It's been Months since Alan entered the Academy. During the first year, He had to train and study with his partner Akira to overcome challenges that awaited them. He had also made friends with Tor's, Tomoe's and Aoi's Duo teams and Lilith.
They've now entered the summer year. The students were on a cruise ship to take to their summer camp. Tor was sitting behind a pole in the shade with Julie who was lying on his leg. Tor looked straight and saw Alan and Akira looking out in the sea. Akira was explaining to her partner about her curiosity of what the island is going to look like and was coming up with a lot of theories. Alan was pretty annoyed by it and was trying hard to not listen to her rambling.
As Tor was watching them, He suddenly remembered what Aoi warned him about Alan.
Flashback
Tor was recovering in the infirmary. Alan had already healed enough to move. Aoi entered the room to talk to him in private.
"Tor, There's something I need to talk to you about and it concerns Alan." Aoi said.
"What is it?" He asked curiously.
"Over the past few weeks, he's been a bit secretive and it seems like both Lilith and Sakuya know about it. I tried asking about what is it he's been hiding but they won't tell me anything." Aoi explained.
"Tora, you're over thinking this. Maybe he has some kind of special Blaze like I do. I don't want to press him on it. Whatever he's hiding, I'm sure it must be personal and doesn't want to talk about it." Tor said remembering his own reasons for being here.
"I hope you're right. But you should still be careful around him until we've confirmed it. Too many strange things have already been happening." Aoi stated then left the infirmary leaving Tor alone in the room.
Flashback ends
"Alan, what exactly are you hiding that you'd want to keep from all of us?" Tor thought then looked at Julie.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Ja, I'm fine. Thanks." She replied trying to recover from sea sickness.
"I'm sorry Tor, here we are heading for a seaside summer camp and I'm-" Julie was cut off by Tor.
"It isn't your fault that it's hot and you got sea sick. Besides there's no way this is just your average summer camp. So you should rest while you have the chance." He said.
"Ja. That's a good idea. Your lap is comfortable. So nice." Julie said starting to fall asleep. Tor strokes her head gently smiling.
"Um Tor?!" a female voice called out. He turned and saw Miyabi standing at the other side of the boat.
"Hey what's up Miyabi?" Tor greeted.
"Is Julie feeling okay?" She asked.
"Uh yeah. I think the fresh air has helped a little. It's better than being cooped up inside anyway." He responded.
"Yeah I bet. She looks pretty comfortable." Miyabi said.
"It's gotta be hot over there. Want to come and sit in the shade with us?" Tor asked.
"What? The shade?" She asked.
"I asked Alan and Akira the same thing but they said they were fine." He said.
"No Akira is fine. The heat is killing me. She won't let me sit in the shade." Alan complained.
"Well how do you expect to look into the seas if I'd let you sit all the way over there? You've got to observe closely out there to see any possible land sights." Akira explained.
"Yeah but."
"Come on. Why don't we look from a different spot? I know an open place where no shade can distract you." She suggested grabbing Alan's arm and dragging him away.
"Help me!" Alan whispered as they left Tor and Miyabi alone in the shade.
"She must be full of energy. Still it would be nice to cool off." Miyabi said smiling. She walked towards the Duo and was about to sit next to Tor. However the ship suddenly lurched and Miyabi lost balance and landed on Tor.
"Hey are you alright?!" He asked worried. Miyabi was flustered being this close to him.
"Come on Tor! Tsukimi wants to see us!" Aoi called.
The students gathered in front of the ship.
"Now for an important announcement! All of you will be swimming the rest of the way to the training camp which is located on that island!" Tsukimi said pointing at the island in the distance.
"What!?" The students exclaimed.
"She's never going give us an easy task." Alan muttered.
"There's no way. You've got to be kidding!" Tor complained looking at Tsukimi. She shot a glare at him.
"You're serious about this aren't you?" Alan asked. The rest of the students looked at Tsukimi.
"Of course I am! Oh and as part of your special training, you'll be swimming in your uniforms kay? It should be a piece of cake for you Exceeds." Tsukimi said happily.
"I think I understand." Aoi said looking at the observation window seeing Sakuya watching. "This is so Sakuya can sit back and observe all of her little lab rats at once. And her special lab rat above all." He said glancing at Alan. Tor listened to Aoi explaining then paid attention to Tsukimi who was revealing a large map of the island with bunnies and flowers at the ends of it.
"This is your ultimate goal! The x marks the training camp building right in the middle see?! Are you guys fired up about this or what?!" Tsukmi exclaimed.
"Oh just in case you forgot, I wanted to remind you about the Rite of Sublimation at the end of term. If you leveled up, good for you! But if you're one of those sad panda cubbies who didn't make the cut, try not to drag your Duo down alright?" She explained.
Miyabi looked down knowing she had not leveled up while Akira looked at Alan with a worried expression.
"Alan, why can't you level up? I know you're ready. You even lasted against Lilith." Akira thought.
The platform raised up and started to push students off the ship.
"Time to get moving!" Tsukmi exclaimed waving her hand. Soon the platform's angle changed enough for all the students to fall in the water. The students then began to swim across.
Tor had to carry Julie while swimming to the island because she couldn't swim.
"Doing okay Julie?" He asked.
"Ja, but it looks like we've fallen behind everyone else." She replied.
"We'll catch up to the rest of the class soon. You just hang on real tight." Tor said.
"Ja. Tor what's that sound? Julie asked as the sound of a helicopter came closing in above them.
"Hi Tor! Up here! Trying to pick out the right bathing suit put me off schedule." Lilith exclaimed waving from the helicopter.
"Lilith?" Tor questioned wondering why she's here.
"I think I can take it from here Sarah." Lilith said to her butler who was flying the helicopter.
"Miss? What do you mean?" She asked then immediately realized what Lilith was planning as Sarah saw her undress into her bathing suit.
"Wait no!" Sarah exclaimed. Lilith jumps off the helicopter and dove into the water. As Lilith emerged out of the water, she held her arms around Tor's neck.
"Sorry I took so long Tor but your future bride is here!" Lilith said happily.
"Aw look at how you're blushing around me!" She teased while poking his face.
"Stop. I'm not blushing." Tor protested.
"Please stay away. He's my Duo partner." Julie said as she grabbed tightly on Tor while he was blushing at the situation he was in.
"Oh let me guess? You don't know how to swim do you?" Lilith said. "As Tor's Duo, you should not slow him down."
"We don't have time for any of this right now. We have to get to the island." Tor said wanting to end this argument.
"You've got a point. How about I race you! It'll be fun!" Lilith said as she was swimming to the island.
Alan and Akira have already reached the island. Akira was pretty tired even with the level she was in. Alan however was exhausted and had to lay down for a few minutes.
"Thank god I'm such an excellent swimmer." Alan panted as he was worn out.
"You know I almost thought I would have to carry you halfway due to your level. But it looks like you did it." Akira panted while recovering her stamina.
"We'll start moving once we get enough rest because who knows what awaits us further in." He said. She nodded in response.
"Can I ask you something?" Akira asked.
"What is it?" Alan asked.
"Lilith said that you were special and I knew in a way that you were special but she says it like you have a unique power of some sort. Do you have that sort of thing in you?" She asked.
"I guess you could say that. It has something to do with getting stronger without the use of a level up Lukifer." He said without revealing too much information.
"Is that why you weren't there at the Rite of Sublimation?" Akira asked. Alan nodded in response.
"But that doesn't explain why you're hiding it. Is there something else you're not telling me?" She asked.
"I uh- Alan was having trouble responding to her question. Akira noticed this and decided to speak first.
"Alan, you're my Duo partner. If there's anything you need to tell me, I'm always here to listen." She comforted him.
"Akira look, I would like to tell you but it's complicated and I'm quite afraid of what your answer is." He said.
"It's sensitive isn't it? I understand. We all have our own personal secrets Alan and this must be one of them. But remember I'm still with you no matter what and when you're ready to tell me, I'll be here to listen." Akira said smiling.
"I appreciate it." Alan said nodding in response smiling at the thought of wanting to explain everything to her one day. They continue to rest at the shore.
Tor, Julie and Lilith eventually reached the shore. Tor was the only one who was exhausted and had to lie down to rest.
"That was. Really brutal." He panted
"I won. No question." Lilith declared who raced him to shore.
"I'm sorry you had to carry me." Julie apologized.
"It's okay Julie. I just need to rest a little." Tor said.
"Take your time. The swimming made my underwear all soggy and uncomfortable." She replied.
"You should let your clothes dry then." He suggested. Following Tor advice, Julie was about undress. When Tor caught on this, he immediately stopped her.
"Whoa! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait wait!" Tor exclaimed. Julie stopped undressing and put them back on.
"Oh, you meant over there." Julie said innocently as she walked off to the trees.
"Yeah. Just don't wander too far!" Tor said.
"Ja!" She replied.
"What a weirdo." Lilith commented. Tor laid back down and rested his body. Lilith stood in front of him to block the sun.
"That's much better isn't?" Lilith said.
"Yeah the shade is nice. Although I think Alan might need the shade more than I do." He said jokingly remembering that Alan was suffering from the heat and didn't get any shade.
"Yes well he isn't around right now. Besides I'd rather cover you than him anyway." She said.
"Yeah well sooner or later, you'll get hot too." Tor said.
"You don't have to worry about me. I'm doing this because I want to. Although if it makes you feel better, there is something you could do for me." Lilith said
"Sure, might as well return the favor." He said.
"Yeah and my reward is- Lilith said leaning closer to his personal space.
"Your kiss." She finished. Tor blushed heavily and crawled away from her quickly.
"No! No! No! No! No! No! I don't need the shade!" He denied.
"Ah!" Julie worried. Tor heard Julie and saw her standing on top of the rocks.
"Julie!" He called. Tor and Lilith ran towards her to see what happened.
"What's going on?" Tor asked.
"I was trying to dry them off. But the wind came and blew them away." Julie answered as she pointed in the water. They turned and saw Julie's underwear in the water.
"Which means you don't." Tor concluded flustered at the thought.
"Tor. You shouldn't look at me right now." She said flustered while covering herself.
Sunset was already approaching. Alan and Akira continued moving to the training camp. Eventually they can see the building from a distance. It was surrounded by a forest along with cliffs at the end of it.
"Finally we've found the training camp. It shouldn't be too far now!" Akira said excited about the camp and its environment.
"We should probably hurry. It's getting dark and I'd like to be there before night time." Alan said.
"You're right. But we don't have to worry too much about it. After all, it's not like there's anything stopping us from getting there." She said. Just as she finished, two arrows were heading towards her. Alan noticed it coming and quickly tackled Akira to the ground and out of the way. The two arrows hit the concrete behind them. Alan quickly got off Akira and got back on his feet while she did the same.
"You just had to jinx us didn't you?!" He said to Akira.
"How was I supposed to know we were getting attacked?!" She pouted.
"You never say nothing could go wrong. Fate tends to prove you wrong." Alan answered.
"But I never said that! I just said –Akira was interrupted.
"Well it's the same thing. There's not much difference between it" He stated.
"Can we just kick these guy's asses already?!" She scowled wanting to end their argument. Alan smirked in response.
"Took the words right out of my mouth." He said summoning his sword.
"Blaze on!" Akira said summoning her double bladed scimitar. They got in their battle stance prepared for their next attack.
Tor, Julie and Lilith have also reached the forest to the training ground. When they were about to advance further, they were ambushed by three kunai heading towards them. They heard it coming and all ducked to the ground.
"What were those things?" Julie asked.
"Those are kunai. A type of throwing knife used by ninjas." Lilith answered getting in her battle stance.
They saw movement in the trees. Moving quickly, they switched positions.
"Don't tell me it's those guys again." Tor thought remembering their encounter with the military soldiers. They see the attackers dressed as black ninjas with their faces covered. They summoned Blazes and were getting ready to attack.
"They have Blazes?!" Tor exclaimed as the one of the attacker with a yellow marked sword attempts to strike him.
Alan and Akira were avoiding arrows as they were heading towards its direction. On the way, a trap was activated which involved a large log about to ram them. They saw this and dodged out of the way. After that arrows were aiming towards Akira. She spun her weapon rapidly blocking the arrows successfully.
"First those military guys and now these ninja bastards. How many strange enemies are we gonna run into?!" Alan asked while standing by his partner.
"Well you know, its part of the adventure!" Akira answered jokingly.
"Apparently!" He groaned. Three black robed attackers jumped in to strike. Akira threw her double bladed scimitar at them like a boomerang hitting all except the last one which he blocked with his large hammer and landed on a tree and started heading towards Alan. Akira caught her weapon again and was about to attack the last one but arrows were firing at her. She blocked the arrows again and saw an attacker with a crossbow attached on his left arm. He continued firing arrows at her while Akira evades it and head towards the attacker.
The attacker with the hammer launched a strike to Alan. He dodged out of the way and the hammer impacted to the ground which caused large cracks and some trees to fall. One was falling near Alan where he landed. He had to run forward to avoid getting hit. The attacker in front of him swings his hammer at him. Alan had to block it with his sword which he had surprisingly succeeded and was able to push him back.
"Didn't think I could block that." Alan muttered. He decided to go on the offensive and started attacking him.
Akira reached the attacker with the crossbow. The attacker jumped back to gain distance. Akira was about to go for another strike but two more attackers ambushed her. Akira dodge one strike while she blocked the other.
"Enough with these surprise attacks!" She said as she counterattacks by striking one of their legs then swings her weapon at the downed attacker, slams him to the other attacker knocking them both unconscious.
Akira throws her double bladed scimitar at the crossbow attacker. He ducks down for a moment and sees Akira in range to strike him. The attacker blocked it with his crossbow then pushed her back.
"End of the line, girl!" He said as he was about to fire his crossbow at her until the spinning scimitar came flying back towards his direction which successfully hits him. Akira launched a punch at him when he got hit. She caught her weapon again and made one more strike. The attacker fell to the ground and was unable to use his crossbow arm as Akira was placing her foot on it and pointed her Blaze at his covered face.
"I win this match!" Akira declared smiling at her victory. She looks at Alan's fight against the attacker with the hammer.
Tor was blocking the attacker's strikes with his shield while trying to gain distance.
"Who the hell are these guys?" Tor thought.
"Watch out!" Julie called at his partner as she is on the defensive against one of the attackers. Lilith tried to aim her rifle at them but they kept taking cover behind trees.
"They attack us in here so they can use these tree like a cage. Nice thinking." Lilith complimented.
One of the attackers threw a kunai behind her but Julie ran behind her and deflected it.
"I don't remember asking you to help me." Lilith said.
"Ja, I'm doing this because I want to." Julie answered. Lilith smiled at her response.
"So what's our next move here? A little space to move around would be nice." Lilith suggested.
"In that case, jump up in the air." Julie said.
"What?" She asked confused for a moment then figured out her plan.
"Roger that." Lilith replied. A kunai flew straight towards them. Lilith jumped up while Julie ducked to the ground then immediately stood up.
"Blaze on!" Julie said as she summons her other sword and spins with her swords cutting the trees all around her. The attackers were exposed as they had no cover and were surprised by Julie's power. Lilith landed back to the ground and aimed her rifle at them.
"Now let's dance shall we!?" Lilith said.
Alan launched strikes at the attacker while he could only block with his hammer. Eventually he counterattacks and swings his hammer directly at him. It impacted Alan and launched him to a tree. He slowly gets up while recovering from the attack.
"Damn, that's gonna sting. What a hit! It kind of reminds me of someone." Alan said to himself. The attacker reaches up to him to swing his hammer at him. Alan rolled left and quickly swung his sword at him. The attacker quickly moved back to be out of reach. He was slightly cut in the right leg but can still move it.
"So it was no coincidence after all." The attacker muttered as he got back in position.
Alan once again goes on the offensive and strikes at him from multiple angles. As the attacker blocks it with the handle of his hammer, he counter attacks by swinging his hammer for the right. Alan ducked down and his hammer hit the tree. Alan kicked the attacker back. The branch of the tree was about to fall on Alan. He noticed it by the last second and stepped back and grabbed it.
Alan threw the tree branch at the attacker. He swings the branch out of the way which was his mistake as Alan was up close after the branch was thrown. The attacker widened his eyes as Alan did a vertical slice at his hands. This caused him to drop his weapon and Alan punched him back and into the ground. He pointed his blade at the attacker preventing him from getting up.
"I wouldn't get up if I were you." Alan warned knowing he can't fight anymore.
"Impressive, you've certainly gotten stronger Alan." The attacker complimented as if he knows him. Alan's eyebrow was raised by that comment.
"Who are you and how do you know my name?" He demanded.
"Have you forgotten already? After all, you're the one that said that you wanted to fight me again." The attacker said as he removed his mask. Alan's eyes widened in shock.
"You!" He exclaimed surprisingly.
Tor tried to punch his opponent but the attacker jumps back on a tree and jumps again to gain distance.
"Who are these people wielding Blazes and where did they come from?" Tor asked as the attacker comes up to strike. Tor blocks it with his shield. The attacker jumps back as a roped log trap swings in to crush him. Tor holds it back but it was a distraction. The attacker jumps in to strike. Tor jumps to tackle her. They both landed on the ground causing the attacker to drop her sword.
"It time for me to end this!" Tor shouted as he powered up his fist but was shocked as he sees a familiar face.
"Imari?" Tor said surprised.
"I guess now you know. Hi Tor. Long time no see." Imari said happy to see him.
"Yeah, hi. It's been a while." He said didn't think he would be seeing her again.
"It has." She replied.
"It's been a long time huh Alan." Kojiro said smirking at his reaction.
"Kojiro? What are you doing here?" He asked lowering his sword and remembering his fight at the entrance ceremony.
"I suppose you deserve an explanation don't you. All of us so called drop outs were sent here and fighting you was also part of training." Kojiro explained.
"Kojiro, can you stop playing catch up and wrap this thing up!" Said the crossbow Blaze user as he adjusted his glasses. He had black hair and brown eyes. Akira was standing next to him who was also shocked about this revelation.
"Uh right." He stuttered as if he feels threatened then turned to Alan. "I can explain more to you later. For now let's head back to the camp."
That night, the first-year students and the students at the camp have gathered in front of the school entrance. Imari began welcoming the students from Koryo academy.
"To all students from the main campus, welcome to Koryo academy's branch school! A mock battle may not be the polite way to greet visiting students but please forgive us. Consider it seaside summer camp done the Koryo academy way! There you have it. Joint training has officially begun and we're thrilled you're here! Good luck and cheers!" Imari finished raising her cup in the air.
"Cheers!" The students exclaimed doing the same.
Students were spending their time enjoying the party. Meat, tropical fruit and several flavored drinks were placed on the table. Ryuutarou was flexing his muscles impressing other students while Aoi was disapproved by it. Tsukimi was taking all of the meat from the students.
"I had no clue that there was a branch school." Tor said.
"I was surprised when I first found out about it." Imari replied remembering what happened after she lost her fight at the entrance ceremony.
"The students who were defeated in the opening Screening Rite were told we could attend the Branch school if that's what we wanted. The training and environment are incredibly rigorous but I've got to say I've enjoy every second of it!" She explained.
"I can see that." Tor replied.
"So how have things been with you?" Imari asked. Before he can answer, Alan and Kojiro walked toward the two.
"I can't believe all of the meat was already taken." Alan complained.
"Well, you can't blame them. They all went through a lot of swimming and fighting. So I imagine that everyone's starving." Kojiro said.
"Hi Alan, nice to see you again." Imari greeted.
"You too, Imari." He greeted happy to see her again.
"I take it you two met at the entrance?" Kojiro asked.
"Alan couldn't find the study hall so me and Tor guided him there on the way." She answered.
"I would have found it! If I knew how to read the language." Alan said while feeling embarrassed about the event.
"You don't know how to read the language?" Imari asked.
"Alan is from America. His partner Akira has been teaching him how to read the written language." Tor answered.
"Oh I see. That explains it." She replied.
"Yeah but I've slowly been getting better at it." Alan remarked. Imari giggled at his response.
"Do you want one of my pieces? I was going to save one for Julie but I know how much you love meat." Tor said offering him a meat stick.
"Oh that would be nice. Thank you Tor." Alan replied gratefully as he takes it. As Alan was about to take a bite of it, He was interrupted by Akira.
"Alan! I just found some nice fruit. This can be your next thing for you to try." She suggested as she grabbed his arm and dragged him away.
"Come on! Can't you let me have this just for today?" Alan pleaded while trying break free from Akira's hand.
"That's what you said last time. You can have meat later." She said as she continues dragging him causing Alan to accidentally dropped his meat stick.
"Noooo!" He cried comically as he reach his hand out to the meat stick that fell on the ground.
Imari giggled watching the duo while Kojiro was amused by it. Tor also chuckled at the scene until he saw Sakuya standing at the side of outside the building. Tor walked towards her to speak to her.
"Headmistress. Look I was wrong about you. At first I thought you were so cold hearted but I didn't know that you would give Imari and the others another chance. I'm really grateful to you for that. I just wanted to say thank you." Tor said bowing his head to her.
"Then you still have some misapprehension about me." Sakuya answered.
"What?" He asked confused.
"I can assure you that everything I do is in service of finding the talent the Dorn agency requires. I've done nothing to merit thanks." She stated.
"Well then, good evening, Tor Kokonoe." Sakuya said as she was about to leave.
"Can I ask one question?" He asked.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Is Alan an Exception or an irregular like me?" Tor asked.
"No, I can assure you that he is not. But he has potential that I wish to study." Sakuya answered. She starts walking away. Leaving the party.
"I desire one thing and one thing only. That the path I take will one day reach Absolute Duo." Sakuya said as she leaves.
After Alan finished having food that Akira 'offered' him. He decide to talk to Kojiro to catch up.
"I'm glad that you got a second chance here. I felt pretty bad about ruining your chances at first." Alan said.
"It's all in the past. Plus I was a different person back then. Hell this place is even better and the environment is perfect for my Blaze. I just never thought it would be used against me." Kojiro said.
"Even now you're still an amazing fighter. I'm glad things worked out. I wouldn't want any hate develop between us by our first fight." He said. Kojrio looked down then responded.
"Well truth be told, I did but during my time here, I met Imari and my Duo partner Riko. Riko helped me improved my techniques and Imari told me about her duel against Tor Kokonoe. I also saw my flaws in fighting. They uh. They changed me and my hate eventually withered away and I saw you as a kind of rival." Kojiro explained as he looked back up.
"Sounds like you made some great friends." Alan concluded.
"Yeah well Riko has always been there to support me despite his strict attitude." He said ending in stutter. "As for Imari, we uh became more than friends."
"Wow really?" Alan asked.
"Yeah she's real kind and helped pushed me further on my goals. We also grew to like each other. Although Riko wasn't happy about it for some reason." Kojiro said.
"That must be nice for you." He complimented
"It is. What about you Alan? You got anyone in mind?" Kojiro asked curiously.
"I never really thought about it to be honest." He answered.
"What about that partner of yours? Akira was it? She's kind of cute" Kojiro suggested.
"It's not like that. Sure she likes to tease me often but we've never liked each other that way. Even I'm sure she's against the idea." Alan protested blushing a little.
"If you say so." He replied smiling in response.
"There is one question I need to ask." Kojiro said
"What is it?" Alan asked.
"How is it that you've been able to do physical damage? I know that you could only do it when you have deadly intent but you didn't have any did you?" He asked curiously.
"Oh that. It's because my weapon can only cause physical damage instead of the soul damage." Alan answered.
"Really? That doesn't exactly sound like a Blaze." Kojiro responded.
"Yeah, well i haven't really told anyone about it yet not even my partner. I'm afraid if I did, they might think I'm just some fake Blaze user who just snuck his way in." Alan explained.
"No need to worry, i'll keep that between us. But only if you explain it to them one day." He replied. Alan nodded.
"I look forward in fighting you again sometime." Kojrio smirked offering a fist bump.
"Same here" Alan smirked accepting the fist bump.
"The way you fought was amazing!" Branch student complimented to Miyabi.
"It's no wonder you got the main school!" Another branch student complimented.
"I'm not that impressive." Miyabi protested.
"You most certainly are. Every day I find something new to admire in you." Tomoe said.
"Um thanks a lot Tomoe. I'm going to go get some food." She said as goes to the food table.
Miyabi was about to reach the tongs but at same time Tor also reached it. They looked at each other as they touched their hands then both of them stepped back.
"Sorry about that." Tor apologized
"No please go ahead." Miyabi replied shyly.
So you're the talk of the training camp. I heard how brave you were to save Tomoe earlier." He said.
"Well there was a point where my instincts took over. And that was mostly because you- Miyabi could not finished her sentence as she blushed heavily.
"What was that you said about me?" Tor asked.
"It's nothing." She responded shaking her head.
"It's because Tor has been there for me so many times that I feel like. I feel like." Miyabi thought deeply.
"Hey Miyabi!" Tomoe called from a distance standing with the group.
"Tor! What are you doing over there?!" Lilith called out to him.
"Coming!" Tor replied then turned to Miyabi. "Let's go."
"Kay" She replied as they run back the group and Miyabi concluded her thinking.
"Now I know. What I'm feeling for Tor is love. True love."
In a dark room where there is blue light at the end. There are two figures standing in front of a chamber. One who is blond haired named K and wearing a business suit and the other an elderly man named Equipment Smith with cane dress as a scientist.
"The Unit is now completely calibrated. All that is left is to move on to the final stage. But of course in order to do that, I require one last component." Smith stated.
"And you'd like me to obtain it. Is that right?" K asked.
"Yes. both of you." He said.
"Wait. By both, do you mean me and him?! What makes you think I would need C's help?!" K growled.
"It's because so that you won't screw up like the last mission." C answered coldly as he was walking behind them. He was a young teen wearing a black long trench coat and has black long hair with a small pony tail holding the back of it. K has hated the man ever since he's met him.
"Chrome's abilities has helped made the Rebels improved greatly and he'd required most of the components to the Unit." Smith stated.
"Tell me, would you like one of these suits? You've certainly earned one." Smith asked Chrome.
"No. I have no need for such things. I rely on my own power and my own power alone. That is true strength." He answered as one of his finger's flickered with lighting.
"Very well. In any way you'll both be deploying to get the final component and you won't have to report this to the higher-ups. They are just as curious as we are to find out how powerful this thing is. The test results should be more than enough to satisfy them." Smith said.
"The test. Assess and be assessed, is it? Then what will the code name be this time?" K asked. Smith smiled in response.
"A competition. Let's call it Selection. What do you think?" Smith answered as the lights behind the three starting to light up revealing bodies of suits of armor.
"We'll see what these things are capable of." Chrome said while K grinned in response.
