Kaien woke up the next day, and as he expected, Ren wasn’t on the living room couch. It had been the sa yesterday, so he wasn’t exactly surprised. He had a pretty good idea where the kid would be.
"Well then... ti for so coffee," he muttered, dragging himself to the kitchen. He brewed a fresh cup of Aricano, taking a few slow sips before heading up to the rooftop, mug in hand. The morning breeze was crisp, the sky clear, perfect coffee weather. He even started humming, relaxed and unbothered.
But the mont he stepped onto the rooftop, he froze mid-hum.
No way... this kid actually mastered it in two days?
Kaien stared, wide-eyed.
It’s not a complicated technique, sure, but it takes most people weeks just to get the basics down. And he already created a new move based on it?
Kaien stepped closer, still processing what he was seeing. Ren turned to him, eyes sharp, posture firm, radiating a quiet confidence.
Without saying a word, he gave Kaien a look saying "I’m ready."
"Okay, okay, don’t give that look. I get it," Kaien said, giving him a smirk. "So, how many can you fire in a minute now?"
"One hundred," Ren replied calmly.
Kaien whistled. "Not bad. You’ve pretty much nailed it. From here on, make it second nature. Practice it every day, two hours minimum. You’re more than capable of that now."
He took a sip from his Aricano before continuing, "Next goal is two shots per heartbeat. That’s about 120 to 200 shots per minute. You’ll get there eventually over ti. But for now, you’re ready. You can channel your Drive Core energy without overloading it."
"Roger," Ren answered with a nod.
"But rember this," Kaien said, his voice a little more serious now. "Pulse Control Breathing helps you manage your energy more efficiently. It reduces the strain when things go out of hand. But it’s not the cure to losing control."
He paused, locking eyes with Ren.
"The real key is here." Kaien pointed at his own temple. "Your mind. Your emotions. If you can control those, then you’ll have complete control over your Drive Core."
Ren gave a silent nod, his expression firm and focused.
"Well, that being said," Kaien said, stretching his arms behind his head, "ready to head back to Squad 4?"
Ren nodded. "Yeah. I’ve got a lot of apologizing to do."
After changing into a fresh set of clothes, Ren zipped up his ZEAL jacket. From behind, Kaien paused for a mont, catching a glance at Ren.
That jacket really suits him. Kaien thought with a small smile.
He might still be a duckling now but I can feel it. He’s going to be one of ZEAL’s core mbers soday.
They walked side by side through the First Ward, the soft breeze brushing against their faces. The ward was calm, untouched by the chaos that plagued others. Quiet streets, clean air, peaceful people.
Ren couldn’t help but compare it to the Eleventh Ward.
The difference was night and day.
He rembered the looks of fear in the eyes of the civilians there. The way people flinched at the sound of footsteps and how they hurried through alleyways like shadows.
He clenched his fists slightly, silent but resolute.
Soday... I’ll make all the wards feel like this one. Safe. Free.
A few minutes later, they reached Squad 4’s apartnt, or what they liked to call it. In truth, it looked more like a rundown inn than anything else. Ren smiled while looking at it. The windows creaked, and the doorfra was chipped, but sohow, it felt like ho.
Ren reached for the doorknob, but Kaien stepped back, waving at him casually.
"Aren’t you coming in?" Ren asked, glancing back.
Kaien shook his head. "Nah. I’ve got stuff to take care of. Besides..." he flashed a grin, "you’re the one with the apology tour, rember?"
Ren gave a small chuckle, nodding.
Kaien turned, waving without looking back. "Good luck, kid."
Ren stood there for a mont, hand still on the doorknob, then slowly pushed it open.
Upon opening the door, Ren was surprised to see all the squad mbers already seated on the couch, everyone except their captain. The sight struck him as odd.
Why are they all here at this hour? It’s literally 3 PM.
He stepped inside slowly and closed the door behind him, keeping his head low.
"I-I’m sorry," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
The room went quiet. Sora stared at him, followed by the others, all seemingly waiting to see if that was all he had to say. Then, Sora stood up and tossed him a black handkerchief.
"W-what’s this for?" Ren asked, puzzled.
"From now on, whenever we go on missions, we wear these handkerchiefs on our wrists," Sora said, raising her left arm to show hers is already tied. "Whenever we feel alone or cornered, we look at this, to remind us that our team has our back."
Ren nodded, then tied the black handkerchief around his own wrist.
"I’m sorry for acting on my own," he said sincerely.
"Don’t go off solo next ti," Sora replied. "But... thank you for caring about your teammates."
Seth stood up, walked over, and gave Ren a firm tap on the shoulder. "Thanks for saving , man."
"Okay, okay! Enough with the drama already! Kaela, you can stop crying now! Group hug!" Miko cheered, already dragging everyone into a big embrace, even Sora, who was clearly reluctant.
"So?" Miko grinned. "Any words from our vice captain?"
"Let’s crush Skullhead Drake! All of us, together!" Sora declared.
The squad erupted with cheers, energy buzzing through the room.
As they broke out of the group hug, sothing clicked in Ren’s mind.
"Wait... How did you all know I was coming back? Was it Warden Kaien?"
"Yup," Miko answered. "He called us before you two even left his apartnt."
"Ah. Figures."
—----------------
At the Squad 7 barracks, the mbers were suiting up in their official ZEAL jackets, preparing to head out to Squad 4’s apartnt. A man with spiky hair hurried over to a boy leaning against the wall, a cigarette loosely hanging from his lips.
The boy looked young. Just a few years older than Ren. Lean and sharp-eyed, he had ssy white hair and floral tattoos running down his neck. Despite his age, there was sothing about him that commanded attention, an undeniable authority.
"Vice Captain Amano, we’re ready to move out. Should we head there now?" asked the man with spiky hair.
"Sure. If you say so," replied Shin Amano coolly.
Though he looked like the youngest among them, his presence was the most overwhelming. A quiet intensity radiated from him. Strength so clear, it didn’t need to be shown. Shin Amano, the Vice Captain of Squad 7, widely known throughout ZEAL as "The Prodigy".
—-------------
"We’ll have a joint eting with Squad 7 later," Sora said, arms crossed. "Their vice captain will be leading them. They’ll be joining us for the raid on Ward 11."
"Squad 7? Isn’t ’The Prodigy’ their vice captain?" Miko asked, raising a brow.
"Yeah. Shin Amano. He’s only 19 years old but he’s ridiculously strong, close to a Warden in terms of ability," Sora confird. "Having him on board is definitely reassuring."
Shin Amano, the one said to be closest to a Warden’s strength within ZEAL.
I can’t wait to et him, Ren thought, his fists tightening.
"That said, once they arrive, we’ll hold a strategic briefing," Sora added with a faint smile. "And I’ll be asking them for a small favor."
She didn’t elaborate but she didn’t need to. The rest of the squad exchanged knowing glances. No words were spoken. Just silent grins and nods.
A few monts later, Squad 7 arrived.
They were larger in number compared to Squad 4, easily around twenty mbers. Squad 4 waited just outside the front door to greet them.
"Welco. We really appreciate your help," Sora said, stepping forward and extending a hand.
"No, it’s our squad mber who’s been abducted, we’re the ones grateful for your support," replied a guy with spiky hair and a gentle smile. "I’m Alen."
"Sora," she responded, shaking his hand firmly.
One glance was all it took for Ren to spot him.
Shin Amano.
It wasn’t Alen speaking with Sora, it was the one standing just behind him. He looked nearly the sa age as Ren, which was surprising... but sothing about his presence was undeniable.
That’s him, Ren thought. That’s the one.
Even without a word, Ren could feel it. Power. Sharp, quiet, and dangerous.
His instincts itched to test Shin, to feel out the strength everyone whispered about.
But the rational part of him held back. Now wasn’t the ti to cause tension between the squads.
So he stood still, wearing a neutral expression.
"Shall we head inside for the eting?" Sora asked, motioning to the apartnt behind them.
Several mbers of Squad 7 exchanged uncertain glances. Internally, so of them were already wondering how a place that looked so small could possibly fit all of them.
"Don’t worry," Miko said with a warm smile. "We’ve got more space than it looks."
Sora and Squad 4 led Squad 7 to the basent training grounds, escorting them down in small batches since the elevator could only hold a few at a ti. As the mbers of Squad 7 stepped into the underground facility, their eyes widened in awe. Beneath the rundown apartnt above was a vast, high-tech training space, completely hidden from the outside world.
"You’ve got quite the place here," Alen remarked, still srized.
"Well, it’s supposed to stay hidden, but there’s no problem letting fellow ZEAL mbers see it," Miko replied with a light smile.
Ren stood quietly among the group, amused by the stunned expressions on Squad 7’s faces. He rembered having the sa reaction the first ti he saw the facility. Then, suddenly, a voice like a whisper ca from behind.
"Ohh, I wonder who built this place."
Ren turned instinctively, startled to find Shin Amano standing just behind him, eyes scanning the space in curiosity.
"Wait, I haven’t seen you before," Shin said. "Are you new?"
"Y-yeah," Ren replied, caught off guard. I didn’t even sense him...
"Figures," Shin said simply.
He then stepped forward to the center of the training ground and clapped his hands once, sharp and clear. Instantly, all chatter ceased.
"Alright, enough sightseeing. Let’s get down to business."
The air shifted as every Squad 7 and Squad 4 mber turned their attention to him.
"Apologies for the late intro, Squad 4. I’m Shin Amano, vice captain of Squad 7. It’s a pleasure to et you all."
Squad 4, including Ren, gave a respectful nod in return.
"Due to so personal matters, our captain, Warden Valen, will not be joining us for this raid," Shin announced, his voice calm yet authoritative. "But in his place, the rest of Squad 7 and I will give everything we have to make this mission a success."
"Well, our captain isn’t here either," Sora replied with a half-smile. "But we’ll give it our all just the sa."
"Then let’s get down to business," Shin continued. "According to your intel, the Skullfras number around 80 to 100, correct?"
"Yes. Only a few appear to be Awakened. Ren and Seth encountered soone who seed to be Drake’s right-hand man," Sora explained. "His Drive allows him to manipulate stone freely. We’ve classified him as a five-star threat. And as for Drake, the reports about him are accurate."
"Hm... I believe we can overwhelm them with our current forces," Shin said confidently. "Fifteen of us in Squad 7 are Awakened, including myself. The rest may not be Awakened, but don’t underestimate them. They’re just as strong as the others."
He paused, locking eyes with Sora.
"When the ti cos, I’ll take on Drake myself. I’ll leave his right-hand man to you."
"That makes sense," Sora said with a nod. "But... we do have one favor to ask."
"Go ahead," Shin replied.
"We got our asses handed to us last ti," Sora said bluntly, earning a few chuckles. "We were careless. But we want to be the ones to bring down Drake. All of us, Squad 4. We’ve got so pride to nd."
Shin looked at her, montarily taken aback. But sothing in Sora’s voice and in the determined faces of the others convinced him. Slowly, he nodded.
"Alright. But on one condition, if anything goes south, contact imdiately. I’ll be there in an instant."
Sora grinned and extended a hand. "Deal."
They shook hands firmly.
"Then we should change our approach," said Shin calmly. "Our focus should be on creating a clear path for your squad to reach Drake without interference. You’ll need to conserve your strength and face him at full capacity."
"Agreed," said Sora. "If my hunch is right, he won’t relocate anyti soon. He’s probably tied up with whatever shady business he’s running from that underground hideout."
"Alright then, here’s the plan," Shin continued, unfolding a detailed map of Ward 11 and spreading it across the table. "My squad will launch a direct assault through the center. We’re gangsters, after all, we have to be loud and proud. That should draw their attention."
He turned to Alen. "You’ll accompany Squad 4 until they reach Drake. Act as their support and guide."
Alen nodded with conviction.
"You guys can use the high ground to move in undetected," Shin added, pointing at the map. "While we keep the Skullfras occupied, you strike the boss. Is that acceptable to you?"
Sora gave him a smile. "It’s more than acceptable."
"Well then," Shin said, turning to address everyone. "Are we ready for battle?!"
His voice echoed across the basent. Cheers erupted in response, adrenaline rising in the air.
Ren stood still, eyes fixed on Shin Amano. Despite being only a little older, Shin commanded overwhelming authority and loyalty. His presence inspired respect and trust.
He’s... different. Ren’s hands slowly ford into fists. He’s strong. And he believes in his squad.
A spark lit within him.
I want to be like that too.
With a fire igniting in his heart, Ren silently vowed to rise stronger than ever, ready for the battle that lay ahead.
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