The arena roared in with thunderous applause, the admiration for Kai at it's highest.
At it's peak, the intercom went off.
"Everyone, This is an emergency, there are hostile individuals in the building, evacuate immediately."
Silence fell across the stadium, confusion on everyone's faces.
'Boom' an explosive tore through the sky, instantly sending everyone into a panic.
"Run for your lives!"
During the panic, magic barriers appeared, blocking all the entrances.
"Shut up and listen up, if you wanna survive."
The voice came from the top of the stadium. A man stood, with soldiers beside him.
"Show me where the Hoshino brat is, and you survive, simple as that!"
"He's after Aki?" Chloe questioned, rage building up within her.
"Wait, we don't know the reason why, so let's not be impulsive."
"What should we do then?"
"Let's go home, there's no reason for us to reveal ourselves."
"Wait, you mean," Chloe began, realization dawning on her face, "you're betting on the fact that they won't dare come to our home?"
"Exactly."
"I see. Cole! Kai! Let's go."
The two boys immediately moved to the sisters.
"You want me to come along?" Kai asked, confused.
"Yeah, don't you want to see your sister?" Rose teased.
As they began to leave, a high-pitch voice called from behind.
"Wait!"
"Do you mind if I come with you? There's something I want to discuss with Aki."
Suspicious, Rose asked who he was.
"I'm Zane Wilson, a pleasure."
"A Wilson? In central city?" Rose asked, staring at Zane suspiciously.
"How do you know Aki?"
"Oh, we're classmates," he replied nonchalantly.
"Hey boys, look down there, ain't that the Hoshino girlies?"
"Yeah, it looks like them, boss. Do you think one of the dudes is our target?"
"No, his looks are very unique. If it were him, we'd definitely have spotted him the moment we arrived."
"Looks like they've seen us, boys," the man snorted, looking down at them with a predator's gaze on its prey.
"Ugh, I swear I'll murder them for looking at me like that," Chloe sneered, her eyes blazing red.
"Let us handle this," Kai raised his sword towards the men, followed by Cole confidently swinging his spear.
"Let's get them," the two echoed each other, shooting towards the men in swift motion.
'Clink.'
The sound of clashing metal exploded from the rooftop, followed by screams of men dropping from the room.
The two beat the sidekicks in a matter of seconds—a spear thrust to the abdomen, a slash across the chest. Each movement made to end the fights.
Soon, only the leader remained.
"Damn, you brats are good."
"But not good enough to beat me."
The leader flashed at them, delivering a devastating double close line to their chests.
"Damn, he's fast," Kai panted, his mouth full of blood.
"Hey, focus, don't make me handle the guy alone."
"Come on, don't tell me that's the best you brats can do. At this rate you'll never stop me. To think people call this the strongest generation," he sneered.
"I'll show you what power is. I, Seth Kennedy, will show you what strength truly is."
"Seth Kennedy?" Zane asked, shocked.
"Isn't he the black Market's most dangerous mercenary?!"
"Hoshinos, you have to help them!"
"Sorry, but we never asked them to act, did we?" Rose asked calmly, looking at her nails, her gaze indifferent to the battle. Only Chloe seemed intrigued by Zane's statement.
"A Mercenary, huh? Interesting," she snorted, looking confident.
"I'll deal with him."
Back at the estate.
The two separated to different places of the Manor, Aki in the bathroom, and Amy in the living room.
(This feeling… I've never felt my heart beat before, until today, could it be…?)
(Master…) Ragnar hesitated, but ultimately kept quiet.
In the living room, Amy was vibrating in embarrassment on the sofa, heart racing.
(What was I thinking?!)
(This is so embarrassing, how will I face…)
"Young miss?" An elderly voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Ahh!" Amy jumped, startled by the sudden sound.
"Forgive me young miss, I didn't know you were focused on something else. Could it be, our young master?" She teased.
'Splash.'
Aki splashed his face with cold water, trying to calm himself down.
"Am I really that weak against her?"
(Hey Ragnar, I need you to answer me on this. Have I and Amy ever met before, like in the past years?)
(…)
"Dude?"
(Well, yes, you have met before, but…)
(I'm fine with you telling me, Ragnar.)
The battle continued, with the two moving in unison, creating unpredictable attacks to try and confuse Seth.
"Sorry, but that only works for brats like you, who are still on training wheels."
At his words, he activated his SOF.
- Seth — Level 299
- 65,000 EXP to next level
- DARK MATTER — RELEASE 100%
A dark orb of energy shot out from his palm, heading directly at Cole and Kai.
"DAMN IT!" Kai yelled, raising his hands to block.
"Material decomp!" Chloe yelled, releasing a wave of mana that completely canceled out the dark orb.
"What the… how did she cancel my attack?!"
"Hey! You said you want Aki, right? Why don't you come with us?" Chloe sneered.
(Chloe Hoshino, that overconfident brat… hah, I didn't count on the sisters possibly being stronger than my target. What should I do? I only had enough of that stuff to boost me to his level, which I had surpassed, but…)
"Volunteered manslaughter?" Seth asked, frowning.
"Why would I agree to that?"
"Fine then, we'll see how you expect to get anywhere near our doors, especially as you are."
"As I am? What's that supposed to mean?"
Stepping out of the bathroom, Aki sighed in exhaustion.
"Lue, huh."
SOF:
Achievement — Violent heart complete
You have earned 1000 EXP
Skill: Nostalgic Touch unlocked
3986 EXP till level 2
Completion on academy competition is recommended to gain the remaining EXP
"Violent heart?! What the hell?!"
"Urgh, I'm done with this."
With that, he walked into the living room, right as the elderly Nanny was teasing 'the Young miss.'
"Miss Davis?"
"What are you doing?" he asked, slightly amused.
"Oh, Young master, I was just preparing tea for the young miss," Miss Davis teased.
"Please stop," Amy's hesitant voice demanded, looking miserable.
"I apologize," she chuckled, walking out of the room.
Leaving the two awkwardly.
"Do you mind coming with me?" he asked, looking at her expectantly.
"Sure."
The two went and sat in the garden, which had been, as if on cue, prepared for them—snacks and tea on the table.
Extending his hand, his eyes started glowing.
(If I'm right, the Nostalgic Touch ability should allow me to see into a companion's shared happy moments involving the skill user… so if we've met, then…)
"Give me your hand."
Amy looked at him wearily, already finding him intimidating.
(I hope he doesn't plan on doing something stupid, like in the kitchen.)
With that, she extended hers.
The moment their hands met, Amy felt an overwhelming flow of energy, and her SOF began blaring.
SOF:
Memory search detected
Specific — Nostalgic Touch detected
Resistance level is too low for counter
Host… Removal of limiters is recommended.
Aki finds himself in a strange house, seated on a staircase. In front was a table, and his mother, as well as a strange woman, sat beside her, quietly discussing something.
"Miss, who's that?" a young, female voice asked, pointing at the spot next to him.
"Wait, is that me?"
Where her finger pointed was a smaller, younger version of him, one that looked gloomy, unencouraged, and scared.
"Was this really… me?"
"Sweetheart, Lue is sick and can't play with you."
His mother's words shocked him.
"Sick? How?"
The little boy had disappeared from his side and onto his mom's lap.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, rubbing her nose with the young Aki's.
Before he could question anything, the vision began fading.
When he opened his eyes, he found Amy swaying, about to pass out.
Quickly, he caught her in his arms, staring blankly.
(That vision…)
SOF:
Host
Selected partner for Nostalgic Touch does not possess the ample mana required to successfully complete the memory search
The link has been terminated
Back at the stadium.
Seth stood on the rooftop, irritated.
"What should I do now? Maybe I should fall back for now… gather up some manpower."
Chloe, ready to act, began to advance, but Rose held her back.
"Wait, he's about to leave. So don't bother. No one has escaped yet, so releasing your power here will risk innocent lives."
"Fine, fine. I'll let him escape, since that's how you seem to want it, older sister."
"You brats got lucky today, but don't worry. I'll be back with more competent opponents for you. Take care," he sneered, jumping off the roof.
(No way… such a mercenary wouldn't just leave like that. Could it be that… the Hoshino sisters are… stronger?) Zane thought, looking at them with a grim expression.
(I strolled towards them so smugly because I thought they were at least weaker than Aki… man, hopefully they don't kill me for disrespecting them.)