Day 4.
The stack of Lumen-melon rinds had increased in the corner of the security office, and Kaito's water supply was running low. His school uniform was showing signs of wear, but his thoughts were sharper than ever.
The central control chamber had become their entire universe. The makeshift console screen served as their sun, casting a bright light on the floor, while the dim red emergency lights in the hallways defined their boundaries. In this confined space, Kaito held immense power, with Auri as his sole companion.
The first couple of days had focused on building stamina. Kaito had Auri run laps around the chamber to boost her endurance and taught her how to maintain a steady hover for longer, enhancing her control and conserving her energy.
[AURIWREN STA: 30/30]
[BND: 71%]
With her stamina at its peak, their bond was growing stronger. However, raw endurance alone wouldn't suffice. Auri was at Level 5, while the creature he had observed on the monitor was significantly more advanced. He required precision, not just raw strength.
"Today, we'll focus on efficiency," Kaito resolved, his mental determination firm.
He found some lightweight maintenance panels in storage and set one against a console to create a small target, marking the center with chalk.
"Target. Center," he directed. [COMMAND: GLEAM DART. MINIMAL POWER.]
With concentration, Auri summoned a tiny bead of light at her beak—the smallest she had produced. It shot out but missed the circle by a couple of inches.
"Try again," Kaito urged. "Focus on sensing it, not just seeing it. Feel the energy flow and control it."
For an hour, they practiced generating small darts of light, with Auri occasionally missing and expressing her frustration through chirps, while Kaito offered calm encouragement. He broke the process into core elements: energy gathering, focus, projection, and release.
Eventually, one dart grazed the edge of the circle.
[DEX: 19]
A small gain—it was progress.
"Good," Kaito thought, sending a wave of affirmation. Auri chirped happily, her light growing brighter.
Now came the real test. Kaito stood up. "Tactical drill. Pattern: Serpentine Evasion. Follow my lead."
As he jogged around the room, changing directions unpredictably, Auri flew above him. At random moments, he called out "Dive!" or "Roll!", and she immediately mirrored his movements. This not only enhanced her agility but also fine-tuned their synchronization, helping her anticipate his thoughts and actions.
[BND: 72%]
With each successful drill, their bond strengthened, turning them into a unified force.
During the fifth hour of training, as Auri completed a complex rolling dive, Kaito had an epiphany—adopting a high-level technique from the game called Micro-burst, which involved firing a series of rapid, low-power darts. This approach consumed less stamina per shot but demanded exceptional control.
It was just what they needed.
"Auri, stop," he commanded. She landed on his shoulder, slightly weary. [AURIWREN STA: 27/30].
"New drill," Kaito thought, excited. "Forget the larger darts. I want you to create a spark—just a flicker, using minimal energy."
Auri tilted her head, puzzled. 'Spark? No power?'
"Exactly," he assured her. "Just a flicker. Go for it."
She focused intently, producing a tiny, almost invisible spark that quickly disappeared.
[AURIWREN STA: 29/30]
The energy usage was minimal. Kaito smiled at the result.
"Excellent. Now do it again. And again. Quickly."
Auri began to emit a rapid succession of sparks, resembling a small magic machine gun—'Flicker-flicker-flicker-flicker.' Each spark demanded little of her stamina.
"Now, aim them," Kaito instructed, pointing at the target panel. "Make sure you don't hit the same spot twice."
This task required outstanding precision. Auri directed her sparks at the panel, leaving a scattered pattern of dots on the metal. She struggled to control them at that pace, often missing her target.
[AURIWREN STA: 22/30]
The challenge was depleting her stamina faster than he anticipated; the mental effort was considerable.
"Just breathe," Kaito urged gently, projecting calming thoughts. "Don't force it. Find your rhythm. Synchronize your breathing with your heart rate."
He slowed his own breathing, concentrating on their connection while channeling energy into her. He was not just a commander but also her coach, supporting their joint effort.
With a deep breath, Auri expanded her chest and refocused.
'Flicker-flicker-flicker.'
Three sparks struck the target, landing in distinct spots near the center. It was a significant advancement.
[BND: 74%]
Their connection had deepened even further, solidified by their shared success.
Auri chirped, both tired and victorious. She flew to his hand and nuzzled against him, radiating warmth. Kaito felt a familiar tug in his chest, one he tried to suppress. Gently, he stroked her head.
"You did great," he thought, the weight of his words more profound than intended. "We did great."
Looking through the dark, one-way window, he saw the relentless six-day night beyond. Yet, within their small circle of light, they were growing stronger. He was no longer just a boy trying to survive; he was a trainer, a strategist, evolving into a master.
With three days remaining, he was determined to make the most of every moment.