( The Next Day )
The morning sun barely broke through the canopy as Seijuro stepped into the clearing. The air was crisp, and the stream gurgled, its clear water catching the sunlight in scattered reflections. His necklace bounced against his chest as he walked. He stared at his scouter, a smile stretched on his face as he focused on one word,
[ Reward ]
In the shadows ahead, a faint shimmer caught his eye. Slowly, Frank rolled into view. Seijuro stopped moving, and smirked smugly.
Seijuro saluted and spoke, his voice boomed throughout the forest,
"Daily Quests done yesterday. Nearly at Level 2, Captain Frank!"
Frank blinked and then he smiled, a ring on his hand flickered in the sunlight,
"There's no need for the saluting, Seijuro. Well done on completing your quests, you did it faster than the new recruits."
He chuckled weakly and took a step closer, "The scouter said I get a reward from you…?" Seijuro added,
"Of course."
A violet cloud emerged from the centre of Franks chest. Slowly, it coursed downward, spreading down into his legs. He slowly stood, those same pitch black spikes emerged from his shoulder and elbow. His wheelchair reassembled into a massive sword, which he rested on his shoulder. Seijuro stared in awe. The bastard looked like a demon that had torn its way out from the depths of hell.
He took a step toward Seijuro, pressing the button on the side of the scouter,
[ Voice Activation ]
"Captain Frank Rivers."
Seijuro watched the text transition once more,
{ Choose Your Stance }
[ Devil Stance ]
[ Draconic Stance ]
[ Berserker Stance ]
[ Wukong Stance ]
Frank abruptly spoke before Seijuro could question,
"Those are combat forms, utilised specifically for Physical Mage Types. Choose wisely, yeah?"
A smile slowly curled onto his lips,
Now we're talking…
Seijuro thought. He tapped a finger on his chin, as his eyebrow raised ever so slightly. After a while, he glanced up at Frank,
"Is there any you'd recommend?"
"Styles do not matter. It all depends on how hard you train to master it. Certain stances amplify characteristics within you."
He let out an annoyed breath, as if he expected such a response. He glanced over the stances once more. Seijuro had always loved dragons growing up. He used to chase Ren around the house pretending to breathe fire. He took a breath and spoke, loud but still hesitant,
"Draconic Stance."
The scouter flickered,
{ Draconic Stance Selected }
{ Passive Skill Unlocked }
[ Effect: Heat Resistance, Lightning Resistance ]
The scouter chimed once and a pulse of heat surged through Seijuro's chest. Pressure seized his lungs as if the air itself had thickened. He dropped to one knee and his teeth clenched. His heartbeat thundered. Frank didn't move, his eyes remained locked with Seijuro's. It was almost as if the brute was waiting for him to steady himself.
He planted a hand on the earth. His nails biting into the soil as he felt the invisible vice around his chest loosen.
Phew. That was intense.
Seijuro thought. Frank finally took a step closer. With his free hand, he took off his shades and placed them in his pocket. The sunlight kissed his light brown skin and his black eyes reflected the sun a bit too perfectly,
"You'll join the other students who use Draconic Stance from tomorrow onwards."
Seijuro pushed himself to his feet. His legs trembled, but they held. He nodded, not very enthusiastically,
"And the Tenebris thing…?"
Frank smirked. He took his sword off his shoulder, holding it out in front of Seijuro. He could see the outline of Frank's forearm muscle, his veins bulged as if they were going to burst,
"After every class with Lisa, you'll come here. Once you lift the sword, I can train you in Tenebris Imbuement."
Seijuro blinked. His expression betrayed the obvious question he was about to ask. Meanwhile, Frank pulled his arm back across his chest with his sword still in his hand, now glowing an ominous violet,
"Draconic Stance: Ryū's Breath!"
Seijuro ducked on instinct, holding his hands above his head in the foetal position. The ground shook violently and the air cracked as Frank tore a brutal arc where Seijuro was standing. A dark-purple shockwave swept through the clearing, only for it to twist skyward at the last moment, sparring the trees below,
Seijuro peeked through his fingers and sprung up. His face burned red, his tone didn't bother to hide how pissed he was,
"YOU BASTARD! I COULD'VE DIED!"
Frank rested his sword back onto his shoulder as the air began to settle,
"I was careful. Tenebris Imbuement can amplify your attacks into something even deadlier. You could level an entire continent."
Seijuro shook. Was it with fear? Shock? Excitement? He wasn't sure at all,
"Can you do that?"
Frank smirked, not with arrogance, but amusement,
"Yeah and you will too. But first let's focus on the basics. Weaponising Tenebris is controlling when it leaks out of you. Manipulating it just before it dissipates back into the universe."
In the blink of an eye, Frank tapped the tip of his blade against the left side of Seijuro's chest,
"The heart are the creatures weakness. Pierce it? They dissipate."
He pulled his sword back onto his shoulder. Seijuro glanced at where he felt his blade and then met Frank's eyes again,
"When do I get a transformation like yours?"
Frank chuckled again. Seijuro frowned, annoyed at his repeated laughter,
"Basics first. The rest, later."
They finally turned to walk away. The forest thinned as they left the clearing. Seijuro walked a step behind Frank. The only sound heard was their boots crunching against the damp leaves. They crossed over the narrow stream, as the water whispered against stone. Seijuro couldn't help but look at his own reflection,
Ren… mother… I won't let either of you down, I promise.
They stopped just outside the force field that hid the Foundation. Frank slapped Seijuro's back playfully, forcing air out his lungs. He stumbled forward slightly,
"You can take the day off today. The daily missions should pop up at noon, so if you want to explore the foundation, that's up to you. If you need anything, don't be shy to ask me."
He nodded and smiled. He couldn't help but feel safe at Frank's genuine tone,
"Thanks, Captain Frank."
Seeing he got the message, he stepped through the force field, disappearing behind it. Seijuro pressed his scouter, the lens shooting a small violet beam at the field,
{ Field Open }
The beam abruptly stopped and slowly but surely, he stepped through. This time feeling more confident than ever.