A/N: Hello! Quite some time has past since my last update but i wouldn't leave you without another one this year. Thanks to everyone who read and follow this story. As always i do not own anything except my OCs. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 23: Get up

A thump was heard. And then a kick, a sound of a broken bone and a scream all at the same time.

"Get up" that's all that he heard.

As soon as he had set foot there all he did was test his limits against a real werewolf and against time. And damn they were hardcore. Now they had nothing on Frankenstein but even he would let them have a couple of hours to sleep in between sessions. The last three days he was just fighting; to survive after day two. Fighting, running, hiding and fighting again.

Kentas was ruthless. He told him that he would have to see how long he would last so he had to use his energy wisely. Which meant no bursts of energy or powerful attacks. That was one of the ways they trained their amazing stamina. He was sometimes chasing him through the forest. If Bart was lucky he could stop for some minutes near a lake or small river to drink some water or eat some berries from the bushes. The stamina on those creatures was extraordinary.

By the end of day 3, he was at his limits he would either make it or he would blast Kentas in the face with all his might. He was considering the later. Just to feel the satisfaction…

"Heads up human!" he barely dodged him as he heard him. Sometimes Bart thought that Kentas was just playing with him. He was being chased for so long by now.

He crawled backwards and clawed him. He missed by a hair.

Kentas looked like he was very tired too but he was hanging there much better than Bart.

"At this rate you are not even going to last day four" he said with a casual seriousness.

"Are you kidding me?! I barely had anything to eat! And I'm sure as soon the adrenaline wears out I'm going to drop dead! Do you people not rest at all during training?"

Kentas raised an eyebrow "Don't be a whiner! Sure you can rest…Knock me out with pure might or otherwise forget it" he took a stance and was getting ready.

From afar, up on a rocky cliff Muzaka and Lunark were watching.

"How's he doing?" asked Muzaka that had just joined Lunark.

"The runt? He is hanging fine…You said he was a halfling?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, at least that's what Frankenstein told me"

She coughed awkwardly "How is Frankenstein anyway?"

"Oh you know his usual bitter bitchy self. Why?"

"No reason. I just asked"

Muzaka did not ask anything else on the matter but kept focusing on the survival trekking of the two. Lunark left after some minutes saying she had an errand to run.

Kentas was obviously going to catch him sooner or later and knock him out. But Bart proved to be very stubborn. He would not give up that easily. Now if it was just a normal werewolf, Muzaka would have thought that it would be pride that was not letting Bart give up that easily but given the kid's background…He would do anything to survive.

Suddenly Muzaka felt something. The hair in the back of his neck were rising and he focused better on the two under the cliff. Something had changed. It looked like Bart was gathering his energy. His aura was starting to be visible and his claws were getting larger. Kentas looked like he was trying to reason with him…and also kind of apologetic.

Did he somehow trigger the pup?

But Muzaka, to his great surprise, didn't have time to wonder too much about it as Bart leaped with amazing speed and attacked Kentas head on. Who would have thought that he had so much energy left?

Kentas was holding well and now he was returning the blows with equal strength and speed. The two of them seemed to be going like this for quite a bit until Muzaka felt that it was time for him to stop them. The survival training had come to an end as it seemed.

He approached them slowly. They both took notice of him; and of his strong aura.

"Now now boys…What's with the claws? I thought you were doing a slow survival training not a speed to death" he said casually if not a little jokingly.

Kentas spoke first "Well he is at the end of his capacities…and of his wits. Started cracking"

Muzaka looked at Bart "Heh…it was good that it lasted so far I suppose"

"I can still go on, but he will take what he said, back!" Bart said accusingly without lowering his aura.

"I merely said that you are good for a halfling. And that if you want to get better you must let your better side dominate inside you!"

"My human side is best side!"

"There it is! You cannot control your rage" said Kentas desperately as he tried to explain to Bart why he was actually failing. But apparently Bart would not listen.

"Kentas…" said Muzaka trying to interfere.

"Maybe it's the werewolf side that's giving me all this rage!" Bart shouted as he was getting more and more frustrated. He knew that at some point he would burst after everything that happened but he didn't think it would be so soon.

He let a snarl and transformed. Muzaka didn't think he was still able to do that.

"You want to see my werewolf side Kentas?! There you go!" he screamed through a toothy snarl that reminded Muzaka of someone he knew.

Faster than Kentas saw he jumped to him but was stopped by Muzaka himself. The older werewolf pushed him back several meters and looked at him in the eye.

"Bart, stop. Not only you are out of line but you are hurting yourself too" his tone was no longer light. He was focusing on Bart. He had forgotten that even though Bart was old for a human, he had only recently discovered his werewolf nature and like all young ones he was getting engulfed in it. Perhaps Kentas was wrong. His werewolf side needed taming.

He would try to subdue him with as little force as he could.

They attacked one another. While Muzaka was swift, precise and had clear-cut attacks, Bart was putting way too much energy in his moves and that drained him in the process; not to mention that he rarely got any hit while receiving almost 80% of Muzaka's blows.

'Huh…It's really like training with a youngling lost in rage' he thought as he barely avoided Bart's left punch.

It was darker in the sky. Muzaka was sure now that adrenaline was the only thing that was keeping the pup on his feet. He was going to end it soon. As he saw that his opponent was getting ready for an ultimate attack he was getting frustrated. He was already seeing the outlines of 'The Wolf' in his attack. How?

"Are you out of your damn mind?!" Muzaka asked Bart.

The pup was going for that attack. He quickly gathered his power. He himself had to be careful too otherwise he would spend the power that young woman so graciously gave to save him.

'That's it' He motioned for Kentas' assistance. A look was enough to make him understand.

"What are you doing Bart? I thought that you wanted to be in control of yourself. Is that how you are going to achieve that?"

Bart looked like he was listening him all of the sudden. Good, he had his attention.

"I mean, if I remember correctly, you asked for our help in order to restrain yourself from harming the ones you care about…like that woman"

Bart's eyes widened in a sudden realization. He got distracted and it was in that moment that Kentas grabbed him in a special grab from behind and Muzaka could get a better and less risky shot at him.

In the end Bart had finally collapsed. And with him Kentas, who was also drained.

Muzaka looked at both of them "Well, that was a great first training session"

…Seoul…Frankenstein's house…

Things were slowly finding their pace. Of course they supposedly couldn't come out of quarantine yet but they had time to snoop into the Union. Haji had been a great assistance. He managed to find some forgotten documents that had the map of the Southern Tribe and its whereabouts. Apparently it was only about the last 100 years that the Union got immensely interested in it, despite knowing of its existence for more than 500 years.

The documents also displayed a code: 421046EMRON

It was apparently an experiment conceived a couple of decades before the hunting of the Southern Tribe. But it explained no more than its connection with the Alphabet project and its apparent failure. It was just a reference. The details must have been in a different file.

At the same time Takeo and Tao were training with Frankenstein. The latter reasoned that they were finally ready to accept just a little more of his dark power.

"Will…will it hurt less than the previous time at least?" asked Tao as Frankenstein announced it.

"I don't know Tao" he simply said as he gathered his dark energy in the palm of his right hand "but I would be lying if I told you that I'm not interested to find out"

"Careful Boss, your crazy is showing" said Takeo with a warning voice.

Frankenstein just smiled viciously and looked the both of the in the eye "Shall we begin?"

Inside his room the Noblesse was looking outside the window; Winter had come and with it, it brought clouds, winds and the cold. It reminded him of Lukedonia. Somehow though he didn't miss his homeland more than he missed the school. Those kids…they showed him what it was like to be something else than the most powerful Noble. He liked that in their presence he could just be Raizel…He could just be Ray.

Doubt was starting to creep in his thoughts. He knew the necessity of erasing their memories in order for them to continue living their lives peacefully and normally. But on the other hand, he simply missed them.

But for how long? For how long would he be able to be part of their lives before his inevitable eternal sleep would catch on on him? Would it be worth it for them to meet him again, only for their memories to be altered again?

He was starting to feel that he shouldn't mess with their heads too much. He never had to do that in the past more than one time. He didn't even know what the long term effects would be.

In the end though he knew what decision he would take. The one that would be best for all. He was the Noblesse after all.

Thirteen hours had passed since he had collapsed on the unforgiving hard ground. He woke up on an even harder bed made of…rock?

'Seriously what's the point of having a bed if it is harder than the ground?'

He didn't dwell too much on it and stood up. Not a great idea as his body was aching all over. Plus the point where Muzaka had hit him was extra sore. That werewolf was so strong.

"I see you are awake" came a voice from his left.

Kentas was laying on his another bed, face up with his left arm covering his eyes.

Bart did not say anything. He didn't know what to say or how to say anything for a fact. He still felt so drained.

Eventually he asked "How long has it been since-…" he stopped without knowing how to end his sentence.

"My guess is" the other man said as he lifted his hand to look at the light coming from a medium size opening above him "About half a day"

"I am sorry for lashing out on you. That was uncalled for"

Kentas finally sighed, and rose to sit straight in order to face Bart "Honestly I wouldn't think you would be riled up this easily. I mean back when we were captured you were keeping your cool like no other"

Bart looked embarrassed. He knew he had messed up. What was happening? He was supposed to be the one riling others up in order for them to lose control. Suddenly he stopped his thinking tracks. She. She used to do the same. And then he remembered something that was bugging him for some days now. Something he was afraid of since a long time now.

"Bart, are you here?"

"Yes, yes…you are right I shouldn't have reacted like that it's just…I was always concerned that I would be losing my humanity to…my other side and honestly I don't want this to happen" he confessed.

Kentas was quiet. He knew that there was more to be said.

Bart thought of his conversation with Sara. Damn that woman always knew what to say in order to confuse him.

'I am a human!"

'Yes…but for how long?'

"I guess ever since I learned that I am a half-breed I was beginning to doubt myself even more. Huh…and then you said to trust by werewolf side I kinda lost it…My mistake. I promise it won't happen again" he finished sincerely as he looked Kentas straight in the eye.

Kentas on the other hand was skeptical. After a couple of minutes of silence he simply said that all was forgiven and forgotten, but…

"Bart, perhaps you didn't hear very well but I just said that you should let your better side dominate you. I never specified any of your natures. I meant your strong state of thinking. Your strong state of behaving and reacting. The state of the mind and soul is what counts in these situations. Your body is adapting well but your mind is all confused. Besides…" he said as he relaxed his stance and let his back touch the wall behind him " who said you can't use both of your natures to your advantage? Can't you be both things?"

Now Bart felt even more embarrassed than before. But at least now he could see the root of his uncertainty; of his doubt. At least now he knew what was happening inside him. Slowly he felt like detaching himself of everything that was going on inside him and try to see them from a more 'quiet' perspective.

"Say Kentas, is there a place where I can…meditate?"

"Meditate?"

"You know…a quiet place where one can concentrate to reflect or gather their thoughts or not think?" he tried to explain. Quite frankly he wasn't exactly sure what people did during meditation but he had the strong feel that that was what he needed at the moment.

"Oh I see, yeah sure. The hill overseeing the forest from the west side. It's not very far but it's kind of steep to climb up there"

Both their bodies were battered up but Bart had taken his decision. Aching or not he had to go there.

"Thanks man, I owe you"

"That you do" said the other man casually as he watched the taller one leave the room walking while winching in the process.

"Huh..." Kentas smiled as soon as Bart had left "Stubborn bastard".

Tao was huffing . Training with Frankensteinwas was never a walk in the park. Apparently he said that they had to train in order for the Dark Spear to be ready for another connection. Honestly though, Tao thought that Frankenstein just wanted to have some fun.

"Remind me again why are we doing this?" asked Takeo in a exhausted voice.

Frankenstein was smiling gleefulyy "Well, she has to get familiar with you guys"

"Again? Don't we already have it, her or whatever in our systems?!" screamed Takeo while avoiding another attack.

"Yeah! By the way it's a she? How does this work?" Asked Tao as he was trying to catch his breath.

"Oh please…Weirder things have happened… Come and say hi to her, she likes you a lot"

"Weirder than your Dark Spear?" said Takeo as he was shooting Frankenstein to his left "Tell her if she wants to kiss me, I refuse"

Suddenly Frankenstein disappeared from Takeo's sight and within seconds reappeared in front of him.

"Tell her yourself"

Up in the hill, everything seemed more peaceful. The light breeze coming from the north was welcoming to his senses. He didn't know why but he always liked the northern breeze, no matter how chilly it would be. He was sitting on the rocky ground founding it oddly soothing although he was mentally complaining about rock hard beds a little while ago.

Little while ago? How long had it actually been? He didn't know and he was not bothering to check. The place Kentas had suggested did miracles to his overloaded mind. Still there were so many things that were bothering him and meditation or not, he knew he couldn't stay there forever.

At some point he took a deep breath and opened his eyes that he hadn't noticed that were closed. He had the feeling that all this time he was looking at the forest. Slowly the sun was setting, hiding behind the big mountains and lending its rays to the pines of the forest.

He felt better. He knew that he should have accepted his two natures by now…But was that the only thing that was the issue here?

A few meters away a figure was approaching. He had heard that Bart had woken up and went straight for the 'Maron Cora', the Light Rock as was the name of that particular hill for centuries.

"What's up?"

It had been four hours since he went up there. He was sitting on a rock. One leg dangling down the cliff, the other bent upwards with his right arm on it. He looked like he was in deep thought "I made a fool of myself"

"It's training…That's what you are supposed to do. And give us werewolves some credit. You didn't think that controlling this power would be an easy thing, did you?" he said in his usual casual manner.

Bart didn't look consoled, more like in deeper thought than before "I guess I overestimated my abiliites…I just…was so taken aback by my own frustration" he sighed "I shouldn't have made that mistake. To lose control and get vexed up…I thought I had already learned this lesson…with the Union…with her…"

"Don't be so frustrated kid. We all make mistakes. We should have known, you are old in human years but young in werewolf ones. You have not discovered the range of your potentials yet. It's…natural to lose some control in the beginning. Plus you were at the end of your wits.

"I don't want to ever hurt anyone I love. I...don't ever want to hurt my family in any way"

Muzaka took a seat next to him and looked at the forest as the wind was passing between their leaves, making them dance.

"I am the last one to judge you and the first one to understand how you feel"

At that Bart turned his head to him. Muzaka continued.

"I was not able to control my sadness and anger when I lost my beloved and my daughter. The anger became the only feeling I felt and destruction was as natural for me as exhaling a breath. I…hurt many innocents…I hurt Raizel in my blind rage…I was the reason he was so weakened…it was because of me that he had to sleep for 800 years… I know he was so tired after our battle and the situation with the betrayal of the Nobles didn't help either" he could not hide his sadness as he was saying these things to someone that was not Raizel for the first time. Even though he looked like he was in his own world half of the time he knew deep down that he was one of the reasons that Raizel had so little energy left.

Bart was listening to him and was taking everything in. After a minute of silence Muzaka went back to his easy going self "So don't beat yourself up kid…Everybody makes mistakes…Even the Lord of werewolves, even the Noblesse. It would be cruel of me to demand you don't make any"

Bart sighed "Thank you, Muzaka. And I'm sorry for attacking you and Kentas"

"Oh, don't mind me, but between you and I, I think Kentas would appreciate to know that you have no hard feelings against him…"

"I have talked with him already. He is a good training partner and a gives good advice"

"I see" he said and his eyes went back to the forest. "Speaking of which, kid…"

Bart scoffed "Don't call me that…"

"I have to say that, despite everything, it was pretty awesome that you were able to summon Fenrir"

Bart raised an eyebrow "I don't think I summoned anyone"

"No, Fenrir is the name of the spirit of the Wolf. It is said that he was the first werewolf before anyone else. That attack you did and you have done before, it's the Spirit of the Wolf, the soul of Fenrir. Between you and me, not all of us can do it right but hear me out: Don't do it in light heart. It can strain you like you would not believe. Hone your skill in stamina first"

Bart did not know how to react to all that. He remembered being told something similar before but he did not pay it any mind. He took a good look at the sun setting. The only thing he could do now was to listen to Muzaka's advice.

Muzaka rose, signaling the end of the conversation…for now at least "The first part of your training is on hold for now. Having ridiculously drained yourself, you need to eat"

And with that he started leaving Bart's company. Bart realized that this was as much of an invitation for dinner as he would get in this place. He slowly got up and followed. He would be lying of he said that he wasn't hungry.

"Muzaka, I want to clear something first" he said with determination.

At the sound of his determined voice Muzaka slightly turned to the young man and raised an eyebrow.

"I want meat. No more berries and the like"

The older werewolf laughed and continued walking. Bart followed behind.

Six days had passed since Bard left Seoul. Six days of silence and training. Inside the home Tao and Takeo were trying to be as easy going as they could. Tomorrow Raizel would finally visit the school. Frankenstein had informed them that his Master would observe the school grounds from afar. No need in blending with their lives again and causing unnecessary trouble ever again.

But he actually gave permission to Tao and Takeo to freely speak and interact with the kids. Tao was not sure how sir Raizel knew what was troubling him but he felt that this was what he needed right now. Interacting with the kids was always a soothing thing to do. Their pure hearts and easy going behavior was such a welcomed change from the cruel world they came to interact with the last weeks.

Tao was currently taking a break after Takeo's constant bitching. But soon he would have to return to his duties regarding searching Conrad Stumae.

"You look deep in thought" came Frankenstein's voice from behind.

"Huh" then Tao remembered something "You know Sara was so impressed by your excess observation that she at one point thought that you can read minds"

The other man just raised his eyebrow. It was such a random thing to say. As if he could. Although he secretly enjoyed the fact that Sara was scared of him.

"Any progress?" he didn't have to specify.

"Well you know more or less…"

Honestly if Tao could he would describe the whole thing he'd say it was a big mess. There was nothing on the horizon. Not fake sources of energy, not a sign of wanting to have a meeting with them, not even an attempt to attack. And speaking of the last one...

"Boss have you thought of what is going to happen about our location?"

"Yes. I will wait for this year's classes to finish and then I will announce the closing of the school. All the students will be put on a different one that I bought last week under an alias. But I won't have any other contact with the school. There are going to be certain protocols of course. I will leave it to capable hands though"

The strain in his voice was obvious to Tao. By now he knew to recognize some emotion in his boss' voice. They both knew. It was very dangerous for the students to be exposed in such danger. For everyone's sake the Ye Ran high school must close. Forever. The enemy knew.

"Tomorrow sir Raizel will visit the school, huh?"

"Yes, my Master is very eager"

…Living room…

Raizel was reading a book that Frankenstein had given him all this time ago. 'GAMING FOR DUMMIES' used to bring such joy and interest in his life but now…it only brought bitter thoughts and the knowledge that he wouldn't be able to relieve some of the best times he had lived next to those humans.

I felt strange to him how much something like this affected him, such an old being, so much. 'I guess I still have a lot of things to learn' he thought 'But, do I have the time to?'

At that moment Frankenstein entered the room. He stood there by his side "Do you need anything my Master?" he asked in his usual respecting manner.

Raizel turned to his left, where his servant was, and held the book to him "Frankenstein…I won't be needing this anymore"

Frankenstein gently took the book, understanding the meaning behind the lines "I see. I will take care of it" and with that he disappeared inside a room and returned after a couple of minutes.

Silence took over the house. This night Takeo had taken the night shift.

…Unknown location…

The room looked like a mechanic's shop but smelled like a sterilized doctor's operating room. It somehow was equipped to be both.

The double doors opened automatically and a figure entered "Sir, I came to inform you about the matter"

Conrad Stumae looked up from his work which apparently included a corpse and some weird mechanic parts, and three needles with colorful fluids being gradually injected into the 'experiment' as he used to call them.

Said man sighed and took a good look at the assistant. He also took a look at this watch and he realized that he had lost the essence of time. It was indeed time for the daily report.

"Alright, tell me what you have"

"Sir, projects 2520 and 2350 have…passed" the man paused for a little bit but the other's silence was an indication for him to continue "They developed high temperatures in both flesh and mechanism"

"What were they treated with?"

"Erm…2520 with the N Serum and 2350 with the L Serum"

"How many more are remaining with said serums in their systems?"

"25 subjects sir"

Conrad looked skeptical "I have to find more candidates…I'm thinking into switching to living ones but we shall see" he turned to look at the assistant who looked anxious about the continuation of the report. This warned him that the next news wouldn't be good.

"Go on"

"Sir…All the remaining subjects treated with the W Serum…are all gone"

That he did not expect. Did he do a mistake with the adjustment of the specific serum, or was the werewolf gene so much more non compatible like that?

"How?"

"Red blood cells could not handle the contact with the serum for long. In the microscope it looked like they started exploding"

He had the same problem back in the days of the 'Alphabet' project. This really was pissing him off. More than 100 had passed and he was having the same failures. Damn that Crombel for taking such a perfect project from his hands. Damn him for leaving the Union in such a mess. He would have found a way to balance everything up until now…

He took a deep sign. No need to get angry over something like that. This was a new project and like all new projects the first steps would be trial and error.

"I see. If that's all, leave" he dismissed the assistant and turned back to his work.

"Sir there's something else you need to know about"

"Oh? Then say it boy, don't just stand there"

"They are trying to track us sir. We are careful of course but one wrong move and they will find us. They are running through everything; satellite, the underground black markets, connections with the dark web and even the political influences they have. They are very thorough"

"We already knew that they would be attempting all this. Keep me informed if anything happens and stay focused. Everything is still fresh. As soon as it passes we will make our move however and whenever we want it"

"Yes sir" with a slight bow the assistant left the place that was scaring him so much every time he went in.

…The next day…YE RAN Highschool…Rooftop…

A couple of figures on the school rooftop were watching the front yard. The kids were outside. It was lunch break after all. Raizel's eyes we glued to a certain party though. Two girls and two boys. The girls we sitting on a bench and laughing while the taller boy was trying to mimick some move he saw in a game and the shorter one was looking frustrated with the taller one's attics. He was unbelievably happy that they looked so carefree. He also knew that some of the Nobles got separated from them too suddenly for their liking. In a way he was happy that things had come to this. At some point the separation was bound to happen, but he himself kept pushing that thought in the back of his mind; like an unwanted chore that he thought he could avoid forever. But it did happen eventually, and now Raizel was sure of himself; this would be the last time he would be this close to the children and he would keep this carefreeness of theirs as his parting memory. Oh yes…a good memory indeed.

Frankenstein a little behind him was checking his watch. He dreaded the fact that he had to tell his Master that soon the big lunch break would be over, but alas he didn't have to. His Master in his everlasting perspective nature, slightly turned his head to him and said "It's almost time, isn't it Frankenstein?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so Master"

Raizel turned fully to him with the faintest of smiles "Don't be. This is a peaceful memory and it will live in me until the end"

Frankenstein was at a loss of words at the sight in front of him. His Master was always the epitome of elegance but at this moment, as the rays of the sun were in that particular angle, he looked…so warm, like pure sunlight.

23 seconds until the bell would ring for the end of lunch break. Han Shin Woo was laughing sheepishly as his best friend was telling a joke when he felt a warmth coming from behind him. But the sun was on his left. It felt reassuring none the less. As he turned to where he thought that strange feeling was coming from he looked up the roof. The bell had ringed. Nobody was there.

.

.

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.To be continued...

So the training starts! Has already started...There will be more focus on the werewolf training as you can already tell from this chapter. I'm curently working on it. I like showing the physical and emotional struggle while doing training.

Thanks to everyone who faved and followed this story!

Thanks to "marius210299" and "Warriormestar1993" for following this story. ^_^ If I have forgotten to thank anybody I'm sorry!

Updates are not on schedule so fav+follow so you won't miss any.

AND...have a good day~