"I really didn’t know, I want you to know that. If I had known… I would have at least warned you about what would happen. Kamijo-san, I’m truly sorry." (Fumio)

"I know, Fumio-sensei… but at this point, apologies don’t help much." (Hajime)

Fumio and Hajime were in the bunker that served as a home for Hajime’s companions.

The pair was playing chess. There was a strange tension between them, caused by two factors.

The first concerned the “attack” on Goto, which had devastated his daughter Kaori.

The second was more complicated.

"(Veronica White… I can’t even begin to talk about that woman.)" (Fumio)

The older [mage] had connected many of his student’s improvements to that dangerously powerful [mage].

To avoid further drama, and to prevent any of the New Dawn leaders from having the terrible idea of putting Hajime on their “to deal with” list, Fumio had made sure to keep this information to himself.

"How is she?" (Fumio)

"I… I don’t know… she stopped crying and despairing, but… watching the video of her mother’s suicide was… devastating on so many levels… I didn’t even know much about Goto’s first wife… Kaori never talked about it, but I’m sure they loved each other tenderly, both of them." (Hajime)

The [Grimoire] holder closed his eyes and recalled the scene he had seen in that video, along with all the verified data that had been published: a young [esper] suffering from severe postpartum depression, which she had carried for years, frees herself from those who were supposed to protect her, and then jumps from the hospital rooftop, ending her life.

Some sympathized with the teenager’s stepfather for his loss. But others were led to believe that the head of the [Black Corps] hadn’t done everything necessary to protect his wife.

Rumors online claimed he was the main cause of such tragedy.

Hajime hadn’t gone too far in judging. Even he found the New Dawn’s strategies to be extremely borderline, compared to the methods of their enemy.

Maybe he was too biased, but from the way his companions’ eyes had met him, it was clear that even they didn’t like their methods.

"Even Goto?" (Fumio)

"Especially him… at least Kaori was very young when it happened. Goto, however… who would’ve thought I’d come to pity him? Not me, that’s for sure." (Hajime)

"He may be a monster, but somewhere inside, there’s still a shred of goodness, even if it’s limited to his late wife and his daughter." (Fumio)

"Yes, it’s true. But a part of me is glad he suffers, that he knows pain and helplessness… but not like this. I was very naive to think I could prevent all pain for my little sister… I feel like crap, and I know I’ll feel even worse when all this is over. Maybe Kaori will understand me and forgive me when everything comes out, but I don’t know if I can forgive myself…" (Hajime)

Hajime lowered his head as he confided in his Sensei.

Unfortunately for the boy, Fumio didn’t know the words necessary to ease his pain. In the same way, he didn’t know how to lighten the burden on Kaori.

The anguish the 17-year-old already felt combined with the one he experienced at the thought of being powerless.

It was a vicious cycle.

It had been hard for the [Grimoire] holder just to leave the house, leaving his little sister with her mother and Goto, who seemed only slightly more capable than him of consoling the daughter of the head of the [Black Corps].

"(What can I do? She’s in too vulnerable a state… she could do something drastic for her sister if she had the chance. Not to mention Veronica White… she’ll surely take advantage of it… she-)" (Fumio)

"Hajime, let’s train. You’ll be here for a while anyway, so you might as well fight instead of moping around like a pathetic loser." (Kuro)

Kuro entered the scene just before Fumio could finish his thought.

"Stop being an asshole, I don’t feel like…" (Hajime)

"What? What else would you do, other than sit here crying on yourself, obviously?!" (Kuro)

"Stop it!" (Hajime)

"Make me!" (Kuro)

Fumio should have stopped them, but the only adult [mage] in the room understood perfectly what was happening.

A gentle approach didn’t seem to work, and Kuro, who had been listening the whole time, decided to take a fiercer approach to help his teammate.

Even Hajime had realized it; Fumio was certain that inside him, the rational part had accepted that this was the only way for his friend to help him.

"If you’re going to do it, at least do it in the right place, guys." (Fumio)

Just as Fumio had asked/ordered, the two teammates finally went down to the training room.

"So, how do you want to do it? What limits and rules do we follow?" (Hajime)

"No weapons, just [magic] and martial arts." (Kuro)

"As you want, shall we start on three?" (Hajime)

"...one..." (Kuro)

"...two..." (Hajime)

"THREE!" (Hajime and Kuro)

Starting in unison, the two teenagers launched themselves at each other.

Ready to release all they were feeling and carrying with them.

To prevent them from going too far in their attempt to dump their emotional baggage, Fumio positioned himself at a safe distance.

Close enough to intervene if necessary, but far enough to give his two students space to fight.

Hajime tried, as his first move, to hit Kuro with a right hook, which was easily avoided by his opponent, who countered with a high kick aimed at the head, narrowly avoided.

The two continued exchanging blows, increasing intensity with each exchange.

"(Since when is he this fast!?)"

Goto’s stepson, after only a few minutes, realized his teammate was much faster than he remembered.

"(He’s trained hard!)"

The [Grimoire] wielder could barely keep track of the movements of Kuro, Cloe’s stepbrother, with his well-trained reflexes.

Even though he still had the advantage in brute strength, Kuro was easily overpowering him with precise punches and kicks.

A knee to the ribs made the 17-year-old with silver hair stagger slightly, and he ended up taking a spinning kick to the face; in that moment of weakness, he hit the ground, spitting out a bit of blood and saliva.

"You’ve softened after everything that happened to us, and what’s going to happen! You idiot!"

"I’ve just started, Kuro!"

"Then let’s keep going, Hajime!"

"[Physical Enhancement]!"

Hajime realized from his opponent’s smirk that he had lost the exchange twice, now that he had resorted to his powers.

Even so, he didn’t stop, advancing toward his opponent with the intent to bring him down.

"[Shadow Step]!"

Of course, Kuro avoided it with ease, returning solidly behind his enemy.

"Got you!"

Another knee struck Hajime in the ribs, which he protected with a significant amount of [mana] in [armor].

The black-haired boy flinched slightly at the strength of his companion’s defenses. This time he managed to counter with a punch before the [shadow mage] could escape.

"This won’t be so easy this time!" (Hajime)

The 17-year-old was sent flying a few meters, fortunately having enough time to use [armor] at full power to avoid a KO, and [shadow step] to soften the fall to the floor.

This time he spat blood and saliva again as he returned to solid form.

"Better, at least you’re not crying again!" (Kuro)

The two got back into fighting stance, ready to give their all.

Green electric sparks on Hajime’s body intensified, while Kuro’s shadow began moving abnormally.

"The first one to hit the ground loses! You in!?" (Kuro)

"I’m in!" (Hajime)

With a dash, they met halfway.

Ready to unleash themselves and overpower the other.

"(Looks like we’ve released quite a bit.)" (Fumio)

The two students of the older [mage] were sweaty, exhausted, and bruised.

They had given their all, but the fight ended in a draw.

Both were lying on their backs on the floor, breathing heavily.

"...why did you have to aim so much at my ribs?… I’ll be spitting blood tomorrow morning…" (Hajime)

"...says the one who broke four of my ribs..." (Kuro)

The adolescents had vented enough. For a few minutes, they even forgot about their past and future problems.

It had felt good.

Perhaps they would do it again someday.

"...Kuro." (Hajime)

"What’s up?" (Kuro)

"Thanks… I needed a good beating." (Hajime)

"Anytime, and I think I needed it too." (Kuro)