121 Infiltration 8

Little thunderous sparks flew in the air and electrified the breathing bodies occupying the rigid room, creating welling contrasting emotions.

One felt indifference, the other one was slightly boiling with rage.

"We don't," finally Timo broke the eye contact and pushed himself off the table.

"No matter what the reason, it doesn't justify to use the past to excuse any future actions. Even if he was wronged in the past, finding a way to grow out of the toxicity and mature will benefit him in the long run. Using an excuse such as he has a reason, will not make up for any disasters caused from it."

Suddenly, Timo merged into a little helpless girl. Bloodied, bruised and torn to bits until only growing hatred evaporated out of her. Lia's words weren't only directed to Timo, about Zero. They were also intended for her past self.

Living for revenge. Justifying hurting people, justifying her careless and reckless personality because she was wronged. She has gone through all of this and now was still in the process of shedding.

Lia knew she might be a hypocrite but she was learning and growing. She has started to live for something else than revenge and even if her goal was still to stop Min, it was for the sake of saving the world.

Or so she told herself. No matter what Lia made herself out to be, believed she was- there was no better justification than her actions. Words were words after all. As empty and hollow as they could be.

However, these words seemed to pique Timo's interest, "You're right. We really don't see eye to eyes. If the past has formed you to be a specific person, no one else should interfere with your beliefs. Especially not someone who's self-righteous."

From these words alone, Lia had the hunch that she hit a sore spot of him. The person Timo was today… Was it related to the past?

Lia opened her mouth but Timo interrupted, "Whatever, I don't want to continue this. You have your reason, so ok I don't care. I'll leave Zero to you as thanks for helping me spend time with Maria."

Timo walked to the door, "But I'm only returning the favour. Next time if we don't agree on something, I won't back out again."

The door shut behind him and all the air condensed into water balls fell over Lia to extinguish her fuming head.

She wasn't particularly angry but she could see why Timo supported Min and why they got along so well. Timo wasn't the extent of harmless Lia gave him the benefit of.

***

Timo put his hand in front of his mouth and yawned. He walked down the hallways and out of his eye corner saw Zero with his classmates. Yet Timo made no attempt to approach Zero and soon descended the stairs.

Out of the stony, marbled building, Timo walked towards training field 5. A group of 5 students waited for him. Once he arrived, they bowed and greeted him. Timo nodded and looked through them, "Wasn't here someone else? Where's the new one?"

"Might be running late," one of the students said and shrugged their shoulders.

"Whatever, let's start," Timo sat on the ground and watched the students. It was a shame he couldn't get Zero but Zero's resonance with his power wasn't great anyways, meaning he wasn't as talented as Timo needed him to be.

Zero's loss was manageable, instead, Timo picked up another promising student.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," a girl with glasses ran up to them.

Her forehead was covered in sweat and she held her hands on her knees to grasp for air.

"It's alright. What's your name again?"

"It's Nana, sir!" Nana saluted and bowed.

"No need for that," Timo waved his hand, "Do the basic training with others first. You didn't miss out on much."

"Thank you!" brimming with energy Nana joined the practice.

Timo watched them and gave them here and there some pointers. For their power to evolve, basic training and physical training was crucial. It was the foundation of any strong power and the build-up for the abilities.

Timo, in particular, watched Nana. At first, he didn't notice her because there was nothing special about her during the day they received powers But luckily he encountered one of the practice days where the first years tried out their powers.

Only one glance was needed and Timo instantly knew her powers were extraordinary.

"Your abilities remind me of someone's," Timo looked at Nana.

Surprised he was talking to her, she fell to the ground, "But you're not similar to her at all. I guess that's a good thing"

Timo's dead eyes kept staring at Nana and she felt slightly uncomfortable, "Really? Who is it?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Oh, ok," Nana was confused but continued to train.

She knew Timo was an enemy but in order to grow stronger, she had to exploit any chance given to her. She didn't want to become a burden to Lia and the others like she was in Mistand.

Nana joined Timo because of the increasingly frightening awareness that under Timo's guidance her power would soar tremendously. His explanations and his way of training were fairly easy for her to understand.

Nana wanted to tell Lia of this as soon as possible but feared her reaction. Nana knew that there was nothing good to come from interacting with the enemy. Yet Nana pushed down the feeling and earnestly started to train.

A few hours later the training was over and the students laid panting on the ground.

"This is brutal," one of them said.

"I thought I was dying," another said.

"It was so easy at the beginning but then!" Nana sat up only to fall back onto the ground again. She was too exhausted.

"This should be as easy as breathing to you," Timo stood up and his words caused a wave of panic.

"No way! Is it like level 0? Is there level 100 or what?" another student jumped up and almost fainted.

"Get used to it," was the only thing Timo said before he left. Despite living in the academy now, he still had to do his work as the commander.

While he was at the academy the other captains took over partly with Min overseeing everything. Timo had no problem giving away the control for the army, he didn't care but Kil made him worry.

Kil was too hot-headed and impulsive. At least the others, especially Eri, were there to manage him.

Timo also didn't have it easy. He had to train the students during the day and at night finish all the work left to him in the army. The even more annoying thing was he had to report to Min again.

There was nothing much to say but Min would always find something to drag out the meeting. The only thing that made Timo look forward to it was the fact that he might meet Maria.

With that budding thought, Timo's steps got lighter on his heavy way to the headquarters. Like Timo thought Min already waited for him in Timo's office.

Not wasting any time, Min got straight to the point, "After two weeks now, how many do you have?"

"Six," Timo already saw Min's displeased face.

"You're not slacking?"

Helplessly Timo shrugged his shoulder, "There are many outstanding talents."

Min rubbed his temples, "Did you misunderstand? I wasn't asking you to train outstanding talents, I'm telling you to train them to become outstanding talents. You can do that right?"

"You mean anyone that's above average?"

"Exactly," Min looked around the office, "It needs cleaning."

"Yes, I know," Timo suppressed a sigh and a yawn, "How many?"

"I need as many soldiers as possible. Good ones. You alone will suffice right?"

Timo only nodded. He already backed off on Zero and usually, Timo didn't like going back on his words. But now... what should he do?