Toru's words echoed in Kaito's mind long after he vanished into the forest.
Kaito lifted his gaze to the sky, eyes narrowing against the fading light. Slowly, he closed them, drawing a steadying breath.
Minutes later, he hovered several feet above the ground, seated in a perfect lotus pose, eyes still closed. The hum of his Vital Pulse mingled with the whisper of the wind.
After a moment, his eyelids fluttered open. "Master Akira's not around today," he murmured to himself, voice low. "I wonder where he is."
With a soft exhale, Kaito rose gently, landing on the earth.
His mind flashed back to his father's words — sharp, unforgiving.
Kaito… the way things are now, if you don't train harder, you won't be able to beat Hina anymore. And you definitely won't be able to beat Ren.
A sudden frustration welled up inside him. He clutched his hair, letting out a raw shout: "Ahhhhhhh!"
Kaito's fists clenched, his jaw tightening. "Who cares what anyone says?" he muttered under his breath. "I don't need anyone telling me what to do! I'll surpass them—my way, on my own!"
His breath slowed as he sank to one knee, voice dropping to a rough whisper. "This is so frustrating…"
His gaze drifted toward the distant village lights, a flicker of resolve sparking in his eyes.
"I guess… I'll go to the library."
Without hesitation, Kaito shot into the sky, a swift streak of wind disappearing toward the town.
Kaito surged upward. He slowed his pace as he reached a vantage point high enough to see the entire village stretched out beneath him—spanning nearly ninety kilometers from edge to edge.
The sprawling rooftops clustered tightly near the center, gradually thinning toward the outer edges, where fields and gardens bordered the thick green canopy of the surrounding forest. Smoke curled gently from chimneys scattered throughout the village, and narrow streets wound between buildings like veins pulsing with life.
He hovered there, breath steady, taking in the sight of his home — the place that had shaped him, sheltered him, and held all his memories.
Beyond the village, the vast Forest stretched endlessly.
For a long moment, Kaito simply watched, his heart swelling with a mix of pride, determination, and an aching need to protect this beautiful place.
After a moment, Kaito shifted his gaze beyond the village limits. Towering mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks piercing the sky like ancient sentinels guarding the land. Rugged terrain rolled between the village and the mountains — rocky outcrops, steep cliffs, and dense thickets that whispered secrets with every breeze.
Closer still, massive boulders dotted the landscape, worn smooth by centuries of wind and rain, standing like silent guardians scattered across the earth.
Farther beyond, the horizon stretched wide and endless — a hazy line where the sky met the distant plains, fading into the unknown.
The vastness of the world outside the village both humbled and fueled Kaito's spirit. So much beyond this home needed protecting, and so much awaited his strength.
A few minutes later Kaito was already in the village.
The village bustled quietly as Kaito wandered through its streets, his thoughts still heavy from the morning's training. He walked past familiar houses and market stalls, observing the rhythm of life around him.
Kaito turned slightly at the sound of hurried footsteps behind him.
"Be careful—!"
"I know, I know—sorry!"
Two large boxes wobbled into view—no, not just large, stacked, nearly blocking the carrier's entire line of sight. Papers peeked out from the edges, threatening to spill with every unstable step.
"Excuse me—!"
Too late.
Thud.
The two collided.
Both of them fell back onto the ground, the impact sending a sharp jolt through the quiet street. The boxes tipped instantly, flipping over as sheets of paper scattered into the air like startled birds before raining down across the path.
"Ouch—!"
"Ah—!"
For a brief moment, everything stilled.
Then—
"No, no, no, no—!" the girl gasped, immediately dropping to her knees.
Mai.
Her hands moved quickly, almost panicked, gathering the fallen documents before the wind could carry them off. She didn't even look up at first, too focused on the mess.
"I just sorted these—ugh—this is bad…"
Kaito blinked, still sitting where he fell, watching her for a second.
"…Mai?" he said softly.
She froze.
Slowly—
she looked up.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"…L–Lord Kaito?!"
The moment realization hit—
she straightened up abruptly despite still being on her knees, posture snapping into place out of instinct.
"I—!" she started, flustered. "I deeply apologize—I wasn't watching where I was going—this is completely my fault!"
She lowered her head quickly, almost bowing despite the scattered papers around her.
Kaito stood up, brushing the snow lightly from his clothes.
"No, it's okay," he said. "I should've moved sooner."
Mai shook her head immediately.
"No, no—it's not okay! I should never have—especially not to you—"
She cut herself off, clearly frustrated with herself, before quickly returning to picking up the papers, though now her movements were more controlled—focused.
Kaito crouched down beside her.
"Here," he said, reaching for a stack that had slid a little farther away.
Mai paused, eyes flicking toward him.
"…Y-You don't have to do that," she said quickly. "I can handle it."
Kaito gave a small shrug.
"I was part of the problem," he said simply. "So I'll help fix it."
For a moment—
she just looked at him.
Then her expression softened slightly.
"…Thank you," she said, quieter this time.
Together, they gathered the scattered documents, stacking them neatly back into order. The wind brushed past, but this time, nothing escaped.
Once everything was packed again, Kaito lifted one of the boxes before she could protest.
"I'll carry this one."
Mai blinked.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah."
She hesitated—just for a second—then smiled, a bit brighter now.
"…Thank you, Lord Kaito."
They began walking side by side through the village, the earlier tension easing into something lighter. The boxes were still heavy, but the moment felt… calmer.
After a while, Kaito glanced at the box in his hands.
"So… what's all this for?"
Mai let out a small sigh, adjusting her grip.
"It's for the Masters Exam this year," she said, her tone slipping into mild frustration. "Well—technically next two months. It only happens every two years, so everything has to be perfect."
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Which means this much paperwork…"
Kaito nodded slowly.
"Two months, huh… so they're already preparing."
"Of course," Mai said, rolling her eyes lightly. "The higher-ups love overdoing everything."
Then she glanced at him, a playful spark returning to her expression.
"I heard you'll be taking it too, right?"
Kaito nodded.
"Yeah."
A small pause.
The sound of their footsteps filled the space between them.
As they walked for some time through the bustling streets of the village, Mai finally stopped and looked up. "We're here," Mai said, her eyes bright with relief.
Before Kaito stretched Tempest Hall, the legendary center of the Wind Clan where masters, elite masters, and true masters gathered for missions and official business, Kaito's eyes widened. The structure sprawled across 10 square kilometers, with towers rising 500 meters high, vast courtyards, and training arenas stretching for kilometers in every direction. The halls were large enough to accommodate thousands of warriors at once, and the surrounding grounds teemed with activity — warriors practicing, messengers rushing, and recruits training. The sheer size of Tempest Hall made it feel less like a building and more like a fortified city, a true heart of the Wind Clan's strength.
Kaito was so absorbed in looking at Tempest Hall that he didn't notice Mai calling him.
"Lord Kaito! Lord Kaito!" she repeated, a little louder each time, before stepping directly in front of him to catch his attention.
Startled, Kaito snapped out of his daze. Mai laughed softly at how focused he had been. Embarrassed, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.
"Sorry," he muttered.
"It's alright," Mai said with a warm smile. Then, tilting her head curiously, she asked, "So… is this your first time here?"
Kaito let his hand drop and nodded. "Yes."
"I see," she said, stepping slightly aside and giving him a playful look. "So… what do you think of it?"
Kaito's gaze swept across the massive building and the bustling courtyards, then back to Mai. "It's… very cool. And very big."
Mai laughed lightly at his blunt honesty. Kaito shifted awkwardly under her gaze.
The laughter faded, and Kaito's attention returned to the masters moving purposefully through the hall. Some were heading to meetings, others consulting documents. That's when he heard a familiar, thunderous shout.
"KAI-TOOOOOOOOOO!"
Mai turned, frowning. "That idiot," she muttered under her breath.
"Oh, it's Genkei!" Kaito exclaimed, eyes lighting up. He waved energetically. "Genkei!"
Genkei came barreling toward them, screaming the same name, skidding to a stop just in front of Kaito and sending snow scattering into the air. Kaito and Mai waved frantically, swiping the snow from their eyes as they coughed.
Without warning, Genkei scooped Kaito up, spun him around in a wild twirl, and then dropped him back onto the ground. Kaito couldn't stop himself from laughing at the sheer chaos.
But then Mai's eyes blazed with fire. She stepped forward and slammed a fist onto the top of Genkei's head. He tumbled forward with a thud, a huge bump instantly forming.
Mai didn't lower her guard. "Stop messing around!" she snapped.
Kaito stepped back, rubbing his own head nervously. "W-wow… Mai is scary…"
Genkei groaned, clutching his bump, while Kaito shot a terrified glance at Mai.
" And you, you think that's funny?!" she snapped at Kaito.
"Eek—!" he squeaked, stumbling backward, and before he could react, another punch landed squarely on his head. Kaito crumpled to the ground with a soft oof, dust puffing around him.
Moments later, both boys were kneeling, bumps on their heads, bowing rapidly. "Sorry! Sorry!" they squeaked.
Mai crossed her arms, exhaling, eyes softening slightly. "I can't believe you boys, especially you Lord Kaito" she muttered, shaking her head.
Kaito and Genkei continued their rapid apologies, but Mai turned her back, pouting like a teasing older sister.
After a moment, she glanced over her shoulder, Then, letting out a laugh, Her eyes glistened with a hint of tears from laughing so hard, she waved a hand. "Alright, alright… I forgive you."
The boys' eyes widened, and in perfect unison, they bowed again. "Thank you!"
They slowly stood up, brushing the dust off their clothes. Genkei scratched the back of his head and asked, "So… how have you been, Kaito?"
Kaito gave a small smile. "I've been good. How about you?"
"All's been well," Genkei replied with a nod.
Mai, who had been watching silently, turned to Genkei. "By the way… is Jun still around?"
"Yeah," Genkei replied. "He's in his office right now. Hasn't left all day."
"Poor Jun," Mai muttered sympathetically.
Genkei raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
Mai smirked. "I've got something for him."
Genkei glanced at the two boxes still on the floor and shook his head. "More like… more work for him."
Mai laughed lightly, the sound carrying a hint of mischief.
"Alright then," Mai said, bending down to gather the two boxes from the ground. She adjusted her grip and let out a small sigh. "Thank you for your help today, Lord Kaito. I guess I'll see you later."
Kaito nodded. "Hmmm… same."
Mai gave a quick smile before striding toward the hall's entrance, boxes in hand, heading to meet Jun. Kaito and Genkei watched her go for a moment, the bustling activity of Tempest Hall all around them.