Nina growled as she charged at Lyra, stabbing one of her whips forwards.
Lyra smirked and then jumped to the left and then took two steps back. "Too slow on that one, captain," she commented.Nina wiped the sweat off of her forehead. As the back of her hand ran across her forehead, her eyes narrowed, "You're pretty good."
Lyra's face brightened a little as she smiled, "Thanks. You're really good yourself." She remarked, her eyes closing as she smiled. Then as she opened them, the captain and her eyes met. Instantly they were charging at one another again.
The two were in the dojo training. Nina had been working with Lyra the past couple days, studying her fighting style; figuring our her strength and weakness. The others were welcome to join. In fact, they were supposed to be joining the two today, but no one had come yet.
Nina knew Layfon would not be coming. He had told Lyra to tell the captain that he would be helping Naruki with his dispatch job. Harley and Felli were in class, and Sharnid was being Sharnid, skipping class and training.
With that being the case, Lyra and Nina had started to train on their own with one on one combat.
It wasn't planned. They had pretty much just glanced at one another and grinned, and then they both charged at each other, their Dites crashing, sparks flying. That's how it had been going for the entire morning. As they fought, Lyra couldn't help but smile. She felt so much freer when fighting the captain now. There weren't any screw up with one releasing more kei then the other, knocking each other out. The first day, Nina tried to push her as hard as she could. Lyra didn't understand why the captain was so harsh. Her thoughts were this is because they were in the military and this is how it was supposed to be, but later Nina explained how she did not want her hiding anything.
Lyra could understand why. This was the military. Their captains should know their strengths and weaknesses so that they would be able to strategize for the next platoon match. Not only that, if any filth monsters were to attack, their positions would be based off of their skills. However, Lyra understood where Layfon was getting at. He was Layfon, a Heavens Blade wielder. He did not have to show his full strengths. Like him, Lyra had decided as well that she would only use the amount of strength she needed to finish the fight. It wasn't necessary to use the strong attacks if she didn't need to.
A grunt of frustration brought Lyra's attention back to the fight. She had zoned out while fighting, but was shocked to see that she was still standing. She couldn't help but wonder, wondering how that had happened. However, she didn't have much time to ponder it as Nina was charging at her again with her whips in crossed in front of her like an X. Nina swung her whips, lashing out at Lyra, who brought her own sword up to block the attack. THey both grunted and pushed towards one another, trying to make the other falter. Realizing this was not working, the two jumped back.
Nina was now starting to pant a little. Lyra watched as she lowered her whips and called them back. Only then did she lower her guard and did the same.
"This fights getting a bit intense. Wanna call it quits for today?" Nina huffed, bending over while catching her breath.
"This quick? I'm just warmed up. How 'bout a break?" Lyra asked with a smile.
Nina frowned for a second, but then smiled and nodded her head as she set her Dites down.
"Sure, we'll continue after that." She walked off to get a drink.
Lyra then let out a sigh, as she released the last of the kei that had built up during their fight. She then walked over and sat down against the wall. Lyra then closed her eyes and took a couple deep breaths to relax her body. It was something her brother taught her to do. It helped with kei control and just relaxing the body in general.
Once she felt she was relaxed, Lyra opened her eyes again. She could see Nina a little off, filling two cups up. She could see that her captain was lost in thoughts.
Nina was good—very good. Lyra enjoyed sparring with her; however, Lyra noticed something. Nina pushed herself too hard. Lyra could tell by how she attacked. With every attack, she would yell as if encouraging her body to keep going even when it was at its limit. That caused her to make careless mistakes. She didn't have that confidence in her own skills.
One thing Lyra learned while training with Savaris was as he said, "Don't take shit from others. You do what you think is right," and that's what she went with. Nina tried to do that, but remarks from others were affecting her. Lyra learned that the very first day when the two were heading towards the dojo.
Lyra sighed and leaned her head back against the wall, resting her eyes.
A couple minutes later, Nina came back with two cups in her hand.
"Sorry I didn't know how much crème you took." She said handing her a cup.
"Oh you didn't have to. Thanks." Lyra said taking the cup.
Nina nodded as she sat down next to Lyra taking out her lunch, "Would you like some?" she offered.
Lyra blinked. She had forgotten all about lunch and didn't bother to pack. It was mostly because she was not really expecting to stay thins long, but fighting with the captain was fun. She enjoyed it.
"Sure thanks." Lyra said taking a treat. She took a bite into it and it let out a sweet sugary taste, "This is good." She remarked taking another bite out of it. Normally Lyra didn't take food from others, especially if it was their lunch. However, Nina was offering, so one wouldn't hurt.
"I'm glad you like it." Nina smiled.
It was quiet for a bit as the two ate and drank their coffee. Lyra looked around as she drank and noticed a line of doors going towards the locker rooms. She then noticed a letter A and instantly remembered the conversation with the president and changing her scholarship to a level A.
"Do you by any chance know any good places that are hiring?" Lyra suddenly asked. Even though she didn't have to worry about paying for her school, she still had her apartment to pay for, and food, and all those other things. That and like Layfon said, she didn't want to owe the president anything.
Nina paused in her lunch and thought for a bit, "well the place I work pays good. It's a lot of work but it pays good."
Lyra tilted her head as she looked at the captain.
"What do you do?" She asked.
"Machinery Cleaning. I'll take you there if you want. After the Platoon match." Nina offered.
"Sure! That'll be cool." Lyra replied as she remembered the platoon match. The thought of it sent butterflies in her stomach. Lyra couldn't wait. This is where she will be able to test just how well she remembered Savaris's training.
"Alright that's enough break time over." Nina yawned and then started getting up, picking her Dites up in the process and restored them as she walked into the middle of the arena.
Lyra nodded as she stood up and stretched a little. She then picked up her Dite, placing it over her shoulder. "Restoration!" she said swinging it forwards as her sword emerged. She liked doing it that way. She always saw Satoshi call out his Dite out that way except he had more things to it.
Lyra followed behind Nina and as soon as she crossed over the white line. As soon as she was over the white line, Lyra charged at Nina giving her barely enough time to block.
Nina managed to swing up her Dite to block the attack.
"You don't wait do you?" she asked jumping back. She then sent out a blue ray hitting Lyra. Lyra saw it coming but didn't move. The blast hit her dead on cause a bunch of dust to rise.
"Direct hit!" Nina cheered to herself. When the dust cleared she saw Lyra just standing there with out a scratch.
Nina narrowed her eyes as she saw a small green barrier around Lyra disappear.
"Interesting… Never heard that before." Nina thought. She then charged at Lyra who jumped up in their air. She then swung her sword sending a strip of lightening.
Nina jumped out of the way of that. She ran at Lyra again, who ran towards her. Then both collided and Nina tried to push forward but Lyra wasn't budging. So she decided to jumped up in the air and landed behind Lyra swiping her back, but Lyra just blocked it.
Damn she's good, Nina thought.
"What's that matter Captain? Giving up so soon." Lyra teased.
"Yeah right! Lets go!" Nina said charging at Lyra again. Lyra got ready again.
"Too slow Captain." Lyra said as she dodged her attack. She then dashed at Nina with a slight amount of kei. Nina parried the attack crossing, "Nice kei control." Nina remarked she then ran at Lyra and at the last second she jumped over her, aiming for her back.
Lyra had called in her Dite at the last second with out Nina realizing. Right when Nina landed she restored it "Restoration!" the silver Dite emerged jabbing her in the stomach. Nina stopped in her tracks coughing a little as she fell to one knee.
"I win again!" Lyra smiled.
"That was pretty clever." Nina commented, "You're good… where did you learn to fight?"
Lyra thought for a second before replying, "Well I've had a couple teachers. They've all taught me differently and so I just combined all of their techniques." She explained.
Nina nodded her head slowly, "Well that explains the different tricks. That's pretty good though," she remarked.
Lyra smiled. "Thanks!"
Nina just nodded her head. The two then started to head back to where their drinks and lunch were sitting.
"Well we should start heading back now. I have class in an hour and need to get my books." Nina remarked.
Lyra looked up at the clock. That's right. They still had classes to attend. Lyra herself had one later in the day. She nodded her head, agreeing with the captain and the two then headed back to the locker room where they both showered and changed back into their uniforms.
"So we'll go after the match right?" Lyra asked when they were outside.
Nina nodded her head, "That's right. I'll let you know the time that day."
Lyra nodded and smiled, "Alright. Just want to confirm. Thanks! See you later Captain." She waved and then started down the path. She still had plenty of time to kill before her next class. Lyra decided to walk around the area. The smarter option would have been to head back to her room and look over her notes before her next class, but Lyra wasn't in the mood to sit still and do that. She wanted to walk around and explore the city and think about everything that was happening.
The match was in two days… it excited Lyra. She couldn't wait. This match will show if she's capable. It would prove that what Savaris actually did help her prepare like he promised he would.
It was a regular day. Just like any other day Lyra was out in the forest training. She was jumping from tree to tree trying to slash off as many branches as possible. Lyra was timing herself, trying to increase her speed. She was in the air heading for the next branch when suddenly she saw a red blast coming towards her.
"What the-" she barely had time to turn her body as the blast went passed her As she turned herself again, she saw another blast coming towards her. Lyra sent out her own blast of kei to counter it, but that was only to get enough momentum to head towards one of the trees. However, as the two blast collided an explosion happened, causing lyra to go flying. She grunted as her back hit the tree and she sank to the ground. Instantly, Lyra scrambled to get up.
By now, she had figured out who her attacker was. Lyra closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths, "Savaris, you can come out now!"
A chuckle soon followed as Lyra looked up and saw him appear from a cluster of trees a little off.
"That was impressive, though you should have used your internal kei and made a shield rather than trying to block with external kei."
Lyra frowned, "I was trying to get to the tree," she explained.
Savaris looked at her thoughtfully, "And then what? I saw you were heading for the tree and had an attack ready. You would have been caught off guard."
"No I would have dodged that." Lyra growled, "After the first blast, you would have attacked again and I still would have been in mid air, making me more vulnerable."
Savaris nodded, scratching the back of his head, "Well that is true. I forgot you're weak unlike your brother."
Lyra's face redden with anger How dare he?
Savaris started to laugh, "Hmm… never seen that look on your face. It seems I hit a nerve huh? What you don't like being compared to your big brother?" he asked.
Lyra gritted her teeth as he went on.
"Oh wait, that's right. You were forced to leave because your brother feared your would be a burden right?'
Lyra snapped. She was running at him at full speed. "Restoration," she growled as he dite restored and out came a long sword. Savaris smirked as he lazily leaped back. Lyra continued to swipe at him out of anger, while Savaris lazily dodged, until he had enough and grabbed the tip of her sword, stopping her.
"I don't get it. You used a staff before right? Why a sword now?" he asked. Then with a flick, Lyra was sent flying back. Her back hit the tree and she fell forwards, her face buried in the grass.
Savaris walked over, crouching in front of her. "Boy you are weak…"
Lyra frowned as she looked up, turning her head to the side to spit out some dirt, "Just what do you want?"
Savaris's face went serious, "I want answers."
Lyra narrowed her eyes, "Answers?"
"Yeah, and I'm not getting them in the state you're in. You're too weak," he went on. He then stood up stretching as he took a couple steps back.
Lyra scrambled to get up. "Just what are you talking about
"You're trying to get stronger aren't you?" he suddenly asked.
Lyra furrowed her brows as he stood there, staring up at the sky, pretending to ponder and idea. His face then brightened.
"How about I make you a deal. How about I train you and in return, I'll get my answers?" he decided.
Lyra narrowed her eyes again, "What answers are you talking about?"
Savaris smirked, "Those answers will come as you get stronger."
Lyra looked at him, trying to figure out what he meant. Answers that will only appear as she gets stronger? That did not make sense to her.
"So what do you say Lyra? Shall we make it a deal?" he asked, with his usual cocky smile again.
Lyra frowned as she thought more, before replying, "I refuse."
"Heh?" Lyra struggled to hold in a smirk that almost formed, seeing the surprised look.
"I said I refuse," she said again.
"And why is that?" he demanded with a serious face.
"I don't need your help." She crossed her arm.
"Oh don't give me that crap," He started, "This is a rare opportunity. A Heavens Blade offering to help you train! Now that's an honor."
"I can train myself." Lyra replied flatly, walking over to pick up her dite, which she had dropped earlier.
"The only thing, you're getting done is learning to trim trees faster," he retorted.
"I'm working on increasing my speed!" she called back as she started to leave.
Savaris sighed, crossing his arms, "Well at this rate, you're never going to get anywhere," he muttered, "You want to find your brother don't you?"
Lyra stopped in her track. He was bringing that up again.
"Yup, you would have been a burden," he went on.
Lyra's grip tightened around her dite.
"I'm pretty sure the dirt won't taste any better," he chuckled, reminding her what he did.
Lyra frowned, "I'm not weak."
"Well f course you're not. I can feel the kei boiling in your system, "You just have to learn to control it properly.
Lyra's eyes narrowed as she thoughts. She then turned around, "And you can promise that?"
Savaris smirked, "depends on if you're planning on working hard."
Lyra thought for a bit. Of course she was ready to train as hard as she needed to, but something was bothering her, "It's just strange coming from you," she answered.
Savaris shrugged, "Well I did say I want answers. But hey at least you're learning from one of the best."
Lyra thought for a moment. He was right. She would be learning more and faster. Especially since he was a Heavens Blade Receiver.
"Alright. Fine," she decided.
Savaris nodded with satisfaction, "Good… though I have a couple rules…" he started.
Lyra rolled her eyes, "Of course you do. Go ahead… I'm listening…"
"First: No whining." He numbered holding up one finger.
Lyra nodded as he continued.
"Second: I choose when we train and where we train and you will come then." He listed holding up two.
Lyra nodded her head again. Until now he had a smirk, but then his face went serious.
"Third and final rule is the most important: You don't tell anyone, and I mean ANYONE that I am training you understood." He finished.
Lyra nodded her expression never changing.
"Good now lets get started." He smirked.
Lyra blinked, "Wait now?"
Savaris nodded, "sure, why not?"
"But I'm tired, and my back hurts from when I slammed into the tree twice," she protested.
"Hey! What are rules one and two?" he asked.
Lyra frowned. "Fine."
"Jeez, we're going to have a hard time if you're already forgetting," he sighed.
Lyra sighed, he was a strict teacher, but he did teach her a lot. She was thankful for all he had taught her and she couldn't mess up now; especially not with the team she was in.
Layfon was still the same, always putting others in front of himself. She hadn't really talked to Harley or Felli much. Harley seemed like a nice person. She had spoke to him only a few times when he needed to work on her dite. The only time she spoke with Felli was when she appeared while Lyra was with Sharnid. Felli seemed like the serious one but besides that she seemed nice. However, Lyra noticed she never came to training and when she did, she always arrived late. It was just like Sharnid.
He was a strange one. Lyra couldn't help but smile as she thought of a few nights ago when they went to dinner. Lyra was expecting it to be an awkward one, but as they sat there waiting for the food, Lyra realized that it wasn't that awkward at all. He just talked about the city, noting how during that time, many people were out drinking. It was amusing to see how he was mocking the drunk ones, watching them stumble. Because of that, Lyra couldn't help but laugh. Sharnid was…weird. She almost smiled thinking of how dumb he could be.
That's when Lyra sensed another presence. Their Kei was very feint.
Speak of the Devil, she thought.
Lyra stopped in her tracks, "I know you're there. You can come out now." She heard the person curse and turned around to see Sharnid appearing from behind some trees.
"That's pretty good. Not many can sense me coming, you know?" he remarked, clapping his hands twice.
Lyra shook her head, "May I ask, why you're stalking me?"
Sharnid chuckled, "Just what makes you think I'm stalking you?"
Lyra raised a brow as she crossed her arm, "clearly it's considered stalking when you hide behind trees with your kei levels low and follow someone."
Sharnid chuckled again, "Well yeah… but what makes you think, it was you?"
Lyra blinked, "It wasn't me?"
Sharnid shook his head and pointed ahead towards a group of girls, "I was actually following them when I saw you. Then I decided why not try and surprise you?"
Lyra gave him a dead panned look, "So you skip training because you were stalking girls?"
Sharnid blinked, "We have training?"
"Had training," Lyra corrected him.
Sharnid blinked again, "We did?"
Lyra sighed, shaking her head, "I've only known you for a couple of days and I can tell that you're a skipper."
"Ah Lyra-Chan, you don't have to be so mean." Sharnid sniffed, pretending to act hurt.
"Lyra-Chan? Since when?" she raised a brow
"Since now." He replied walking away with a wave.
"You are weird…" Lyra muttered.
He heard her and chuckled turning around patting her on the head.
"Get off my head." She said.
"Meanie! I come here to see my favorite short black-haired friend only to have her act all rude and mean to me," he pretended to act insulted.
"Hey, I'm not being rude now! Nor am I short!" she grimaced.
"Really? You look short to me." he replied measuring the distance. Lyra looked at where his hand was and frowned. She was short. She barely came up to his neck. Damn…
"You're just… tall!" she replied.
"Which makes you short." He grinned.
Lyra continued to frown.
"Stop frowning. People will think that you're like Nina, always serious or like Felli, who isn't capable of smiling.
Again, Lyra continued to frown.
Sharnid sighed, "You know your face will get stuck like that."
That made Lyra straighten her face but then she shook her head, "Just where did you hear that?"
Sharnid started to laugh, "Hah it worked!"
Lyra sighed, shaking her head. She then looked up and noticed the girls were gone now.
"Looks like the ones you were stalking are gone now," she remarked.
"Aww is Lyra-chan jealous?" he asked.
Lyra scoffed, "You wish." She then looked down at her watched and tensed, "shit!" she exclaimed, making Sharnid jump as well.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Ten minutes before class start!" she replied, looking up at him.
Sharnid chuckled, "Ah yeah… class. I'm not going."
"Yeah well unlike you, I'm not a skipper- oh I don't have time to argue with you. I need to go back to my room and get my books too!" she realized.
"Well you better get on that," Sharnid remarked with a look of amusement.
Lyra shook her head quickly and turned around to hurry off.
"Well toodles Lyra! See you later1" Sharnid called after her. Lyra just waved back a response and was off.