Okay, thanks for waiting. Here's the chapter! What kind of things that Rust will learn from Zed?
After eating lunch, Rust joins Zed in the training room. It's been a week after Ink and Klaus's duel, the place is already fixed as if it was good as new. They both sit down on the training mat and Zed starts off with a question,
"So Rust, what do you know about Blood Art techniques or anything related to hemomancy?" He asked.
"Uh... I think I have an idea what it used for." Rust said as he is thinking about how the power of blood is used, "Like controllin someone's blood besides yer own, usin yer blood to turn it into weapons, using it to heal yerself or others, and power up your attacks like a bulk-up. For me, I always bulk up my Destroyer with my blood." He said, showing his arm and demonstrates by bulking it up with the use of blood. The organic metallic arm bulks up as if Rust showing off his muscles.
"Indeed. Those are the common uses of how Blood Users will do. But there is so much more than that." Zed points out.
"Like what you and Zapp do?" He asked. He never got to see other's blood user techniques in action. He can vaguely remember Klaus's for some reason but it's hard to remember. So far, he saw Zapp and Zed's blood powers on display.
"Indeed. Though e have different blood types." Zed answered. Rust blinked as he looks at the merman dumbfounded.
"Huh? Like uh A, B, and O blood types? Those blood types." Rust replied.
"Not quite." Zed replied with a chuckle "It's more like infusing the elements in our blood and channeling it through our blood."
"Elements?! As in... fire, water, air, and earth elements? Like those elements? You can do that?" Rust blinked and is eager to know about this. He leans in with his hands on top of his knees in his cross-legged position, wanting to know more.
"Of course! Look." Zed gives it an example by having a small crane origamis imbued with his blood and then with a lift of his hand, the paper crane starts to fly with a breeze of his wind element. The cranes were flying in the air with its wings around the room before they landed onto the training mat with a flick of Zed's wrist.
"Woah..." Rust is at awe, watching the crane fly thanks to Blood Arts. Seeing that made Zed grateful that Rust is eager to learn. "So, for Zapp, was its fire?" He asked.
"It is. Both of us are trained under the same teacher of Big Dipper Battle Blood Style." Zed answered.
"Big Dipper Battle Blood Style?" Rust repeated, "As in like the star, Big Dipper?" Rust asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes, like the star. You see. Our master, Raju Jugei Shizuyoshi, is the master of this style, it is consisted of two elemental branches, channeling the fire attribute,the Kagutsuchi branch and the wind attribute, the Shinatobe branch." Zed explained. "However, this style is hard for one to master especially with both elements of fire and air. So, he had to split the branches to each of us. I trained under the Shinatobe branch while Zapp trained under the Kagutshuhci branch." Or rather, Zapp's unwillingness to master both elements from what he heard. But that doesn't matter.
"That makes sense. How long does that take to get them both down?" Rust asked.
"A long time I'm afraid. I recalled from my master that Zapp was trained at a young age and he can only master the Kagutsuchi branch, it took him a long time to master." Zed answered.
"How long are we talking bout here?" He asked.
"If I have to guess, it would be about around he started training with Raju from 12 years old," Zed answered with thought. Rust just gaped in shock. "Shit..." That's a very long-ass time.
"However, no need to worry about that. We need to figure out what kind of blood technique you're using. What we can ascertain so far is that your blood is the type to devour others especially Blood Breeds." Zed added.
Rust's face fell at that statement. "Yeah...I wished I have something more than that."
"What do you mean?" Zed blinked, "If anything, your blood type is much more effective against Blood Breeds. With some practice, you might get it under control."
"Yeah...I get that these vamps need a taste of their own medicine. But I don't like the idea of eati n people with my blood, it makes me the same thing as those vamps." Rust retorted. " Hell... I don't think I don't want to eat them either unless I have to." He said with visible disgust. "I mean...I think you said it yourself and you ain't wrong." Rust sighed.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Then he recalled what he said at the hospital when he first met him. He did mention that he fought the same way as Blood Breeds. It stings him after hearing that. Ugh, damn me, I should have never said that. Not to mention, I should of consider his feelings. But how should I go about this,
"I see, I know this apology is overdue but forgive me for saying that back then. " Zed replied.
"Huh! Whaddya talkin bout! It's fine, man!" Rust waved his hand, telling him not to worry about it, "No need to say sorry! I mean you kinda told me straight out so it's fine." Rust laughed.
But it's not fine . Zed thought with a frown. Also, how should I make him feel better about himself, "I see. Then how about you use it only if your life depended on it. Fair? No need to feel pressure."
"Yeah...sounds fair." Rust shrugged. I just hope I don't have to use it anytime soon. The blond thought.
"Good." This is awkward but it's good to get this out of the way. But what would be a good way to change the subject? " Moving on, have you ever used your arm for anything else?"
"You mean Destroyer? I only use to wreck stuff." Rust answered.
Ah. Though it made me wonder. "Why do people call you The Machine Destroyer, Rust?" Zed asked curiously. "If you don't mind me asking."
"Because I'm good at it!" Rust said as if he's proud of the title, "I mean, sure, my friends can destroy machines like mechas and stuff, but when it comes down to it, I destroy them faster and harder! Especially those machinist people. The bad ones I mean. "Rust corrected himself, "First thing, they tried to do is that they tried get my arm but I managed to beat the crap outta of them. When they find out it's hard to get it from me." He laughed.
"I see." Zed nods. "That makes sense. Alright, here's what I can show you first." With the use of his blood technique, he calls out, " Big Dipper Blood Battle Style, Blade Form Five: Dragon Piercing Spear." He creates a trident of solidified blood aweing Rust.
"Hey! You have that before at the party." Rust pointed.
"Indeed. This is the weapon I use to engage in battles. Now, I was thinking if you have the ability to do so. Making a blood weapon."
Huh? Rust blinked. Then he yells out, "Huh?! Wait, hold on a sec. Ya can't be serious. The only weapon I got is Destroyer. I can't make a weapon outta of blood like that!"
"And why not?" Zed inquired as he looked like he raises a brow despite being a merman. And..well..merman don't' have brows. But that is besides the point here...
"Um...cuz...uh..." Rust wasn't sure why, so he had to ask "What's wrong with usin my fists?"
"Nothing wrong but it's good to have some variety," Zed answered firmly. "As you can see, it's good to have a ranged weapon instead of fighting in close combat all the time."
"R-right...but I got no idea what kind of weapon I can come up with," Rust said.
"Then take your time, no need to rush. Also, here's another thing I want you to see." Zed stands up and walks past the blond, he lifts his arm, holding the trident and tosses it. Quickly, the trident changes form, " Blade Form Two, Sky-Slicing Strands." Right away, on command, the trident changes into strands as it hit the desired target, a bench, ensnaring in it net and pulls it with the strands connecting to his fingers. Then with a pull, he had the bench in the air with such strength before being put down gently without a scratch.
For Rust, it was hard to see but he can the glimmer of light on the red strands. Nonetheless, he is amazed by this.
"With practice, you can do it too," Zed stated.
"I can?" Rust asked.
"Of course, you can," Zed said with confidence. "It takes total concertante and time, I believe you can do it in the near future."
"Huh." Rust watches as Zed releases the chair with ease and right away quickly before the strands dissipated into thin air.
"Hey...what happens to the blood after it's out and all?" Rust asked hesitantly.
"Truthfully, the blood dissipates after it's done." Zed speaks, looking over his shoulder at Rust. "Why does that trouble you?"
"Uh...I know this is stupid question but don't ya get worry about using yer blood all the time? Like gettin tired?" Rust asked.
"We do." Zed answered, now understanding, "If you mean by blood loss or suffering from anemia, then it's mostly likely. Also, I don't think that's a stupid question." Zed smiled, " It's a good question. That's something Blood Users are concerned about it and are aware of it."
"Why not pull it back, like returning the blood back to ya?" Rust asked.
"Us in Libra used devices customized to each of our unique blood art styles when casting a stronger blood technique. For example, Zapp with his device that acts as a lighter, Klaus with his brass knuckles and a knuckleduster, K.K with her guns and bullets, and Steven with his customized shoes. They helped us in puncturing the blood and channels it by casting our blood techniques. Not only that, but it helps to prevent massive blood loss and store our of drops." Zed explained.
"Now that I think about it, isn't it the same thing with your arm, Destroyer?" Zed pointing it out.
Rust blinked and nods, "Yeah, you're right." Man, I never thought about it. To the blond, Destroyer is like my weapon but not in the way like that. "I thought ya guys are so strong that ya use liters of blood. But not controlled amounts..."
"It might seem that way but I ensure you, Blood Users either store their blood or channel it using those devices," Zed stated. "As for me, I do have an easier time to restore my blood, not only thanks tp my stamina, but to my biology." Zed forms a small vortex followed by transforming it into a webbed net between his fingers to demonstrate further. "With Blood Arts, you will know how to use the right amount of blood to create an effective Blood Art technique without exerting yourself much."
"Wow! That does sound awesome!" Rust wonders what kind of techniques he can make with Blood Arts. "Wait...what elements are Klaus and Steven? Also, who is K.K?!" Woah, a knuckleduster, that sounds pretty cool. He never thought Klaus is into close combat. Wait. Did he just say shoes? Why does Steven want to use shoes for his blood arts?
"Steven's blood type is ice and as for Klaus, well...he doesn't have an element per se, but his way of solidifying his blood is the strongest out of all of us due to his incredible prowess. Not all Blood Users have elements to them." Zed mentioned this. Blood users came to mind like Brody & Hummer for example. Theirs is a unique case but Rust will know about them at a different time.
"And for your other question, K.K is a member of Libra and for her blood type, it's lighting," Zed said. "As Steven said, you will meet her and other members of Libra soon."
"Huh?! How the heck can you use blood to do ice attacks and lighting attacks?!" Rust asked, as there are tons of questions on how that can be done. Then again, what about fire and wind? It made the blond to rack his brain on how that is possible.
"No, need to think too hard about it." Zed waved his hand as he can see Rust is thinking very hard about this. Zed would of swore that there is smoke coming out of his ears, "We have a lot of time to teach you about the elements and other Blood Arts. After all, I figured this is a good way to introduce you about Blood Arts and Blood Style techniques and the power of blood-users overall instead of diving into it. Therefore, we're going to learn about Blood Arts before training so you get a better grasp of it. Then we apply the common practices for every blood user in training."
"Huh? So, we're going to learn first before training and testing it out?" He asked.
"That's right." Zed nodded. Recalling his excitement, Zed hopes the boy isn't impatient. He looks like someone who wants to do the physical activity than learning first.
"That..." Rust speaks, "sounds pretty cool. Makes a lot of sense." To Rust, training it takes years to master some Blood Arts and a Style. Hearing that your training at 12 is damn long. Holy hell. Rust whistled.
"Glad that you agreed!" Zed said, glad to hear it. "Now let's conclude this as your orientation. After this, we'll start right away."
"Orientation?"
"Yes, now you been given a talk by Steven and has a gist of Blood Arts from me. I think you seem to get it. Now any questions?" He asked.
Questions? Now he thought about it. He got plenty but he doesn't what kind of question we should ask. "I got a lot! So...uh...I'm not sure what to ask first, gotta think first before asking." Rust racking his head.
"It's quite fine. It doesn't have to be right away. Feel free to ask at any time. Now let's get back to the office." He smiled.
"Right!" Rust follows the merman, now admiring Zed as he knows a lot. Smart and probably knows what he's doing. He can't wait to get this whole thing started!
As they return to the office, the faces of Libra looks grim and dread except for Klaus and Gilbert. Rust and Zed just stared in question.
"Ah, Rust. You're back." Klaus greeted him. "I have something to tell you."
"Hey, what's goin on?" Rust asked.
"Did something happen?" Zed asked.
"What does it look like?" Zapp looks like he's dreading that something is coming. "He's coming..." While Leo looks like he's tired as if that wasn't enough.
"He?" Zed questioned then listens to the conversation between Rust and Klaus.
"We have someone who wants to visit you. He's coming here tomorrow." Klaus said gently with a smile as if there's nothing wrong at all. Only Leo, Zapp, Chain, and Steven knew what Klaus is talking about. Already, they all feel bad for what Rust is going to experience tomorrow.
"Visit? Who?" Rust is now curious.
"Blitz T. Abrams. He's my teacher and researches deeply into Blood Breeds. I talked about you to him over the phone and he is very interested in meeting you." At the mere mention of that name, Zed just pales and gulps. Zapp and Leo dread in despair as if that's the worst thing in the world. Of course, poor Rust has no idea what's about to come.
"Your teach?" Huh. He must be just as cool as Klaus. Rust smiles, "That sounds cool. Can't wait to meet him!" He grinned.
Everyone dreaded as they heard that, save for Klaus and Gilbert. Rust seriously has no idea what he's getting himself into.
Huh! That was a lot of information about the Blood Arts, huh? Better to learn about it before training about it!
Also! Blitz T. Abrams coming to meet Rust! Welp, let's all pray for him! Stay tuned for the next chapter.