Chapter 32: The Teacher.
Airi held out her pinkies from both hands and hooked them with Takeshi's and Kazuka's fingers.
"I agree, you must promise."
Kazuka and Takeshi spoke in unison.
"We promise."
"This will be our oath for this entire life. If the promise is broken, death."
Takeshi smiled because everything went smoothly. Airi wailed louder.
"Thank you, guys."
Inside the place the three called home, the stone walls seemed cold but were very warm. Kazuka lay beside Takeshi below and looked at the stone ceiling.
"I wonder how strong those out there are."
The image of Mukuro before death reappeared in Kazuka's mind. His voice echoed in his head.
"The adult world is different from what you think."
Kazuka's face turned pensive with many questions in his head:
"Am I grown up yet?"
He couldn't sleep, opened the door very slowly, and went outside; a gentle breeze blew through as if wanting to soothe his pensive mind. Sitting by the extinguished fire, white ash mixed with black coal, he looked up at the sky; the starry sky seemed to reflect the thoughts in his heart. Just a few, but they made a boy who couldn't sleep have to gaze at the sky for relief like men bearing heavy responsibilities.
Suddenly the old wolf sat right beside him; sensing a dark shadow at the edge of his vision, he slowly lowered his head and turned.
"Aa"
He jumped in fright, his bottom lifting off the log. His heart felt like it would explode and jump out of his chest; he still didn't forget to keep quiet for his friends sleeping.
He slowly breathed again, hand rubbing his chest to calm his small heart thumping from being scared by the old wolf.
"Do you want to scare me?"
The old wolf smirked, his wolf teeth exposed and shining in the night.
"I'm not that free, just bored so I took a walk, who knew I'd see you sitting here."
Kazuka's eyes narrowed with suspicion as he looked at the old wolf.
"Is that so? Are you stalking us?"
The old wolf huffed coldly as if not caring about the brats, but the gaze looking at the ash clearly showed otherwise.
"Hmph, who wants to see what you brats are doing?"
The atmosphere became quiet again as both looked at the ash in front of them.
Suddenly Kazuka spoke up, breaking the quiet atmosphere once more, he turned. Eyes glowing in the night like small glowing stones out of curiosity.
"Hey, why did you choose to do this? I mean teaching."
The old wolf was silent, not answering immediately. Two rough furry hands were placed behind his back to support his large body; he tilted his face to the sky and looked at the stars and a few small cloud clusters being blown by the wind above, moving across small stars making them lose their light. But then as they passed, the light returned.
"I didn't think I would do this either."
He took a gentle breath, the coolness of the air hitting his nose, then he exhaled softly without a sound. It was as if he just recharged energy with one breath of air.
"Before I was a wolf, I was very liked, but after turning into a wolf everyone shunned me. One day, there was a kid who liked me very much; he came to my house and asked to be a disciple."
His voice was already small because he had to speak softly for Airi and Takeshi sleeping. Now his voice deepened and got smaller, as if wanting to tell, but also not wanting anyone to hear.
"I was quite surprised that the kid didn't look at me with contempt."
The old wolf smiled, showing that his choice did not make him regret.
"And I just accepted him; later he was quite famous and I also had some reputation. That's all..."
Finished, he lowered his head and looked at Kazuka.
Kazuka's expression was bored at the way he told it. He didn't know what to say reasonably.
"You tell stories so blandly."
The old wolf's indifferent face died after hearing Kazuka criticize his storytelling, shifting to emotionless, but inside was a bit of discomfort and anger.
"Leave me be."
The old wolf seemed to think of something, eyes glancing to one side then back at Kazuka.
"I'll ask you this, what do you think?"
Kazuka with a confused face, eyes a bit skeptical fearing the old wolf would pull some trick.
"What question?"
The old wolf raised a hand and scratched his cheek then began to speak:
"If one day, you knew you were just an outcast, something no one needed, no one accepted... would you choose to leave, or try to stay?"
Kazuka bowed his head, staring intently at his two hands in his lap, but his gaze blurred before the intensity of thought.
A moment later, he thought of an answer he felt was reasonable with all reasons, ideas, and his own logic. But he wasn't sure he was right.
"...I don't know."
Three words tried to reduce the seriousness of the issue; he still didn't believe his answer would be right.
But he still spoke, because that was the most reasonable answer everything he had could provide at the moment.
His gaze dropped a bit, as if he had put his heart into the answer.
"I think... if no one accepts me, I will leave. But if there is just one person... just ONE PERSON, who needs me, then I will stay. Whether it be this world or any other world."
He emphasized the words he felt were necessary.
The old wolf smiled slightly, sharp teeth shown once more.
"The answer sounds simple, but it has a price. Staying is not always the easy choice."
Kazuka turned to look at the old wolf. He knew an experienced person would have a better answer than him in every aspect, compared to a kid still looking at the world with glowing eyes.
He posed a question, with his own curiosity. Was he right? Or would the answer of an experienced one be right?
"Then what about you? Why do you still stay, even knowing you no longer belong to this place?"
The old wolf closed his eyes for a moment to think; the question he himself posed was now running in his head again.
He seemed to have the answer and opened his eyes; he laughed secretly in his heart at his own answer. He turned to the boy and looked straight into his eyes.
—"Damned brat..."
"Because there are still a few idiots who need me."
"...Including you."
Kazuka was dazed for a moment, then he realized what the old wolf meant; his eyes stretched a bit. His face like a normal tomato suddenly ripened at high speed. Turning bright red, he abruptly turned away in embarrassment.
"I don't need you..."
The old wolf felt his words had an issue with what he usually showed. Despite knowing it was a joke, the old wolf turned away. His face shifted to calm.
Voice flatly deep:
"Yeah, got it. Just saying."
The wind blew through again; the feeling of cold had decreased slightly.
Kazuka sat silently, eyes on the sky. But suddenly, his pupils dilated as if remembering something terrifying. His face fell, his gaze oscillating strongly and continuously.
His breath gradually became stronger and a bit faster.
—"My... my answer..."
He thought, but it accidentally came out of his mouth in a whisper:
"...is a bit like... that murderer..."
The old wolf tilted his head, sharp eyes glancing over. Though saying nothing, clearly he had recognized something in Kazuka's thoughts. His expression also changed slightly. He remained calm, eyes glancing at the distant tree line.
"Are you thinking about something?"
Kazuka was startled, as if just pulled out of a dream. His voice was hesitant, not the comfortable way he usually spoke:
"Ah... no... Nothing."
The old wolf didn't look at him, gaze idling toward the distance, voice slow:
"Just say it. Sometimes, saying it... makes the heart lighter."
"Whether it's a thought or anything. Sharing is still the thing that brings the best feeling."
Kazuka was silent for a few seconds, then repeated as if not fully understanding the meaning:
"Lighter heart..."
He yawned once, unclear if he was truly sleepy or just avoiding. But then, his voice rose, showing he decided to follow his teacher, voice smaller and hoarser than before:
"Let me tell you..."
After a while, only Kazuka's voice was heard; finally, he finished telling.
"That's how it was."
"That man, he killed... because he thought this world had no place for him. He hated everyone, so he wanted to drag everything down to hell with him."
His voice carried a sense of acceptance, a total lack of avoidance. Always facing the words of those who came before.
"I am not like him. But... not completely different either. Do you think so?"
The old wolf closed his eyes, then gave a soft "yeah."
The old wolf smiled, this time a smile a bit tired but profound:
"A terrifying person is not the one with power, but the one with nothing left to lose, and no one left to trust."
"If there is one thing holding me to this world, it is not fame, nor ideals... but some idiot who dares to look at me as a human."
Kazuka smiled faintly. But then he slumped down and went silent.
There would be few occasions he could sit and listen to someone tell of something. And that person was thoroughly reasonable.
A small wonder for the strong, but a very large thing for him appeared.
"So... if I once thought like that murderer, can I truly become a good person?"
The old wolf snorted, gaze still on the far distance.
"Everyone has had dark thoughts, including me. The difference is... you still ask that question."
"And that is why, you are still Kazuka."
Kazuka opened his eyes wide at those words. He seemed to understand the things he always wondered about that lay inside him for so long.
Another question sparked like a fire in the ash, seeking through the gaps of the ash-covered embers to burst forth.
"He lived for his brother and that was his motivation. So what about me, what must I do when no one is left?"
The old wolf didn't answer immediately. He just looked at Kazuka for a long time, then laughed softly, a light laugh like the wind, carrying a bit of sorrow.
"What are you worrying about? Takeshi and Airi are still beside you."
Kazuka immediately smiled; he felt he had received all the satisfaction he needed for a long time from a teacher with the personality of a kid trying to bond with his student even though he was no longer young.
"Thank you."
The old wolf smiled gently with satisfaction.
"Hmph, you brat actually know how to say thanks."
He answered naturally:
"Of course, you are my teacher."
The old wolf was silent and only replied with a question:
"Is that so?"
Kazuka stood up, dusted his pants with his hands, turned to look at the old wolf with eyes no longer thinking of anything.
"I'm going to sleep, see you tomorrow."
Kazuka went into the house and closed the door; the old wolf's gaze followed. A certain pensive thought that could not be shown through the eyes.
The next morning, the sun rose, dawn illuminating everywhere. Still like every other morning, starting with jogging and mountain climbing. After a while, they reached the grass field where they sat yesterday.
The old wolf walked ahead, his large body with a back as big as a boulder. He turned his head.
"Today we fight monsters."
Kazuka ran forward with curiosity.
"Monsters? Where to find them? There are no monsters in this forest."
The old wolf spoke indifferently.
"Of course not, I locked them all up."
Kazuka got more curious and said:
"So where are they?"
The old wolf was a bit annoyed but still calmly answered.
"Just go."
Walking to the other side of the field, Takeshi went "oh" with surprise.
"The land you own is truly large."
Airi nodded.
"Yes, this land must be as large as a minor noble's."
They went deeper into the forest, through the canopies and dust-covered trunks, arriving before a cave.
Their eyes and mouths turned into O-shapes; they were a bit surprised that a cave existed here.
Stepping inside, along the two walls were glowing stones attached like gems. Kazuka looked around; the cave only had small stones and ruggedness.
"This cave is quite big, isn't it?"
Going deeper into the cave, the space expanded. They stepped to the mouth of a rather deep pit. The old wolf stopped and turned around.
"Alright, today you will fight it; it's quite old so it's weak. My first disciple and I caught it."
The three went to the dark pit mouth; they could not see what was inside; the darkness increased the mystery and danger, as well as hitting their psychology.
Airi spoke up just to confirm the darkness of the pit below:
"Can't see."
The old wolf went to the wall, grabbed a chain hanging in the air and pulled it. Glowing stones from the surrounding walls came out and illuminated the dark space below.
Inside there were only large chains but nothing could be seen.
"Today, you must find a way to survive before a Wyvern."
The three were shocked, eyes wide as if not believing what they just heard.
Airi was panicked; she spoke harshly, disagreeing with the old wolf:
"Are you crazy? It's considered a low-level dragon, how can we fight it?"
The old wolf remained calm, eyes not touching anyone but circling then looking at the stone ceiling.
"Don't worry, it's very old, and I've starved it for a long time so it's very weak. You might even kill it. Actually, I want you to cooperate."
"This Wyvern only walks normally and cannot fly, so it's quite easy. In the past, my disciple and I almost died catching it. You must practice facing opponents much stronger than yourselves."
Airi calmed down a bit; she narrowed her eyes, glaring at the old wolf.
"Surely you know that starving makes it more dangerous."
The old wolf calmly replied:
"It's old; if I let it eat its fill, how would it care to move and fight you?"
Airi gritted her teeth in annoyance, but she had to accept.
Kazuka swallowed, looking down at the dimly lit pit bottom. Large chains clattered faintly as if signaling the creature below was stirring.
"Low-level... dragon..." Takeshi whispered, his face turning pale; the first drop of sweat rolled down from above his jawbone and fell to the ground.
The old wolf crossed his arms against the cliff wall, smiling gently while observing the three standing at the pit mouth.
"Just jump down, it's not very high. I'll stand here and watch. If you die, you die."
Airi whirled around, her voice loud with worry:
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IF WE DIE, WE DIE!?"
CRASH!
The sound of falling rocks echoed from the pit. A blast of hot air and a foul, fishy stench surged up. The three immediately gripped their weapons.
Kazuka gritted his teeth, his gaze still holding a flicker of worry. But since it was training, it had to be dangerous. He pushed worry aside and jumped down first, leaving a few words:
"If we're going down, let's go!"
Without waiting for the other two to stop him, he jumped first.
Airi cursed "dammit" and followed; Takeshi panicked but also followed.
The three landed in a stone pit wide as a giant arena. The air was sweltering, smelling of mold. From the darkness, the sound of dragging chains rang out…
And then... A giant creature with silver-grey scales, two folded wings a bit torn, a head full of scars, one eye blind. It crawled out from the dark corner. Though its legs were chained, the pressure radiating from it still made the air seem heavy.
Kazuka gripped his sword and shouted:
"I think we should split formation!"
Airi nodded, her gaze still observing the Wyvern.
"Right, now Takeshi will distract it, I will support from afar and Kazuka will be the main attacker."
Takeshi shouted: "Huh? I'm not sure I can do that!"
Airi shouted back.
"Remember, one hit is certain death."
Tossing all fear of a gruesome death aside.
Kazuka and Takeshi rushed out; they were on two sides of the Wyvern. Kazuka on the left, Takeshi on the right.
While rushing, Kazuka stopped and entered a stance, both hands gripping the sword firmly, energy being released to envelop his body and sword.
—"Takeshi will attract it, I will strike."
The Wyvern saw Takeshi rushing from the side; its mouth opened wide. A foul stench and its slimy saliva were messy around its mouth. It braced itself; death seemed to be approaching.
Airi far away radiated energy and summoned the blood chains. The chains flew around her body without end. The bright pink flames from the chains disappeared. She gritted her teeth, launching the chain toward Takeshi, it wrapped around him and pulled him out of the Wyvern's line of fire.
The Wyvern's mouth breathed out a white hot energy source, like hot gas rising from a volcano; it slammed into the stone wall making it explode. Hot air enveloped the cave.
Airi pulled Takeshi toward her; Takeshi stood up quickly. Both did not look at each other, gazes still glued to the Wyvern.
"Thanks."
On Kazuka's side, seeing the Wyvern had just unleashed its move. Kazuka unleashed a vertical slash with dense energy toward the Wyvern; the hot air radiating toward him seemed to be torn apart. The ground was split, pebbles and small stones rang out.
But it lashed its tail, the tail with thick scales arranged in a logical order, like a gift of perfection for it, along the top of the tail a row of spikes ran down to the end, the very bottom was a recessed tail protruding from one side, then curved round and sharp at the tip, like a deadly fishhook, hooking weaklings who thought it was easy to hunt.
Immediately, the tail whip was like a giant tree trunk being bent, destroying his incoming slash and vanishing into nothingness.
Airi shouted toward Kazuka.
"Kazuka, must attack by surprise!"
The Wyvern turned to Kazuka, the gaze of one hard to submit looking at him like a beast's threat; it raised its front leg with sharp claws, wings folded deep and clawed toward him as the wings spread with the movement of the front leg.
Four giant claws rushed at him, wanting to tear that small life into pieces. And a reminder for daring to close in too near and unleash a blow foolishly.
Kazuka jumped into the air; the ground beneath his feet cracked. Not jumping into the air and dodging foolishly, it was a somersault; he tumbled continuously many times and retreated backward, feet replacing hands and hands replacing feet to brace. A fluid movement.
The Wyvern's claws slammed hard onto the ground; the small crack Kazuka made was immediately stepped on and crushed.
Boom!!
The ground could not withstand the powerful impact the Wyvern dropped like a crushing machine. It cracked instantly, like a giant spiderweb printed on the ground.
Kazuka ended his series of continuous somersaults and stood right next to Airi and Takeshi.
The Wyvern had only just unleashed a blow; it did not let anyone rest or think of any strategy.
Or those delusional thoughts of waiting for the strong to act and then reacting accordingly. A foolish way of the weak who cannot think of anything to stop it.
It turned toward the three standing; its mouth opened wide once more, signaling death. The muscles in its mouth dilated as the upper and lower jaws separated too far.
It spat out a blast of air with terrifying heat toward all three, blowing away all the dust in the cave and tearing the air apart.
Standing before that terrifying pressure, Airi wove the chains together like a shield.