After three hours of desperately trying to channel his power, Tuziku was on the verge of giving up when something finally stirred within the Sword of Raigan.
During this time, Kutcher had been resting beneath a nearby tree.
"Kutcher! Would you wake up already?!" Tuziku shouted.
"Hm—huh?!" Kutcher mumbled before immediately drifting back to sleep.
In the middle of trying to wake him, Tuziku lost his concentration.
The filter-seal process was disrupted.
The sword suddenly became still.
"Damn it!"
Fwish! Fwish!
Tuziku waved the sword around in frustration.
"I had it for a moment there!"
His outburst finally startled Kutcher awake.
"Huh?! Did something happen?"
"I felt it for a moment! Something definitely happened!"
Tuziku pointed an accusing finger at him.
"But you were too busy sleeping!"
Kutcher let out a yawn.
"How long has it been since we started?"
"You mean since I started," Tuziku corrected.
"...About three hours."
Only three hours and he already managed to trigger something?
Kutcher raised an eyebrow.
That's faster than I expected...
"Well, it seems you've figured out how to channel your ability."
"That's good. Whatever you did, do it again."
He pointed at Tuziku.
"And this time, do it in less than an hour."
Kutcher turned and began walking toward a nearby tree.
"Wait!" Tuziku called out.
"What's with the sudden time limit?!"
"Because this is the easy part," Kutcher replied.
"You've already made progress much faster than I expected."
He shrugged.
"A little pressure should speed things up."
Then his expression grew more serious.
"Besides, we have an important mission coming up. You'd only be a burden if we have to protect you the entire time."
Tuziku blinked.
"A mission? What mission?"
Kutcher glanced back over his shoulder.
"...If Sailou hasn't told you yet, then he probably has his reasons."
He waved dismissively.
"More importantly, get back to training."
"If you can't manage something this basic, I'm leaving."
"I'll be resting over there."
He pointed toward a massive tree before walking off.
Tuziku tightened his grip on the Sword of Raigan and focused once more on channeling his ability into the blade.
* * *
Meanwhile, at FADA Headquarters in the Land of Fuyu...
The Chief Commander of FADA Headquarters and also the leader of FADA's Elite Eight Defense Units, Huesho Yuhadasu, stood before the eight Generals who commanded Units One through Eight.
"Greetings, Generals."
"The reason I have summoned you here today concerns the incident that occurred one month ago in KuruKuru Town."
The room remained silent.
"As you all know, an insolent brat from the filthy land of Hinkon massacred one hundred and fifteen of our Noble citizens."
"During the incident, the boy awakened a particularly dangerous Abyssal ability."
"...The ability of Acid."
The Chief folded his arms.
"Our Noble people have not been able to rest at ease since that day."
"And needless to say, the higher-ups are far from pleased."
He slowly paced across the room.
"Since the failed capture attempt led by the Commander of Unit Seven, we have yet to take further action..."
"That changes now."
The Generals listened attentively.
"Generals of Units Four and Six, I want you and your men to work together."
"Search within a one-thousand-kilometer radius of the fugitive's last known location."
He stopped near the window.
"What we know for certain is that the fugitive was rescued by Sailou Tunberg, captain of a rookie Underdog crew known as the Casoltins."
"We also know they possess a hidden base somewhere within that same forest."
"It's possible they've already fled."
He narrowed his eyes.
"But given the circumstances, I find that unlikely."
"You are to locate their base and eliminate all targets on sight."
"However, the boy is your highest priority."
"...You will depart immediately after this meeting."
"Unit Seven will assume guard duty for Unit Six."
"The rest of you will remain on standby."
The Chief scanned the room.
"Any questions?"
Silence.
"Meeting dismissed."
The Generals rose from their seats and began leaving the headquarters.
Before long, an argument broke out between the Generals of Unit Six and Unit Seven.
"Hey, Mayku!" the General of Unit Six called out.
"What's it like losing your dignity as one of the Eight Noble Generals?"
A grin spread across his face.
"What was it? Was the kid too strong for you?"
Several nearby Generals chuckled.
Mayku grunted.
"Laugh all you want."
"It's only because of my failure that you and your unit are finally getting some attention."
The General's smile vanished.
"What was that, Failure Mayku?!"
"Would you two fools cut it out already?" the General of Unit Two interrupted.
"You're both disgracing the title of General."
The General of Unit Six clicked his tongue and looked away.
* * *
Meanwhile, back in the forest...
Tuziku remained locked in training.
"Come on, Tuziku."
"This can't be the limit of your ability."
Kutcher sat beneath the tree, watching him.
"Think about how you felt when you succeeded earlier."
Frustration finally got the better of Tuziku.
"Would you be quiet already?!"
"I can't focus with you nagging me every five seconds!"
Kutcher sighed.
"I'm just saying, you haven't shown any progress in the last twenty minutes—"
"Alright!"
Tuziku raised a hand.
"Just give me a few more chances."
He closed his eyes.
Slowly, he took a deep breath and cleared his mind.
Focus...
Remember exactly how it felt earlier.
His breathing slowed.
His thoughts settled.
His heart grew calm.
Tightening his grip on the Sword of Raigan, Tuziku once again attempted to channel his power into the blade.
A faint green glow emerged from the sword.
The blade trembled.
Kutcher's eyes widened.
"That's it!"
He jumped to his feet.
"That's exactly what we're looking for!"
A grin spread across his face.
"Hah! Looks like this won't be a waste of time after all!"
CHAPTER END