CH. 16 - A Demonstration of Power

Some of them get excited looks while others get more confused.

Phoenix "Uh, Teach? Quick question. What do we do if we don't know if we even have any powers?"

She raises her hand with a concerned look.

Killian "Yeah, I appreciate the quick start but shouldn't we do some kind of studying or training first? Just to get a better grasp on what we're actually doing here."

He says with a seriously interested tone as Saika and Wolf look at him, drooping a bit.

Wolf/Saika 'Now he wants to study…'

They think as Teach smirks a bit.

Teach "Perhaps you're right. Still, I'm gonna go with a more direct approach. Why don't you step to the front first, Killian?"

The class looks at him surprised as he steps forward, confidence in his demeanor but not pride nor arrogance.

Teach "What is it that you desire?"

Killian looks a little confused.

Killian "My desire?"

Teach "Let me clarify a bit. What is it you seek? When joining the ASA, one does not simply train nor grow. They seek something whether it be glory or power, there is always a goal. What is it you seek?"

He asks with an air of mystique in his voice as Killian looks at him, thinking for a moment.

Killian "I seek the ability to protect those who can't protect themselves. I don't care if I don't have any powers or special abilities. My strength is enough."

He says boldly as Teach smirks a bit.

Teach "You are correct. Strength is more than enough to protect a few but I'm certain you're striving for something much bigger than a few lives."

He speaks while turning around and approaching a few small baskets holding metal balls in them. He grabs one and tosses it in the air before catching it with his other hand. The ball is roughly the size of a baseball. 

Teach "Today, you each will take one of these balls and throw them at that wall across the field."

As he speaks he tosses the ball to Killian casually who catches it only to be shocked as it almost slams him into the ground from its weight. He lifts it up, properly adjusting himself for its weight.

Killian "That's… unexpected."

Teach smirks before grabbing another ball.

Teach "They're specially designed by our engineering department. Highly dense material crammed into a little ball for training purposes. Brittle, sure but quite effective. Let me demonstrate."

He says before turning around and launching the heavy ball at the wall about half way across the field. His throw is proper but obviously lacking any actual effort. The ball flies swiftly through the air as the class tries to keep up before it smashes into the thick stone wall with a cloud of smoke bursting out. 

Machine "Teach Ken, Brolite Speed: 1,008 kilometers per hour."

A machine reading the speeds says out loud. The class is shocked by the force and speed of the ball hitting the wall.

Teach "Each and every one of you was selected for a reason. I do not want to hear excuses about not having powers or it not being possible. Going beyond everything that came before us is what we do here and you will do it."

He says boldly with a tenacious smile on his face to his class. Some of the students show concern while others begin to get pumped. Teach looks at Killian and steps back, motioning for him to step up. He does with a determined smile on his face. He sweats nervously but doesn't waver from the challenge. 

Killian "Don't beat me for looking pathetic compared to your speed, Teach."

He says sarcastically as Teach steps towards him.

Teach "Don't feel bad. Even if you had your Type mastered, you still wouldn't beat me. Now imagine it, feel it in your Soul. Take control and force out that burning in your heart!"

He says encouragingly as Killian closes his eyes.

Killian "In my Soul…"

He breathes in before pulling his arm back.

Killian "My Soul… is mine to control!"

He shouts as his eyes open sharply and he begins to throw the ball but as he swings his arm, suddenly bone begins to exert from his arm. It covers his hand and braces his arm up to his shoulder, giving him a tremendous strength boost and launching the ball at high speed. It flies through the air and smashes into the wall.

Machine "Killian Kamui. Brolite Speed: 412 kilometers per hour."

He looks up with a surprised look as he pants and sweats. He stands up straight as he looks at his hand, examining the bone claw on his hand and bracing up his arm. 

Killian "This is…"

Teach smiles proudly.

Teach "Body Type, just like our Principal."

Killian turns and looks at him with an excited look as the others get excited too. 

Teach "It appears to be Bone. A sturdy and versatile power. Fitting for someone like you."

He says warmly as Killian smiles proudly, clenching his bone covered hand.

Teach "Rye, would you please step forward."

They are surprised but do as told.

Teach "Why don't you show them what you're capable of?"

Rye smirks before reaching into their back pocket swiftly and pulling out a metal cylinder. They then pull it apart as it transforms into a small machine attaching to their arm.

Rye "This is my own personal Rig! Built it myself! Now check this out!"

They say as they click a button on the side of the hand that then latches onto the metal ball magnetically.

Harley "Wait, that's not-"

Teach "If you are going to give me an excuse as to why they can't use their Rig, save your breath. Your skills are all your own. There is no reason not to use them."

Rye then pulls their arm back before the button switches colors and it repels the ball away from them at high speed, smashing into the wall.

Machine "Rye Reeds. Brolite Speed: 282 kilometers per hour."

Rye clicks their tongue in a bit of disappointment but a smile still sits on their face as they turn and look at Teach.

Teach "Spectacular. It matters not your means. If you have something you're striving for, use each and every skill you have to earn it. Never hold yourself back for someone else."

He says as Yoko gets excited and steps forward.

Yoko "Me next! I wish to crush this human in demonstration of strength!"

They say proudly before grabbing the ball and pulling it back. Their hand then grows in size and gets covered in black fur as their eyes sharpen a bit. They launch the ball forward and hit the wall.

Machine "Yoko Tatsuo. Brolite Speed: 405 kilometers per hour."

Yoko gets a disappointed look.

Yoko "No way! I cannot be bested by a mere human! Your counting machine must be broken!"

They pout to Teach as he sweats a bit with a slightly annoyed look before turning to the class.

Teach "Okay, who's up next?"

He asks as the class prepares themselves for the test. Soon, Tadashi steps to the line and pulls back.

Tadashi "My abilities aren't really suited to this test but I'll give it my all."

He says as he prepares to throw.

Wolf "Abilities?"

She asks as he launches the ball forward, slamming into the wall.

Machine "Tadashi Gin. Brolite Speed: 315 kilometers per hour."

He sighs a bit before Moshiro's turn is up. She sweats nervously as she focuses. Her eyes are sharp but show hesitation.

Teach "Do not think. This test is not meant to deter or cripple your growth. It is only a demonstration."

He says while making eye contact with her. She nods slightly before pulling back and giving everything she has into her throw. The ball slams into the wall but with an obvious gap in power from the others.

Machine "Moshiro Ken. Brolite Speed: 208 kilometers per hour."

She grits her teeth a bit in disappointment before stepping back immediately. One after another, the class takes turns throwing the ball, each marking up impressive speeds, lower than Killian or Yoko but still impressive. Next up is Phoenix. She looks nervous as a slight smile spreads on her face. She grabs a ball with hesitation and slight struggle.

Phoenix "I really don't think this is gonna work. Maybe a lesson on unlocking abilities would help?"

She asks, looking at Teach as he looks at her.

Teach "It is up to your Soul to do that. Don't be concerned with the speed, just give it your all. Focus on what it is you seek."

He says supportively. She nods as she prepares herself. Teach's gaze then shifts a bit as his eyes sharpen, examining her.

Teach 'I'm curious. After running all the tests, she showed no sign of Type power or Base Reception development yet she's always kept up with the others. When I heard about the attack at the Oats Mall and how she performed with the others, I just had to make sure she made it in. This is certainly out of the ordinary.'

He thinks as she focuses. 

Phoenix "Okay… just throw the ball. Feel it deep down in my Soul and unlock whatever secret power that may be inside of me. Focus on what I seek. That simple. Right."

She says softly, obviously still nervous but she turns her gaze to her friends where she sees them being supportive. She focuses on Wolf for a moment as she gives her a big toothy smile and thumbs up. She smiles softly a bit.

Phoenix 'What I seek…'

She breathes out then pulls her arm back and prepares to throw the ball when suddenly her hand ignites in a flame but this is not a normal flame. She doesn't notice as the others all get intrigued by her hand. Teach's eyes widen a bit, surprised by this before she launches the ball with tremendous speed sending it flying to the wall and smashing into it with blistering force. She looks up surprised as the machine reads her speed.

Machine "Phoenix Geist. Brolite Speed: 410 kilometers per hour."

Her eyes are wide as the others are stunned for a moment before cheering.

Saika "Go Phoenix!"

Wolf "Now that's what I'm talking about! That was hot!"

She says with a thumbs up as Phoenix blushes a bit, smiling awkwardly.

Phoenix "Thanks, I have no idea what just happened."

Alston "That girl's got a fire in her, I'll give her that."

Teach watches them celebrate for a moment as he thinks.

Teach 'I'm not sure what that was. Her Frequency didn't spike even a bit and she definitely doesn't have a Type. Could that have been Base Reception?'

He ponders as Cole steps forward.

Cole "Cute and quite formidable but let me show you all what power is really like."

Wolf "Hey, why don't you take your bald head somewhere else? We're celebrating over here."

She snaps back as a vein pops on Cole's head.

Cole "What was that about somewhere else??"

Teach "Enough. Cole, step forward."

Wolf sticks her tongue out at him as Cole glares for a moment before stepping forward and casually grabbing one of the balls.

Cole "Better keep your eyes open Anderson because you are about to learn something."

He says as he tosses the ball into the air. Suddenly, black markings begin to appear from the corners of his mouth and down his chin. One of his eyes turn black as a glowing vibrant red smooth shell begins to form from his back along with four tentacles sprouting from it. One of them reaches up and catches the ball as he crosses his arms. Another attaches to the tentacle holding the ball, reinforcing it as they stretch back, preparing to throw. Cole smirks at Wolf as the others are impressed with his ability. Wolf rolls her eyes as the tentacles snaps with sharp force, hurdling the ball into the wall.

Machine "Cole Jigoku. Brolite Speed: 411 kilometers per hour."

Cole looks pleased as the tentacles retract into his back and disappear.

Wolf "Yeah, very flashy but still slower than my bestfriend."

She says as Cole vein pops again.

Teach "That was a Soul Shell. An exertion of his Soul Form into the physical world allowing him to use it for a multitude of things. In his case, he is special. His Soul is very malleable and can take many shapes while most people can only make one form."

Cole smirks as he steps back next to Wolf. He stands there for a moment before leaning to Wolf.

Cole "Did you hear that? He said my Soul is special."

Wolf "Yeah I heard him!"

She says angrily.

Teach "Wolf. You're the last one. Let's go."

He calls her out causing her to look at him with a hint of anxiety on her face.