(Part 3)

Alan standing over a large rock in the middle of a rampaging river gasped. Wiping his chin and clenching his bat tightly he looked around. Rain pattering his head like hard snowballs he clicked his tongue aggravated, his vision blurry. "Hmph…! Like I'll ever give up... that old man really thought of me as a pushover." he uttered tossing the ball up.

The moment it came into contact with his eye level, he lifted his bat up striking it hard. Slammed with full force the ball went thrashing on a huge tree at the river bank. "Nine hundred and seventy nine…" he whispered.

Continuing his drill, he glanced at the river below. The water altitude so elevated, that it saturated both his shoes making the rock slipperier.

Nidou immediately found the river. Halting amid his steps he looked around for Alan. "Now where is he?" he thought suddenly tracing the familiar figure amid the river throwing the ball up and hitting it on the tree again. The tree about to collapse at any moment, Nidou stood mystified. An enigmatic grin escaping his lips.

However, as soon as Alan threw the ball up again his feet slipped. Dropping in the river he gripped the rock tight. "Ack!" he cried painfully.

Water slamming his face like wild fire however still not giving in, he climbed up despite knowing his effort were futile. The rock which was too slippery washed his grip away.

"Just leave the bat from the other hand and stand back up, you idiot!!" Nidou shouted clutching his fists tight. The thunder fading all wails and shouts created no connection between them.

But, it was clear at that moment. Like father, like son...

Alan pulled himself up the rock clenching his bat tight. A harsh tide coming his way, in the end Alan's grip weakened he left the rock drowning inside. Nidou gritted his teeth, "Tch…! This persistent rascal! He still won't give up…?" Alan's vision heavy and his ears plugged from all the water, he left his bat at last fainting. However, before he could drown any further, a large hand pierced inside the storming river grabbing him from his collar and pulling him up.

The hand resting under his neck with the other one supporting his knees. Nidou made his way towards the river bank. Eyeing Alan drenched from head to toe and full of injuries he smirked, "Hmph! Dying on me? You're crazy… little rascal make enemies you could bear the burden off. Once you get up and find yourself saved by your nemesis… You'll surely regret it."

His gaze instantly shifting towards Alan's hand he blinked his eyes in disbelief. His bat still hanging onto his grip even in unconsciousness made Nidou laugh. "Haha!"

"This little twerp. No matter what, he'll make me say it hun…? In the end, Good job." he commented taking him back down the mountain.

(Day 11)

The thirteen rushing off to training in pairs left their lodging. "Hurry up, Cassiel, Sera, Sera!" Adam waved leaving with Helios and Ryan.

"Don't be late, Vice-captain." Ryan turned to Xavier who nodded picking his bat. Gabriel keeping their food inside came out.

"Come on~ come on~ let's go." Heber pushed Azazel, Ezekiel (who continuously kept yawning) and Poseidon next.

Xavier before leaving turned around, "Hurry up, Feng, I am leaving."

Feng tying his shoelaces assured hastily, "Don't worry vice-captain. You go ahead first. I'll catch up."

Xavier nodding left. Helios turned to Poseidon, "Let's try practicing for Dominance and unseal, to see what we can achieve."

Poseidon agreed, "Yeah, let's do that." "Ezekiel and Heber, should practice too." he glanced at the two of them. 

Heber rolled his eyes pushing Ezekiel, "First let this little one of yours sleep then we'll see about it."

Helios twitching his brow ignored him walking ahead while Poseidon smiled awkwardly.

Feng still stuck tying his shoelaces clicked his tongue annoyed, "Tch, what the hell is wrong with it today?!"

Kenzo walking past him rolled his eyes, "Even if others won't get punished, you'll surely get them punished all thanks to you stupidity."

Feng tying the last knot laughed embarrassed, "Haha… as says his highness. But it was hard. All done!" he stood up dusting his clothes. "Huh? If you are so worried about getting punished, why didn't you leave with them? Everyone else has already left?" he asked instead. "Ah! Don't tell me you were waiting for me?" he assumed surprised.

Kenzo twitching upon his comment, "Hmph, as if this king will wait for you." "I was checking over this place one last time. It has got nothing to do with you." he shoved his hands in his pocket.

Feng chuckled following behind, "Haha… I was just teasing you. No need to get so serious. Let's go then."

However, before he could step forward Kenzo turned around facing him serious. Feng about to bump into him looked up startled, "Oh my god! You scared me!" he stepped back taking breath, "What is it Kenzo, just say it already. I might as well just die with that gaze of yours."

Kenzo silent for a while looked right and left and back again at Feng. Feng narrowing his brow stared back silent. "This little king and his moody, whining demeanor…" he thought waiting annoyed. 

"Even if we aren't late. We will be late if you don't say anything, your highness. And, that will get us a huge penalty much less a punishment. Let's go already everyone might be wait…" Feng uttered.

Nonetheless, Kenzo interrupted, "Feng!"

"Yes?" Feng flinched.

"Let's try it… Syncro and Roaring that is. Who knows, if we'll achieve anyone of them." Kenzo spoke turning around and walking away.

Feng stunned yet puzzled at the same time rushed over grabbing his shoulders from behind.

"What the?!" Kenzo flinched eyeing him from the corner of his eye.

"Haha! Really? Do you really mean it?!" Feng shook him left and right.

Kenzo twitching his brow, shoved him back, "Of course, I mean it. I don't have time to waste lying needlessly to you."

Feng hearing him swayed around joyfully. Standing beside Kenzo, he bended low before him asking, "It's because head coach Nidou said it that way is the reason you are going so far right?"

Kenzo glancing at him serious followed the rest, "Think whatever you want. No matter what I'll get my hands on this skill at all costs!"

The thirteen of them practicing at the mountain top. "Seraph, come here." Alan called tapping his finger on the rock beside him.

Seraph heading over sat beside him wiping his sweat with a towel, "Hm?"

"Show me your left hand." Alan asked.

Shifting the ball into his right hand Seraph showed his left hand to him. His hands as rough as a log revealed deep, small and fresh bruises casing it from top of his fingers till his wrist. Especially his middle and index fingers which were bandaged white for recovery. Alan stunned yet cross stared silent.

Seraph reading his expression asked, "Don't tell me that even you are going to stop me from balling fast deliveries now?"

Alan however stood up. Tracing the ball in his right hand he snatched it, throwing it far away to Feng who was catching the balls. "Oh my!" Feng caught the ball confused.

"Nope… I am not stopping you. I am grounding you!" Alan scolded vexed.

Seraph bewildered stuttered, "What…?"

The middle schoolers who were busy practicing too faced them clueless.

Alan pulling Seraph's arm up showed it to him. "These hands you have injured so ruthlessly aren't toys! They are meant to play, meant to study, meant to help and meant to protect your beloved ones. Don't go on injuring them for no good reason at all that you come to regret it for the rest of your life!" he scolded.

Seraph stared at him wide eyed.

Alan leaving his arm, grabbed his nose bridge sighing, "Fine… if you want to despite all this. Then, I don't have a choice but to help you."

Seraph abruptly blinked, "You won't stop me…?"

Alan twitched his brow, "Will you stop even if I tell you so, hun?" 

Not wrong was he now?

Seraph smiled, "I am sorry…"

"Don't be." Alan rolled his eyes walking away, "Instead, from tomorrow onwards your practice is changed. I'll take you to a river and you'll start swimming four hours a day. After that, I'll provide you with a kettle ball and you'll start practicing the kettle bell snatch with both arms. Make sure to bandage or cover your hands with a cloth no matter what! I don't want to see any more injuries."

"And lastly, you'll start doing planks. Until you feel like your body is fit enough. You'll continue doing so. Without! Touching the ball." he warned grave. "And, if he touches the ball tell it to me then." he eyed the middle schoolers darn serious.

The twelve of them looking at each other nodded lightly. "But… what will you do after we tell you?" Adam asked curious.

"Beat him up!" Alan snapped.