Chapter 9: Departing

Disclaimer: I own nothing; this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.

Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.

'Thoughts'

"Active skill name or magic spell"

'Active skill name or magic spell in thought'

"Activation phrase"

'Activation Phrase in thoughts'

"Speech"

*action*

Time*

Noise*

(Location)

[Skill Name] - Passive or Active - AP cost: or none

Description: Info on skill

[Item Type]: [Type]

[Name]: [Item Name]

Durability: 100%/100%

Quality: Poor - Common - Uncommon - Epic - Legendary - Ascendant

Grade: E-/EX

Value: [System Point]/(Cannot be sold to [Persona System])

Description: Info on [Item Name]

[Extra Info]: [Extra Info]

Chapter 9: Departing

Days?: The Starting Line Part 2

(Mistral: Mistral City: Kosaka Blacksmith's Building: Living Room)

"Well, we decided to go down the lower section instead of staying here until it's time to enroll in the academy." I gave Shigure's Mother our answer, causing her to let out a sigh of defeat. However, the adults look at us with a smile, showing us they are proud of our answers, well, me speaking our answers for the both of us.

"Alright. I guess this is it then. I left your bags in the Dining Room. You can leave whenever and I'm sorry, but we can't provide any transportation since this is your first test in this training trip. You will have to find a way to enter the 50th Floor Area on your own." Shigure's Mother explains to us, that we will be traveling on foot and find a way to enter the 50th Floor Area without their help.

"Thank you anyway. You have already given us supply to use on our training trip." I gave my gratitude for this support. Shigure nod along to show she feel thankful for her family to supply them, when both Shigure and I thought we had to save up over the week of waiting just in case.

However, we'll still keep those resources with us anyway. After all, there is a limited of supply and it will be gone sooner or later. No matter how well we used them during our training trip.

Shigure's Mother, Father, and Grandfather nod at us in silence, then walk out of the Living Room to let us gather our things and make an outline for our plan to enter the 50th Floor Area.

'No wonder Shigure is so quiet and don't bother to speak out that much. This whole family would answer in gesture instead if they got the chance to.' I thought dryly, as I let Shigure drag me out of the Living Room and towards the Dining Room.

(Mistral: Mistral City: Kosaka Blacksmith's Building: Dining Room)

"Hey, Shigure. You mind checking what your family provides for us while I call Pyrrha?" I take out my scroll, as I wait for Shigure's answer.

"Go...ahead." Shigure already going through our bags to check what kind of supply we getting.

Activating my scroll, then go through my contacts list and only see a few peoples' scroll numbers on it. Going through the contacts' name and finally reaches Pyrrha's scroll number and call her, as my scroll started ringing.

A few seconds later, and Pyrrha appear on my scroll's screen, "Em! Finally, you call." Pyrrha's scowl at me, then switches to a smile.

"Sorry, we just finish talking to Shigure's family and we're heading to the lower section of Mistral." I try to look sorry, but Pyrrha just looks at me with a deadpan, not believing that I'm actually sorry at all.

"Anyway. I finally found something through our parents' stuff we brought along. You have no clue how close I was to being discovered. But, luckily someone called Mama. I manage to take a picture of the book's cover I found about this so call Nikos' Family Rules." Pyrrha informs me, then quickly look around her surroundings for a minute and look back at me, waiting for my response.

'Okay, not a few minutes ago. Shigure's Mother just mentions about my own family's rules and Pyrrha found a book about it. What kind of luck is this?' I frown a little, but notice Pyrrha looking at me with a worried expression.

"Were you able to look inside the book?" I ask a little curious and eager to learn what our family's rules are and why we would need to be at least 20 years old to know about it.

Pyrrha shook her head, "Nope. The book had a lock on it. Our parents much really wanted to keep the stuff inside the book a secret. Also, I only had a minute or two to take a picture, then put it back where I found it."

'I should've known that it was too easy.' I felt my eye twitch from being denied on learning about my family's rules by a lock.

"Think you can find a chance to grab the key to the book's lock?" I've already started thinking about maybe heading towards where Pyrrha is currently at or the direction she heading to.

"Hmm. I honestly don't know, but maybe I could find something to break the lock, but then Mama and Papa would find out." Pyrrha looks like she would consider breaking the lock, "Sorry, Em. But, I won't be able to find a way to take the key from our parents."

Pyrrha look like she wanted to break something, but nothing around, or what I could see, for her to break.

"It's alright. Either way, we will find out sooner or later." I try to cheer Pyrrha up, "By the way, did either Mother or Father say or even mention about our family's rules?"

Pyrrha look at me with a confused look, "Not that I notice or I wasn't awake at the time when they talk about it. Oh yeah! I've found out about what's Mama and Papa going to put me through for my training trip." Looking at the excited look on Pyrrha's face. I would say she's going to enjoy this training trip.

"They're going to teach me how to control my semblance! Now, I've to find a way to get Mama and Papa to get me the materials I need to build my mecha-shift weapons." Pyrrha said excitedly, as she gives me a big smile.

"That's good to hear, Pyr. I'm happy for you." I still find it weird, she gained the same semblance as her canon version. I could have swore it would be something else, but I guess there are something that can't be changed.

I continue to nod at Pyrrha, then stop a moment, "Mecha-shift weapons? Don't we build those during our 2nd year at the academy though?"

Pyrrha pause at her explaining about other stuff she wanted to tell me before it's time to resume her training, "Well, yeah, but from what I read on the academy's website. It's said that all students are given a limited amount of resources to build their mecha-shift weapons since not everyone could afford to buy the materials for their mecha-shift weapons. However, we're also allowed to buy our own materials to use instead or add in a bit more than we are given."

Looking at Pyrrha's face, and I just knew this was on me, "Huh...I didn't realize the academy reveal this kind of information to the public." I should really have checked the academy's website if I knew this and would have try to find more materials over the year.

"Yup! And even if you provide the Lien to buy the materials. All students are required to actually build their own mecha-shift weapons without asking for someone else to build it for them. As it's part of our grade. But, we could apply an application form to ask permission to use already existed weapons, either mecha-shift or not, to be used in a replacement of our built one. That's all I could find from the website and I even called at the academy for more information." Pyrrha explains further about the rules that goes along with building our mecha-shift weapons or planning for one.

"Did it say anything about what happen if the student was found out that their weapons was built by someone else?" I ask Pyrrha, to see if there were actually someone doing that.

"Oh, that was one of the first things I asked the staff at the academy. The student that got caught would just get a failing grade and any problems related to their weapon would have only to themselves to blame for trusting their life with someone else work." Pyrrha shrug at me, seeing how the punishment for this rule isn't severe at all, but in a life and death situation. It's the student, who are to blame instead of the staff members that warned them beforehand.

Pyrrha continues on, breaking my trance of thoughts, "Either way, I'm trying to get Mama and Papa in hope they buy me the materials I will need later in the future. I've already planned out what kind of mecha-shift weapons I wanted." I could tell Pyrrha been thinking about this for a while now and I'm pretty sure it's her canon weapons.

"That's good to hear." I give Pyrrha a smile, as she return of her own.

"Well, I have to go now. I will talk to you later tonight. Good luck on your training trip! I miss you!" Pyrrha said her goodbyes and the call end, which I deactivated my scroll and return it back to my pocket.

Looking back at Shigure, where I watch her just finish putting a few things, like our [Water Bottle], [MRE], and [Flashlight] back inside our bags.

"So, how is our supply?" I ask Shigure, as she zips up the bags.

"Well...it...should...last us...a month...if...use...them...wisely...and...not...waste it...too much." Shigure report what she thinks about the supply we're given.

"Hmm...think we should grab a few things? I know your semblance doesn't allow anything unrelated to weapons. But, I can put them in my [Inventory]." I ask Shigure, since if our supply only last us a month, not including the one we saved over the week.

"I...will...go...get...more Lien...then...and...we...meet...at...the...Armory Room." And with that said, Shigure left the room while taking one of the bags with her and leave the other for me.

"Alright." I agreed with Shigure and walk to grab a few more foods and 2 or 3 empty [Gallon Water Bottle]. Also, packing up all Shigure's medical kits and anything related. This way Shigure could continue developing her medical skills.

1 hour later*

(Mistral: Mistral City: Kosaka Blacksmith's Building: Armory Room)

Once I gather everything we'll need during our training trip, I walk to meet up with Shigure in the Armory Room. From there, I grab a few more copies of my [Pistol] and a [Assault Rifle] just in case.

Which lead to my [Persona System] giving me an option to purchase the [Basic Rifle Mastery], but like the first time with [Basic Pistol Mastery] and [Basic Knife Mastery]. The [Persona System] denied me the options to see if I wanted to buy them, but was stopped when I don't even have enough [System Point] to allow me the option to choose to buy [Basic Rifle Mastery] or not.

Nonetheless, I didn't let this stop me and I've already been getting used to using my [Combat Knife] without having the [Basic Knife Mastery] to use it and learned from Shigure. So, I took the [Assault Rifle] anyway.

Of course, I grab a crate or two filled with [Bullet] that are required for both my [Pistol] and [Assault Rifle], and I made sure it's the right magazine for the [Assault Rifle] I picked as well.

I'm pretty sure Shigure's family won't mind. Heck, Shigure's Father even told me a few weeks ago that not many people would buy their large amounts of supply of [Bullet] and would buy [Dust Round] more, cause the damage it does against grimm themselves.

So, Shigure's Father, along with the family doesn't care if I used up half of them, since they could mass produce more [Bullet] in a matter of months. Honestly, I don't know if that was true or not, but free [Bullet] isn't something I will pass up on.

But, from the look on Shigure's face when I've actually grabbed at least 3 crates of [Bullet] for both [Pistol] and [Assault Rifle], which I will later have to practice with later. So, I pretty much grab another crate for practice uses. And Shigure's expression didn't change much besides an eyebrow raised.

I'm guessing Shigure or one of her family members knew I was planning to take more than I should have. Also, the fact that Shigure just finishes writing down a note to let her family know how much I took and tell them that she was the one, who took them.

Which, I'm pretty sure her family won't find out it's a lie since it is possible for Shigure to take a crate or so with her semblance, but without the crate.

Luckily, my [Inventory] automatically sort out all the [Bullet] and even separate the magazines from the crates themselves, where I put them back in their places and leaving behind empty crates.

For my chosen [Assault Rifle], I picked the [AK-47] out of all of the rest, and not the real reason I picked it because it's my favorite [Assault Rifle] in any shooting games. Nope, not at all. Also, I made sure to grab the cleaning kit for my [AK-47].

Sure, I could grab a [Sniper Rifle] or maybe a [Shotgun], but Shigure reminded me that I'm still working on the current weapons I currently have, which is a [Combat Knife], [Pistol], and now an [Assault Rifle]. Meaning, I have 3 weapons to work on like Pyrrha, and the irony. That I'm using 2 firearms and 1 melee weapons, where Pyrrha is using 2 melee weapons and 1 firearm.

Either way, it was either the [Assault Rifle] or something, and I know for sure. I don't have the physical strength to even hold a [Sniper Rifle], let alone a [Launcher], even if I wanted them.

After I place a [Tool Kit] and anything else Shigure would need in my [Inventory]. I notice a few things on the nearby table.

"Hey, Shigure. Think I can grab a [Crystalline Dust] or two to buy the two [Skill] we will need during our trip?" I ask Shigure, when I found 2 [Earth Crystalline Dust], 1 [Wind Crystalline Dust], and 2 [Water Crystalline Dust]. Giving me a total of [5300 System Points]. And with the two [Skill] I wanted to buy, will leave me a leftover of [1800 System Points].

Shigure looks at the [Crystalline Dust] on the table, along with [Powdered Dust], which I don't really need right now, to be honest.

"Let...me...add...another thing...and...sure." Shigure gave her permission for me to grab the [Crystalline Dust] while she adds this into the note she going to leave behind for her family.

Ding*

[Host's Currency]: 1000 System Point + 5300 System Points = 6300 System Points

'Now, first to grab [Basic Detection Mastery] and [Basic Presence Concealment Mastery].' I quickly go through my [Persona System] and bought both [Skill].

Ding*

You have purchased [Basic Detection Mastery] and [Basic Presence Concealment Mastery].

[Host's Currency]: 6300 System Point - 4500 System Point = 1800 System Point

Ding*

[Basic Detection Mastery] - Passive - AP cost: None

Description: Giving the user the knowledge about how to detect things around the user and a small instinct for the user to adapt to surrounding areas in order to detect anything related to the user's target.

The requirement to take the [Mastery Rank Test] to advance from [Basic Detection Mastery] to [Trainee Detection Mastery] is to finish the [Training Methods].

Training Methods:

Using the sense of hearing to detect anything: (0/500)

Using the sense of smell to detect anything:(0/500)

Using the sense of sight to detect anything: (0/500)

Using the sense of touch to detect anything: (0/500)

Ding*

[Basic Presence Concealment] - Passive - AP cost: None

Description: Giving the user the knowledge about how to hide either in plain sight or out of it from the surrounding and a small instinct for the user to know when to they have the chance to hide.

The requirement to take the [Mastery Rank Test] to advance from [Basic Presence Concealment Mastery] to [Trainee Presence Concealment Mastery] is to finish the [Training Methods].

Training Methods:

Making the sound of breathing less noticeable: (0/100)

Lowering the heart beat rate: (0/50)

Perform soundless step: (0/200)

Make oneself unseen-able for 5 minutes in a crowd area: (0/50)

Be in someone's blind spot for 5 minutes: (0/50)

Blinking a few times and getting a little dizzy from two new [Skill]'s knowledge being implanted into my brain.

Shigure was already close to me and manage to help me from falling by carefully guiding me away from falling into anything dangerous.

"Okay, note to self. Do not purchase multiple [Skill] or [Magic]. Because they will come together at once instead of waiting for their turn." I thought out loud.

Shigure raises an eyebrow at me, but didn't question me about my thoughts.

It took at least 2 minutes for the new [Skill]'s knowledge and instinct finishes downloading into me. Afterward, I took out my notebook from my [Inventory] in order to put this note to self in a new page, to remind me to carefully purchase one at a time or end up killing myself from overloaded knowledge download.

"Okay, I'm good." I let Shigure know, that the [Skill] are finished downloading, "I'm ready whenever you are."

Shigure looks at me a little longer, then slowly nod at me. Afterward, she passes me pick up her bag while I grab mine, then we walk out of the Armory Room and Shigure's Home.

(Mistral: Mistral City: Kosaka Blacksmith's Building: Entrance)

"How much Lien were you able to get us? Not including the Lien your family gave us." I look at Shigure, as we walk out of the Kosaka Blacksmith's Building.

(Mistral: Mistral City: 80th Floor Area)

"I...manage...to gather...us...85000 Lien." Shigure answers my questions, as we head to a nearby bookstore.

"Hmm...that should last us about at least a few weeks if we don't spend it all on everything we don't need. How about the Lien your family gave us. How much is there?" I haven't really check our bags yet, to find out how much Lien they gave us.

"90000 Lien." Shigure answer without a thought.

"Hmm, so we will have a total of 175000 Lien then. Maybe a month or less if we have to spend Lien to get to the 50th Floor Area. Right now we're in the 80th Floor Area and that 30 Floor Area apart. We got a long way ahead of us." I said to Shigure, as she nods in silence.

"Well...you got any idea what we should do first besides heading to the bookstore to get anything else we need?" I glance around my surroundings, even more than usual with [Basic Detection Mastery] come into play. Now, 4 of my 5 senses are enhanced to almost like that of faunus. Well, more like barely above the average human's senses.

My sense of taste is still normal, but the rest is much better. I could actually hear a few people's conversations, only a few random words though. So not that good as of right until I continue going through the [Basic Detection Mastery]'s [Training Methods].

Too bad, from the look of it. Randomly hearing a few words from afar doesn't count towards the [Training Methods].

"No." Shigure shook her head, as we're just a few blocks away from the closest bookstore near us.

"Alright then." As we walk in silence while ignoring the people around us, but kept our guards up, well, more like I am. Seeing how Shigure is relaxed right now and doesn't feel like we're in danger.

'Hmm...I guess after we enter the 79th Floor Area, Shigure should be more alert. If not, I should tell her to, but not to the point of being too stress out.' I thought carefully, and finally, see the bookstore in sight.

(Mistral: Mistral City: 80th Floor Area: Bookstore: "The Little World")

As we enter the Bookstore, call 'The Little World', we find ourselves in a room with just the shopkeeper and 3 books on display on the front desk. Which I find a little weird, since there are only 3 books to sell and nothing else in the Bookstore is out for sale.

"Welcome little one...I...must say. Aren't you two a little young to be out alone? Where are your parents?" The Shopkeeper said in a calm tone, but I got this gut feeling that the Shopkeeper isn't normal.

"They are nearby and gave us some Lien to buy anything we wanted. I like books and when I asked someone nearby if there any Bookstore near here and was pointed here." I came up a lie instantly while keeping a fake smile on my face, "But, I have a question, Mister. Where are all the books for sale?"

The Shopkeeper just chuckle and didn't change his expression, causing Shigure to hide behind me and looking over my shoulder, with caution.

'Well, I guess even Shigure could tell something is wrong right now.' I kept my guard up, even from afar and ready to cast [Aqua] if I have to in order for us to escape.

"Well, this shop is a little special. For you see, I have 3 books display for sale. But, the catch is you have can only purchase one. Also, I do not accept Lien and only exchange for equal value of the chosen book." The Shopkeeper explain what kind of Bookstore this is and how he does his business.

"Does that mean I can just come back later to buy the other 2 books?" I ask carefully while not showing any fear and keep on smiling.

"Oh sure, you can do that. But, by then I won't be here and the other 2 books will be already bought by another. And only if our fate is connected like now. Will you be able to return back here. Maybe you will find the new set of books I have set up for sell, that you would like to purchase." The Shopkeeper explain to us slowly, making sure both Shigure and I are paying attention.

"Now, since there are two of you little ones are my customers for the day. Instead of picking one book, each of you can pick one, making it two books out of the three books being purchased." The Shopkeeper further explains, then made a gesture towards us to come look at the 3 books on display.

"Wait. Before we do, how much are those books?" I stop the Shopkeeper before even thinking about taking a single step closer to the guy.

"Ah! I must have forgotten about that! Silly me." The Shopkeeper let out a chuckle, "Seeing how I only accept things of equal value. I will have to say something in your bags is only worth one of these books let alone two books. I'm sorry, but if you have some hidden items, then we may come to an agreement."

The way he said the word 'items', send warning signals through my mind. Even Shigure widens her eyes in surprise from listening to the Shopkeeper's words and she knew what he talks about. Also, the fact that the Shopkeeper actually knows what we have in our bags is freaky enough itself.

"I'm sorry Mister. But, there are only a few things we have in our bags and most of them we kind of need on our trip. The only thing we could trade is Lien." I made sure to look like I'm ashamed that I don't have any hidden [Item] of mine.

"I see..." The Shopkeeper carefully continues to stare at me, with his creepy smile.

"I'm very sorry, Mister. I guess we should leave and find another Bookstore since we could only use Lien to purchase books." I apologize for wasting his time while the Shopkeeper continues to stare at me and this whole time, he hasn't even blink once since we enter this Bookstore.

"Well, I guess that's too bad then..." The Shopkeeper's smile dim a little, but gone back to the way it was before instantly, "I hope you kids have a wonderful day. I hope you come back soon."

Shigure didn't waste a single second once she got the chance and quickly pull me out of the Bookstore as fast as possible.

few minutes later*

(Mistral: Mistral City: 80th Floor Area: Street Markets)

I help Shigure by carrying her bag while she drinks a bit of water from a [Water Bottle], as we enter the Street Markets.

"Too...scary..." Shigure looks a little pale, as she shivers a little and recap the [Water Bottle], then put it back in her bag.

"The Shopkeeper?" I ask Shigure, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

Shigure shook her head, "No...the...person...behind him." I look at her with a surprised look.

"There was another person the Bookstore?" I feel a little scared right about now, not knowing that there was another person beside the Shopkeeper in the Bookstore.

Shigure nodded her head while checking behind us just in case.

'Well, shit. Now, I really need to train my [Basic Detection Mastery] quickly and maybe reach [Trainee Rank] before we reach the 50th Floor Area.' I quickly change my priority and plan to focus more on the [Basic Detection Mastery], along with [Basic Presence Concealment Mastery] as a support.

"Do you happen to know what the person looked like?" I ask Shigure, making sure to know what to expect later in the future, if there a chance of meeting that person. Sadly, Shigure shook her head, letting me know she does not know what the person behind the Shopkeeper looks like and just notice there was someone behind the Shopkeeper.

"Well, getting something from the Bookstore was a failure, but at the same time a success on our side for not going through whatever that Shopkeeper was trying to do. Also, did you think he figured out about our [Item]?" I ask Shigure, as she carefully glances around the surroundings and taps the top of her right wrist, where her [Wristband Version: Movement Resistance Gear: Tier 2] is. Showing that she knows what the [Item] I meant.

"Not...sure...but...we...still...need...to be...careful." Shigure whispers to me, as we continue walking through the Street Markets and making sure not to bump into anybody.

"Why do I get the feeling we will meet that Shopkeeper again later in the future?" I thought out loud, and Shigure just shrugs at my thoughts, but not denying it since she knows there a high chance in the future that it will come true.

"Our first day in our training trip and we've already met something weird on the way." I mumble to myself, as Shigure walk over to a nearby Market on our left and bought a few fruits and walk to another that is selling [Chicken's Egg] in dozen, afterward we walk out of the Street Markets while I place all the stuff Shigure bought with our fund in my [Inventory].

Of course, I keep on practicing my [Basic Presence Concealment Mastery] and [Basic Detection Mastery] together, to see if I could do it in the area with lots of people.

So far, I managed to increase a few counts towards both [Skill]'s [Training Methods]. But, more than once did I failed to do it right and wasted a few minutes to get it right.

Also, the fact that I summoned [Amakusa Shirou Tokisada] before had finally unlocked within me, not [Magic Circuit], more of knowledge and instinct belong to my [Persona]. Who knew that I would gain some of my own [Persona]'s experience. A small amount, but large compare to the average people around me.

Too bad, I can't make any [Magic Circuit] of my own and would really help me a lot, where I could actually use [Magecraft] along with the [Magic] belong to my [Persona System].

Now, that I know that [Persona] have their own set of [Skill] or [Magic], well, in my [Persona]'s case. [Magecraft].

So, for the future, I do hope my new [Persona] would have some interesting [Skill] I can use myself. If not, I will just let my [Persona] to it for me.

It's a good thing that even without summoning my [Persona]. Their passive effects still applied onto me.

As of right now, thanks to my current [Persona]'s [Personal Skill]. Which happen to be [Revelation]. An interesting [Skill], that I know for sure I won't be able to get from my [Persona System] anytime soon.

within 2 hours later*

(Mistral: Mistral City: 80th Floor Area: Checkpoint to 79th Floor Area)

I've led us straight towards the Checkpoint towards the 79th Floor Area within 2 hours while Shigure and I keep on checking our surroundings to see what else we may need on our way down to the 50th Floor Area.

"How...are...we...going...to...get...across?" Shigure ask me, after all, I was the one who manages to get us this far by pure instinct alone, which I very thankful of my first [Persona] being [Amakusa Shirou Tokisada] and his [Personal Skill]'s [Revelation].

"Hmm...give me a few minutes to think while you scout the area." I said to Shigure, as she nods at me and quickly runs off to scout the area.

Yup, during the time I know Shigure, she's really like a ninja a lot and being able to find me easily enough from across the Local Water Park to a random Food Carts while at the same time not letting anyone see her unless they have the experience to detect Shigure. I'm pretty sure she was trained in tracking and stealth along with other stuff under her family's training.

'Now, how do we get through the Checkpoint's security? Without having an adult with us or the papers to gain access to using the Air Bus. And I've already seen how much it cost to purchase a ticket for the Airship and it will cut us down our current Lien too much for comfort.' I carefully start thinking up a few plans for us to enter the 79th Floor Area.

There are many options I could go through and half of them lead to a high chance of death, even with the help of my [Persona]. After all, summoning my [Persona] almost take half of my aura reserve and continue to drain while staying to fight.

However, in a good way to this, I manage to increase my aura reserve a 2nd time by keeping my [Persona] summon for almost a minute. Of course, I fainted instantly after my aura reserve was emptied and my [Persona] disappears right away.

Sadly, I found out that this is a dangerous method to increase my aura reserve through just summoning my [Persona]. Found out that I would stay unconscious at least half the day, making me lose 12 hours of training progress.

Now, my aura reserve been increased by 60% now, or more, I still haven't figure out how long does my aura reserve natural increase on its own, though.

From my mental calculation, and physical calculation on my notebook to make sure it correct, I should be able to cast [Aqua] 40 times and should empty my aura reserve a third time.

However, much to my disappointment, I was able to cast [Aqua] 43 and still have 1%-2% aura leftover. Meaning, that my natural aura reserve is being increased slowly. Another roadblock on increasing my aura reserve to the same level like Shigure and Pyrrha.

So, I put them my current aura reserve is [E-: Aura Unit Level: 160%/173%?] with a question mark at the end of 173%. Since I don't know how fast my natural aura reserve growth is. As of right now, I'm going with 1 month equal 1% aura increase, but I don't know if this will speed up or slow down later in the future.

Also, using both [Aqua] and [Dia] as measuring tool for my aura reserve help a little. With 160% showing, I emptied my aura reserve 2 times already and 173% being added with my natural growth.

"I'm...back." Shigure appears next to me, and poked me to break me out of my inner monologue.

"Welcome back, Shigure. Did you manage to find anything interesting?" I welcome Shigure with a smile on my face and curious if she had found anything interesting.

Shigure nods her head, with a small smile on her face, "Yes...I found...a...small...hidden...path...that could...lead..to...the...other side...of...the...checkpoint...or...to...the...79th...Floor Area."

I continue to smile at Shigure, as I rub the top of her head, causing her to put her head a bit more against my hand.

"Ah..." Shigure blink a few times, making me stop petting her and see why she look surprised.

"Something wrong Shigure?" I ask with concern, quickly I glance around our surroundings and made sure it look like I'm still staring at Shigure while at the same time glance at the corner of Shigure's body slightly to see behind Shigure.

"I...think...someone...is...following...me." Shigure hug me before she whispers to me, as she glances around behind me with her eyes alone.

As I continue looking around while Shigure checks behind me as well. Trying to use the limited amount of instinct and knowledge in [Basic Detection Mastery] to see if I could have any luck seeing anyone reveal themselves through their own mistake.

However, much to my frustration, I can't see anything out of the ordinary. I separate myself from Shigure and see her frown a little, but quickly gone back to her default of blank expression.

"Well, mind showing me this hidden path?" I ask Shigure while feeling nervous that someone is watching us hidden in the background.

Shigure nod in silence and lead me towards the hidden path she found during her search.

few minutes later*

(Mistral: Mistral City: 80th Floor Area: Checkpoint to 79th Floor Area: Hidden Path)

We arrived at the hidden path Shigure found for us to use and found out its just a metal ladder attach to the wall.

'I got to stop forgetting Mistral is build around a mountain.' I thought dryly, as I look down, where a huge wide space between the two mountain and being at the 80th Floor Area would lead to a very painful death if someone accidentally falls over the cliff.

"This...is...it." Shigure said to me, as she looks down the cliff together with me, but made sure to keep a good distance away from the edge.

"Hmm...I remember reading in one of the books in my family's Library about how in the early stage of Mistral development. They attached a few metal ladders into the mountain's wall for civilians to use in case of emergency and in the very middle of the ladder are built in shelter within the mountain's wall. Too bad at the time, they didn't have the resources to place in a safety system and cause people who use these emergency ladders would have a high chance of death from falling to their death by just a slip of their hands or take a wrong step. Which is the reason why those Checkpoints have two types for Hunters or high social status, and civilian use. One, is the airfield for those important people who could use the Air Bus to travel from anywhere in the Floor Area and outside of Mistral Kingdom. While the second is for the civilian use, that happen to be the same as first one, but provide only a limited amount of Airship compare to the amount of Air Bus." I explain to Shigure about what I could remember in one of the books I read about Mistral among the other Kingdoms.

"Must be some interesting books you been reading to get all that information." A male child spoke out, causing both Shigure and me to look around us quickly, but still kept our distance away from the edge of the cliff.

Sadly, nothing in the sight of a person and this is getting on our nerves.

"What are you guys looking at?" The same male child spoke out and is closer to our left, but nothing is there.

"Show yourself!" I shout at the unknown male child, that still hiding somehow in plain sight. 'I seriously need to get this [Basic Detection Mastery] to rank up or a two if this is going to happen. And this is our very first day of our training trip! The heck is going on?!'

"Now, why would I do that? Where the fun is in that?" The male child giggles at us, and slowly the voice is drifting to our right now.

Without warning, Shigure charge towards our right and both the unknown male child and myself are confused at her action.

"GAH!" The unknown male child was tackled by Shigure and out of nowhere, the unknown male child appears into existing as if something was covering the guy's body to become invisible to everyone.

Shigure already made sure the unknown male child won't get away by having their neck almost being cut by Shigure's [Nodachi], a tsuba-less and wrapped around with a makeshift grip of bandages around the hilt.

Which she gained from her Father 6 months ago, and chose to use this [Nodachi] as her main weapon, along with others. Also, because Shigure's Father has already decided to stop creating his own personal weapons through his family's secret blacksmith techniques. Making Shigure's [Nodachi], his last and finest ever sword and a gift to his own daughter, Shigure Kosaka.

Too bad, I'm not much of a sword user myself, but I could hold a sword properly. Fighting one, not so much and took longer than a week to hold Shigure's [Nodachi] without cutting myself.

"How the hell did you find me?! And where the hell did that sword come from?!" The unknown male child shouted in panic, but stop moving just in case Shigure's [Nodachi] would gladly meet with his neck closer than it should.

Plus, Shigure is literally standing on his chest in order to hold her [Nodachi] and the fact that her own sword is taller than her is almost impossible to use at her current height.

But, Shigure not some ordinary child and could easily figure a way to use her [Nodachi] with her height disadvantage.

As I walk over to Shigure to see who was spying on us and I guess this child was the one that follows Shigure coming back to me, then continue to follow us to this hidden path towards the 79th Floor Area.

Once I walked over to Shigure and the unknown child, much to my shock and surprise. The child looks exactly like a child version of Izaya Orihara from Durarara!, but I could be wrong and the child could just have a similar appearance of Izaya.

"What's your name?" I ask with a smile on my face, causing the Izaya look alike to scowl at me, but yelp when his aura is being drained by having his neck attacked by Shigure's [Nodachi].

"Alright! Alright! Call your friend off!" The unknown male child shouted in panic, as he tries to move his neck away from Shigure's [Nodachi]'s blade.

Shigure stops trying to drain the unknown male child's aura, but kept her sword just a few inches away from the unknown male child's neck.

"The name's Izaya Orihara! Now get her off me!" The now named Izaya Orihara shouted at me while glaring at us, with hatred for being in this position.

A complete silence appears this whole area as I look at the child version of Izaya with dull eyes.

'Well shit...there's another character from a different series...' I thought dryly.