An Assassin's Respite

Specialized Training

The next day the students were all gathered at the same area they were in yesterday. 

“So, after a day of getting used to your powers and some rest, how are you all feeling?” Ms. Saugoma asks.

“My body is the sorest it’s ever been.” Shiba answers.

“I've had a headache this entire time,” Akeno says.

“I see, but that’s nothing that isn’t expected. But it seems that you all are making better progress than students of previous years.” She adds.

“Well, that’s thanks to Kazuna.” Kagura points out.

“I only gave you a hint. It’s due to you all using that hint for yourselves.” He deflects.

“Kazuna’s right. He can only advise you all, it’s up to you to actually utilize that advice for yourselves. You should all be proud of yourselves. There’s a lot of talent amongst you all, probably the most of any class ever.” Ms. Saugoma states.

The comment excites the students since she’s never made such a bold statement.

“However, don’t get too excited. Your training won’t get any easier. So be ready to be challenged.” She adds.

The students nod in response with a look of determination in their eyes.

“Now, since you all are still trying to get used to the increase in potency of your powers, we’ve created specified training regimens for all of you so that you can better control them. We'll add more elements as the days pass so we don't overwhelm you.” She states.

The students nod as she sends the students one by one to where they were going to be training. Pairs were kept close together but far enough so that they didn’t interrupt one another.

Shiba was sent to the lake with Haruna where he had to run on the water. He had to control his speed so that he didn’t run onto the land. Haruna was trying to control the speed at which she froze the water and how much she froze. Akeno, Ayame, and Yua were at a storehouse. Akeno didn’t have any specific training; she just had to get used to the influx of information. Ayame surveyed maps since the increase in her power made it to where she could easily find locations from where she was based on previous knowledge of the location and Yua had to create various and multiple objects at the same time.

Kagura and Ria were sent to the mountains. Kagura had to control the strength and scale of her winds. Ria had gained the ability to turn other people invisible as well so she had to concentrate on keeping them invisible while she was invisible herself.

Emiko and Haruka were in the forest. Haruka had to learn to control the strength of her magnetic pull which Emiko could help with since her blades were metal themselves. While she was doing that, Emiko had to control the length of her blades. She was struggling with keeping them at a manageable size.

Kazuna and Matt stayed at the mesa they were in yesterday. Matt had to learn to control the size he grew and the speed at which he could do so. Kazuna’s training was more mental than anything else. Ms. Saugoma understood that in terms of improving his abilities, he would be completely fine on his own. His biggest obstacle was himself. He knew he had to use all of his powers if he wanted to keep his friends safe, but he was afraid that if he went back on his oath that he would go back to who he was before. Before he began his training, Micheal approached him.

“Is something wrong?” Kazuna asks.

“No, I just wanted to ask you something.” He says.

“And what’s that?” Kazuna replies.

“You told me that your power included fire and wind. So why haven’t you used either of them?” He questions.

“Personal reasons.” He answers.

He thought about giving him a detailed reason, but he felt it was easier to keep it simple.

“I won’t pry further since it’s evident that you don’t want me to, but might I offer some advice?” He says.

“I don’t see why not.” Kazuna answers.

“Obviously I don’t know anything about you or your circumstances, but I do know one thing. No matter what reasons you may have for not using all of your powers, losing friends because you didn’t give it your all will hurt way more than losing friends because you weren’t strong enough ever will.” He states.

He let the statement sink in before he took a spot at the top of the hill to observe them. As the day went by Kazuna’s mind was transfixed on what Micheal said. If he hadn’t used his wind during his fight with Ken, then Kagura and Ria could have been killed and Kari could be getting used as some research subject. He decided that he would stop thinking about it so much and see how his heart felt. That night once he had eaten and everyone had gone to bed, he snuck out of the hotel and went to the lake area that Shiba and Haruna were at earlier.

Kagura was in her room, rolling around restlessly in bed. She decided that it was useless to try and sleep so she decided to go for a walk. As she roamed the halls of the hotel she ran into Micheal.

“Can’t sleep?” He asks as they walk next to each other.

“Unfortunately not.” She says while shaking her head.

The pair stare out the hotel window for a short moment before Micheal breaks the silence.

“That Kazuna kid has a ton of talent, but it seems that he’s getting in the way of his own growth.” He notes.

“For someone that just met him, you hit the bullseye,” Kagura says.

“Thought so. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that I can do for him, but I’m sure that you can help him.” He notes.

“You think so?” She asks.

“I do. Actually, I saw him head out towards the lake a little while ago while I was sitting on the roof of the hotel.” Micheal says as if inviting her to go to him.

“I see.” She says as she hurriedly walks past him.

After a few minutes of walking, she reaches the edge of the forest and can see the lake. It was a clear night and the moon was full. The sky was filled with stars, it was a beautiful night, to say the least. At the center of the lake, she could see Kazuna floating at the center of the lake. The moonlight reflecting off the lake made him seemingly glow.  She was left speechless at how graceful he looked.

As she watched she could see the water at the base of his feet begin to boil. After a few more seconds, small flames began to rise from beneath him. At that moment, he looked more untouchable than ever before. He looked like a being that was sent to Earth for a higher purpose. As she watched in awe, she realized that she wasn’t afraid of his flames. She tentatively walks from the edge of the forest and towards the lake's edge. 

She stares for a brief moment before she copies what he was doing and uses her wind to hover towards him. Kazuna could sense someone approaching and turns in her direction. Once he does and sees who it was he quickly extinguishes his flames.

“Kagura, how long have you been there?” He asks in surprise.

“Not too long, maybe a minute or so.” She answers.

He must have been deep in thought since he didn’t even realize that she was watching until just now.

“I see.” He mumbles.

She gets a little closer to him before speaking again.

“Your flames, can you do what you were doing just now again?” She asks.

“Huh, But?” He mutters. 

“Trust me, do it again.” She says a determined look painted on her face.

Although hesitant and somewhat reluctant, Kazuna lets his flames emerge once more. They were seemingly dancing around his feet and the light shone brilliantly off her sky blue eyes.

“You’re not afraid?” He asks in shock.

“No.” She says just as surprised as him. 

“What’s the difference between now and when I used them against Yuu?” He asks.

She looks at the flames dancing off of him. The fluttering movements, the dull light they emitted, and the subtle heat. 

“They’re warm. It doesn’t feel like they’ll hurt me or can hurt me.” She simply states.

Kazuna looks at his hand and the flames that were dancing on it. As he watched he felt that what she said was true. They felt different somehow, they felt less aggressive and purer.

“It’s because of the island,” Bahamut notes as he appears on Kazuna’s shoulder.

“How so?” He questions.

“Most likely it has to do with the origins of the island. Powers are at their purest and are closest to their true nature here. It could also do with your mentality. Your thoughts while using your power were calm unlike before when they were more aggressive and riled up.” Bahamut answers.

“I’m not sure if I fully understand.” He says.

“It would be as if you were watching nature. No matter how destructive, there is something beautiful about it. It is pure and indiscriminate.” Bahamut explains.

“I guess that makes sense,” Kazuna says.

 “Does that mean that I could go back to being afraid of his flames once we leave the island?” She asks.

“Who knows. All you can do is use this as an opportunity to overcome your fears. Kazuna, you must be more open to using your flames. You must remember what you’re feeling now so that your flames will keep that pure and protective feeling.” Bahamut replies.

“I see. I’ll try my best if you’re okay with that Kagura.” He says.

“So will I.” She says with a nod.

As Kazuna was walking back to his room, he ran into Akeno.

“What are you doing up?” He asks.

“I could ask the same of you.” She replies.

“Touche. So is something bothering you?” He asks.

“Yes actually. Ever since we’ve come to the island I’ve been hearing this voice in my head. At first, I wrote it off as an aftereffect of my power strengthening, but last night and tonight, I’ve been having these strange dreams. No, not dreams, it’s more like the same dream continuing from the night before.” She says.

“That is quite odd. Do you have any idea as to what this dream is about?” He asks.

“Actually, that’s why I’m up. I wanted to talk to you about it.” She answers.

“Okay. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be but I’ll try.” He says.

“You’re the only person that could help me.” She says.