CHAPTER 5

A taxi came and took us back to Eastern Cumae. We reached that intersection of roads where Zipang existed. We walked into the building and instead of taking the door immediately to the left to go down to the basement, we went straight into the ground floor.

There were chandeliers on the ceiling. So it wasn't a three story building but a hall ? But he did see the windows on each floor. So the building looked like a three story building from the outside but it was actually a big hall. And then Arata turned down to see who was in front of him and was stunned by a beautiful figure.

It was Rachel !

"The test for Zipang entrance is to beat me. I am the weakest member of the unit, so if you beat me, you pass.", Rachel said with a nonchalant air.

Yes ! This is it ! Simple and Interesting. Yes. Arata then stepped out and launched the first La Campanella attack. Rachel dodged and Started her Black vatican attacks. Rachel was a better attacker then Arata, so he didn't get many chances to attack her. The duel continued with lightning speed movements. Arata kept thinking about a way to make her admit defeat. This was truly difficult.

Both Rachel and Arata's face held a slight smile as if enjoying this duel and faceoff. Arata knew he wouldn't be able to faster than her or gain an upper hand. He would definitely get tired before Rachel does. Well if he kept dodging, then Rachel might get tired first but then it would take too long and it is not cool.

Arata was delighted with the difficulty. Simple yet difficult. A worthy test for him, Arata. Arata began to think of some sneaky moves and tried to execute them, got counterattacked and his position worsened. Now he was barely holding on. So this is what a month of cultivation is, huh? Arata thought.

"What do I do now? Is there anything from my music career I can use here? I just practiced and practiced, until I got better….. But not perfect ! Yes, no one is perfect. There will be some miss and some opportunity, somewhere. After this Arata passively started dodging all her attacks and did not attempt to attack.

Rachel was surprised, and that ultimately led her to lose a moment of concentration. Arata, obviously did not miss this and went for a straight attack on the neck. But Rachel managed to block it and continue her attack, but this was unexpected to her. Arata attempted some attacks and Rachel was pushed back a bit in her duel. She didn't expected this. Has Arata transcended. How? Does Arata read her like an open book, the places she falters and the places she is good at? Very Interesting.

Rachel had planned to give up and act tired after 15 minutes, but almost at the 6 minute mark she was already getting pushed back. This was unexpected for her. Arata did try a few jabs on the head, but to no avail. Both sides fought till the bitter end. Arata felt his tiredness kicking in. He did a last attempt on Rachel's chest. And this was the decisive blow to Rachel's mind. She was thoroughly confused. Why would Arata, a calculative person attack without being protected.

Rachel, who was going for the abdomen stopped her attack suddenly and…

"You win !", Rachel said.

Is it over, Arata thought. Well she had the upper hand and would have won if she went for the abdomen. Keep in mind, they were using Wooden daggers. Just before Arata could have hit her chest, Rachel had surrendered. In Arata's mind, a win's a win. Rachel chose him to pass the test, so he passed.

"Congratulations ! You succeeded", came Raiku's voice.

This was easily a duel which surpassed even bronze rankers. Was this the test ? This squad, Zipang, how high was it going to go? Raiku thought. They have these two talents who are barely over the age of 20 ! When they actually break into the Novice Realm, what monsters are they going to become !

Little did he know that these two were going to be actual monsters whose names would be feared all over the world.

"I have to work on my attacking skill huh ?", Arata thought to himself.

After this, Raiku went away and Arata went back. Solork was there to greet him in the basement.

"Wow ! You passed our Zipang's examination. So talented !", Solork said.

Arata caught the sarcasm in his voice. He asked in turn, "What did I train for ?",

Solork said, "You gotta have a strong body before cultivation and the right meridians should be opened. Well the meridians are open, as I can see so you are ready to cultivate."

"Oh, That fast… I am a genius I guess haha !!", Arata laughed.

Well you are more like a monstrosity , abnormality, SOlork thought. The more he saw Arata, the more he wondered what had he grown with that he became such an abnormality ?

Ok, now it's afternoon, so better go eat your lunch. Igsem made it today.

Yes ! Arata loved Igsem's cooking. It was good. Like very good. In these 2 days, Arata had gotten to know the squad members better. He had found his way around the underground base even though he had been busy with his training. His only thought right now was to eat lunch and play piano.

Over the lunch table, Rachel asked, "Will you teach me today, now that you are a part of this squad."

"Sure !", Arata replied. Yes, Arata also wanted to spend most of his time with Rachel. It was a rare case for both the lovers to fall in love at first sight. The lunch was refreshing, It contained some special medicinal herbs also.

Rachel was excited as soon as they both reached the piano room. Arata sat down with Rachel. The piano stool is enough for a seat of two people, but they have to sit close together. They went into a moment but were cut short as they wanted to fulfill the purpose for the reason they had come here.

"So, where to start, hmmm this is the middle C. C is a note. And this note is repeated 7 times in this piano. Look at the key which is below the two black keys. Those are all Cs.", Arata said.

"Oh, so these are patterns. Hmm 7 white keys and 5 black keys are repeated. I think these are all the notes and they are in the different pitches right !", Rachel said with an excited tone.

Yes, Arata felt good. He had a chance to teach this skilled person this beautiful musical instrument. As Arata continued his lesson, Rachel heard with open ears. She learnt the basics and decided to practice scales. Meanwhile, Arata decided to write his first piece - Black Vatican.

They both continued in their own work for that day. This was a very relaxing day. Arata explored more of the underground base. He visited the medicinal room and visited Igsem.

"Hi Arata, How are you ? Is your girlfriend doing okay ?", Igsem asked in a friendly tone.

"Yes. Just wanted to see how you are doing. Also felt like seeing medicine in action."

"Oh ! Nice. I was just researchingYuri Shigero and Aguri Shigero. They both look the same, but one is poisonous and one treats the common cold. The difference is, as I found out now, is the taste of their roots. One is sweet and the other is bitter", Igsem replied.

"Wow ! So I believe the bitter one is the medicine ?", Arata asked

"Yes ! Shows the nature of the plants. Most of the medicines are bitter and this is actually quite true.", Igsem replied.

"Hmm, that's very interesting."

"I can lend you some books, you look like the person who wants always explore and know something", Igsem said.

"The, can you give me a book on Hypnotism", Arata asked.

"Sure, but…. Ok let's see. I did think you would want to learn about it. Here you go", Igsem said while handing out a book.

"Thanks !", Arata said excitingly

"You're welcome !"

The next day, Arata decided to start cultivating. He then opened the scroll. He was going to see the Hypnotism book afterwards.

"Not going to ask for guidance huh?", Solork asked.

"I was just opening the scroll. I would ask you if I needed any help.", Arata replied.

"Oh, not Rachel. She is the one who is an Enhancer here.", Solork teased.

"No, you are more experienced. You also would have probably taught Rachel. So it makes sense asking you."

"Ok, so back to the point, you have an enhancement scroll. There will be various exercises in it, mostly relating to meditation. Follow them properly and once you become aware of all your meridians, you will break into the novice rank.

"Oh, what about our squad?", Arata asked.

"Hmm, I am a Gold realm. Wakatoshi and Igsem are at peak Silver Realm. Rachel and you have yet to break into the Novice realm. Rachel is almost aware of all her meridians, so you better catch up !", Solork answered.

"Ohh ! so I gotta start."

Arata sat cross legged and began chanting the words written on the Scroll. Thus it became his routine. Both Rachel and Arata decided to continue on working on cultivating and left the regular mission of cleaning up betrayers and meetings to other team members.

Rachel broke through the Novice Realm in two days. Her increase in power was a lot. Like a lot. She had become faster and Arata could barely dodge her attacks and lost his fights a lot.

"Don't worry. You will soon be here. Actually, I give you 10 days to come up here. Meanwhile, I will wait and practice the Piano pieces you gave me OK ?", Rachel said with a cute voice.

Well, I have to reach novice rank in 10 days. OK, let's go into full concentration mode, is what Arata decided. Arata did not go on any missions and was not yet exposed to the dark side of the society yet. Even Rachel only went on one mission in the ten days which was a simple one.

Arata fully concentrated on meditating and feeling all his meridians. He did not force anything, took it slowly and steadily. He also kept teaching Rachel piano as Rachel got more and more fond of it.

Sure enough, Arata was able to become aware of all his meridians in 10 days time. Solork and the rest were all surprised, but Rachel was only proud of her chosen.

By now Rachel had become able to play melodies and it was time for Arata to teach her chords with all the scales.

It was also time for Rachel and Arata to receive their Assassination Scroll.