The door closed behind them. Yudo took some time to soak the feeling in. All his life, the only light he had ever known came from cold laboratory lamps that were harsh, artificial, lifeless. The feeling he felt from the sun’s light was different. It was warm and comforting. It was a feeling that he never thought he could feel before.

Shujiro stepped out behind him and rested a hand lightly on his head. “Well?”

Yudo didn’t answer right away. All he could do was admire nature itself and all it had.

“I’ve never experienced this before,” he said quietly. He tilted his head upward. “All I’ve ever seen was the sun in picture books, but getting to see and feel it now is something I can’t describe.” The words lingered.

Shujiro could hear the joy in Yudo’s voice. All of those years of isolation and torture that he went through to finally get to experience it in real time was special for him. Shujiro didn’t rush him. He wanted Yudo to soak everything in before they started training.

Yudo lowered his gaze. “So,” he said, shifting slightly, “what am I supposed to do, walk into this academy and they magically fix my Trait?”

Shujiro chuckled. “If it were that easy, the academy would lose its prestigious title of being the best school in the world.”

Yudo sighed. “Yeah… figured.”

They stepped away from the cabin. Yudo slowed again. This time, it wasn’t just the light but everything. The trees swayed gently in the wind, their leaves rustling on the branches. Birds chirped somewhere overhead. It was clear to Yudo that the land here was far better than where he lived. Everything was completely different from the stuff he saw when he escaped. 

The land was thriving.

“You were never allowed to leave the facility, I assume?” Shujiro asked.

Yudo’s gaze dropped slightly. “…Not at all. We were monitored everywhere we went, so going outside was never possible.”

Shujiro nodded. “I thought so.”

Silence settled between them. The kind of silence that didn’t need to be filled, but something sat in Yudo's mind. Something he needed to know.

“Shujiro.”

“What is it?”

Yudo hesitated. “…Why are you helping me so much?”

Shujiro raised an eyebrow. “You want the honest answer?”

Yudo shrugged. “Yes please.”

Shujiro stepped forward into the clearing. “Because you’re dangerous, especially if you’re left to your own devices.”

A small pause. “…and you don’t even realize how dangerous you are yet.”

Yudo exhaled through his nose. “I see…”

Shujiro glanced at him. “Don’t think too much about it though.”

Yudo shook his head slightly. “I’ll try not to.”

Shujiro chuckled. “Good.”

His expression shifted just enough. “Leaving you alone would be irresponsible.”

Yudo sighed quietly. “So I’m dangerous if left alone.”

“That’s not a bad thing though, kid.”

Yudo kicked a small rock across the dirt. It bounced through the grass before disappearing beneath a nearby bush.

Shujiro watched him for a moment. “The people who made you… they won’t stop looking.”

Yudo’s expression darkened immediately. The brief sense of peace vanished.

“I know, but…” Yudo hesitated.

Shujiro noticed his hesitation. “I can tell something else is bothering you.”

“My friend,” he said quietly. “He’s still there.”

Shujiro didn’t interrupt.

“They separated us right before we escaped,” Yudo continued. “He gave up his chance to leave… for mine.”

His hands tightened slightly. “I couldn’t do anything to save him.”

Shujiro placed his hands on Yudo’s head. “So you’re planning on going back.”

Yudo’s eyes hardened. “I have to.” There was no hesitation.

Shujiro nodded. “Then you’ll need to get stronger.”

Yudo gave him an unimpressed look. “I know I need to, but how?”

“Right now your Trait is unstable. You rely on instinct more than control.”

Yudo shifted his weight. “Is that a bad thing?”

Shujiro stepped closer. “I’m only mentioning it because it’s the only reason you’re still alive.”

Yudo froze slightly.

“But it’s also the reason you almost died in that forest.”

Yudo’s jaw tightened. He knew what Shujiro said was true. If he pushed his body any further, he might’ve destroyed himself.

Shujiro turned and walked toward an open clearing. The grass beneath his feet swayed with each step.

“Because Aegis Academy is such a prestigious school, you’ll have to pass their entrance exam.”

He smiled at Yudo.

“If you want to survive the entrance exam, you’ll need control.”

Yudo frowned. “Entrance exam?”

“You didn’t think Aegis Academy just accepts people who show up?”

Yudo didn’t know what Shujiro meant.

“What is an entrance exam?”

Shujiro froze, scratching his head.

“Oh, uhhhh, right, I guess you wouldn’t know what that means. The entrance exam is a test where applicants from around the kingdom gather in one area and go through a series of trials. If you don’t pass, you don't get accepted.”

Yudo rubbed his face. “So if I fail… I won't get in.”

Shujiro gave a thumbs up. “Bingo.”

Yudo exhaled slowly. “…Great.”

He crossed his arms slightly. “So what exactly is your plan?”

Shujiro looked at him. “Simple.”

He raised one finger. “Stabilize your power.” Then a second one. “Teach you how to fight without panicking.” And a third. “And make sure you don’t kill yourself trying to do both.” 

He chuckled. “Preferably in that order.”

Yudo stared at him. “Will that be enough?”

Shujiro shrugged. “I’m a natural at this, hopefully.”

Yudo exhaled. “…And if I can’t?”

Shujiro’s expression didn’t change. “Then you don’t make it into Aegis.”

“…and you don’t make it back to your friend.”

Yudo’s eyes lowered slightly. After a moment, he lifted his head again, determination returning to his expression.

“…Got it.”

Shujiro stepped into the center of the clearing. The open field stretched around them while sunlight filtered through the surrounding trees.

“Show me how you fight.”

Yudo blinked. “Are you serious?”

Shujiro nodded. “You said you survived the facility.”

Yudo rolled his shoulders. “Barely.”

Shujiro’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Then prove it.” He stepped back. “Show me.”

Yudo stepped forward. The energy within him flowed uncontrollably.

“Relax, Yudo. Just fight how you know how to.”

Yudo nodded. He stomped lightly and took a stance.

“Combat Mode: Dead Man’s Intuition.”

The world around him sharpened instantly. From the movement of the grass and the shifting leaves to Shujiro’s breathing, he could sense it all. 

His body reacted faster than his thoughts. Yudo lunged forward. Energy condensed into his fist. The unstable power crackled around his arm.

Shujiro waited for Yudo to make a move, but he vanished, teleporting behind him. Shujiro sensed where Yudo was. Yudo swung, but Shujiro didn’t even turn.

A shockwave exploded in front of Yudo.

BOOM!

The grass flattened beneath the pressure. Leaves scattered through the air. Yudo flew across the clearing and slammed into the ground. The air left his lungs.

He groaned. “That really… hurt…”

He pushed himself up slowly. “Old man… couldn’t you hold back a little more?”

“I’ll have you know I’m still young.” Shujiro crossed his arms.  “I’m only thirty-eight.”

Yudo blinked. “Oh.”

A small smirk appeared.

“Maybe I should’ve hit you harder.”

Yudo sighed. “…Yeah. I definitely need more training.”

Shujiro rolled his shoulders. “That’s the spirit.” A relaxed grin formed. “Because it starts now.”

Yudo steadied his stance. Controlling his powers wasn’t easy for him. He had to stay focused or they would become unstable. He clenched his fists. This was just the beginning for him, and it was already worse than anything he expected.

Shujiro stepped forward. “Push yourself.”

Yudo exhaled slowly.

Then moved.

The first day of training had begun.