"Tell me more about cycling Kage," Modoru said bluntly.
Kayui didn't even try to hide his interest, he turned his head completely to listen to Kage in the front seat.
There was no driver in the car. This was Kayui's first time riding in a car with no driver, of course, he didn't show it.
The whole thing seemed normal so he acted as such.
"Cycling can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be," Kage said. "There are different ways or uses but for you, I'll give you the most simple."
A few thoughts ran through Kayui's mind. 'Does his clan know more than my brothers about cycling?'
"My cycling technique involves my shadow. It calls out to other shadows and lends me shadow altitude. This in turn makes me stronger and increases my reserves."
This concept intrigued them, but something like this wouldn't help Kayui at all. His ability couldn't be used in such a way because it had no elemental affinity.
"What about you?" Modoru looked at Kayui waiting for an answer.
"I'm almost just as ignorant as you," he repositioned himself in his seat, avoiding Kage's gaze. "I can only absorb mana with breathing techniques. It requires almost complete focus, but it's handy."
Modoru shook his head in understanding and raised his hand curiously before closing his eyes.
A black sprout began to flourish from his palm, as a dark energy followed. The sprout grew until it resembled a tree without leaves.
Kage's eyes widened as he felt the mana density in the van drop like someone had just cut the AC on.
A chill ran down Kayui's neck as tension built up around him sending his perception on the fritz.
"Like that?"
Kayui didn't fully understand what Modoru was doing but he sure felt the effect.
The tree shriveled down and shrank until it disappeared completely.
"That was amazing," Kage said forcing a smile.
"Thank you"
His gaze turned back dull and his presence disappeared.
Kayui was lost in thought.
Could he do something like that?
Taking in altitude wasn't easy by any means. Most militia soldiers didn't have the talent to do it on their own. To be able to absorb altitude directly into your ability was unheard of on the first try.
Kayui of course didn't know this so he tried it himself.
He held his hand up and closed his eyes.
Since awakening, he learned how to enhance all of his senses. The only sense he hadn't truly tested was touch.
He noticed when he first awoke that he could feel condensed altitude around him. What would happen if he enhanced this feeling?
The altitude density in the car had been regulated since Modoru's little display.
He fed into this idea, and immediately he was overwhelmed with information.
He felt ripples of energy surrounding him, like strings blowing in the wind. Even the metal the bus was made of had residual altitude inside.
He didn't just feel, he could almost see the strings of altitude holding the world together even with his eyes closed.
Deeper inside himself he felt his own altitude core. Along with Modoru and Kage alike.
His core reacted to this energy, as if it wanted to consume it. He writhed in this feeling. He had never felt this connected to the world. It was invigorating — addicting even.
As he sank deeper into this heavenly state, he felt a connection with the altitude around him. This connection changed the behavior of the altitude. It began reacting to him, as if he were one of them.
The threads of altitude became tangible in this state of tranquility.
He subconsciously tried to reach his hand out, but it didn't move. Instead, his altitude itself grasped the threads of mana flowing throughout this tranquil space.
As the mana was dragged back into his physical form, an indescribable feeling took over him.
He could feel his core changing — like breathing in fresh air after being in a sauna for hours. His altitude had its fingertips on freedom. Quickly pain began to arise as well.
It was bearable at first. He felt his core expanding and receding like a second heartbeat. Every moment, growing in size and discomfort in his chest.
It quickly became too much to bear and he lost focus. His chest was burning, it felt dense.
The raw, heavy altitude was too much for his core.
Kage turned to look at him in confusion. Modoru didn't move an inch.
"Was that you Kayui? Or is Modoru playing with his new powers?"
Kayui sat up and gave him a pained smirk.
"He's not the only one with new powers."
"Hmph, Save it for the mission." Kage chuckled before turning back to the road.