Reach Him

There was a massive explosion that was seen by everyone in the academy. Haruto, Jason and Marlo saw the explosion and headed in that direction. Jason saw the explosion and began to worry about his students all the more.

Jason: (to himself) You guys had better survived that explosion. PLEASE BE ALIVE!!!!!!

Haruto: (noticing Jason's tension) Don't worry. They'll be fine.

Jason: I hope so.

Marlo: (eyes narrowing) We're approaching someone. Stay sharp—could be the students or the enemy.

Haruto: (to himself) I hate when he gets all serious.

Suddenly, Haruto sensed a rush of movement to his right. Veto burst onto the scene, a wild grin plastered on his face, ready for a fight. In a flash, Haruto drew his needle sword and countered Veto's onslaught just in time.

Veto: (laughing) You countered it?! No one has been able to keep up with me before!

Haruto: (smirking) Guess you've been fighting weaklings up until now.

As Marlo and Jason charged in to assist, they were abruptly halted by Dylan, the new guy, who rushed in, intent on joining the fray. As Jason and Marlo launched their attacks at Dylan, they were thwarted by an invisible barrier surrounding him.

Jason: Our attacks aren't doing anything!

Marlo: We can't waste time here. We still need to rescue the students.

Jason: I'll head toward the explosion and find them. Can you handle this?

Marlo: (to himself) Good call. Jason's faster, so he can reach them first. (to Jason) Yeah go ahead. Haruto and I will be fine. It's better this way.

Jason enveloped himself in lightning and took off, leaving Haruto and Marlo to confront their opponents.

Meanwhile, back at the explosion site, Giles was stunned to see Rin use Harmonic Restoration to regenerate his lost hand, a feat few could achieve.

This of course also shocked everyone else as no one expected Rin to be able to use such a high level technique. However since Rin wasn't very good at using Harmonic Restoration, his right hand still appeared charred and frail even though he had just regrown it back.

John: (to himself) No way! It's tough to learn Harmonic Restoration, and he's already doing it in his first year? But... (glancing at Terry, still impaled, and Kazemaru, weakened from overuse) No matter how strong we are, our opponent is far stronger. If he fires another energy blast from that book, we're finished.

Giles: I'm really impressed now kid. Your technique gave you an advantage in learning the Harmonic Restoration faster than most . As it stands now you're already at the level of a Level 1 hunter. I'm impressed kid but even I can tell that the technique has reduced the amount of lighter energy you have left and even then it doesn't seem you know how to use it properly otherwise your hand won't look like that. If I attack you again, you won't be able to heal or defend yourself.

Rin: (to himself) Damn it. He's right. My lighter energy is almost out and it's not enough to power up my technique.

Takimo: I'll fight you then.

John: Wait!! You can't fight him Takimo!! He's stronger than any of us!! And besides we have to take Terry, Kazemaru and Rin out of here!! Especially Terry because if we don't find a way to get this sword out of his chest, he'll die!!

Takimo: I know!! But what choice do we have right now?! If someone doesn't fight now he's going to kill all of you anyways!! Take Rin and the others and go!! I'll hold him off!!

Rin: Don't do it Takimo!!!!! You'll die!!!

Giles: He's right. You'll die.

Takimo: [WHITE: FIRE MANIPULATION] I know. But I have to try.

Giles: (smirking) Okay, let's see what you can do.

Takimo launched fireballs at Giles, who easily blocked them with a wall. Takimo used the distraction to close in and engage in hand-to-hand combat. However, Giles summoned a giant hand fan and blew Takimo away.

Rin: TAKIMO!!

Giles: Relax will you? That's not enough to kill him unless he's that weak. Oh here he comes. (Takimo jumped to stomp Giles but was met with a shield that blocked the attack.) You're gotta do better than that if you want to beat me!

Takimo: (to himself) Damn it!!! He keeps evading and blocking everything I throw at him. His technique gives him a higher advantage over me. But if I can use the heat my body is emitting to disorientate him like I did with the other senior back then, maybe I'll have a chance. MAYBE. (continues to attack Giles) I know it isn't possible to defeat him the way I am now....(looks at Rin and everyone else) but Kazemaru and Rin have been doing their best to ensure we stay alive. So I have to return their kindness and do something as well. Even if this situation seems impossible to overcome, even if it kills me, I'll keep fighting and moving forward (Kato flashes in his mind).....UNTIL I REACH HIM.

Giles' shadow technique is "ARTISTIC ANIMATION". It allows him to draw two dimensional sketches and turn them into three dimensional beings. Hence anything he draws comes to life.

The book he carries is called "The Book Inventory" one of the few inventory tools that still exist in the modern era. It not only serves as Giles' drawing book, but it also stores items in its pages. With it, Giles was able to keep shadow monsters that he released into the battlegrounds at the start of their mission.

Despite Takimo's fierce attacks, Giles grew frustrated. He drew four gigantic standing fans, creating a powerful wind that threatened to blow Takimo away. Using lighter energy on his feet, Takimo struggled to stay grounded, but the relentless wind impeded his fire manipulation. Seizing the opportunity, Giles charged at Takimo and slashed him across the chest with a dagger drawn from his book.

Rin: TAKIMO!

Takimo: (holding his chest, coughing blood)

Giles: Told you you'd die. (raising his hand to finish Takimo off)

Takimo: (to himself) Am I going to die here?

Just as Giles brought down his dagger, Jason Enderby arrived, blocking the lethal strike aimed at Takimo.

Giles: HUH?! (to himself) He's fast! He wasn't here a second ago!

Jason: I'd appreciate it you don't hurt my students any further. [WHITE: STRIKING VOLTAGE]

Takimo: (smiles) MR JASON!!

Jason unleashed a lightning blast that knocked Giles away from Takimo and the others.

Rin: MR JASON!

Kazemaru: OH SHIT! MR. JASON IS HERE?! (cartoonish face) HE'S SO COOL!!!!!!!!!

John: (cartoonish face) Do you still have enough energy to glaze him right now?

Jason: (assessing the situation) I guess I got here late, but I'm glad you're all okay. YOU ALL DID WELL. (pats Takimo on the head) Now leave the rest to me.

Though Giles managed to withstand Jason's lightning attack, he still sustained considerable damage. As he processed the turn of events, Jason charged at him, unleashing another lightning blast. Giles quickly activated Harmonic Mantle Essence, mitigating the impact of the attack.

Jason: (to himself) Harmonic Mantle Essence. So he used it to defend himself at the last moment, huh? (to Giles) Are you a member of the Kaimi Daja? Why are you attacking the academy?

Giles: (breathing heavily, wiping blood from his mouth)

Jason: No answer, huh? Guess I'll beat the answers out of you.

Giles: (coldly) There won't be a second time.

Jason: (cartoonish face) Ooooh, scary. (to himself) The fact that they choose today to attack still doesn't sit right with me. Don't think about it now, Jason. Focus on the opponent in front of you. I'll bring him back with me, and then we'll find out what the Kaimi Daja are after.

Jason and Giles squared off, preparing for battle.