Chapter #5 - May My Sword Arise

Lucas was awakened by a nurse who brought him breakfast along with a change of clothes and a note from Demetrio, informing him that it would be his official uniform, marking him as a new recruit of the New Force.

"A bit too extravagant, this green with gold. It could at least be black and red to be less conspicuous..."

A few minutes later...

Lucas was approaching the car indicated by Demetrio, who was waiting for him on the ground floor of the infirmary building.

- Lucas, I forgot to tell you about a few other things... - Demetrio warned.

- Go ahead, sir.

Demetrio explained some rules while handing him an inhibiting bracelet, used to block the shadow of the person wearing it.

- Avoid conflicts now because you no longer represent just Lucas Icaro. You now represent me, the West Academy, and consequently, the New Force. Keep your grades high because apprentices whose academic performance declines are subject to punishment. And lastly, don't take off that bracelet.

- Why? If I need to use my shadow, what should I do exactly? - Lucas asked.

- Activate qualified personnel!

- Not even in case of death?

- Think of it this way: you are not yet an officer, much less a full-time recruit. Your shadow has not been registered, and if you use it during this period without the authorization of your guardian, me, you will be considered illegal, and they can even arrest you for it!

Lucas nodded, but internally, he strongly disagreed with what he heard, yet he had no intention of disobeying the given orders. The car soon departed and quickly arrived at the college. However, while Lucas was lost in thought, he forgot to tell Demetrio not to drop him off in front but in the parking lot.

When he got out of the car, it drew the attention of many at the college. He quickly entered, but he noticed a shadow following him, and when he looked, it was his friend Rafaela, who stared at him with a genuine smile.

- Hi, my future bodyguard, or should I call you grumpy recruit? Soldier Grump? Little Lucas Grumpy?

- Don't start, kid.

- Ayyyyy, now give back the banter. I liked it! - Rafaela said as she wandered with Lucas through the corridors until she mentioned that she would save a spot for Lucas at lunch.

Lucas laughed and went to his first class, which passed faster than usual. In the second class, Lucas felt as if something or someone was watching him. In the back of the room, Natanael was seething with hatred for Lucas in such a evident way that other students noticed.

"If I could predict the future, I'd say he's going to cause trouble. Maybe I should talk to Demetrio, show him the shadow, and give him a scare? No, discipline, Lucas, discipline."

Lucas realized that he had barely gained a power, and it had already gone to his head. During the break, Lucas had lunch with Rafaela, who used those minutes to share with him the things he missed.

He heard about how her parents didn't like her friendship with Lucas, as it was diverting her focus and filling her mind with utopias. He also heard about how Natanael had turned some college students against him after the incidents, spreading false information and that she was going to start a club of "ent-ology" (the study of entities).

Lucas laughed at the name but knew it was important to his friend.

- Rafaela, your schedule is too tight. Wouldn't it be prudent to at least organize yourself before? 

- No! With everything that happened to you, I realized that life surrounds us with opportunities, but it's us who choose.

- Look... I didn't choose much...

Rafaela stared at Lucas, pouted, and asked:

- So, why are you becoming a soldier?

- I just want to be able to defend, but it seems more difficult than it looks. – Lucas said, showing the bracelet.

Rafaela stared at the device while fiddling with Lucas's wrist, who was looking at her.

- What's this device for?

- Shadow inhibition...

- So if...

- Yes, I can't use it. I have to ask for help. – Lucas grumbled. – So much bureaucracy sometimes annoys me...

At that moment, Lucas noticed Natanael staring at him and decided to just ignore it, even if it bothered him.

The school day soon ended, and Lucas was leaving when he came across Rafaela distributing leaflets for the Ent-ology club. Accidentally, she bumped into Natanael, who knocked down all the leaflets and walked away, mocking her and stepping on the pamphlets.

Lucas quickly helped her, and as he glanced at Natanael, he released a sigh.

"Dicipline, Lucas, discipline!"

While Lucas and Rafaela were picking up the pamphlets, Lore honked at them, announcing her arrival.

- See you tomorrow, Rafaela. – Lucas said, following his path after helping the young girl.

- See you tomorrow, annoying thing! – Rafaela replied, getting into her car.

Lucas went his way normally until he realized he was on the way to the company, not the academy.

"Damn! I need to run, or I'll be late!"

Lucas decided to run as fast as he could, cutting through the streets of the neighborhood. During his run, Lucas accidentally knocked over an old man's bags. Without stopping, he apologized and continued until he was on the next street when he realized he had arrived faster than he thought and questioned if it could be the effect of his new condition.

In front of the academy, Demetrio was talking to a young man with green eyes, black-greenish hair, and apparently physically superior to Lucas. The girl was blonde, slim, and with a sinuous body. Both seemed to be Lucas's age.

"Are they Demetrio's apprentices too?"

Approaching, Lucas was noticed by the three.

- Hello, young Lucas! – Demetrio said. – I see you came running.

- Literally! – the guy joked, introducing himself. – Pleasure, my name is Matheus Alencar, Miguel's apprentice, my shadow is a bow.

- Pleasure is mine. I'm Lucas Ícaro.

- Pleasure, Lucas Ícaro! – the girl said with a strong and firm voice. – I'm Luíza Magalhães, also Miguel's apprentice, and I create shields.

Lucas shook her hand and felt his fingers pressed with an unexpected force. He tried to reciprocate the force, but with his failure, he managed to elicit a small laugh from the girl.

- And what's your name? – Matheus asked, pointing in Lucas's direction, who was puzzled.

- Rafaela Sol, I'm a future Botanist! – Rafaela replied, appearing behind Lucas with a smile.

Lucas had a look of disbelief, thinking:

"This girl is psychotic, for sure, ungluing gum!"

Demetrio laughed at the girl's introduction and signaled the four to a large room, like a training center, with gym equipment, a ring, a mat, targets, among other things characteristic of a training facility.

- Well, while Miguel and his squad are on a mission, I will be in charge of your training! – Demetrio announced.

Matheus and Luíza agreed as they stretched. Lucas was looking at them and realized he wasn't wearing the right clothes for this.

- Demetrio... I mean, Mr. Demetrio!

- What is it, young Lucas?

- I don't have workout clothes, at least not that I know of.

Demetrio scratched his head, and just as he was about to say something, Lucas heard an old male voice next to him.

- Here, young man, take these.

- Thank you, sir. – Lucas said, wondering how people appeared out of nowhere, and he couldn't sense or see them.

Demetrio approached and introduced the old man; it was Hiroshi, a martial arts and physiotherapy professor at the West Academy. Showing the way, Lucas went to change in the locker room.

"A simple and light outfit"

Lucas thought when he saw a pair of tactel pants and a gray shirt with the New Force logo. Returning to the main area, he noticed that Rafaela was wearing a similar outfit.

- Guess who's going to train today? – Rafaela said, showing joy.

- Demetrio? Are you sure about that? – Lucas asked, a little uncomfortable with Rafaela in this environment, which could result in not physical problems but something with her parents.

- Young Rafaela practices Karate, and even Master Hiroshi has watched her fight.

Lucas took a slap from Rafaela, who was sulking and walking towards the mat. Demetrio was excited about the girl's attitude and then suggested Lucas get up there, but Mr. Hiroshi had already taken his position in front of Rafaela, who greeted him and showed no hesitation.

- Young lady, we'll play with the following rules. I will let you use Tsuki (Kick) or Geri (Punch), respecting the forbidden areas, but I ask you not to limit yourself, in other words, full force. If my feet move, I lose, but if at the end of 2 minutes I don't lose my base, you lose.

Rafaela took a deep breath, cleared her mind, and focused on the mat:

"Kokotsu Dachi stance, this stance is already somewhat inclined. If I go from the front and aim my Tsuki at his right shoulder, it should work, so... NOW!"

Rafaela closed the distance so fast that Lucas could barely keep up. This impressed Demetrio, Hiroshi, and especially Lucas, who hadn't seen this side of Rafaela.

As planned, Rafaela approached and executed a powerful Uchi Mawashi with perfect control of her body, but she was repelled and fell backward. She was amazed by Hiroshi's firmness.

"Strong old man... Did I not put enough force into the blow? Don't think about it now, Rafaela!"

A jump back and another repeated attack, but the blow was different this time; she executed a kick with more pushing power, a Yoko-Tobi-Gueri, but once again, the old man didn't move. This left Lucas thoughtful about how the young aspiring botanist had such a wild side.

Returning to the fight, Rafaela, used to combat, knew how to count in her head. She knew there were only 30 seconds left, so she went for another Yoko-Tobi-Gueri. Without success, as soon as she touched the ground, she delivered two repetitions of Enpi Uti, but the old man defended himself without showing difficulty.

With a quick movement, Rafaela executed a final blow, a Ushiro Gueri, but Hiroshi acted with his arms and deflected the kick. Demetrio signaled, the fight was over, and Rafaela had lost, but she jumped up, radiant with joy.

- That was... – Rafaela filled her lungs.

- Cover your ears, Mr. Demetrio. – Lucas warned.

- Why?

- AWESOOOOOME! – Rafaela shouted.

- Hehehehe! – Hiroshi laughed, greeting the young woman in a thankful tone. – You have such a beautiful intensity, my dear. I see your masters teach you well.

Rafaela was out of breath and embarrassed. Looking at Lucas, she smiled. Demetrio noticed her look and glanced at Lucas, whose expression said it all.

"I think he still doesn't know what he feels for her, but the look already shows admiration. This boy..."

Lucas gave a thumbs up and smiled, and Rafaela jumped on his back:

- I'm a Karate Botanist! – Rafaela shouted, knocking Lucas down.

- You two are a funny couple. – Matheus said, dissipating his bow, as he spent the fight practicing target shooting.

"WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!" – Lucas and Rafaela said together, facing Matheus.

- Rafaela, you fight very well, congratulations! – Luíza praised.

Demetrio also agreed with Luíza and mentioned that no one from the New Force had beaten Hiroshi since he arrived. Hiroshi approached the conversation and began to say:

- Young lady, would you like me to train you?

Rafaela turned to the old man with wide eyes and repeatedly jumped, saying yes. Lucas ended up letting out one of his thoughts:

"No one deserves this..."

Rafaela looked at Lucas and realized that he didn't like the idea. This saddened the young woman, reminding her of her parents. She thanked and declined the invitation, retiring to change clothes and leave.

Lucas realized he acted wrongly and was going after Rafaela, but Demetrio told him to stay and asked Luíza to talk to her because Lucas's training was about to begin.

Hiroshi took Lucas and Demetrio to a separate room with some gym equipment. Demetrio soon gave Lucas a pair of 8kg ankle weights. Due to lack of habit, Lucas could barely walk. To complete, Demetrio added another pair of wrist weights, each weighing 2kg.

- Hiroshi? – Demetrio said, calling the old man.

- I'm here.

- Do you have the key?

- Are you going to do that? – Hiroshi asked.

- I am! – Demetrio replied, approaching the door while Lucas struggled to stand – Lucas, the light will go out, and from various angles, painless lasers will come, as they are only red lights. However, the room will recognize how much you take to cut each of them.

- So I'm going to cut them with the shadow? – Lucas asked.

- Not exactly! You will simulate the cut; as I mentioned before, the sensors in the bracelet will help you with that. Just make a cut, and another will appear, and so on, up to 100 cuts. Not a big deal for a guy who doesn't understand the reason behind certain actions of a certain red-haired friend of his. – Demetrio explained.

- Aaaaaa, come on! – Lucas grumbled as he saw the door closing.

"Now, because of her, I got into trouble again... This is ridiculous. I better focus on the current problem, this room and these damn weights. How will their appearance be? Will there be a pattern, or will it be random?"

- Hey! Squirrel! – Demetrio said on the room's intercom.

- I can hear you! – Lucas shouted.

- You talk loud, you know? – Demetrio replied. Lucas made a face, irritated by Demetrio imitating him.

- You'll only leave after three sets of 100 cuts. Good luck, Lucas, or should I call you annoying thing?

"This sucks... Rafaela, you owe me!"

The lights went out, and darkness filled the room. Lucas couldn't see himself, but the first beam of light appeared at the opposite end of the dark room. Lucas tried to move quickly, but the weights held him back, and he almost fell.

"These weights are heavier than 8kg, I'm sure of it..."

Lucas thought, struggling to take one step at a time until he reached beam 1. When he made the cutting motion, a robotic voice echoed in the room, saying it took 47 seconds.

- Lucas, I forgot to mention, do you believe the weights are not 8kg but 28kg each, but you can handle it, right... brat?

- Aaaaaaaaaa... Go to he...

- What? Do you want to do 5 sets of 100?

- No, sir! - shouted Lucas. Beam 2 appeared behind Lucas. He turned and cut it, but this turn cost him his balance. Fallen on the ground, he saw the third beam. With effort, he managed to stand up and slowly went to the beam and cut it again.

"At this rate, I'll go from here straight to college tomorrow. What a drag."

And so, 45 minutes passed, and Lucas hadn't reached the second half of the first set, already exhausted.

"I need to think of something as soon as possible. Think, Lucas, think! The bracelet is the key to recognizing the move, so I can't do anything without it. Maybe if I simulate the effect of throwing my sword, considering it would be based on my shadow."

Lucas saw the next beam and then threw his imaginary sword, and the beam broke.

"That's it! Now the game will start."

Lucas began throwing, and he progressed faster, realizing that the simulation had a precision system. He needed to throw again at some beams, but suddenly the lights came on, and the door opened. Demetrio appeared with his serene gaze and approached Lucas, reprimanding him because the goal was not that but to train the body for a more assertive use of his shadow.

- Is this how it's going to be around here? Are you opting for the easier path? – Demetrio questioned.

- I didn't think it was wrong; after all, throwing my sword and being able to summon it again is a common thing, right?

Demetrio had forgotten that Lucas hadn't even learned the basics, so, taking a deep breath, Demetrio took Lucas to the weightlifting and cardio area, where Matheus was, and on the way, he saw Luíza and Rafaela apparently training hand-to-hand combat.

- Matheus! – Demetrio exclaimed.

- Yes, sir! – Matheus responded quickly, holding 20kg dumbbells.

- Our friend here doesn't know the basics about shadows; could you explain things to him while making him follow the basic exercises? Matheus was twirling his arms for some mysterious reason for Lucas, and at that moment, he could see that Matheus had defined arms, even too much for someone his age.

- Leave it to me, sir. – Despite everything, Matheus seemed like an easygoing person to live with in Lucas's eyes. – What's your shadow, Lucas?

- A sword, as far as I remember. – Lucas replied somewhat unsure.

- What do you mean, "remember"? – Matheus laughed, not understanding anything. In about 5 minutes, Lucas briefly recounted what had happened to him, and Matheus seemed fascinated with everything.

- Man, you lasted all that against Miguel? I wish I had lasted more than two hits... – Matheus grumbled.

- Are you crazy? That guy is nuts.

- Dude, let me tell you something. – Matheus approached Lucas and spoke very quietly. – I trust him more than Demetrio or anyone else.

- I still think he's a bit weird.

- Your right! – Matheus pointed to the treadmill for Lucas to climb on. – I'll set it to a standard walking mode, 30 km.

- I think that's too much with all this weight down here.

- Relax, Miguel trained with more at the beginning, 60 km, a crazy thing - Lucas held back a slight laugh and focused on his mission.

The first moments seemed extremely impossible, but half an hour later, the increased fatigue wasn't the only difference. Lucas felt that he was managing to keep up more easily even with the increasing fatigue.

Demetrio sounded, and the three young people gathered in front of him, but leaving the treadmill, Lucas was taking the weight off his legs and arms, but he was surprised by Rafaela, who helped him even with a sulky face.

- Sorry for my comment. – Lucas tried to speak.

- Forget it, tomorrow or the day after I'll forget, and it's okay, just don't do it again because you acted like my parents. At that moment, I didn't see you; I saw my father disapproving of me for not believing in myself.

- I don't doubt you, Rafaela, but I'm afraid you're here with me or changing your routine several times for some other commitment, and that could cause you problems.

- My only problems are not finding a place for the Ent-ology club and my father being on my case to start attending company meetings. Lucas realized there was a sad look in the girl's eyes when it came to her parents, and it filled him with guilt.

- You two! – Demetrio said. Lucas, now without the weights, joined Rafaela next to Matheus and Luíza for Demetrio to talk about what was needed before releasing them.

- Today's base was something more relaxed, first so that Lucas can get used to things here and because we had the illustrious presence of young Rafaela. But tomorrow will be a more fixed routine. Lucas, you'll do a set of 100 cuts in the room, but this time without throws. Matheus and Luíza will follow the series of duels between you, following hand-to-hand combat for the academy's selection, and Rafaela, if it's your will, Hiroshi would like you to train with him tomorrow.

- Thank you, but it's better... – Rafaela was saying until she was interrupted.

- Huh, is the little girl scared? – Lucas teased, facing Rafaela.

He tried to make a face, but it came out as something bizarre that made Matheus ask:

- Dude, are you okay?

- Oh, I am, but I think the matchstick head here is scared of a senior... Rafaela stared at him and jumped on Lucas, hitting him with punches, shouting.

- Who is the BRAT? Who is scared, you grumpy, old man in new skin, Methuselah. When Rafaela got off Lucas, everyone laughed, except Lucas, who was now all sore. - I'll be here, and I'll beat you all, just wait.

- That said, tomorrow we'll have training at the same time. I ask that you don't be late. Hiroshi will be with you; I should be on time still coming from the New Force Installation, where Miguel is, as I will see how his mission is going. I believe nothing is happening, but I'll go there anyway.

Everyone was dismissed, and when Lucas finished changing, he waited for Rafaela at the gym entrance. She came out a few moments later with Luíza, both were talking and laughing.

"It seems she found another friend... Why does seeing that reassure me?"

- Well, I think I leave my friend under your protection, Mr. Lucas, joked Luíza.

- Heard? It's to protect me properly. – Exclaimed Rafaela. Lucas saluted and left with Rafaela, and already at the academy's gates, he could see Lore's car waiting for Rafaela.

- Do you want Lore to drop you off at home?

- No need, I think you'll already have to hear a lot when you get home. It's better to get there as soon as possible.

- It will be nothing... Lore made a face when she realized that the person next to Rafaela was Lucas.

You again? – Lore grumbled. Lucas returned the face but remained quiet to avoid giving an unnecessary response.

- Yes, Lore, it's him. – Rafaela replied, opening the back door of the car and throwing the backpack inside. – Can you stop at his house before taking me home?

- NO WAY!!!! – Lore exclaimed strongly. – He lives very poorly, and the place has dim lighting. If a Zek attacks, and we get robbed?

- Stop it, Lore; you're a former boxer; just hit everyone, and Lucas also knows how to fight.

Lucas made a face, showing he didn't know what to say, but made Rafaela smile at him. Despite being unwilling, Lore reluctantly told them to get in the car.

"Wait... How does she know where I live? I guess it's not just Rafaela who's psychotic. If there's a serial killer in her family, I won't be surprised..."

During a trip where Lucas could perceive Lore's suspicious looks at him and a happy Rafaela telling everything to Lore, they quickly arrived on the street where Lucas lived. Lucas indicated where to leave him, and Lore did so. Lore told him to hurry up while Rafaela gave him a hug, and for the first time, he hugged her as tightly as she hugged him.

Getting out of the car, Lucas noticed a troublesome trio at the corner where the car would have to pass and warned Lore, but the driver ignored him and left. Even though worried, Lucas turned and passed through the entrance, and that's when he heard a scream.

- LUCAAAAAS! – It was Rafaela's voice calling for him. Lucas dropped his bags and backpacks and ran toward the voice, shouting to the doorman to call the New Force.

"Sh*t..."

Lucas ran, messing with the bracelet, but nothing he did removed or deactivated it. When he crossed the corner, he saw that the situation was worse than he expected. With the right front tire flat, Lore apparently injured and lying in front of a wall, Rafaela was beating one of the thugs there.

The gang was the Triple D, three deserters from the New Force of Rank B who caused trouble in the neighborhood, so Lucas tried to get their attention by shouting, and it worked—two of them turned to Lucas and started running after him.

He ran to the other side of the street when he heard a sound, the sound of a shadow.

"Darn, now it's really screwed!"

Lucas received a pounce from a leopard that held him firmly on the ground while growling at him. The apparent tamer of the leopard approached Lucas and, with a malicious smile, commented:

- Well, well, if it isn't Big Lucas Ícaro himself in the flesh! – The tamer said, laughing maliciously at Lucas – Look at the famous nerd, his crappy face, and a recruit's uniform from the New Force?

Lucas was cornered and didn't know what to do, as the Triple D was composed of three people whose history Lucas knew: Ricardo, Alex, and Fábio. They had once threatened Lourdes to pay the "protection fee," something illegal and unscrupulous.

"If I don't break the bracelet soon, I won't be able to do anything! But what can I do? I don't even have training."

At that moment, Lucas saw a slap being delivered to Rafaela's face, causing her to hit her head on the car hood and faint. Then, Alex conjured his shadow, which was a strong horse, and with Rafaela unconscious, he exclaimed to the other two:

- Get the driver too and put out this one. I want to have fun with her soon; she seems fresh...

- You... – Lucas said with anger, measuring his strength against the leopard as he saw Ricardo taking Lore.

Suddenly, Lucas takes a strong and heavy kick, and hitting his head on the ground, his vision became blurry until he couldn't see anything and passed out.