Chapter 10: C10
These few chapters are just Kai working on his quirk. I know it may seem a bit repetitive but all is needed for the plot later.
Kai sat up in bed, the early morning light streaming through the oversized windows of his room. He rubbed his eyes, groggy but oddly motivated. Today wasn't just another day; it was an opportunity. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stretched, letting out a dramatic yawn.
His butler, Akio, walked in precisely on time, holding a tray with breakfast.
"Good morning, young master," Akio said with a bow.
Kai smirked. "Morning, Akio. Ready to watch me crush another day?"
"Indeed. Though I do hope you avoid crushing your toes this time."
Kai grinned, remembering the time he dropped a weight on his foot during a workout. "Yeah, yeah. One time. You'll never let me live it down, huh?"
"Never," Akio replied, deadpan.
After wolfing down his food, Kai hopped into his usual morning routine. First, he hit the home gym, running through a grueling set of exercises. Push-ups, planks, and some light sparring with a robotic dummy designed to mimic different fighting styles. It wasn't Sugihara, but it would do for now.
Kai punched the dummy's chest and staggered back as it countered with a sweeping kick. He barely dodged. "Okay, maybe don't be so realistic," he muttered, shaking out his arms.
After his workout, Kai showered, got dressed in a sleek casual outfit, and headed downstairs. His parents were waiting in the dining room, sipping their morning tea. His mother, elegant as always, smiled warmly. His father, a businessman with a stern but fair demeanor, nodded in greeting.
"Kai," his father began, "I hear you've been pushing yourself harder lately. Good."
"Of course," Kai replied, grabbing a slice of toast. "Got to stay ahead of the competition, right?"
His mother chuckled softly. "And how is Sugihara? Still keeping you on your toes?"
Kai snorted. "He's like a brick wall that punches back. But don't worry, I'm wearing him down."
His father raised an eyebrow. "Confidence is good, but overconfidence—"
"Leads to bad investments, I know," Kai finished with a grin. "Don't worry, Dad. I'm balancing both."
The family shared a rare, lighthearted moment before Kai headed out for the day. Akio was already waiting by the sleek black car.
"Ready to tackle some new ideas, young master?" Akio asked as he opened the door.
Kai slid in, his mind already racing. "More than ready. Let's hit the training grounds."
The private training area was vast and high-tech, designed to handle even the most destructive quirks. Kai stood in the center, cracking his knuckles. Today was about pushing boundaries again. He'd been obsessing over a new concept: the idea of using his quirk to control not just raw energy but the very state of matter itself.
He started with heat energy. Raising his hand, he concentrated, drawing in the ambient thermal energy. The air around him grew colder as he siphoned the warmth, storing it in his core. He exhaled slowly, releasing a small burst of freezing air.
"Alright, let's crank this up," he muttered.
Kai focused harder, visualizing the molecules around him slowing to a crawl. He released the energy in a sudden, directed blast. A wall of ice shot out from his hand, spreading rapidly across the training field.
Akio, standing safely behind reinforced glass, raised an impressed eyebrow. "Quite the improvement, sir. But can you maintain control if the field gets larger?"
Kai grinned. "Let's find out."
He repeated the process, this time aiming for precision. The ice formed intricate shapes—spikes, walls, and even a rough sculpture of a dragon.
"Not bad for a morning's work," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. But he wasn't done.
Next, he moved on to kinetic energy. He'd been experimenting with storing the energy from impacts and using it creatively. Kai punched a reinforced training dummy, absorbing the force of his strike into his core. Then he released it through his legs, launching himself high into the air. He landed with a heavy thud, the ground beneath him cracking slightly.
"That's what I'm talking about!" he yelled, fist-pumping the air.
"Impressive, young master," Akio's voice crackled through the intercom. "Though perhaps not ideal for indoor environments."
Kai chuckled. "Noted. But we're not stopping here."
His final experiment of the day involved electromagnetic energy. He raised both hands, concentrating on the static electricity in the air. It was tricky—electricity was volatile and required precise control. Slowly, sparks began to form between his fingers, crackling softly at first, then growing into arcs of lightning.
He aimed at a target across the field and unleashed a concentrated bolt. It struck with a deafening crack, leaving a smoking hole in the reinforced steel.
Kai grinned, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "Thunder Breaker, baby."
Akio walked out onto the field as the training systems powered down. "An excellent display, sir. Though you do seem to be pushing your limits."
Kai stretched, wincing slightly. "Yeah, but that's the point, right? No pain, no gain."
"Indeed," Akio replied. "Shall I schedule a recovery session with the medical bots?"
Kai waved him off. "Nah, I'm good. Just need a little rest and some food."
Later that evening, Kai lounged in the family's expansive living room. His parents joined him, their presence a reminder of the balance he sought to maintain between power and responsibility.
"Kai," his mother said, sipping her tea, "your training is impressive, but don't forget the importance of strategy."
His father nodded. "Raw power is valuable, but a sharp mind wins wars."
Kai leaned back, smirking. "Don't worry. I'm sharpening both. It's hard to squash an ant without killing it, but I've learned to manage finesse and force."
His father raised a glass in acknowledgment. "Good. You'll need both in the future."
—-------
The sun hung high over the estate's sprawling training grounds, casting long shadows across the meticulously maintained field. Kai stood in the center, dressed in his usual training gear—a black tank top and loose athletic pants. He stretched his arms above his head, cracking his neck as he sized up the man standing across from him.
Sugihara, Kai's butler and long-time training partner, looked as composed as ever. Even in a tailored training suit, he exuded a calm authority. His sharp eyes glinted under the sunlight, and his stance was relaxed but ready.
"Are you sure you want to do this today, young master?" Sugihara asked, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You were limping yesterday after that stunt you pulled."
Kai rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just because I tripped on that ice doesn't mean I'm not ready to kick your butt today."
Sugihara chuckled. "Confidence is key, but overconfidence leads to bruises. Let's see which one you'll walk away with."
Kai grinned, his excitement bubbling over. "Don't hold back. I want the full Sugihara treatment."
Sugihara bowed slightly. "As you wish."
Without warning, he launched forward, his speed startling even Kai. Sugihara's fist shot out in a lightning-quick jab, aiming for Kai's ribs. Kai barely managed to block, absorbing the kinetic energy into his quirk and skidding back a few feet.
"Still fast as ever," Kai muttered, shaking out his arms.
Sugihara didn't respond. Instead, he pressed the attack, unleashing a series of precise strikes. Each one was a calculated move meant to keep Kai on the defensive. Kai deflected and dodged where he could, absorbing what hits he couldn't avoid. His quirk buzzed with stored energy, a comforting hum in his core.
"Gotta do better than that!" Kai shouted, releasing a burst of kinetic energy through his legs. He propelled himself forward, aiming a powerful kick at Sugihara's midsection.
Sugihara sidestepped effortlessly, catching Kai's ankle and twisting. Kai yelped, using the momentum to spin midair and land on his feet, albeit unsteadily.
"Not bad," Sugihara said, stepping back. "But predictable."
Kai grinned. "Predictable? Okay, let's mix it up."
He focused, pulling energy from the heat in the air. His hands glowed faintly as he released a controlled wave of thermal energy. Sugihara's sharp eyes narrowed, and he darted to the side, avoiding the attack. But Kai was ready, following up with a concentrated burst of lightning aimed at his opponent's path.
Sugihara raised an eyebrow and leapt high into the air, the electricity crackling harmlessly beneath him. He landed gracefully, barely breaking a sweat.
"Impressive," Sugihara admitted. "You're getting better at chaining attacks."
Kai smirked. "Thanks, but I'm just getting started."
He drew more energy into himself, his body vibrating with potential power. With a quick pivot, he slammed his fist into the ground, releasing a shockwave of kinetic energy. The earth trembled, and a ripple of force shot toward Sugihara.
Sugihara planted his feet firmly and met the wave head-on, redirecting the force with a precise, open-palm strike. The shockwave split around him, leaving him untouched. He glanced at Kai with a calm, almost amused expression.
"Did you think that would work?" he asked.
Kai groaned. "I was hoping you'd at least stumble."
Sugihara smiled. "A good attempt, but you're still relying too much on power."
"Power's kind of my thing," Kai shot back, his tone playful. "But fine, let's get technical."
He darted forward, feinting a punch before twisting his body and aiming a kick at Sugihara's head. Sugihara raised an arm to block, but Kai quickly shifted his momentum, dropping low and sweeping Sugihara's legs. This time, Sugihara stumbled slightly, though he recovered almost immediately.
Kai didn't give him a chance to regroup. He launched another flurry of attacks, mixing in bursts of kinetic and thermal energy to keep Sugihara on his toes. For a moment, it seemed like Kai had the upper hand, forcing Sugihara to backpedal.
But Sugihara, ever the seasoned fighter, adapted quickly. He caught one of Kai's punches mid-swing and used the momentum to pull Kai off balance. In a fluid motion, he twisted behind Kai and locked his arms in a tight hold.
"Caught you," Sugihara said softly.
Kai struggled, his mind racing. He could feel Sugihara's grip tightening, but he wasn't out of tricks yet. Focusing on the stored energy in his core, he released a sudden pulse of force outward. The burst broke Sugihara's hold, sending both of them stumbling apart.
Kai gasped for air, his muscles burning. "You really don't take it easy, do you?"
Sugihara straightened, his breathing even. "You asked for the full treatment."
Kai chuckled between heavy breaths. "Yeah, and I'm starting to regret it."
They circled each other for a moment, both calculating their next moves. Kai's mind buzzed with strategies. Sugihara was tough, but he wasn't invincible. He just had to find the right opening.
"You know," Kai said, trying to buy some time, "it's hard to squash an ant without killing it. That's what you're like—tiny and annoying."
Sugihara smirked. "And yet, you're the one who looks like they're about to collapse."
Kai laughed. "Fair point."
With a burst of speed, Kai closed the distance between them, feinting another punch. At the last second, he redirected the energy to his legs, jumping high above Sugihara. From his aerial vantage point, he unleashed a torrent of stored thermal energy, creating a wave of intense heat.
Sugihara shielded his face, his movements precise as he avoided the brunt of the attack. But Kai wasn't done. He landed behind Sugihara and immediately released a burst of kinetic energy, sending a powerful shockwave directly at his back.
Sugihara spun, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the impact with a perfectly timed counterstrike. The force dissipated, but for the first time, Sugihara staggered slightly.
Kai grinned triumphantly. "Gotcha."
Sugihara exhaled, shaking his head. "Well done. You're improving."
Kai collapsed onto the grass, laughing breathlessly. "Improving? I almost beat you!"
Sugihara knelt beside him, offering a hand. "Almost doesn't count, young master."
Kai took his hand, allowing Sugihara to pull him up. "One day, old man. One day I'll take you down."
Sugihara smiled. "I look forward to it."
—--------
The years following Kai's awakening of his quirk were filled with relentless training and exploration. By the time the three-year timeskip began, he was determined to push his abilities far beyond their initial limits. To do this, Kai had to dive deep into both the raw mechanics of his quirk and the finer details that would give him an edge in battle.
The first year was all about mastering the fundamentals. Stockpile, Kai's quirk, allowed him to absorb and store energy from various sources. While powerful, it initially had limitations on how much he could absorb at once. Kai knew he had to stretch those boundaries.
Sugihara, ever the patient mentor, designed exercises to expand Kai's storage capacity. They started simple: absorbing the force from controlled punches and kicks. Each impact was a surge of kinetic energy, and Kai had to store it without losing focus.
"Think of your body like a reservoir," Sugihara explained. "The more you train, the deeper it gets."
One day, they escalated the training with a set of increasingly powerful machines designed to slam into Kai. The first few days left him battered, even with his quirk absorbing most of the impact. But over time, his body adjusted. He began to store more and more kinetic energy, eventually reaching levels where he could release bursts strong enough to shake the ground.
Kinetic energy wasn't the only focus. Kai soon turned his attention to thermal energy. By absorbing heat from his surroundings, he could both cool down areas and store that heat for offensive purposes. One pivotal exercise involved standing in a heated room where the temperature climbed to near-unbearable levels.
"Feel the heat, but don't let it overwhelm you," Sugihara advised.
Kai had to absorb the thermal energy without affecting his core temperature too drastically. At first, the heat felt suffocating, his body struggling to process it all. But day by day, his ability to store and manage heat improved. By the end of the year, Kai could walk into a room and absorb its warmth in seconds, leaving the space icy cold.
This newfound control opened up strategic possibilities. He could unleash concentrated heat in bursts, creating intense thermal shockwaves capable of stunning or injuring opponents. Even more impressive, he learned to mix thermal and kinetic releases, creating devastating combo moves that left his training dummies obliterated.
With a solid foundation, Kai spent the second year pushing his limits. His goal was to increase the sheer amount of energy he could store and refine his ability to switch between different energy types seamlessly.
The key to success was training under extreme conditions. Sugihara introduced weighted gear for their kinetic sessions. Kai would spar while wearing dense weights that increased the force of every movement. The added resistance made each absorbed impact more intense.
"Don't just endure," Sugihara said during a particularly grueling session. "Harness it. Take every ounce of force and make it yours."
Kai pushed himself to exhaustion daily. Over time, he noticed his storage capacity growing. He could now absorb and hold enough kinetic energy to withstand blows that would have previously left him winded or worse. His releases also became more refined, allowing for controlled bursts or full-on shockwaves.
Thermal training took a similarly intense turn. Kai worked in environments ranging from freezing cold to scorching heat. One memorable exercise involved absorbing the intense heat of simulated explosions. Sugihara would activate controlled detonations, and Kai had to manage the rapid influx of thermal energy without overheating or faltering.
The first attempts were disastrous. Kai often released the energy too quickly, resulting in unstable blasts or uncontrolled bursts of heat. But through repetition and focus, he learned to channel the heat more effectively, storing larger amounts for longer periods and releasing them in precise, concentrated attacks.
One of his crowning achievements during this phase was his development of a technique he dubbed Flame Cannon. By absorbing heat and combining it with stored kinetic energy, he could release a focused blast that mimicked the power of a small-scale explosion.
The third year was all about redefining what Kai thought was possible. His body had become a powerhouse for energy storage, but there was still room to grow.
Sugihara arranged for specialized training sessions using advanced machinery. These machines could simulate everything from high-speed impacts to extreme heat waves. The goal was to push Kai to absorb and store energy levels that would have once seemed impossible.
At first, even Kai was skeptical. "Are you sure this isn't overkill?" he joked, eyeing a machine designed to launch steel beams at him.
"Overkill is the goal," Sugihara replied, smirking. "If you can survive this, you can survive anything."
The sessions were brutal. Every hit felt like a test of his limits, every burst of heat a trial of endurance. But Kai thrived under the pressure. Slowly but surely, he began to exceed his previous records, absorbing and storing energy levels that would have once left him incapacitated.
While raw power was essential, Kai also knew the importance of strategy. He spent hours meditating on how to use his quirk more effectively in combat. During this period, he developed techniques to manage energy more efficiently. For instance, he discovered that by compartmentalizing his energy reserves, he could draw on specific types of energy without disrupting others.
This led to a breakthrough in combat efficiency. Kai could now switch between kinetic and thermal attacks mid-battle, adapting to his opponent's weaknesses on the fly. He could absorb a blow, convert it to heat, and release it as a focused thermal shock—all within seconds.
One of his proudest moments came during a sparring session with Sugihara. Using his newfound control, Kai absorbed a series of rapid strikes and countered with a perfectly timed burst of kinetic energy that sent his butler skidding backward.
Sugihara grinned, brushing himself off. "Not bad, kid. You might actually make me sweat one of these days."
By the end of the three years, Kai had transformed his quirk into a nearly unstoppable force. His ability to store and release energy had grown exponentially, and his control over both kinetic and thermal energy was razor-sharp. But more than that, Kai had developed a deep understanding of how to apply his power strategically, turning every fight into a calculated battle.
As he stood in the training grounds after another intense session, Kai clenched his fists, feeling the energy hum within him. He knew he still had much to learn, but for the first time, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered to himself, a determined smile on his face. "There's no limit to how far I can go."
—-------------
In case you are wondering why he didn't use these techniques against Sugihara, well it was because it was just a sparring match and if he overpowers the techniques it could kill someone.
I'm still working on Absolute zero, so bear with me
Ya'll reached the goal of 20 PS so another chapter will be out in roughly one hour…
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