi was determined to find the truth, even if it meant embracing the unknown.
And so, with his mind heavy but resolute, Takashi set off to face another day, not knowing what awaited him at school or after, but knowing he had to keep moving forward.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Edgar was preparing for Takashi's return from school. As always, he moved with efficiency and grace, silently ensuring everything was in order. He adjusted the curtains slightly, letting in just enough light, and prepared a fresh pot of tea. Though his outward demeanor was calm and collected, he knew Rei's sudden absence was unlike him.
"Master Rei," Edgar muttered to himself, his brow furrowing slightly. "He had been gone longer than usual."
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but he had to keep the mansion in perfect order, regardless. Even when the master was away.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Takashi quickly packed his bag, eager to leave, but unaware that someone was watching him.
Rin had been following him all day, noticing the strange way he had been acting lately. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she decided to follow him after school to see where he was going.
She trailed him at a distance, careful not to be noticed. When she saw Takashi reach the school gate and stood in front a black car, confusion crept into her mind. I thought he was an orphan, she thought to herself, puzzled by the sight of the car.
Takashi, unaware of the tension building at the mansion, walked back to the front gates after his school day ended. As he approached the car that awaited him, driven by Edgar himself, he glanced over his shoulder, remembering the events from earlier. Rei's cryptic words about the test, the upcoming weekend, and his increasingly strange behavior lingered in his mind.
Just as Rin was about to step forward and approach Takashi, she heard a voice behind her.
"What are you doing, Rin?"
Rin turned, startled to see Aizawa, the vice class president, standing behind her with a raised eyebrow.
Flustered, Rin quickly reached out and covered his mouth with her hand, pulling him away from the scene.
Aizawa brushed her hand off calmly, still adjusting his glasses. "Why are you stalking Takashi? You must know it's a crime."
"I'm not stalking him!" Rin snapped, her face flushing. "I'm just… concerned. He's been acting strange lately, and with everything that's been happening… I thought I should keep an eye on him."
Aizawa's eyes glinted with amusement. "Ah, I see. So, you have a crush on him?"
Rin's face went bright red at the suggestion. "W-What? No!" she stammered.
Without warning, she slapped Aizawa across the face.
Just as Takashi was about to enter the car he saw the vice class president, Aizawa, and Rin acting strangely.
Takashi couldn't hear their conversation because of the distance between them, but from the way they were acting, he could tell they were acting weird . Then a thought clicked in his mind, "were they watching me." But why? What were they thinking?
As Takashi got into the car, he could see them still acting weird. He Wondered why they were curious about him.
Then, Edgar greeted him with his usual polite smile. "Good evening, Master Takashi. I trust your day was satisfactory?"
"Yeah, it was fine," Takashi replied, taking a seat. "But, um... do you know what Rei's been up to lately? He seems... distracted."
"Master Rei has his own matters to attend to, Master Takashi," Edgar replied smoothly, his voice never betraying any emotion. "Perhaps, if you are concerned, you could ask him yourself upon his return."
Takashi frowned slightly, nodding. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He leaned back in the seat, but his mind kept drifting back to the mystery of Kurogane's disappearance and what Rei was truly up to.
Takashi's car continued its journey through the city, but his thoughts were far from the peaceful ride. He wondered about Rin and Aizawa, their strange behavior.
The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like everyone was a piece of a puzzle he hadn't quite figured out yet. What was going on?
Takashi had no answers, but he knew he wouldn't stop searching. Not now, not ever. He had to know what was happening, and he had to find out before it was too late.
Later that evening, Aizawa sat in the back of his private car, his driver glancing at him with a raised brow.
"Master Aizawa," the driver said hesitantly, "there's a handprint on your face. What happened?"
Aizawa simply smiled, adjusting his glasses. "Oh, nothing. Just learned a little lesson."
The driver was confused, still trying to understand. "A lesson? What do you mean?"
Aizawa, looking out the window, simply replied, "Never get involved in women's affairs."
Meanwhile, Rei had been wandering endlessly around the outskirts of the city. As the shadows lengthened and the orange hue of the setting sun started to fade, he muttered to himself, "It's getting late. I should get going."
He turned back towards the city, unaware that two hooded figures had been quietly observing his every move from a distance.
The first figure, a man, spoke in a low voice. "Do you think he's connected to the incident that happened a couple of days ago?"
The woman beside him remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on Rei. "Maybe," she said, her voice calm but laced with suspicion.
The man continued, his eyes narrowing as he watched Rei's retreating form. "That captain knew he was being followed. He led his enemies here to avoid innocent people getting involved. If he's tied to that man, shouldn't we at least contact him? Warn him?"
The woman gave a short, cold laugh, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "No. Besides, not everyone is willing to embrace the name 'Crimson Collective' these days."
The man frowned but said nothing more. They both stood there for a moment, watching as Rei disappeared into the distance, still unaware of the eyes upon him.
As Rei slid into the back of his car, the engine roared to life, and he leaned back, allowing the smooth ride to carry him home. His thoughts wandered, the events of the day swirling in his mind, but his focus remained sharp, knowing that there were still things left unresolved.
By the time the car pulled into the driveway of the large estate, the sun had long disappeared beyond the horizon. As the vehicle came to a halt, the familiar figure of Edgar stepped outside to greet him, his composed demeanor as always.
"You're awfully late, Master Rei," Edgar remarked, his voice polite but tinged with the slightest note of concern.
Rei sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Yeah, yeah. By the way, where's the boy?"
Edgar's eyes briefly glimmered with something akin to amusement. "He has a stubbornness like you."
Rei raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What are you talking about?"
"He's been in the training room since he came back," Edgar replied smoothly.
Rei's eyes widened in mild surprise, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Oh, is that so?" He chuckled, the sound laced with amusement. "That's pretty amusing," he added, a smirk curling up on his face.
The thought of Takashi training so diligently brought a strange sense of pride to Rei, mixed with the excitement of what lay ahead. The boy had potential, that much was clear—his dedication, despite the turmoil he had faced, was undeniable.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't keep him waiting then," Rei said, stepping out of the car, his voice carrying an air of playful challenge.
Edgar nodded, falling in step behind him. "Indeed, Master Rei. Though, he might need some guidance, as usual."
Rei's smirk deepened, and his eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's see just how far he's come."
As they proceeded down the long hallway, with Edgar leading the way, his hands tucked neatly behind his back as usual. Rei's thoughts were consumed with the idea of Takashi's sudden dedication to his training. Despite the chaos and confusion surrounding him, the boy was pushing forward, and that—more than anything—spoke to Rei's own experiences. Perhaps Takashi wasn't so different from him after all.
They arrived at the other training room—a large, spacious chamber designed for physical and mental endurance. The room was sparsely furnished, a punching bags suspended from the ceiling, and various training equipment scattered across the corners. The low hum of the lights filled the room with a sterile, almost clinical feel, but Rei found it comforting in a way.
As the door opened, Rei's eyes immediately found Takashi, his figure standing still, the boy's expression focused and determined. Takashi was practicing his form, his movements sharp, controlled, and fluid. He had been at it for hours, judging by the sweat dotting his forehead and the tense muscles in his arms and legs. The boy's tenacity was something to admire—Rei couldn't deny that.
Takashi paused mid-action, sensing the presence of his mentor. His head turned slowly, and his piercing gaze met Rei's. "You're here," he said, his voice even, though a hint of exhaustion lingered beneath the surface.
Rei took a step inside, his hands casually slipping into his pockets as he observed Takashi. "Seems like you've been at it for quite a while," he remarked, his tone casual, though a spark of approval flickered in his eyes.
Takashi wiped the sweat from his brow, still standing tall. "I'm ready," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of frustration. "I know I'm not there yet, but I'll get stronger."
Rei chuckled, the sound low and smooth. "You're more like me than I thought." He paused for a moment, studying the boy with a sharp, calculating gaze. "But that's not enough. Not when there's more at stake. You've been rushing, pushing yourself too hard. It's not just about power, Takashi. It's about control."
Takashi furrowed his brow, his determination unshaken. "Control," he repeated. "I've been training for it."
Rei stepped closer, his presence imposing as he stood just a few feet away from Takashi. "Training is more than just physical," he said, his voice lowering slightly, becoming more serious. "It's about understanding your limits—and your potential. You'll never unlock true power unless you can control it, Takashi. Without control, you'll lose everything."
Takashi stared at Rei for a long moment, taking in the weight of his words. The silence hung in the air like a heavy fog. Finally, Takashi nodded slowly, his resolve firm.
"I understand," he said, his voice steady. "Then, what should I do?"
Rei smiled, a sly glint in his eyes. "Relax. Take a step back. I'll show you a different way to train—one that focuses not just on strength, but on mastering your mind and your flame."
Takashi nodded again, this time more resolutely. He was ready. He had come this far—and with Rei's guidance, he would keep going.
Rei turned to Edgar, who was standing quietly by the door, observing the exchange. "Edgar, prepare the usual training equipment. We're going to need the meditation chambers ready."
"Understood, Master Rei," Edgar replied, giving a respectful nod before turning to leave.
Rei then looked back at Takashi. "This time, it won't be
about power. It will be about balance. Are you ready?"
Takashi's eyes lit up with an eager determination. "Yes," he said. "I'm ready."
Rei chuckled softly, a hint of pride in his tone. "Good. Let's begin."