The winter sun cast a pale light over the school courtyard, where students had gathered for another training session. The simulators—imposing masses of metal and circuits—stood in a row, ready to test the limits of the young Alters-in-training. A palpable tension filled the air, heightened by the cold wind rustling the students' uniforms.
Kaizen Mori, with his usual relaxed yet focused posture, stood there, hands in the pockets of his black coat. Beside him loomed Tundrath, his colossal creation, like a menacing shadow, drawing stares and whispers from the gathered students. The mammoth-wendigo, with its glowing red eyes and light-absorbing black fur, was more than just a creature. It was a living force, a symbol of Kaizen's unique talent, but also of his distant and inscrutable nature.
"Mori, still with your personal bodyguard?" sneered a clear voice, tinged with a hint of provocation. Rika Tanaka approached, arms crossed, a mocking smile on her lips. Her short, jet-black hair contrasted with her confident golden eyes. Rika was tall, athletic, and wore her uniform with a precision that reflected her ambition. She was known for her Alter, "Radial Gravity," which allowed her to manipulate gravitational forces around her—a natural rival for Kaizen, at least in her mind.
"It's a companion, not a bodyguard," Kaizen replied, not even sparing her a glance. His eyes were fixed on the simulators. "But if you want to see how useful it is, you're welcome to try."
Rika raised an eyebrow. "No need. I've seen your little act before. But I wonder… could you manage without it? Or are you just a knife without a blade once it's gone?"
Kaizen turned his head toward her, his bright green eyes shining with a calm but piercing intensity. "You ask a lot of questions for someone who still hasn't managed to beat me."
A tense silence settled over them. A few students who had been listening exchanged uneasy glances. Rika was known for her talent and competitiveness, but Kaizen had a way of deflecting verbal attacks with uncanny ease, as if he were impervious to any form of provocation.
Before Rika could respond, a commanding voice interrupted. "Tanaka, Mori! You'll have plenty of time to measure your egos later. Line up, now!" It was Professor Shiba, as imposing as ever with his massive frame and nonchalant demeanor. He had a knack for scolding students but also a talent for maintaining order and channeling their energy in the right direction.
Kaizen shrugged and moved to join the others, with Tundrath following closely behind. The students lined up as Shiba surveyed them for a moment before speaking. "Today, we're changing the format. Instead of working solo, you'll be working in teams. The Neoforms you'll face cannot be neutralized by one person alone. This will require coordination and strategy. Understood?"
A mix of groans and nods answered the professor. Kaizen remained silent, arms crossed, waiting for Shiba to assign the teams.
"Mori, you'll be with Tanaka and two others. This should be… interesting." The professor smirked, clearly amused by the prospect of pairing these two opposites together. "The rest of you will be in groups of four. The rules are simple: survive and reach the objective."
Kaizen glanced at Rika, who was visibly ready to retort. But before she could speak, two other students approached. One was a slim boy with round glasses, who looked nervous but determined. The other was a blonde-haired girl with a ponytail, radiating an energy that starkly contrasted with Kaizen's stoic demeanor.
"My name's Hiroto," the boy said, adjusting his glasses. "My Alter is 'Targeted Impact.' I can focus kinetic energy into specific parts of my body for precise attacks."
The girl, far more at ease, extended a hand to Kaizen with a bright smile. "And I'm Akiko. My Alter, 'Light Shock,' lets me generate flashes of light to blind or disorient opponents."
Kaizen briefly shook Akiko's hand before crossing his arms. "Kaizen Mori. You've already seen what I can do."
Rika sighed. "Great. A guy who talks like a user manual and his monster."
Before the exchange could escalate, Shiba's voice cut through. "You have five minutes to discuss your strategy before the exercise begins. I suggest you use them wisely."
Kaizen, Rika, Hiroto, and Akiko huddled together, though the tension between them was evident. Rika quickly took charge. "Alright, listen up. I suggest Akiko and I take the lead with ranged attacks. Hiroto can stay in support in case the Neoforms get too close. And you, Kaizen…" She pointed at Tundrath. "You can use your monster for the heavy lifting, I guess."
Kaizen narrowed his eyes. "My 'monster' isn't here to do all the work. But if you want the best results, I suggest Tundrath handles the biggest threats while you distract the others."
Rika rolled her eyes. "So, what, you're just going to stand back?"
"I'm saying I know how to use my resources," Kaizen replied. "But do whatever you want, as long as you don't get in my way."
Hiroto coughed nervously, clearly uncomfortable. "Maybe we should… focus on the objective?"
Akiko, with a calming smile, stepped in. "Alright, let's all settle down. If we want to succeed, we have to trust each other. Rika, Kaizen, let's try to combine our strengths."
Shiba gave the signal, and the group entered the simulation zone. A mock urban environment stretched before them, filled with ruins, weathered structures, and ominous shadows. Roars echoed in the distance, signaling the imminent arrival of the Neoforms.
Kaizen positioned himself strategically, observing his team's movements. Tundrath walked slowly beside him, its claws scraping against the concrete floor. This was a training exercise, but for Kaizen, it was also an opportunity—to gauge his teammates' abilities and to show them why he wasn't just a "guy with a monster."
The first attack came fast. Two Class-C Neoforms burst out from the ruins—wolf-like creatures with skin seemingly covered in jagged stone plates. They leapt with unnerving agility, their claws sparking against the ground as they landed.
"Akiko, blind them!" Rika shouted.
Akiko raised her hands, and a burst of light exploded from her palms, illuminating the area. The wolves snarled, disoriented, their movements slowing. Hiroto seized the opportunity, charging at one of them and striking its foreleg with concentrated energy. The creature staggered but didn't fall.
"They're tough," Hiroto growled, retreating a few steps.
Kaizen remained silent, observing. He patted the flank of Tundrath. "Take the one on the right."
With a low growl, Tundrath surged forward. Its claws slammed into the ground with such force that the ruins seemed to tremble. In an instant, the beast was upon the wolf-like creature, its sharp defenses piercing the creature's flank. The lithic wolf collapsed with a muffled howl.
The second wolf tried to counter, but Rika activated her Alter, increasing the gravity around it. The beast froze, pinned to the ground just long enough for Akiko to release another blinding burst of light.
Within minutes, the two Neoforms were subdued.