Five minutes after Amaru departed, as they were waiting for a taxi, Hirata and Haruto engaged in a serious discussion about what was going to happen next.
Hirata "So, in other words, we are now prone to being assassinated at any moment."
Haruto "We should be careful, and train even without Amaru's presence."
Hirata "Right..."
Hirata adds with a calm, yet serious tone "So, The Board is Laid."
Haruto responds with the same tone and seriousness "Which means the piece are in place."
Hirata "Which also means the pieces will keep moving until one side checkmates the other..."
Haruto "Which is why we always should be one step ahead— no! In fact two steps ahead!"
Then the taxi arrives, they both get in the taxi and the taxi drives them to their homes.
Hirata and Haruto return to their homes exhausted, they both get ready for bed– they make dinner, have it, shower, then both go to sleep.
The next commences; it is now August 19th, 11am.
Hirata wakes up and makes himself ready; he washes his face, brushes his teeth, and makes breakfast and dresses up.
After Hirata is done with his morning routine, he says to himself "So, Amaru Sensei said that I can toggle my powers on and off."
Hirata adds "So I just need to intent to turn it off, so I will give it a shot."
Hirata sits on the bed in his room– he closes his eyes and takes slow breaths. Hirata says "Here goes nothing."
He feels the aura around him slowly and gradually fading until it eventually completely vanishes.
Moments later, Hirata opens his eyes and says "I-I think it worked...?"
Hirata "The only way to find out is to actually use my own power– if it does not work, then I succeeded in deactivating or rather switching my power off for the time being."
Hirata adds "Wait... speaking of which, what if this is the only way to actually conceal my energy? According to Amaru Sensei, only the Branch of Ritual has the ability to conceal their presence, which I think he means when the power is still on."
Hirata "So, Haruto can conceal his energy, even when his powers are always toggled on."
Hirata says "Let me to somewhere to test if the switch worked, I truly hope so."
Hirata then walks to a nearby hill, it took him around 15 minutes of walking, he goes alone without anyone knowing.
Hirata arrives at that hill and stands under a tree– he brings a knife with him.
Hirata says "I guess it is time to test this out, I will start with Early Modern English first, for safety."
Hirata then withdraws the knife from his bag and assumes with a poised stance, ready to throw the knife.
He inhales and says in Early Modern English in an imperative tone "Fly forth, this knife, and cleave the stubborn log!"
He pauses for a moment, the knife remaining motionless in his hand.
Several more seconds pass, yet nothing happens; then Hirata suddenly cries out in jubilation "OH MY GOD! IT ACTUALLY WORKED! IT ACTUALLY WORKED!"
Hirata then says "For my peace of mind, I will try with Middle English as well.'
Hirata does the same poised stance and readiness.
He says in Middle English "Flee forth, þis knyf, and clove þat stif logge."
Several seconds pass, he even waits a minute to make sure and the knife stays motionless in his hands, with not a bit of resistance.
He shouts "YES! IT REALLY REALLY WORKED THIS TIME! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"
He then sits under the tree then puts the knife back in the bag, Hirata then engages in a conversation with himself– a soliloquy.
Hirata with himself "So, I think I should be supposedly safe participating in my classes now, with no worries, Can't wait to tell this to Haruto, I am Pleased to see matters progressing favorably; nevertheless, the necessity for caution still remains! We should begin with actual, proper training and do our utmost to track The Silent Abyss– though I am certain it is nearly impossible to find them this easily."
Hirata adds "So, in short, the board has really been laid! And the pieces are beginning to move into position– so should we..."
Then the scene shifts to Haruto, who is in his room writing something while speaking to himself "I truly do not know what to do! Hirata awakened his powers and I still have not awakened anything! I am still far behind and I can't just sit with my hands tied..."
Haruto then places the pencil on the desk and buries his face in his hands in frustration; he is genuinely distressed and feels as though he is a burden.
Haruto speaks in a calm yet frustrated tone "I need Amaru's help, I just cannot awaken my power out of nowhere! I need to learn and truly learn! To protect My mother, Kairen, and dear friend Hirata.
A voice answers Haruto "By all means, Haruto Okabe."
Haruto frantically looks back and exclaims in Alarm "Who is that? The Silent Abyss? Am I under attack?"
Amaru suddenly appears behind Haruto and says to him "It is I– your teacher, Haruto Okabe."
Haruto sighs and says "Old habits die hard"
Haruto berates Amaru "Please Amaru, Stop startling us like this and simply greet or call us in a normal manner– this is quite literally a jump scare." While facepalming.
Amaru "I cannot help but remain hidden, stealthy, and unsee; after all I am an Assassin and a fighter type by nature."
Haruto "Wow, I had no idea you were an assassin; after all you never told us, nor did we ever think to ask. You should inform Hirata as well."
Amaru "Understood, let us proceed to a secluded and concealed location so that we may train. Let us go."
They both walk toward Haruto's bedroom door, intending to leave the room.
Then Haruto looks at Amaru and says to him "Are you seriously serious right now?" With a hopeless face. He adds "My mother is downstairs, you can't simply head down after slipping in here with such stealthy, assassin movements, as it would surely arouse suspicion."
Amaru "Then how do I leave?" With a calm, emotionless face.
Haruto shouts at Amaru "THE SAME WAY YOU GOT IN HERE IDIOT!"
Then Amaru vanishes and leaves the house.
Haruto talks to himself "Seriously, what an idiot."
Haruto's mother (Hoshine) shouts to Haruto "Haruto, why are you shouting? Is something the matter?"
Haruto "N-n-n-NO! NOT AT ALL! I was just shouting during a call."
Haruto then departs from the house, arriving at the location designated by Amaru, prepared to commence the training.
Haruto "Let's begin! I can't afford to stay behind! For my mother, Kairen, as well Hirata."
Amaru "Get ready, this one will be a drag."
Haruto "Bring it on! Amaru Sensei!".
Then Haruto's special lesson begins.
To be continued...