[Dream World: Squad Nexus – Dawn's Echo]
The Dream World shimmered under a dawn that never fully broke, its sky a tapestry of lavender and amber threads, remnants of the First Weave when the NERTIS bound the Void's chaos into this realm. Taro trailed behind Kazuishi, her sharp strides cutting through the Squad Nexus—a sprawling hub of crystalline halls carved from stone that glowed with the memories of ancient Dremapols. Murals lined the walls, depicting warriors wielding Reibones against shadowy Nightdax, their forms etched with runes said to hold the secrets of the realm's creation. The air hummed with faint whispers, echoes of the First Weave's songs, as Dremapols moved through the nexus, their uniforms adorned with squad sigils passed down through generations.
"Move it, scum," Kazuishi snapped, not glancing back, her glasses catching the dawn's gleam. "This isn't a history lesson for your gawking."
Taro smirked, quickening his pace. "Yeah, Assistant Kazuishi, queen of old rocks. What's with the creepy carvings—Dremapol fan art?" His tone was teasing, but the murals stirred a curiosity about the realm's past, a lore Mexus had barely touched.
Kazuishi adjusted her glasses, a hint of pride in her voice. "Those are records of the First Weave, when the NERTIS forged this world from the Void's edge. The sigils mark the pact that keeps the Nightdax at bay. Keep up, or I'll leave you to decode the rest." Her words hinted at a history of struggle and unity, a foundation for the squads they were about to explore
[Training Grounds]
Their first stop was the training grounds, a vast expanse within Mexus's squad territory. Dremapols sparred with Reibones clashing in rhythmic harmony, while others exchanged notes or tips, their voices a blend of camaraderie and discipline. The ground was marked with faded ritual circles, said to channel the Dream World's energy for training, a tradition from the First Weave era.
"This is our training grounds," Kazuishi said, gesturing broadly. "As the name implies, we Dremapols of this squad come here to train—together or alone. You could learn a thing or two, but please try not to do too much damage or break anything."
"Ugh, goddamn it, I'm tired of these constant insults. I'll show her," Taro muttered under his breath. He activated his precognition,Taro's eyes flared with a faint emerald light, the world around him shifting as he saw the next few seconds unfold like pages in a book.. The ability, a gift honed through Mexus's training, revealed the battlefield's weaknesses.
Kazuishi, oblivious, pointed to two Dremapols locked in a Reibone duel. "For example, watch those two. See how they move? I doubt a brute like you would understand anything about a blade—" Her words cut off as Taro interrupted.
"The third platform on the left has a weaker structural integrity field. It'll give way in about two seconds if a hard enough force hits it, so the second Dremapol's probably going to win," Taro said, a smug edge to his voice.
Kazuishi blinked, confused. "Huh? How would you know any of that?"
Before she could press further, the fight unfolded as Taro predicted. The second Dremapol's strike shattered the platform, sending the first's Reibone spinning to the ground. Kazuishi's jaw dropped. "Wow… you might be more analytical and smarter than I thought."
"Hehe," Taro smirked, basking in the moment.
But Kazuishi adjusted her glasses with a smirk of her own. "I'm just joking. I know you must have used an ability of some sort."
"Ugh," Taro's pride deflated, his smirk fading.
"Don't tell me you actually thought I wouldn't know," she teased.
Taro whistled tunelessly, turning his head to avoid her gaze, the awkwardness hanging between them.
[Later…]
Kazuishi led Taro to a common area, a bustling space where Dremapols trained or socialized. To Taro's surprise, news of his training with Mexus had spread like wildfire. The crowd was divided—some in awe, eager to witness his power, others jealous and skeptical of this "rookie" who'd earned a Drenor's attention.
A Dremapol with blue hair and matching eyes approached, his Reibone sheathed but ready. "Hey, rookie… we've been hearing some gist about how you've been getting personal training from our captain, Mexus."
"Umm, yeah, so?" Taro replied, intrigued.
"Hehe… so it is true," the Dremapol said, drawing his Reibone with a flourish. "I'd like to check just how strong you are for myself. Think of it as a friendly spar… if you don't mind."
Kazuishi stepped forward. "Wait, hold up—" but Taro cut her off, grinning. "A spar, ay? I don't see why the hell not.
Main Training Grounds
The duel moved to the main training grounds, a circular arena ringed by onlookers. Taro and the blue-haired Dremapol—Brian—stood ready, Reibones drawn. "May the best Dremapol win," Brian declared, thinking to himself, "This is gonna be an easy win. Someone at his level couldn't beat me, even with special training for a month. I'll humiliate him."
"Best Dremapol win? Man, aren't you supposed to be hyping yourself instead of me?" Taro quipped.
Brian's face darkened. "Why you little—"
Kazuishi, serving as referee, raised her voice. "Loss counts as when you're unable to continue, concede, or your Reibone leaves your hand and hits the floor. Do both parties agree to this?"
"Yes," Brian said with a confident smile.
"Yeah, those conditions suit me perfectly," Taro grinned.
Nearby Dremapols murmured, gathering to watch. "That new guy is going to fight Brian?" "Seems so." "This will be good."
Brian's mind raced with devious glee. *This is perfect. A bunch of Dremapols are watching—"this'll build my fame and reputation. I'll be promoted in no time. Thanks for sacrificing yourself for me, hehehe."
Kazuishi shouted, "Begin!!"
Brian launched himself at Taro, Reibone swinging. Taro blocked effortlessly, and Brian pressed forward with a flurry of high-speed strikes. The onlookers gasped at the skill, but Brian soon realized their awe wasn't for him—it was for Taro's flawless defense. Taro hadn't tapped his powers, his expression bored. "Is that all you got, man?" he yawned.
"Why you—" Brian stepped back, anger flaring. "Defending doesn't mean you're strong, but since you're so proud of it, have this as a reward."
A blue aura enveloped Brian as he entered a state with his Reibone, eyes snapping open. "Blue Cross!" A massive cross-shaped attack tore across the field, slamming into Taro.
"Oh no, that was one of Brian's most powerful attacks!" "To think he'd use it this early against a rookie!" the Dremapols murmured.
Brian smirked. *Hehe, if he's still alive, he'll be severely injured, his core taking internal damage. That's what you get for being so damn cocky.*
But as the smoke cleared, Taro stood unfazed, his voice cold. "As expected, this was a waste of time."
"B-But that's impossible… that was easily one of my most powerful attacks!" Brian stammered.
"Oh, is that so? Well, it did tickle a bit, but not enough to make me laugh," Taro said, stepping closer, his green aura flaring.
From the distance, Taro closed the gap in a blur, sheathing his Reibone. "Yeah, I'm not gonna need this." He clenched his fist.
"A punch?" Brian thought, confused. *But he doesn't look like a fist fighter to me.*
The punch connected with a deafening crack, a massive bowl-shaped crater forming in the ground. Brian collapsed, nearly lifeless, his mouth agape in a silent "…How?" as he passed out.
The Dremapols gasped, awestruck. "Brian?" "He one-shotted Brian!" "That's crazy!"
Kazuishi adjusted her glasses, announcing, "The winner of this duel is Taro." Kazuishi muttered under her breath "Not bad..."
"Hehe," Taro smiled, brushing off his hands as the crowd buzzed with a mix of admiration and unease.