After three hours of utter failure, Tuziku finally managed to see something sprout from his desperate attempts.
"Kutcher! Would you wake up already!" Tuziku shouted.
Kutcher mumbled in his sleep.
"Uh—huh?!"
Tuziku lost his focus while trying to wake Kutcher, and suddenly—the filter-seal process was disrupted.
The sword became still as Tuziku clenched a firm grip on its hilt.
"Damn it!"
Frustrated, Tuziku shouted, "I had it for a moment there!"
His sudden outburst finally woke Kutcher from his nap.
"Huh—did something finally happen?"
"I felt it for a moment! Something definitely happened—"
"How long has it been since we started?" Kutcher asked.
"You mean how long has it been since I started!"
"About three hours," Tuziku replied.
Kutcher thought to himself, That's faster than I expected…
"Well, it seems you've figured out a concept to channel your ability."
"That's good—whatever you did, you need to do it again, and this time—in less than one hour!" Kutcher explained.
Tuziku, in a confused state, asked, "What's with the sudden time limit?!"
"Well… this is honestly the easy part, and you've already made progress much faster than I expected."
"Besides—we have a dangerous and important mission to carry out soon. You'd be a hindrance if we have to protect you all the time," he replied.
"An important mission?! What's that all about?" Tuziku questioned.
"If he hasn't told you that much, I'm assuming he has a reason…"
"More importantly—get back to your training! If you can't do this much, I'm leaving."
Tuziku centered all his attention on his blade and began trying to pour his ability into his weapon.
…
Meanwhile—at FADA HQ…
The Chief of the Eight Defence Units, also the Head Commander of FADA Headquarters (former Captain of Unit One—Huesho Yuhadasu), held a meeting with the eight Generals in command of Units One through Eight.
"Greetings, Generals…"
"The reason I have summoned you all here so suddenly is regarding the incident that occurred one month ago in Shaksi Town on the southern land."
"As you may all know by now, the savage boy from the filthy land of Hinkon massacred a total of 115 of our Noble people."
"Apparently, the boy awakened his dormant Abyssal ability—a rather dangerous one at that. He awakened the ability of Acid."
"Our Noble people have not rested at ease since the incident, and the higher-ups aren't too pleased with the matter."
"Now, since the failure to capture him by the General Commander of Unit Seven, we have yet to make a move."
"And so—I'm assigning some of you to pursue him."
"Generals of Units Four and Six, I want you to work together and search within a 50 km radius surrounding the fugitive's last known location. Spread out from that point."
"What we know for sure is that he was rescued by Sailou Tunberg, Captain of a rookie crew of Underdogs known as the Casoltins. We also know they have a hidden base somewhere within the area where he rescued the fugitive."
"It's possible they've already fled, but given the circumstances, it's highly unlikely."
"You are to find that base and eliminate all targets upon contact. Make the boy your number one priority."
"You shall leave immediately after this meeting."
"Unit Seven, you'll take over guard duty for Unit Six. The rest of you remain on standby."
"Any questions?"
There was silence.
"Meeting dismissed."
The Generals began leaving the head office.
On the way out, a verbal altercation unfolded between two of them.
The General of Unit Six taunted Mayku.
"Hey, Mayku! What's it like losing your dignity as one of the Eight Generals?"
"What—was the kid too strong for you?"
He laughed.
Mayku grunted.
"Laugh all you want. It's only because of my failure that you and your unit are finally getting some spotlight," he replied.
"What was that, Failure Mayku?!"
"Would you two idiots cut it out already!" the General of Unit Two intervened.
"You're both disgracing our honor as Generals."
The General of Unit Six grunted.
…
Meanwhile, back in the forest, Tuziku remained in the heat of his training.
"Come on, Tuziku! This can't be the extent of your capability."
"Think of how you were feeling when you successfully channeled your ability earlier," Kutcher explained.
Frustrated, Tuziku snapped, "Would you be quiet already!"
"I can't concentrate with you nagging in my ear all the time!"
Kutcher replied, "I'm sorry, but you haven't shown any signs of progress in the last twenty minutes…"
"Alright!"
"Just give me a few more chances."
Tuziku closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and cleared his mind.
Focus… remember exactly how it felt when you first saw progress.
His mind and heart grew completely calm.
He gripped his sword with determination—and once more—began channeling his power into the blade.
The sword began to emit a faint green glow as the blade trembled.
"That's it! That's what we're looking for!" Kutcher said, laughing with excitement.
CHAPTER END