R13

Professor Pius' Pov

I watched as the boy walked up to me and calmly started looking at the dragon tail I had sprouted last minute to block his attack a few minutes ago. With gleaming red scales that were harder than diamonds and a horned tip that was sharpened to a spear point, the tail was currently as long as my entire body and quite impressive if I say so myself. After nodding his head in satisfaction, the boy sat down on the ground and began to inspect his injured arm.

After a brief pause I stretched out my hand and a warm flame erupted enveloping his entire body.

Looking up at me, his look of surprise was evident as the flame didn't burn him but was healing his wounds instead. Looking at me he inquired

'I didn't know you could heal a person using dragon's flames.'

"That's because it's not a dragon's flames but a phoenix."

'So you possess the power of two flame-type mythical beasts. One that destroys and one that heals. No wonder your firepower is no joke.'

"Well boy, be that as it may, it's not a power I like to use too often. Anyway, always be careful of how much damage you allow your body to accumulate. You may be able to ignore the damage at that moment but it will cause substantial damage in the long run."

'Yes Professor.'

Tora's Pov

The flames the professor used to heal me were surprisingly soothing. It didn't feel like I was being enveloped by a deadly element. Rather it felt like I was being embraced by a caretaker. My mind was still thinking of the professor having the firepower of a phoenix and a dragon combined when I heard him say to me

'It seems you have begun gathering a team instead of waiting to be assigned by the school.'

He gestured to the entrance of the training hall where Kiri and another familiar face were waiting. It was the girl I had seen over the weekend while training in the mountains. I was a bit surprised to see her but refocused my attention on the professor.

'Find those who can complement your strength. When you are done, come find me so we may progress to the next phase of your training.'

With that, he turned around and left the hall while Kiri and the girl walked up to me. Taking a good look at her once more in her checkered school skirt and black button-up top which accentuated her obvious B-cup and suited her complexion I quickly reigned in my thoughts. Seems it was very easy to lose concentration when it came to her, however, I quickly turned to Kiri who had been waiting patiently for me and a smile broke out on his face.

'I take it you approve of the first candidate?'

The fact that he had made his statement while disguising it as a question ticked me off a bit but I managed to blow it off. Dusting myself off while I stood up from my seated position, I walked towards them and spoke asked. "How long have you been watching?"

'Just long enough to see how awesome you and the professor are. Allow me to introduce you to Shizukana Ame. She's one of the first people I scouted before speaking with you.'

"We've already met. Though short, but enough to leave a lasting impression."

Raising a brow while still maintaining his expression, Kiri looked towards Ame and gave her a pat on the shoulder before disappearing into the shadows as usual. Before his presence disappeared his voice seemed to come from more than one direction saying 'I'll leave you both to get acquainted while I attend to other matters.'

Ame's Pov

Seeing the white-haired boy again was something I was hoping for, but now that I was in front of him I found myself being tongue-tied and not able to do anything but stand like a deer caught in headlights. I was still trying to get my brain to boot when I heard the firm voice that had stamped itself in my mind

'I didn't expect to see you again so soon. My name is Sekizo Tora and I just reconnected during the last session.'

Shaking his extended hand, I replied "I'm Shizukana Ame. I've been reconnected for a while. I was actually hoping to meet you again though I didn't know where to start my search from."

He raised a brow as if to ask why and I quickly interjected before he could speak "I've never seen anyone in sync with their power the way you used yours. I honestly wasn't up for forming a team when the smiling shadow approached me but it seems like it was a good decision."

The edge of his lips curved in a half-smile half-smirk kind of way and I found myself struggling to concentrate on the conversation at hand.

'Smiling shadow. Seems appropriate for him. But why were you hoping to meet me? I understand that I infringed upon your training and I apologize for that. However, I don't see that as a reason to make you search for me.'

Thinking back at what happened in the mountains I steeled my resolve as I asked him a question of my own. "How were you able to find me? My powers are water-based and my barrier magic is among the top rank in the school. Whenever I train I set up a barrier so no one can find me. And not only did you get into my barrier without me knowing, but you were also able to leave as if you were going out your front door."

'I don't have an answer to your question.' He told me with an indifferent look. I was just focused on following the presence I felt when I was carrying out my own training. It's not like I did anything remotely special.'

Looking at him once again I decided that this method wasn't going to work out if I really wanted to have the answer that I hoped I was going to get. And I was determined to get an answer one way or the other. Taking a minute to compose myself, I looked at him and smiled before telling him "I hope you don't take this too personally but I need to be sure." Before he could reply, I conjured a staff made of water I had been discreetly gathering and struck at his chest.