The chaos of the day had slowly dissipated, but its impact remained etched in Kaizen's mind. After the unexpected battle between a hero and a villain, Tundrath's injury, and the shock of feeling powerless in the face of a real threat, he found himself in a debriefing room, surrounded by other students and teachers. His green eyes stared blankly into space, replaying the events over and over in his mind.
Then, a familiar voice, tinged with irony and provocation, cut through the air.
"Oh, so you're the star of the day? I was gone ONE day and you managed to end up in the middle of an apocalyptic battle. Are you allergic to peace or something?"
The students' gazes turned toward the source of the remark. Sitting on a table with her legs crossed, a mocking smile at the corner of her lips, Kaede Mori, his twin sister, was absentmindedly tapping on her phone. Tall and slender, her long black hair with purplish highlights cascaded over her shoulders. Her amber eyes, sharp and mischievous, sparkled with a playful glint. Kodan, her black tiger with golden markings, sat at her feet, observing the room with a calm demeanor.
"You're late," Kaizen replied neutrally.
"Yeah, but at least I didn't come back on a stretcher. You scared mom, you know."
Kaizen raised an eyebrow. He knew their mother had been worried, but hearing Kaede say it confirmed that she hadn't taken the news lightly.
Professor Shiba once again drew their attention and continued explaining the necessary security measures to reinforce, but Kaizen could feel his sister's gaze on him. He ignored it. Kaede wouldn't ask him questions now, but he knew she wouldn't let it go easily.
After the debriefing, Kaizen headed to the infirmary where Tundrath was being treated. The massive creature lay on a reinforced platform, bandages covering the most affected areas of its large body. Its breathing was slow but steady.
Kaede, of course, had come with him. She leaned against the wall, observing silently as her brother activated his Alter to examine the damaged tissues.
"He's healing well," he murmured.
Kaede stepped closer and placed a hand on Kodan. A faint golden glow traveled up her arm as she used Totemic Symbiosis to feel Tundrath's energetic state.
"Yeah, he's recovering, but he's exhausted. Just like you."
Kaizen didn't reply immediately. He continued his diagnosis, checking cellular responses and ensuring no anomalies had developed.
Kaede crossed her arms and smiled softly.
"Tundrath's strong, but he can't handle everything alone. Neither can you."
Kaizen closed his eyes for a moment before shrugging. He knew she was right.
After a few hours of care and rest, Tundrath was allowed to return with them. The large big fluffy mammoth walked slowly behind Kaizen, its pristine fur slightly dulled by the bandages covering some of its wounds.
The Mori house was a large, modern villa, tucked away in a peaceful neighborhood. Built of dark stone and glass, it had an imposing yet understated aesthetic. Outside, a large garden housed several creatures created by Kaizen, some resembling regular animals, others more complex hybrids.
Asami Mori, their mother, was waiting in the entrance. Tall, graceful, and elegant, she still carried the natural poise that had made her a respected hero. Her long silver hair framed a face marked by a gentle wisdom, but her light blue eyes revealed an undeniable concern.
As soon as she saw Kaizen, she quickly approached and placed a hand on his face, briefly examining him before pulling him into a hug.
"Are you okay?" Her voice was soft but tense.
Kaizen stiffened for a moment before responding:
"I'm here."
She pulled back and looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of emotion.
"Be careful, alright?"
Kaizen simply nodded.
In the kitchen, Ryuji Sagara, their father, was preparing dinner. A former criminal turned businessman, he exuded an intimidating presence. Tall, muscular, with a square jaw and piercing dark eyes, his jet-black hair was speckled with a few graying strands.
"You guys showed up just in time, I made curry," he announced with a smile. "After a day like that, you need something good to eat."
Kaede sat down immediately, while Kaizen grabbed a plate and began eating in silence.
During dinner, a small incident occurred when Kitsura, the twins' bioluminescent fox, jumped onto the table and snatched a piece of meat before running off.
"Kitsura, give that back!" Kaede shouted with a laugh, while Ren and Toshi, the two-year-old twins, cheered her on. The two boys, nearly identical, had large sparkling eyes and slightly curly black hair. Their boundless energy and constant laughter brought a bright atmosphere to the house.
Tundrath, meanwhile, lay by the bay window, watching the scene calmly as he recovered his strength.
Kaizen watched the scene with a sigh, but a small smile briefly passed across his face.
After the meal, Kaizen and Kaede found themselves alone on the terrace. Kodan lay next to her, while Kaizen gazed at the sky.
"Want to talk about it?" Kaede asked.
Kaizen remained silent for a moment before sighing.
"I hate feeling powerless."
Kaede gave a compassionate smile.
"Then we'll train even harder. Together."
That night, Kaizen went to bed more peacefully than he had expected, while Tundrath slowly fell asleep beside him, watching over him as much as he watched over his creature.