"... so, that concludes the strategy. If there's no question…"Tenma said with a rather dramatic flourish of his hands, having explained the strategy to his teammates. They were still under the half-finished ice dome that Iceheart made, while the rain is still pouring hard outside their temporary shelter. And they have different reactions to hearing what he had to say.Noa simply folded her arms and smiled supportively, fully on board with his strategy. Sabrina gave him an approving nod, showing no objection to whatever he just said. Iceheart, for his part, looked rather incredulous, like he was expecting something disappointing but it turns out better than he thought. And then there's Damon who just stood there looking totally dumbfounded."Sorry dude, can you run that by me again?" He asked."Are you serious?" Iceheart immediately turned to him. "He explained it perfectly in a way that even a fool would understand. Unless you weren't listening AT ALL…"No one noticed, but Noa gives

Tenma opens his eyes. Suddenly he was in a pit, a pit so deep there's only a glimmer of sunlight visible from above. He could see a silhouette standing outside the pit, looking down on him. Oddly, he felt quite small and helpless in that pit, even though it was wide enough for him to run around. He recognized this place. This was… this was back then. He was here years ago. What is this? Why is he seeing his past? The beast made him see things? Or life flashing before his eyes? "So, boy. Tell me again why do you want my guidance?" The silhouette outside the pit asked him, with a voice that is clearly feminine, but also stern and uncompromising. The sunlight was behind her, and thus the shadows covered her visage. But her crimson eyes, red like blood, was clearly staring at him, gleaming with unnatural light. "I only take courageous and talented people as my disciple. As in, people who has proven their met

The young man with multicolored eyes and the the girl with dark red eyes stared at each other for a brief moment. Feeling the curious stares of everyone present, Tenma decided to take the initiative."Good afternoon, Tachie." He immediately stood up and greeted the girl. "Didn't expect to run into you here.""And neither did I, Senpai." the black-haired girl with glasses smiled. "But there were some… unexpected circumstances." She glanced at Reina."I'd love to hear it. But hang on for a bit."He and Raiga went to get more chairs for those three. And just in time for their ordered food to arrive to the table."Ah, I forgot, Sylvia will be coming as well." Sabrina said. "So get one more, Raiga.""Sylvia too? Oh, that's nice." Raiga immediately went to get it.Tenma briefly glanced at him with eyebrows raised before he sat back on his chair. Reina had already plopped herself on the chair beside him, while Tachie politely made herself comfortable on the other end. Tenma looked back and f

Everyone around the table went silent at that question. Even some people who passed by their table turned in curiosity before looking away.Raiga, looks like he's racking his brain to muster something to say or do. Reina looks at her brother with a mix of curiosity and concern. Sabrina looks solemnly at Tenma, saying nothing but still standing by him, ready to offer support when needed.Meanwhile, Noa looks at him with an expression of understanding, her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. He didn't rebuff her this time, to her relief. But all of these people around him could understand that his question might be better unanswered. That's okay.He wasn't actually expecting a reply. He just wanted to make his point, he just wanted to let them know what made him upset. It's okay if people think it's childish or wrong of him to be upset over the death of strangers. It's really not a good impression, but… he just couldn't help it.It's j

Years ago…A boy walked through the streets of the City Kingdom with his father in tow, speaking enthusiastically about the sports match they just watched in the nearby arena. His father was a tall and burly man, with a deep voice to match. But he's too gentle, he's not likely to hurt a fly.He laughed at the strange stories his father told him about the things that had happened in that arena, something that he would consider simply urban legends when he grew older. It's just some funny and fantastical stories that he would tell his own children in the far future.They were in such a jovial mood until they passed an alley and they heard some distressed noises. It sounds like a little boy, so naturally both of them got concerned and decided to check it out.There was nobody there but a black-haired little boy lying on the ground, with some bruises and bleeding wounds on his body. They can see some stones around that boy… immediately, they can tell what happened to that boy, but why wou