The first evening after officially joining the Black Bulls was chaotic, noisy, and exactly as Kael remembered from the story. The hideout stood as a fortress of misfits—partly crumbling, partly enchanted, and entirely alive with energy.
"Welcome to the madness," Asta shouted, clapping Kael on the back with his usual overwhelming enthusiasm.
"Try not to die," Magna added with a grin, juggling small fireballs between his fingers.
Vanessa lazily raised her wine glass from her hammock. "Mm… another pretty boy? This place just got interesting."
Kael merely gave a calm nod, observing every corner. His instincts were sharp. This place wasn't just a base—it was a battleground, a sanctuary, and someday… it would become his family.
---
Lightning and Iron
"You're up first," Luck Voltia declared, eyes gleaming with uncontained bloodlust.
Before Kael could ask what he meant, Luck's boot hit the ground and the space around them exploded with crackling electricity.
They were outside before Kael even processed the challenge, the rest of the squad hooting from the windows and rooftops.
"Kael versus Luck! Let's see what this newbie's made of!"
"Try not to get vaporized, Crimson Eyes!" Magna hollered.
Kael rolled his neck slowly, stepping into a fighting stance. His hands didn't glow yet—he was still measuring.
"You sure about this?" Kael asked calmly.
Luck grinned like a demon. "You smell like strong magic. That means fun."
---
First Strike
Luck moved first—vanishing with a thunderous boom of electricity.
Kael sidestepped as a lightning-enhanced kick narrowly missed his jaw. He ducked low and summoned a shield of compressed air, letting it deflect the follow-up strike.
> [System Alert: Lightning-Type Combatant Analyzed – Style: Instinctive Speed Burst]
Kael's eyes narrowed. So fast… and unpredictable.
He twisted around, forming twin short swords out of pure elemental energy—one of wind, one of solidified light.
The wind blade caught Luck's arm. Not enough to cut, but enough to redirect his momentum.
Luck flipped backward, laughing. "Not bad!"
---
Rising Tempo
Lightning lanced out from Luck's palms. Kael's system predicted the arcs, flashing danger zones in his vision.
He danced between them, one foot sliding, the next pivoting mid-air using wind propulsion. He parried a strike with his light blade and countered with a downward sweep of the wind sword.
Clash. Boom. Flash.
The battle became a blur of blade and storm.
The squad watched from above, jaws dropping.
"Is he matching Luck?" Magna muttered.
"Not just matching," Vanessa said, sipping slowly. "He's reading him like a book."
---
Awakened Instinct
"Let's turn it up!" Luck shouted.
He drew in massive currents of mana, forming a full-body lightning armor.
Kael's eyes flashed crimson as he sheathed his blades. "Time to end it."
He pressed his palms together.
> [Active Skill: Spirit Form – Lyra, Partial Synchronization]
Golden lines glowed over his body. Feathers of light shimmered around his shoulders like a cape. His speed—and perception—tripled.
Luck charged, a bolt of fury.
Kael stepped once.
And vanished.
CRACK—!
A burst of light shattered the field.
Kael stood behind Luck, one finger extended. A golden blade hovered an inch from Luck's neck.
Luck froze.
Then laughed.
"That was amazing!" he shouted. "Let's spar again!"
Kael smiled. "You're fast. But predictable."
---
After the Storm
Later, back inside, the squad celebrated the new member's victory with drinks, yelling, and poorly aimed magic fireworks.
Kael sat quietly at the far end of the room, sipping tea, his body still humming with residual energy. Across the hall, Vanessa wandered over and sat beside him.
"You handled Luck better than most captains do," she said.
"I just read his flow."
"You read everyone's flow, don't you?"
He looked at her sideways. She was smiling—but her eyes were curious, searching.
"You don't talk much about yourself."
"Not much to say."
Vanessa leaned closer, voice lower. "You're not like anyone I've met. And I've met a lot."
Kael's heart skipped slightly. But he maintained his calm.
"I'm here to protect what matters. That's all."
Vanessa gave a half-smile. "Then I hope I'm something that matters too."
She stood and walked away before he could respond, her hips swaying slightly as if to tease.
Kael sat still, crimson eyes unreadable.
> Relationships progressing: Vanessa Enoteca – Interest Level Increased.
---
Beneath the Moonlight
That night, Kael stood on the rooftop again. Lyra hovered beside him, her golden form serene.
"You held back," she said.
"I didn't want to scare anyone."
"You could have ended the fight in one move."
Kael nodded.
"I want to grow with them. Not above them."
Lyra's soft voice whispered in his mind. "That kindness will become your strength."
The wind stirred. Below, the squad drank, laughed, and prepared for another day.
Kael watched the stars and whispered to himself.
> "This world… I won't lose it. Not again."