Chapter 23

It would be later on as Isaac and Christine took the bus and walked all the way to the art museum. They paid an entrance fee as they walked around and looked all kinds of art that were on display. Sculptures, statues, old paints and even new art was on display. They even looked at section of abstract art as they tried figuring out what it meant.

"It's just shapes. I can do better!" Said Isaac.

"Y-Yeah. I have to agree to that. And you're not that great." Said Christine.

"Thanks." Said Isaac, sarcastically as Christine chuckled.

They soon arrived at a painting that was of the sword in the stone. Isaac looked at it as Christine reached in her purse and pulled out two sticks of gum. She handed one to Isaac as he grabbed it.

"Thanks." Said Isaac.

"No problem. And I like this one. It's simple and is based on the sword in the stone of Arthurian legend." Said Christine.

"I remember you always liked listening to the tales your grandmother told." Said Isaac.

"That's because she loved the tales of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. Back when I was a chubby girl." Said Christine, looking embarrassed.

"Oh, yeah I forgot you were chubby." Said Isaac.

"How could you forget!? You were the one who helped me get into shape!" Said Christine.

"Okay, that I remember. Since you did like to snack a lot." Said Isaac.

"Yeah, yeah. I was stress eater! I never said thank you, did I?" Christine asked.

"Nope. But there's no need for that. We're best friend, right? I mean, you helped me too, remember?" Said Isaac.

"I did?" Christine asked, confused as she tilted her head.

"Yeah, whenever I teamed up with the gang. I was so frustrated and angry, but you helped me vent out of words. I calmed down and thought clearer. You were there for me." Said Isaac.

"I guess that makes us even. But could you do me a favor and buy food for me? I'm trying to save money." Said Christine with hands clamped together.

"Why don't you learn how to save money better?" Isaac asked.

"Are seriously going to let me buy my own food? Have you no honor, Isaac?" Said Christine.

"Just because I come from a knight family, doesn't mean I act like one." Said Isaac.

"Really now?" Christine responded.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant sight." Said Kiyomi.

Isaac and Christine turned and saw Kiyomi, Yuko and Van standing in front of them. Yuko then ran to Isaac and hugged him as she giggled. Christine was confused, while Isaac was surprised.

"Ai-kun!" Yuko shouted.

"Yuko? K-Kiyomi? Van, why are they here?" Isaac asked.

"That's how you're going to say hello after all these years? What happened to your manners, Isaac?" Said Yuko.

"He did the same to me." Said Van.

"It's great seeing you all again." Said Isaac as he bowed.

"We missed you too, Isaac." Said Kiyomi as she hugged him.

"Oh, your both are huggers. (And they're very pretty)." Said Christine.

"I bet Isaac likes it." Said Van.

"Shut up." Isaac replied.

"And who's this? A friend? Or a girlfriend?" Kiyomi asked in Japanese.

"Yeah, Ai. She's pretty cute." Said Yuko in Japanese.

"She's a childhood friend and a good friend of mine. This is Christine." Said Isaac.

"Christine Lander, uh, it's nice meeting you both." Said Christine as she awkwardly bowed.

"I'm Kiyomi Takahashi. A pleasure, Ms. Lander." Said Kiyomi as she bowed.

"Yuko Takahashi, and hey." Said Yuko.

"But back to the question. Were you two on a date?" Van asked as he slid close to Isaac.

"Get your mind out of the gutter! We're here to see the art, obviously." Said Isaac.

"We both love looking at art. I draw myself and Isaac…tries." Said Christine.

"Still doing that, huh? Has he gotten better?" Yuko asked.

"Define better?" Christine replied.

"Wow!" Yuko chuckled.

"You don't have to rub it in." Said Isaac.

"Could you excuse us, Ms. Lander? We need to speak to Isaac for a bit." Said Kiyomi.

"Oh, sure." Christine replied.

"I'll stick with her. And by any chance, do you have any pictures of his drawings?" Yuko asked.

"Yeah, I do." Christine giggled as did Yuko.

Kiyomi, Van and Isaac stepped aside as Yuko and Christine were giggling off to the side. Isaac had an annoyed look, while he was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed.

"They're pretty loud, huh?" Said Isaac.

"Yes. But you know why I am here, right? Isaac, the knights and the hunters plan on working together and searching for Rick and his team to terminating them all. And we know that their main objective is free Arthon from his prison." Said Kiyomi.

Isaac stood in shock as he looked at Kiyomi and Van with shock.

"W-Why? Why would they do that? Do they know what he could do to this world!?" Isaac responded loudly.

"Hey, easy." Said Van quietly.

They looked around as people were looking at Isaac. They murmured to each other as they kept on walking, while Isaac calmed down.

"Their reasons for doing this is still unknown. But right now, we're searching for their location." Said Kiyomi.

"And both organizations aren't holding back. They know how great of a threat this is. Especially the roster of the people that are working with Rick. I'm sending you their info since that's the only thing we know of about them." Said Van as he had his phone in his hand.

"I'll read that later when I have the chance." Said Isaac.

"And I must implore you to start using Excalibur again, Isaac. Have you had any luck with the curse mark?" Said Kiyomi.

"I've been trying, but nothing. Merlin's looking into it, but I haven't heard anything since then." Said Isaac.

"Then you must find a way! Isaac, we must be ready for this. You know how grave this situation is. If they succeed, we could be looking at war for the world and humanity." Said Kiyomi.

"I understand your concern, sensei. But I will get stronger on my own if I must. If I can't use Excalibur, so be it. I am my father's son too." Said Isaac.

Kiyomi nodded, while Van smiled proudly from his words.

"Now, excuse me." Said Isaac as he left.

"(Sighs) He's just like his mother. And that what worries me." Said Kiyomi.

"I know. But he is his own person. And we have to respect that." Said Van.

"I just want him safe. I must keep my promise to senpai." Said Kiyomi.

"Then let's make sure he gets better." Said Van.

Isaac approached Yuko and Christine as she was showing her their pictures as kids.

"Seriously?" Isaac responded

"Yep." Christine replied.

"Ai, you were so cute when you were little." Said Yuko.

"Yuko, we're leaving." Said Kiyomi.

"Yes, mother! Bye, Ai. We'll catch up later. And it was nice knowing you, Christine. Look after Ai for me." Said Yuko as she left and waved.

"Will do. Bye." Said Christine as she waved.

Yuko reached Kiyomi and Van as they left. Kiyomi looked at Yuko as she noticed her looking at her with slight disappointment.

"What?" Yuko responded.

"I thought you were going to challenge him?" Kiyomi asked.

"Eh? Oh, crap! I totally forgot!" Yuko responded.

"Too late now." Said Van.

"Next time for sure!" Said Yuko.

"What happen? Were you that happy to see him~?" Kiyomi with her hand on her mouth.

"N-No! Stop think wrong, mother!" Yuko yelled, blushing.

"Yeah, your reaction says everything." Said Van.

We then see Isaac and Christine eating at a restaurant as she was eating a grilled chicken salad and Isaac was eating a chicken sandwich with fries. Christine was eating happily, but Isaac look distracting as he was think about his conversation with Kiyomi and Van.

"Isaac? Isaac? Hey? You okay?" Said Christine with her fork in Isaac's face.

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine." Isaac replied.

"You haven't touched your food. What's going on? Christine asked.

Isaac looked at Christine as he looked hesitant, but it was moments later and Christine was looking at Isaac shocked eyes, baffled.

"Richard is back…and they want to free Arthon? Wow, I did not expect this load to drop on me." Said Christine.

"I'm sorry. I just need to tell someone." Said Isaac.

"But I mean, they're sending their best, right? So we shouldn't be too worried. Right?" Christine responded.

"I don't know. All I know is that…I have to prepare for the worse. And I have to…kill Rick." Said Isaac.

Christine saw Isaac was feeling pain within as she gently, but firmly grabbed his hand. Isaac looked up at her as she gave a comforting smile to him.

"Everything will be fine, Isaac. You always find a way. So don't worry. I have faith in you and faith that everything will turn just fine." Said Christine.

Isaac smiled back at her, while holding to her hand.

"Thanks, Christine." Said Isaac.

It would be later as they were walking together back to the academy. They were at the front of girls dorm as Christine stood with her hands behind her back, while facing Isaac.

"You want to come in my room? Hang out a bit more?" Said Christine.

"I'd love to. But I have to check on the team." Said Isaac.

"Oh, okay. I understand. I had fun. We should do this again soon!." Said Christine.

"Same." Said Isaac.

Christine then hugged Isaac tightly and then let go as she went inside, while waving to him.

"Bye." Said Christine.

"Bye." Said Isaac as he watched go inside.

Isaac then arrive at the lair as he was going down on the elevator with a happy smile on his face. He then sees the gang still training against the androids as they were dripping with sweat. Marcus was watching them, while Isaac approached him.

"How's the progress?" Isaac asked.

"Good. And how was your date?" Marcus asked teasingly.

"It wasn't a date." Said Isaac.

"I'm just kidding, Isaac. But did you have fun?" Marcus asked.

The whole gang, even the androids, stopped to listen to what Isaac had to say.

"I had a fun time." Said Isaac.

"Hell yeah!" Garry shouted as he threw himself at an android.

"Alright, let's call it a day, guys!" Marcus shouted.

They all stopped as they all sat or lied down on the ground, tired.

"C'mon…give us…the detail, I." Violet panted, tiredly.

"No." Isaac replied.

"C'mon~! Don't make me beg~." Said Violet as she was on the ground.

"But do you guys know what's coming up soon?" Isaac asked.

"Yep, the Academy Games." Said Scarlet.

"No way! Already?" Garry responded.

"Aw, yeah!" Franklin shouted.

"And we're up for security this year." Said Isaac.

"But is this a good time? Since your brother and his group are out there." Said Marcus.

"Merlin doesn't plan on cancelling it. Neither the other headmasters. But we have to diligent. Who knows what happens. So let's do our best unit!" Said Isaac.

"Yeah!" Everyone responded.