Weeks had passed since the intense confrontation with Ryota. The members of the Seirei Exorcist squad used this time to recover and prepare for what lay ahead. Their determination was rekindled as they began a rigorous training regimen, eager to hone their newfound abilities.
One day, Takumi Enatsu gathered Haruko, Rin, Miwafe, and Yana and led them to a state-of-the-art training facility. As they entered, the sheer scale and complexity of the space left them in awe. The futuristic design sparked excitement among the group, as the area was clearly tailored to accommodate their unique skills.
"Today, we're going to focus on controlling your standz output," Takumi announced, his voice firm but encouraging.
The recruits exchanged puzzled glances. "What do you mean by 'standz output'?" Haruko asked, scratching his head.
Takumi smiled knowingly. "Your standz abilities are incredible, but uncontrolled power can be dangerous. Learning to regulate and focus your output will make you stronger and more effective in battle."
To illustrate his point, Takumi began questioning each of them individually. Turning to Haruko, he asked, "When you multiply objects with your ability, can you control the exact number?"
Haruko shook his head. "No. Whenever I touch my card, the objects just multiply randomly. I can't choose a specific number."
Takumi nodded, then shifted his attention to Rin and Miwafe. "Rin, when you mold objects from sand, or Miwafe, when you create structures with your ice, can you control their size and strength at will?"
Both Rin and Miwafe hesitated before admitting they couldn't.
Finally, Takumi faced Yana. "Do you know that your standz ability can do more than just read minds?"
Yana blinked in shock. "What? No way. I can only read minds!"
"That's not true, I have a unique ability of knowing someone's standz ability just by looking at them, you can say it's one of my gift" Takumi countered. "Your ability doesn't stop at mind reading. You can invade minds and manipulate them to your advantage. The reason it feels limited is because you haven't learned to control your output yet."
The revelation left Yana speechless, and Rin's jaw dropped. "That's insane!" Rin exclaimed, still trying to process what he'd heard.
"This is why mastering your output is critical," Takumi explained. His words sparked a wave of determination among the group, with Miwafe enthusiastically high-fiving Yana.
"Shouldn't Makoto be training with us?" Yana asked.
Haruko chimed in, "Yeah, where is Makoto, anyway?"
Takumi hesitated, but quickly covered his tracks with a lie. "Makoto's already mastered standz output and is working on the next phase of his training."
The group bought the explanation, with Miwafe remarking, "That's so like Makoto." Takumi let out a silent sigh of relief before beginning their training.
Meanwhile, in a separate area, Makoto was with the boss and Ninda. The boss had a different plan for Makoto. Since he was standz-less and relied solely on his physical skills, the boss decided to sharpen Makoto's combat abilities.
"From now on, you'll spar with Ninda," the boss announced.
Makoto glanced at Ninda, who stood in her fighting outfit, wielding a long pole weapon. "Wait," Makoto said, concerned. "Will she be using her standz ability? That'd only be fair."
The boss chuckled. "Ninda doesn't have a standz ability."
Makoto's eyes widened in shock. "You're kidding, right? If she doesn't have a standz ability, I might hurt her!"
The boss laughed harder. "Give it a try."
Reluctantly, Makoto agreed. He charged at Ninda, hoping to hold back just enough not to hurt her. But with a swift spin of her pole, she struck him across the face, sending him flying.
Makoto groaned as he stood up, rubbing his cheek. Determined not to hold back this time, he launched a flurry of attacks. Ninda, however, blocked every move effortlessly, using her pole to strike his joints and knock him off balance.
As Makoto lay on the floor, winded and bruised, the boss explained, "Ninda may not have a standz ability, but she's the most skilled fighter in this organization. You'll spar with her until you can break her pole."
Makoto accepted the challenge, determined to rise to the occasion. Ninda nodded at the boss before turning back to Makoto, her expression resolute.
Meanwhile:
In an unknown location, far from the Seirei Exorcist base, a man sat in a dimly lit room. His sharp teeth glinted as he smiled sinisterly.
"Tik tok, tik tok," he murmured, his eyes fixed on his watch. "The show must go on."
This was Zeyrix Veynith, a figure whose presence alone inspired fear. He leaned forward, his gaze piercing through the darkness as he prepared for his next move.
Back at the Seirei Exorcist base, Makoto faced daily defeats at the hands of Ninda. Despite his best efforts, her skill and precision always bested him.
Each sparring session left Makoto battered and bruised, but he refused to give up. Three weeks passed, and though he had yet to break her pole, his determination never wavered.
One day, as Ninda waited for their session to begin, Makoto arrived late. She scolded him, but he cut her off with an unshakable confidence.
"This time, I'm going to win," Makoto declared.
Ninda raised an eyebrow. "Big words for someone who's lost three weeks in a row."
Makoto smirked. "Last night, I replayed all our fights in my head. I've figured out your techniques."
Without another word, Ninda attacked first. Makoto closed his eyes, relying on his instincts to predict her moves. To her surprise, he dodged her strikes effortlessly.
She increased her speed, but Makoto matched her pace, his movements quicker than ever before. "Impressive," Ninda admitted, "but you still haven't won."
Makoto smirked. "Then I'll take your pole."
In a swift move, Makoto disarmed her and snapped the pole in half. "You rely too much on speed," he told her. "Learn to incorporate pauses into your attacks, and you'll be even better."
Ninda was taken aback, but she smiled and bowed. "You've bested me. Thank you for the advice."
Makoto nodded, appreciating this new side of Ninda as he walked away, "you can always take me on a date or try showing of some skin if you get what I mean", Makoto said as Ninda ignores him.
Later, Makoto encountered Takumi while retrieving bottled water. Takumi was stunned to learn that Makoto had finished his training.
"By the way," Makoto began, "remember Ryota? Before he left, he asked me if he could still be a hero despite his past crimes."
Takumi raised an eyebrow. "And what did you tell him?"
Makoto sighed. "I told him it wasn't for me to decide. But he said that since I stopped him without a standz ability or pressure, I was the right person to ask. I told him that if he was willing to serve time for his actions, nothing was stopping him from being a hero. He agreed."
Takumi smiled, proud of Makoto's response.
Just then, the boss summoned the team to his office. When they arrived, he directed their attention to a broadcast playing on every channel.
On the screen was Zeyrix Veynith, his terrifying appearance sending chills down their spines.
"Is that even human?" Haruko asked, his voice trembling.
Makoto squinted at the screen. "He… looks like a Seirei."
As they watched, they noticed the terrified audience tied to their seats. "Are they hostages?" Miwafe guessed.
The boss nodded grimly. "We've received orders from the Seven. It's time to act."
With that, Takumi led the group out, leaving Ninda alone with the boss.
"You were right about Makoto," Shirone said. "He's improving at a remarkable pace—just like his father, Kyoka Katsuragi. The resemblance is uncanny."
The boss smirked, his eyes glinting with hidden knowledge.