Chapter 13: Beautiful Scenery.
Kazuka was surrounded by a dense blue energy source.
"Oh, this is surprising. The boy is doing well. But it seems he's having difficulty absorbing it into his body. Perhaps he's only using one-third of his body's pores. That's why the energy source around him is so dense but is entering his body so slowly."
"Relax, Kazuka. Now, stop absorbing energy, then circulate the energy you just absorbed throughout your body."
After hearing Kuroha, white smoke was emanating from Kazuka's body.
"That's right, the organs are receiving the energy without any reaction. The boy adapts really well. Now I need to tell him to clear the rest of the pores around his body."
"Alright, next, release the energy outwards, but it must be released from all over your body simultaneously. You have some blockages."
A large source of energy radiated from Kazuka. He remained calm as he handled it. Suddenly, a large surge of energy shot out in all directions, forcing Kuroha to step back. The surrounding trees were hit as if by a great gust of wind.
Kuroha's face showed clear excitement.
"Amazing! He cleared all the blockages in a single go, and what's more, he pushed it out with great force. This shows that the boy has a rather large Energy Gate."
"That's excellent, Kazuka, you did it!"
Kazuka opened his eyes, his face joyful. "Really, Sis? I did it? I don't think it was that hard?"
"Of course, it wasn't hard. Now, you need to do the same thing for about three days for your body to get used to it. Then I'll teach you more."
"Yes, Sis."
After that, Kazuka continued to sit in the middle of the training yard. Towards evening, Haruki returned to the gate. A feeling of discomfort enveloped his entire body.
"Damn it, why does my house feel so stuffy and uncomfortable?"
As Haruki was walking, he saw Kuroha approaching. He immediately ran up to her.
"Hey, do you feel uncomfortable, especially in the direction of the training yard?"
Kuroha scratched her head and smiled awkwardly. "You sense things well, Haruki. Actually, I'm just teaching Kazuka how to use energy."
Curiosity was evident in Haruki's eyes.
"Oh, really? Since you're an Elf, you can teach him. What have you taught him so far?"
"Well, I've just taught him to clear his body and let his organs get used to the energy. While he was training, I also filtered the energy a bit, but I still kept the raw part of the energy for him to practice with."
"Right now, I'm just having him absorb energy into his body and then push it out to get his body accustomed to it."
Haruki slapped his forehead, his face frustrated, and sighed. "No wonder I feel uncomfortable. It turns out the boy is about to absorb all the energy around here. Even though it's a small amount, I'm used to the wonderful air here, and the boy is about to ruin it."
"Anyway, goodbye, I have something to do. You should have your new emblem tomorrow."
Kuroha's face was astonished. All her emotions seemed mixed together at that moment. Her eyes reddened, and tears fell.
"Tha- Thank you. I truly don't know how to repay you."
"Hey, don't cry."
Sensing that Kuroha might burst into tears at any moment, Haruki quickly ran away, leaving a final sentence. "It's nothing, don't thank me. Goodbye."
Running to where Kazuka was training. Haruki saw Kazuka continuously absorbing energy and then releasing it outward. Kazuka remained focused with his eyes closed. Haruki's surprised face was evident.
"Oh, it looks like the boy is learning well. But I guess I'll have to send him up the mountain for a while. Otherwise, I'm going to be annoyed to death."
Haruki approached, watching silently for a long time. Suddenly, Kazuka spoke, startling Haruki.
"Haruki?"
Haruki looked at the still-closed eyes of Kazuka, surprised. "The boy just started training, and his sense is this good?"
"What? You knew I was here?"
"Oh, it really is you, Haruki."
"How did you know I arrived?"
"Well, I sensed it. I got used to your energy source during our training sessions. Now that you're close, I know."
"I can't believe how quickly you're improving after just starting to train. I'm really looking forward to your progress, Kazuka. I have to go now."
"But, Kazuka, tomorrow, practice in the forest, okay? The natural energy there is more stable and abundant. If you sit here for another day, my trees will probably wither away."
"Yes, goodbye."
As he walked, Haruki pondered, looking down at the ground. "I think I've only sparred with the boy about three times, and I didn't even use my energy then. I only used it to demonstrate for him after practice. And he's already familiar with it? How is that so fast?"
"I guess I shouldn't call him 'the boy' anymore. I should call him 'the devil,' haha. He adapts well. His adaptability is like General Hazan of the 8th Platoon."
The next morning. Kuroha was walking deep into the forest, carrying a wooden box that contained food. She was heading toward Kazuka's training spot.
The forest had green trees, but they were quite short. The green canopy stretched out, just tall enough for Kuroha to walk beneath. Vines grew everywhere.
At the end of the path was Kazuka, sitting on a large rock. He was cross-legged, eyes closed in concentration.
SCENE CHANGE.
Takeshi and Airi were walking in the city. Passing a garbage heap, Takeshi saw a small potted plant next to the trash. It was quite dirty and chipped in a few places. He ran over and picked it up, his face joyful.
"Great! I found a pot! I'll go that way to find some soil."
Airi watched Takeshi intently, seemingly pondering something. "Okay."
"Is this the life of people without a home? It seems he's used to it. Now he doesn't even care if anyone is watching."
A moment later, they were sitting in a small alley eating bread. Takeshi was eating, the pot with the Luna flower placed beside him. Airi suddenly spoke, causing Takeshi to look up.
"Hey? So, now that you've found the flower, are we going to see your friend?"
Takeshi nodded. "Yes, of course."
"So, when are we leaving?"
"Probably tomorrow."
"Is that place far? The thought of having to walk for a long time makes me feel discouraged."
Takeshi looked thoughtful, then pulled out the money pouch from his clothes—the pouch Kazuka had given him before he left. He looked at the pouch for a while, seeming hesitant.
"Although he said it's for me, I don't want to use it all. But if I can get Airi to Kazuka, and if he knows Airi also wants to come along, Kazuka will probably be very happy."
"If she comes, I'll find a carriage so we can travel easier."
Takeshi's face turned serious as he looked at Airi. She flinched in surprise. "What's wrong, Takeshi?"
"Hey, I'm asking you one last time, Airi."
"Yeah, ask away. But why do you look so tense?"
"Are you sure you want to go with us?"
Airi looked surprised, then burst out laughing. "Are you kidding me, Takeshi? I thought you were going to ask something serious with that face!"
Takeshi looked confused, not understanding why Airi was laughing. "Hey, why are you laughing?"
"I decided I'm coming. You don't have to worry."
"But if something happens to you, I'll feel very guilty."
Airi laughed even louder, the sound echoing in the small alley. "Worry about yourself. I might be the one protecting you."
"I bet you don't even know how to use energy, do you?"
Takeshi looked puzzled by Airi's words. "What is energy?"
"I knew it. Although my physical strength is a bit weak, if I reinforce my body with energy, I'd be stronger than you."
"I don't understand anything you're saying."
"Alright, let me give you a demonstration."
Saying that, Airi immediately gathered a red source of energy in her palm. The energy streams formed a circle. A red orb formed in Airi's hand. She smiled smugly at Takeshi.
Takeshi looked surprised, pointing at the orb in Airi's hand. "Ah, that's the orb you conjured when we first met!"
"That's right. What do you think?"
"Although I didn't know what it was then, I felt it was very dangerous."
"Of course. Let me show you its power."
Airi aimed the orb deep into the alley, then launched it. An explosion with a deafening sound occurred. It created a large hole in the alley and damaged the walls on both sides. Airi quickly urged Takeshi to run.
"Run now, or we'll get caught for destruction!"
Takeshi was still stunned after watching the attack Airi just launched. He stood frozen as if his soul had left his body.
"What? That's too powerful. If I hadn't remained calm and tried to de-escalate when we first met, I would have been killed."
"Hurry up! Why are you standing there like a statue? Run!"
Takeshi came to his senses and ran out of the alley with Airi. After running for a while, they reached a forest. Airi and Takeshi collapsed onto the ground, panting continuously.
"What... What the hell was that? Why is it so powerful?"
Airi was still panting, but she gave a smug smile. "Haha, of course. That's why I told you to worry about yourself first."
Turning her head to look at Takeshi, she didn't see him and jumped up, shouting loudly. "Where did you go, Takeshi?"
A voice came from within the trees. "I'm up in a tree."
Airi walked closer and looked up, puzzled. Takeshi was searching for a good branch to sleep on.
"Why did you climb up there?"
Takeshi smiled. "Of course, to find a place to sleep tonight."
"Huh? A place to sleep? Are you planning to be a monkey?"
"Of course not. Sleeping in a tree is nice."
Airi looked up with a scornful expression. "No thanks, I don't want to evolve backward. I'll sleep on the ground tonight."
The next morning. Airi was sleeping when Takeshi ran into the carriage, frantically shaking Airi. "Hey, Airi, wake up! Come outside and see! It's so beautiful!"
Airi ran outside. Her eyes immediately lit up at the distant scenery.
Their carriage was running on a flat road. To the left was a beautiful forest.
Large trees with shimmering gold canopies were illuminated by the sun from afar, making them even more sparkling.
"This is one of my favorite sights. It's called the Golden Forest. It's not because there's gold here, but because of the trees with beautiful golden, shimmering leaves. And notably, it only appears in June."
Passing through the beautiful forest, Airi stood up, spread her arms, and took a deep breath, as if wanting to embrace the golden aura radiating from the forest. "My goodness, it's so beautiful!"
Takeshi also sat there, nodding. "Yeah, it's really beautiful."
The old carriage driver next to him looked smug. "See? I told you. There are many beautiful places in this world."