71: Mindset

"Are you sure about this?" - Chifuyu asked in surprise as she looked at the young blonde girl in front of her.

"I want to give him at least two days to prepare" - Cecilia replied as she looked carefully at the black-haired young man - "If I'm going to defeat him, I want him to show his full potential, I don't want to face a novice."

Ichika frowned slightly, though he simply nodded.

"I understand, I'll approve that the battle will be in two days" - Chifuyu said as she left the office and walked towards the arena to tell the girls about the situation, and although annoyed, they understood that this was for the best.

* * * * *

"I guess you came to ask me to increase your training regimen" - Cloud said as he saw Ichika with a serious expression on his face.

"Yes" - Ichika replied as she took a long breath - "I know I don't currently have the ability to defeat Alcott-san, but with your help, I'm sure I will succeed."

"And you can't ask Houki for help?" - Cloud asked while raising an eyebrow.

"You have more experience, not to mention that she doesn't pilot an [IS] yet" - Ichika replied while shaking his head, though what he didn't say, was that he still wasn't in a good situation with Houki after the incident a few days ago.

"Give me a reason to do so, I want you to give me a simple argument to help you other than because I'm your friend" - Cloud said with a frown.

"Because I'm sure you understand my situation" - replied Ichika while letting out a sigh - "I'm the only guy who can pilot an [IS], I have everyone looking over my shoulders, and that even possible enemies who wish to capture me and will use any method to achieve it."

"Then why did you show such a condescending attitude against Houki?" - Cloud asked while frowning - "She was trying to help you."

Ichika was silent before letting out a sigh - "I don't know..."

"You don't know?" - Cloud repeated in surprise.

"Those words came out of my mouth without me being able to do anything about it, I don't know the reason, but I was annoyed by Houki's attitude" - replied Ichika while frowning - "I felt like she was trying to show herself as someone superior when she has less experience than me, and with the pressure I'm currently going through, it made something inside me snap..."

"I see, that's a more logical reason" - Cloud nodded as he thought carefully - "However, that's no reason to look down on another person."

Ichika ducked her head - "Ok, I'm going to apologize when the battle is over."

"No, go right now and come back for training" - Cloud said as he folded his arms - "I'm going to prepare everything for when you get back"

"Ok" - nodded Ichika as she thanked Cloud before running to where Houki was.

"Seriously..." - Cloud muttered as he started getting everything ready for his friend's training.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, Ichika returned alongside Houki, who was folding her arms.

Cloud raised an eyebrow because he didn't expect to see his childhood friend next to the black-haired boy, even though she looked a bit annoyed - "What happened?"

"She got upset for a reason I don't understand..." - Ichika replied with annoyance.

"I'm upset because you didn't apologize because you really wanted to, but because someone told you to!" - Houki exclaimed angrily.

"Wait, I think you're misunderstanding something" - Cloud said while explaining the situation, which made Houki look at Ichika with a frown.

"Why didn't you explain it like that?" - Houki asked with a frown as she crossed her arms - "The way you said it, it sounded like if Cloud hadn't told you to do it, you wouldn't have done it."

"I explained it well" - Ichika muttered with annoyance - "It's just that you didn't understand it because I'm not Cloud."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" - Houki asked with embarrassment.

"It's obvious you like Cloud, that's why you paid more attention to him" - Ichika snorted, only to feel a shiver run down his back.

"What are you talking about, I-CHI-KA?" - Houki asked with a huge, cold smile.

Ichika began to shiver as Houki's aura grew heavier.

"Ok, enough" - said Cloud as he stepped in - "Let's train".

"Ok" - nodded the two cadets and childhood friends as they watched the blond hand them some weights.

"Those will be the only way you'll get better, trust me, it works" - said Cloud as the two cadets began to sweat.

* * * * *

The hours flew by, and by now Ichika and Houki were in their respective rooms, resting after a few hours of non-stop training.

Cloud was putting everything away to get ready to leave, when he felt a presence behind him - "Seriously, you should have a better hobby than showing up behind a 16-year-old youth, Chifuyu-san"

"Tabane told me about your little... adventure... before you were released" - Chifuyu-san said with a frown - "I didn't expect you to do something like that."

"Isn't that a bit hypocritical of you, Chifuyu-san? We both have our hands covered in blood, and for the same reason... revenge" - Cloud replied calmly as he turned around and looked the black-haired teacher straight in the eyes.

Chifuyu remained silent as she kept her stoic expression.

"Anyway, I think we'd better change the subject because this is a bit depressing" - Cloud said as he shook his head - "I guess you came here to get me to reduce Ichika's training level?"

"No, I didn't come for that" - replied Chifuyu while shaking her head - "He needs this intensive training if he wants to maintain himself as a good pilot."

"So?" - Cloud asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"It's simple, I want you to answer one thing" - said Chifuyu seriously - "What do you think about the powerless?"

"They are a sin" - Cloud answered almost immediately. He didn't even think about the answer, it came out of his mouth without him being able to stop it.

"Sin?" - Chifuyu repeated while frowning slightly.

"Yes, weakness is a sin" - Cloud replied as he frowned - "As is power without a conviction."

"Why do you think this?" - Chifuyu asked with mild interest.

"It's simple, the weak are only good for being trampled on" - Cloud replied regretfully - "No matter what era or country it is, the weak will always be subdued, whether by their enemies or their allies..."

Chifuyu was silent as she let out a heavy sigh - "But the duty of the strong is to protect the weak."

"I share that opinion, however, if the strong protect the weak too much, the weak will become dependent on this protection and will remain weak" - Cloud replied simply as he shook his head.

"How did you come to this conclusion?" - Chifuyu asked while raising an eyebrow.

"I got this opinion after years locked up in that lab, thinking about the death of my parents and my imprisonment" - Cloud answered as he looked the teacher in the eyes again - "If we had been stronger, then I would not have been captured and my parents would still be alive."

Chifuyu let out a sigh as she watched the young man walk out of the room, such it seemed that wound still hadn't closed.

* * * * *

The two days had flown by, and the time for battle had arrived.

"How likely is it for Ichika to win the battle?" - Houki asked with concern.

"Honestly, I'm not sure, however, I think he has a 50% chance of being able to win if he uses everything he's learned over the past few days" - Cloud replied as he looked around the battle arena - "However, I'm counting on Cecilia Alcott not having improved."

The girls in the class were looking at the duo with annoyance because it was obvious that Houki was way ahead in interactions with the handsome blond young man.

"Any way to increase the winning percentage?" - Houki asked with concern.

"By activating his [second shift]." - Cloud replied as he looked at the girl next to him - "That would increase the probability by at least 25%."

Houki was silent for a few seconds before letting out a long breath - "Cloud."

"Huh?" - Cloud looked at Houki with surprise - "What's wrong?"

"I wanted to ask you if you have anything to do this weekend" - Houki said seriously - "Because I wanted to go shopping for something outside the academy and I managed to get permission."

"Oh, and you want me to accompany you" - nodded Cloud while smiling slightly - "In other words, you're asking me on a date."

The girls nearby let out a surprised sigh as they felt their breaths cut off for a few seconds.

"W-well... I wouldn't call it that, b-but if that's what you want..." - Houki replied with her face as red as a tomato.

"Hmm, sure, I have no problem with going out with you on the weekend" - Cloud said while nodding, which made Houki let out a scream of excitement, however, the girls were very jealous.

[The battle between Ichika Orimura and Cecilia Alcott is about to begin, please stand back because we are about to turn on the Arena's shield]