"That girl's a handful," Genkei muttered with a faint grin.
Kaito burst out laughing. "She really is."
Genkei's smile lingered. "Even so, she's incredible—hardworking, strong. Most of the others here look up to her."
Kaito stayed quiet, but inside, he felt the weight of those words, admiration stirring in his chest. A small knot of doubt tightened in him—would anyone ever say the same about me?
After a pause, Genkei glanced at him. "So, what're you up to?"
"I was about to head to the library," Kaito admitted. "Lately… I haven't been doing so well in practice. I can't figure out why."
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm not cut out for this like the others are. No… no, I can't think like that. If I just work harder…
Genkei gave a thoughtful "hmm," but didn't press, which almost made Kaito uneasy. Is he disappointed? Does he think I'm making excuses?
"What about you, Genkei-san?" Kaito asked, forcing the words out to shift attention away from himself.
"I've got a few things to take care of," Genkei said with an easy grin.
He reached out, resting a hand on Kaito's head. "Just keep training hard. That's all that matters."
The simple gesture made something stir in Kaito. He straightened a little, nodding. "I will."
Will I, though? What if hard work still isn't enough? But even as the doubt gnawed at him, he clenched his fists by his side. No. I'll make it enough. I have to.
The scene shifted from the lively bustle of Tempest Hall to the hushed stillness of the library.
Kaito strode to a wooden desk and dropped four thick books onto its surface. "Alright… time to study," he muttered with determination.
He opened the first book, its pages filled with diagrams of wind assertions, the second one was about Eidolons while the others focused on the principles of evolution.
He was done with the first book. Then he reached for the second book, dedicated entirely to Eidolons. The pages were alive with illustrations and notes—majestic beasts, loyal guardians, and legendary creatures tied to each clan.
Kaito's eyes widened as he read about the legendary Eidolons of the Wind Clan. There were four in total. The first was the Primordial Wind Dragon, enormous and fierce, its scales shimmering like a stormy sky, capable of controlling gusts and hurricanes with a flick of its wings. The second was the Primordial Wind Horned Lion, a powerful lion with twisting, spiraling horns, said to be unmatched in strength and ferocity. The third was the Primordial Wind winged lioness, sleek and agile, a predator whose speed couldn't be rivaled. Kaito traced the illustrations with his finger, imagining each companion in motion. So these are the legendary primordial deities of my clan… one day, I want to meet them, to see if I can truly understand their power.
Hours passed effortlessly. Kaito absorbed every detail, every diagram, every nuance. His mind worked quickly, linking concepts, tracing the flow of Vital Pulse through the body, and visualizing the assertions in motion.
The sun dipped slowly toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the library floor, but Kaito remained engrossed, flipping pages with unwavering focus. By late afternoon, he had finished all four books, committing every lesson, every assertions, to memory.
Sitting back, he let out a quiet breath, a faint smile crossing his face. I've got it all… now it's just a matter of practice.
The quiet satisfaction of accomplishment settled over him, the library's stillness amplifying the certainty he felt — today, he had mastered everything he had set out to learn.
Kaito finally closed the last book and stretched, his arms reaching high above his head. "Phew… I'm beat," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
He stood, gathering his things. "Time to head home," he said, his voice heavy with fatigue.
As he walked through the quiet streets, he muttered to himself, "Tomorrow… I hope Master Akira will be around to train me. Lately he hasn't been here. I wonder where he is…"
A sudden rumble from his stomach made him pause, eyes widening. "Ugh… I'm starving. Guess I'll grab a snack on the way—Mom and Dad are still stuck in the office."
With that, Kaito quickened his pace, a small grin tugging at his lips despite his exhaustion.
After a few minutes of walking, Kaito's path brought him past the playground from the other day.
His eyes immediately landed on Yumi, still cornered by the same group of children who had bullied her before. Something inside him snapped.
He skidded to a stop, fists clenching tightly at his sides. His chest heaved as fury surged through him, a storm gathering in his gaze. "Those brats…!" he muttered under his breath, jaw tight.
The air around him seemed to tremble with the intensity of his anger as he prepared to step forward.
Without hesitation, he charged forward. "Hey!" he shouted, and the children turned toward him, startled.
"Well take a look at who it is, none other than trashto himself." The leader said mocking hi.
Kaito reached the leader and grabbed him by the collar. "I warned you to stay away from her, didn't I?"
"Huh?" the boy scoffed, gripping Kaito's hand. "Did I agree to do that?"
Kaito's eyes flicked to Yumi, crouched on the ground, her white clothes smeared with dirt, tears streaming down her face. Rage and concern collided, and he immediately let go of the boy. Kneeling beside Yumi, he wrapped her in a protective hug.
"It's okay… it's okay," he murmured, holding her close. Yumi clung to him, sobbing, calling his name over and over.
The bullies laughed cruelly. "Look at her! Crying on her brother like a baby!"
Kaito's eyes darkened. He rose slowly, fists tight. "Shut your mouths. One more word from any of you, and you'll regret it."
One of the boys stepped forward, smirking. "Who are you talking to?" He moved to strike Kaito, but the leader held him back.
"We weren't talking to you," the leader said, stepping up to Kaito. "You're the one who came to us."
"Because you were hurting my sister," Kaito shot back, eyes flashing.
The leader grinned, unfazed. "And did you see us hurt her?" he asked again, leaning slightly closer. "Did you see us?"
Kaito bit his lip, anger simmering, his fists tightening.
"Exactly," the boy sneered. "You didn't see us bully her. So mind your own business, loser."
Kaito's chest heaved, the words stinging, and he felt the urge to lash out. His mind raced with thoughts of striking the boy down—but then, his father's voice echoed in his head:
"Kaito… no matter what anyone says or does to you, just let it go."
Kaito frowned. Why, Dad? he wondered silently.
"Because you might not know what they're going through," the memory continued. "Being strong doesn't always mean attacking back. Sometimes, it's knowing when to forgive."
Kaito's anger slowly ebbed, replaced by a quiet resolve. He drew a deep breath, letting it out steadily, and turned his back to the boy. Kneeling down, he lifted Yumi gently into his arms.
As they stood, Kaito gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I'm sorry, Yumi… sorry for letting you get hurt," he murmured, his voice soft.
Yumi clung to him briefly, sniffling. "Come on… let's go," Kaito said firmly, guiding her away.
But the leader's sneer cut through them. "That's right—take your weakling sister and run away like the coward you are."
Kaito froze, fury igniting. "What did you just say?" he demanded.
The boy grinned, slow and ugly, like he'd been waiting for this.
"Are you deaf?" he sneered. "I said—run away. Like the coward you are. After all… you're nothing but trash."
For a second—
nothing moved.
Then—
Kaito vanished from where he stood.
No wind.
No warning.
Just raw speed.
A blur.
By the time anyone could react—
THUD.
The boy was slammed onto the ground, snow and dirt scattering from the impact as Kaito pinned him down, his hand gripping the front of his collar, eyes cold.
"Take it back," Kaito said, voice low.
"Right now."
A pause.
Then—
the boy laughed.
Not nervous.
Not scared.
Mocking.
"Or what?" he said, staring straight into Kaito's eyes. "You gonna hit me?"
The other kids snickered behind him.
"Go on," the leader continued, grinning wider. "Do it, Trashto."
Another voice chimed in.
"Yeah, Lord Trashto!"
Laughter spread.
"Dumbto! Dumbto!"
"Trashto! Dumbto! Trashto! Dumbto!"
The chant picked up—louder, sharper, echoing through the playground like a rhythm meant to break him.
Yumi's voice trembled behind them.
"Kaito… stop… please…"
But Kaito didn't move.
Didn't blink.
The boy beneath him leaned in slightly, voice dripping with venom.
"You Kaze really think you're special, huh? Just because of your blood?" he scoffed. "Take that away and what are you?"
His grin sharpened.
"Nothing. Especially you."
A beat.
"You can't even protect your own sister."
Silence.
Something in Kaito's expression shifted.
Slowly—
his fist rose.
The chanting stopped instantly.
Like someone had cut the sound out of the world.
The laughter died.
All four of them froze.
The leader's grin faltered—just a little.
"…You're actually gonna do it?" one of them whispered.
Kaito said nothing.
His fist tightened.
For a split second—
fear flashed across the leader's face.
Real fear.
Then—
BOOM.
Kaito's fist came down—
—but not on him.
It slammed into the ground beside his head.
The impact exploded through the playground.
The earth cracked.
Snow blasted outward in a violent shockwave.
The ground caved in, forming a deep crater beneath them, fractures spidering outward like broken glass.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
The leader's eyes were wide now.
No grin.
No arrogance.
Just fear.
The other kids stared, frozen, their faces pale, bodies trembling.
Kaito stayed there for a moment, his fist still buried in the shattered ground.
Breathing steady.
Controlled.
Then—
he let go.
He stood up slowly.
Didn't look at them.
Didn't say a word.
The leader scrambled back, stumbling to his feet.
"…L-let's go," he muttered quickly.
No one argued.
They turned and ran—fast, clumsy, scared.
But even as they fled, the leader forced his voice out, trying to hold onto something.
"This isn't over, Kaito!" he shouted. "You hear me?!"
"Yeah! This isn't over!" another echoed.
Their voices faded into the distance.
Kaito didn't turn.
Didn't respond.
Didn't care.
He walked over to Yumi and crouched down beside her.
Gently—
he helped her up.
"…Let's go," he said quietly.
The scene shifted to Kaze Citadel, the Wind Clan leader's stronghold—a vast building with soaring ceilings, polished floors that reflected the light, and banners of the clan draped proudly along its grand halls. Kaito stood in the center, rigid, his fists clenched. His parents were nearby, their faces a mixture of concern and authority. Across from him, the boy and his indignant mother glared, her arms crossed, exuding haughty superiority.