Friends

Akira, after exploring the whole prison, He went back to the base. Arriving at night, a noise could be heard around the base. Akira wanted to check and found a group of the Green Flower Squad and almost all the warriors inside the base were together, having a party.

"What's all this?" Akira inquired Kazoru.

"Oh, it's a party for our next vacation. You go ahead and rest if you want to miss out, it's fine."

"No... And uhh... Is this a celebration when we captured the Mikadzukis?" Akira thought this was the celebration after the capture of the Mikadzuki since they throw a party after they completed their missions.

"Well, it does seem like a celebration after we captured the Mikadzuki, but it's just that the next day would be a long break..." Kazoru explained.

"Then, how about those who commissioned the warriors?" Akira was concerned about the people who commissioned the Warriors who were taking a break.

"Oh, those were for other squads, our squad gets a long break after 4 months. I'm sure my uncle was relieved about this since he had so much paper works. And don't forget, Celesta has 3 different armies, Soldiers, Knights, and Warriors." Kazoru reminded Akira about the 3 armies were also keeping the city safe.

"Why would they need such many armies?" Akira questioned again.

"Considering the fact Celesta is the safest city with many armies around, it has uncertainty in safety, this was because after the war broke out. Many countries have their armies or legions."

"Wait, why Celesta is the one who gets attacked?" Akira's hands were on his hips while raising his right eyebrow.

"Not a clue. All I know is, that Celesta was the newest in all nations, all of them have their traits in how dangerous they are. Elysia is the most dangerous with many monsters around, Sanakur has the most wicked organizations from all around their country, Glavial has the harshest environments, and so on. Celesta, however, only has notorious organizations and a bunch of fanaticism." Kazoru knew this from the info he had from his father. He never was studying all about them, he just memorize how dangerous they were.

"Oh, aside from that, let me help you to become familiar with the other squads"

Kazoru acquainted Akira with the squads. The Thousand Blades squad, the Purple Flamingo squad, the Green Flower squad, and The Blue Feather squad. Around 72 people in total visited Sazoru's base, some were close, and some were just visiting.

Akira nodded and so he tried to be acquainted with them, making friends with other squads. But first, he wanted to enjoy a large feast. He was hungry from all the mission and so he stuffed his mouth with those delicious foods.

Akira's glutton surprised everyone, he ate so much food and cleaned 50 large plates. After that, he finally was full and took a deep breath. He released the air and converted what he ate into energy. The crowds were shocked and so was Kazoru, squinting his eyes.

Then suddenly, a squad member from the Purple Flamingo came toward him, he shouted "you!" To Akira. Akira looked at him and said what was wrong.

"You shouldn't be here. I know who you are, you're a target of the Mikadzuki. Because of you, many warriors died to protect the city, the city was damaged by those strange monsters they were with. Leave now, the more you have targeted the more trouble they may cause. Sure, it's the warrior's job to protect, but leaving the threat in the city is very dangerous. These risks will one day be put on your own back to blame." A grey-haired young man blamed Akira, and Kazoru for causing a mess to the city. However, how did he know that Akira had a bounty from the Mikadzuki?

Akira said sorry but there was nothing he could do, Kazoru apologized too but the young man didn't accept it.

He said they were weak against them and said they should leave before causing more trouble since they had a bounty. Akira told him that he was fine with it and could hold against them, he was referring to that he was strong.

The young man asked what rank he was that he could think he could hold against them.

Akira answered him that he was a rank D, which shocked everyone. They started to gossip about why was he here in the Sazoru squad, it was dangerous for him to be in a squad without a proper rank.

"Hey, what's with all these ranks? It doesn't matter if you ranked below, ranks don't determine how strong you are!"

"I disagree with your statement that those who are ranked below should be treated the same. Do not compare them to the higher ranks. Even so, if they were treated the same as rank B to an S, they would be a burden. And as for you, why would a weak person like you get a bounty? What gives you the impression that a mere D like you is confident enough to hold against them?" He disagreed and asked why he was confident.

"As I said, ranks don't determine how strong you are, trust me I could hand it on my own."

"A weakling like you? Don't make me laugh. I bet that you always hide from them and let people take care of your problems. Don't you dare raise your ranks by cheating and take all the credit for yourself!" He folded his arms while glaring at Akira.

"Geez, why so hot-headed? How many times I should say it, I'm not weak. Besides, they set a bounty on me so they must be thinking that I'm strong. What about you? Did you get a bounty? Or they think you're weak?" Akira mocked him after getting frustrated by all of his ridiculing.

"Why you!" The young man clenched his fists and radiated mana.

Akira noticed it and thought he was asking for a fight, Akira clenched his fist as well and entered his position.

[MIRROR MAGIC: REFLECT RAY]

He used his mirror magic and created a beam that bounced off on each reflection of the mirror. Akira casually walked toward him, he predicted every laser movement and dodged them with ease. For each step, he moved his body and head to dodge the lasers. The man created a large mirror the size of 200cm and fired his lasers at Akira. Akira coated his mana from his left fist and deflected it. He deflected it outside from the base.

Akira dashed toward him and instantly appeared right in front of him. The man muttered that he was fast, Akira clenched his fist and was about to throw his fist at him.

He stopped his fist from reaching his face. He was petrified and closed his eyes, but finally, he slipped back and sat down after that.

Akira smiled and said, "Now you know how strong I am." He winked.

Leinn, a magenta-haired woman approached them and told them to quit fighting. She was the 7th commander as they bowed seeing her. Akira rub his head and apologized and so he went upstairs.

The young man who was defeated by Akira was humiliated, being defeated by a rank D, even though he was a Rank B.

Akira went up to the balcony and saw Volts was leaning on the balcony.

Akira waved at him and said why he was here, Volts answered he wanted some fresh air and heard what was going on downstairs.

He tried to comfort him after the fight, he knew he was strong but was treated unfairly and was asked to leave the city.

Akira didn't care, he thought he needed to teach him some lessons so he wouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Akira know he had a bounty too, but Volts didn't care as well, he would still survive them and would not let others get injured because of him. He told Akira not to be concerned about him since he could deal with his problems by himself.

"Did you forget about something? We're friends; we help each other, protect each other, and so on. Don't you dare think you could handle this alone. If you have difficulties, then ask me. I'm sure I could help you with that! Just don't ask me to help you with your studies or mathematical equations."

"Friends, huh..." Volts was struck by a pleasant feeling, which he did not experience only once. After Akira's words pierced his dark-shrouded heart, he felt a similar sensation in his heart, remembering all the good memories from his past. He finally let go of his thoughts in the void with a peaceful smile.

"Hmm?" Akira noticed Volts's smile, which he never had seen him smile before. Seeing him smile made Akira smile in delight at him smiling.

"Hey, did you just smile?" Akira grinning happily questioned him after he saw him smiling.

"Huh? I did not." Volts stopped smiling after he realized.

"Hey, don't be shy, that smile makes me happy. Smile again!"

"No, I didn't smile!"

"C'mon, you can't hide from it. I just saw you smiling!"

"I'll kill you!"

"Sorry..."

And so, they finally enjoyed their moments of relaxation.