The Endurance Test
Ma'am Neko smiled, her unsettling cat eyes gleaming. "I think you all know the drill, darlings. All you have to do is counter and attack me, okay? And then I'll explain Kishō to you."
Kurone grinned, a dangerous edge in her voice. "Hell yeah! Let's go!"
"Yeah, let's," Kai agreed, his voice lacking any real enthusiasm.
The students charged. Kai unsheathed his mother's Tachi, Amayadori, ready to strike, but then he intentionally slowed his pace. As the others rushed past him, his mind raced, cold and calculating.
If I counter and strike with my true skill, my entire façade will shatter. All those years concealing my strength for the Umbra Circle and my family's safety would be for nothing. I can't break it now.
Kai sped up, but made his movements wide and sloppy, swinging his Tachi left and right in deliberately vulnerable patterns. Ma'am Neko's grin widened. [WHOOMPH!] She slammed a perfectly executed gut punch into him, sending him flying across the room.
[THUD!]
Itsuki jumped mid-air, catching Kai and gently placing his unconscious body down. He then whirled around, lunging at Ma'am Neko with his Kodachi.
Ma'am Neko smiled, easily avoiding a hit. "Ahh, you're a Ken-shi rank. Not bad, but [CRACK!]... still not enough." She slammed Itsuki to the ground with a quick sweep.
Satsuki entered the fray with a pair of Juttes, fighting Ma'am Neko head-on. She fought with her eyes closed, relying on her heightened senses of hearing and smell to predict the attacks. She managed to land a few glancing blows, but Ma'am Neko returned the favor, sending her skidding.
"Perfect movement, my dear," Ma'am Neko corrected. "Evading my attacks is correct, but if you cannot use all your senses, your Kishō won't flow well."
Kaida charged next, her hands layered with a faint black and blue energy. She threw a flurry of punches, all focused and powerful, yet failed to overwhelm her opponent.
"You instinctively channeled your Kishō into your fists... interesting. However, doing that leaves the rest of your body defenseless." [SMACK!] Ma'am Neko struck Kaida's leg, dislocating the joint, and kicked her away.
Reina lunged in, her katana screaming as it sliced through the air. "Yeah, well, take this!" She managed to slash Ma'am Neko's arm clean off, but the wound instantly zipped closed, the limb regenerating with a puff of steam. The fight intensified.
Ma'am Neko pinned Reina to the ground. "What a strong spirit you have, Masakado, but you lack control. Well, just physical control. Besides that, you are spot on for a Ken-shi."
Kurone, the last one standing, stepped forward. Ma'am Neko formed a crimson-black blade from her own blood and smiled. "Show what you've got, Demon."
Kurone attacked with her Shikomizue (cane sword), manipulating her blood to create thick, dark tendrils. They surged, overwhelming the teacher from all angles, but the moment they were inches from her face, they froze.
"Disperse," Ma'am Neko commanded.
[SHATTER! POP! POP!]
The blood tendrils instantly broke into dozens of smaller, thinner strings, scattering in every direction. Ma'am Neko used the distraction to materialize behind Kurone and slashed at her neck, but the instant the blade made contact, a grotesque mouth suddenly appeared at the back of Kurone's neck, biting the blood-blade.
"Oh?" Ma'am Neko murmured, intrigued.
Kurone used the distraction to retreat and put her hands together [CLAP!]. "Piercing Blood!"
Blood shot from her hands, aiming directly at Ma'am Neko. As it moved, it split and multiplied, but Ma'am Neko simply closed her eyes and dodged the attack effortlessly.
"What!?" Kurone gasped.
Ma'am Neko kicked her into the pile of students. "You can't expect me to lose to you when we just met."
The students groaned.
"Now then," Ma'am Neko said brightly. "Sit properly, so we can have our lesson."
The Power System Revealed
The students sat cross-legged, exhausted and defeated, waiting for the explanation.
"Good. Now then, today's lesson, since you impressed me, will be... Kishō."
"At least we didn't get injured for nothing," Kurone muttered.
"Not at all. Now, listen up. Kishō is the conceptual energy flowing within all living beings, be it god or human. Everyone has it."
Kai rubbed his still-aching stomach. "So, it's like... life force?"
"Not exactly. Other people can survive without Kishō. Usually, if you have no Kishō, you gain insane physical prowess. If you have high Kishō..."
Itsuki finished the thought. "Then you have a weaker, more fragile body?"
"Exactly! That's why we have a fail-safe plan, which is quite bizarre, but that's for another day."
"So this Kishō is what the generals and soldiers use to fight?" Kai pressed.
"No, love. They use Dōwa-ryoku." Ma'am Neko chuckled. "Dōwa-ryoku is refined Kishō that is specialized for fighting styles, restoration, and defense. That's what made me interested in Kaida."
Kaida stood proudly, puffing out her chest while the others shot her annoyed, chibi-like looks.
"Why is that?" Kai asked.
"She instinctively moved her Kishō and used it to pack more effort and force into her punches. But doing that without knowing Kishō distribution is risky. It leaves you defenseless, and one wrong step, and it's over."
Kaida crossed her arms, embarrassed but defiant. "Damn. I should definitely know this Kishō distribution nonsense then! [GRIN!] But don't think you're stronger than me! Hmph!" She turned her head away.
"Sorry, she doesn't take the concept of 'someone's stronger than you' well," Reina explained.
"Oh, I don't mind. It brings flavor to the group. Now, Kai, I heard you call Itsuki a Ken-shi. What is that?"
"Mmm. I really didn't expect you guys not to know this, but if you insist. When you are a Dōwa-ryoku user, you enter a ranking system. First, the Kō-shi (Basic Craftsman); they only know the techniques. Then there is the Ken-shi (Flow Master); they are those who understand the flow of combat and can react with high proficiency. Then, the Kai-shi (Peak Master); the peak of human potential, who can push Dōwa-ryoku to its very limits."
"Wow," Kai murmured.
"Indeed. But for fun, there are ranks above them, such as the Shū-gen and Mui-shō, that use Kenshin-ritsu," Ma'am Neko finished, chuckling at the blank stares. "Don't worry, dears, it'll all fall into place soon. Now then, any questions?"
"What rank are we?" Itsuki asked, leaning forward.
Ma'am Neko placed a finger on her lower lip. "Mmm. Ah, yes. Itsuki, you're a Ken-shi. You have immense potential to achieve the Kai-shi rank, and you're not far."
"That's... relieving," Itsuki said, looking at his hands.
"What about me!?" Kaida demanded.
"You're a Ken-shi too, but you fight like a Kō-shi, not understanding the flow of Kishō, which limits your Dōwa-ryoku usage."
"You're just saying that because you know I can beat you!"
"If you say so."
"And what's that supposed to mean!?"
"Nothing. Who's next?"
Kurone smiled. "Me."
"You fight like a Ken-shi, but your demonic power and feats speak of a Kai-shi," Ma'am Neko said, her eyes briefly serious.
"I can live with that."
"Me?" Reina asked.
"You are a definite Kai-shi in both raw power and strategy, but your lack of control sets you back. But can I blame you? After all, you are [LOWERS GLASSES]... a Masakado."
Reina chuckled nervously. "Heh, yeah."
"What about Satsuki?" Kaida asked.
Ma'am Neko glanced at the peacefully sleeping student. "Satsuki? Well, Satsuki is Satsuki."
They laughed as Kai finally asked, "And me?"
Ma'am Neko shrugged playfully. "Mmm. You are a Kō-shi."
Itsuki patted Kai's shoulder. "Sorry, bro."
"It's okay," Kai said, a wide, easy smile on his face. [INTERNAL THOUGHT: As long as I can't be suspected, I'm good.]
"Well then, that ends today's lesson. You are dismissed," Ma'am Neko said, clapping her hands once.
The Library and the Shadow
Ma'am Neko watched them leave, her eyes fixed on Kai. [INTERNAL THOUGHT: What an interesting student he is.]
As the students walked across the campus, they split up.
"I think I'll go to the library for a quick read," Kai said.
"Kaida and I were thinking we'd go train with the others," Reina offered.
"Mind if we join?" Itsuki asked.
"I wouldn't mind a spar," Satsuki admitted.
"So it's settled then, we shall go," Reina decided.
"Alright, guys, bye." Kai waved and split off.
He entered the academy's grand library. Very few students occupied the cavernous space.
Well, the Lumina Academy has ancient books and legendary records that no other library in the kingdom has. That means only one lady would actually come here to be a librarian... and that lady is...
Kai made it to the bookshelf and saw Slythe sitting cross-legged on the floor, reading twenty books at once. Kai smiled and slowly patted her head.
Slythe jolted, letting out a silent shriek. "Sovereign! I didn't see you."
"It's okay, Slythe. Now then, whatcha reading?"
"The mystery of the Solaris line. I've only ever seen Princess Aurelia; even her own father wears a mask. Doesn't that concern you?"
"It does, but not right now. Any updates?"
"Ah, yes. The cult has started to mobilize, but under a new God, and we are not sure which. So far, the Shadow Reavers and Students of Sin are surveilling the situation. No casualties reported."
"Be sure to update me."
Slythe, clearly bothered by the interruption, looked impatient. "Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Okay, okay, sheesh. It's not wrong for a sovereign to request an analysis."
"It's not wrong, Master, it's just that..."
"You are in the heat of the reading," Kai finished for her.
"Yes."
"Okay, where can I find the Kishō and ummm..."
Slythe didn't even look up, reading her twenty-first and nineteenth books simultaneously. "Second floor, fifteenth aisle on the right. You can't miss it."
"Thanks."
Kai walked off, leaving Slythe surrounded by at least thirty levitating books. He found his aisle and got a book entitled "Energy And Kishō."
He sat at an empty table and started reading, where he met a senior, Shiori, who was reading a book called "Bloodbath Tournament."
Shiori smiled. "Energy and Kishō, huh? You must be Ma'am Neko's student. Well, lucky you."
"You were one of her students?"
"Yep, and still am. I do private lessons with her." Shiori closed her book, her expression shifting to one of profound seriousness. "We were impatient and wanted faster, less detailed lessons. She gave us what we asked for, but in our final test against her, we failed so dismally that we saw her saddened face."
She leaned in close. "I know we just met, but know this: Never disappoint Ma'am Neko. Not because she'll get mad, but her saddened face makes your soul crack. She sees you as her sons and daughters, so see her as both your master, friend, and mother, okay?"
"Noted," Kai said, genuinely moved.
"Good. Now then, if you need any assistance in anything, just come to my dorm." [A faint image of a number flashed in Kai's mind, a technique used to share information without speaking.] "Okay, then, ta-ta."
Shiori walked off, leaving Kai momentarily confused, but he quickly dismissed it. He picked up his book and walked out to the sports ground, sitting on a bench.
He watched Reina and Kurone spar, Satsuki sleeping in a tree, Itsuki meditating, and Kaida furiously arguing with seniors for calling her hair "non-elegant." Kai smiled, and then Renaria materialized from the shadow beside him.
"How was your first day, Master?"
"Great. How is your day so far?"
"Learning how to be a good assistant to royal family members should be forbidden, if I must say. Good thing I serve a sovereign, not a king."
"No, Renaria. You know out of all people you shouldn't call me that."
"Then what must I call the person who saved my very life and soul?"
"Never mind. 'Sovereign' is fine."
Renaria offered a small, microscopic smile. "Good."
"Twenty reports of missing people, and the kingdom hasn't responded yet. Fifteen of the CoV (Cult of Vengeance) have gone to find them and believe they've found a location, but demand the Crown to inspect."
"Granted. However, only two shall go. No need to cause a ruckus so early."
"Surely." Renaria stood up to leave, rolling up her sleeves as she walked. A faint Umbra sigil appeared on her forearm.
"Don't go nuts," Kai called after her.
"Have I ever?" she responded, her voice echoing in the evening air.
Kai finally sat in peace, but his expression had changed from happy curiosity to cold disgust.
[INTERNAL THOUGHT: Why would the cult attack when their numbers have been depleted? Whatever is going on, I already know that these two ladies shall deal with it.]
The scene instantly cuts to a cult temple sect at night. Fifteen shackled people looked up as the guards—grinning and laughing seconds ago—fell to the floor, their heads severed. Standing in front of the hostages were their saviors: Kaelin and Ashelin.
END OF CHAPTER 4