Kapitel 9: Forging New Bonds

Rojin was in his office when he felt two chi signatures flaring up on the roof.

"She couldn't hold back huh. As long as they don't cause any lasting damage it's okay."

Rina and Jirael went at it. Jirael tried a flying kick but Rina blocked it. He spun around, placed his hands on the ground and unleashed a high power double horse kick, instantly breaking her guard. He got on his feet but was met with a kick to the chin as Rina backflipped away. He went in again and made a feint for her head but was instead going for her legs. He swept her off her feet and tried to mount her. She wrapped his legs around his head, intending to suffocate him but Jirael mustered his strength and picked her up. He smashed her into the ground again and again but she wasn't letting go. Jirael was slowly turning red but he didn't give up. He kept lifting her and smashing her into the ground repeatedly. Cracks were already forming but Jirael was losing strength. Rina was already bleeding from the mouth die to the repeated impact with the ground. Jirael knew this was his last shot. If he failed this time, he was done for. He picked her up again and this time he used his all to smash her down. The roof broke apart as they landed in the thirteen year's classroom. Luckily there was no one inside. She had finally let go and Jirael quickly got away from her and trying to catch his breath as much as he can. Rina was about to charge when Rojin stepped in. His was very very angry as he picked both of them up and threw them into the sky. He immediately followed up and kicked them away into the direction of the school's training field. Before they passed it, he appeared beside them, grabbed their necks and threw them down. Tons of rubble was created as two small craters formed. Rojin landed in front of them.

"Okay listen up you brats. You just created a headache for me by destroying the ceiling of the classroom."

He cracked his fists.

"So... I'll take this opportunity to teach you a few things."

Rina and Jirael immediately got up from their craters and dodged his fists. Rina stopped and prepared to fight while Jirael continued running into the direction of the forest.

"Oh? Pretty smart guy. He knows I'll be pretty restricted in the forest. Look here Rina. This is the fighting style of someone who has been in real combat and has had their lives on the line multiple times."

Rojin began chasing, reaching Jirael almost immediately.

"Damnit!"

Jirael turned his body in the air and positioned his feet in such a way that once Rojin's punch lands, it would strike his feet. It worked as Jirael used that as a springboard to get closer to the forest. He entered it and he started darting through the trees. Rojin stopped.

"I can't catch this brat anymore."

Rina was surprised.

"What do you mean you can't?"

"Because for some reason, this brat's chi is blending in with the environment. It's hard to detect him without visual confirmation or scent and besides, it's too much of a hassle. I know the general location of where he is but it'll take me a good 30 minutes to find the brat so I'll leave the task of finding him to you. You said you want to be an assassin right? This is your first step."

Rina gritted her teeth and ran into the forest. She went pretty far and landed on a thick branch. She stood still and sent out her chi like a sonar. She suddenly heard a voice in front of her.

"Don't bother doing that."

Jirael landed an overhead axe kick on her head, slightly tearing the branch she was standing on. She had managed to block it, but not without consequence as her wrists cracked. She wiped her face

"Damn brat. This tim-"

Jirael landed a fist to her face and carried out a combo attack. He didn't let up at all. He fully capitalised on this opportunity to inflict heavy damage on her. The words of Kristina were ringing in his head.

"Weaken an enemy as much as possible if you get the chance. Always aim for the kill. Never let up and never give up am opportunity. Courtesy doesn't exist in a battle. Rules are something the weak invented to protect themselves. Dirty methods are proof of your will to survive. Remember that and you'll always survive my little Rai Rai."

He gave her a one-sided beating, not being courteous and punched every vital spot he could identify.

"Chest, joints and the head. Those parts are something you should target. As for the chest, always strike the lung or heart. Don't try to strike the core. Crippling someone isn't as easy as it sounds. Always aim for the side of the head. That's where the skull is less thick, allowing you to more easily knock out the opponent if your aim is to incapacitate. The back of the neck has a bone that will cause instant death should it be severed. If you manage to get behind your opponent, make that spot your priority. The spine is a little tricky but if you land a well placed punch, you can break it and temporarily paralyze your opponent for a second or so. Joints in the legs don't take priority according to the body's mind so they take a few more seconds to heal than the arms."

Jirael was continuing his rush attack. He had her pinned against the tree trunk and he treated her like a stuffed doll. Constantly dealing blow after blow after blow after blow. He repeatedly targeted her face and chest. If he takes the wind out of her everytime, she won't have enough energy to raise her hands and block. Jirael then started focusing on using his left hand to inflict multiple punches as fast as he could while using his right hand to condense a chi ball. Rojin stepped up and grabbed both of Jirael's hands.

"I think that's enough now. You almost went over the edge..."

Jirael looked up and Rojin was surprised to see his iris had changed colour. He had unconsciously activated the Kaminome 1st Stage. Rojin ignored this. Rina collapsed to her knees as she was bloodied and beaten. Her ponytail had unwrapped as her hair covered her face. She was breathing heavily.

"Once my father hears of this, he'll never let you off."

Jirael spit to the side.

"Pathetic"

He vanished as he darted from tree to tree.

"If push comes to shove, the first person I'm killing is her."

...

Rojin looked at Rina.

"You're an idiot. This was supposed to be an opportunity for you to get stronger from the experience. No one fights fair on the real world. Sneak attacks are commonplace and using the terrain to your advantage is a trick assassins my utilise. I warn you Rina. Don't do something you'll regret."

Rojin then vanished, leaving behind Rina who silently started to cry.

1 month later

It's now been a year since Jirael had left the Southern Continent. He's currently going through another perilous training session with Rojin. He was carrying multiple stacks of wood weighing 3 tons in total. He was standing in the horse stance shirtless. He was sweating a lot as his hair covered a part of his face. Rojin was in his office doing some paperwork with Rina sitting opposite him. He didn't bother supervising Jirael anymore. He looked over his window at the training ground.

"The brat is still at it. That's real dedication right there. Learn from him and you'll rise to new heights. I advise you that you should join in his training. Who knows, maybe you two may forge an unbreakable bond."

Rina was silent. The words sank in as she realised she was being short sighted all this time. Observing Jirael train over the last month and not miss a single day changed her perspective of the world.

"You're right. Having real power that you earn yourself is the true way to strength and the true path to the peak. Thank you for your words."

Rojin smiled.

"Alright alright now get outta here or else rumors about us may spark."

Rina laughed as she left his office.

The next day

As usual, Jirael was asleep in class. No one bothered him again. As for the teachers, they got tired of waking up him only for him to sleep again the moment they turn away. They couldn't even land a strike on him no matter how hard they tried so they didn't bother anymore.

It was now Rina's class. She came in and as usual, she saw Jirael sleeping. They had ignored each other this past month but this time, she walked over to him and patted his back.

"Hey wake up. I bought you some new clothes."

"?!"

She was embarrassed and averted her eyes while she extended her hands.

"Don't look so surprised. I'm sure that old man hasn't even given you proper clothes so I bought you some. Take them home later."

Jirael couldn't sense any malice from her at all and couldn't feel anything off about the clothes.

"Thank you."

Rina walked away and continued to teach the class. This time, Jirael stayed awake for her classes over the course of the week. This made Rina happy.

Training fields after school

Jirael was getting ready to start when Rina suddenly appeared besides him wearing the same clothes as he bought for him.

"You're wearing the clothes I bought you."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to join you in training."

"Bu-"

"I'm not taking no for an answer. I still haven't forgotten what you did to me so I'm going to beat you up using my own power and you're going to help me."

Jirael paused...and then spoke.

"So I'm supposed to help you get strong enough to beat me?"

Rina thought about his question for a while and then it hit her.

"Just shut up and train with me!!!"

For the first time in forever, Jirael let out a laugh. Rina smiled.

"He's quite cute when he laughs"