Chapter 87: Cowardice in the Flames

Inside the room, Rayl's gaze swept across the group as he spoke with a steady and commanding tone, "Whether as comrades of Shingin or for your own survival, it's time to dedicate yourselves to training. The world is shifting into chaos, and your current strength is far from enough."

His words, though cautionary, carried a spark of motivation. Just as the weight of the statement began to settle, Myouka raised her hand enthusiastically, her voice bright with excitement, "I want to train! But the alien soul Shingin shared with me isn't responding at all! What should I do, Rayl?"

Her eagerness was almost infectious, yet Rayl didn't respond immediately. He studied her intently, his gaze piercing as if seeking the depths of her spirit. The intensity of his stare made Myouka shift uneasily. "W-why are you looking at me like that?"

Rayl finally withdrew his gaze, his voice carrying a quiet weight. "Your resolve. Your faith. Where is it?"

"Huh?" Myouka blinked, stunned, her confusion evident.

Rayl shook his head with a faint smile. "Don't worry. These things take time. Step by step."

Turning back to the rest of the group, he continued, "Elder Kasamaki, Yame, Harutemi, Syoruha, and I will all guide you through rigorous training. Trust that this will lay the foundation for your growth."

Riyugi and Myouka exchanged an excited glance, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. It seemed they had found a sense of purpose. However, Yahageshii and Ryuosho stood apart from the enthusiasm, their expressions unreadable, tinged with indifference.

Rayl noticed their aloofness, his brow furrowing slightly. "Do either of you have objections?" he asked.

Ryuosho was the first to respond, his tone as lazy and nonchalant as ever. "No objections."

But Yahageshii's reaction was far more volatile. His voice was cold, his words biting. "Why would I train with strangers like you? If Shingin's not here, count me out." Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving an awkward silence behind.

Myouka crossed her arms with a huff. "What's his problem? It's not like we owe him anything."

Rayl, however, remained composed. "It's fine. This place is a haven for those in need. He can stay or leave as he wishes." Though his tone was calm, his words carried enough volume to ensure Yahageshii heard them as he walked away.

Kasamaki, watching Yahageshii's retreating figure, wore a contemplative expression, as if he had discerned something unspoken. His granddaughter, Harutemi, remained oblivious, pouting childishly. "Is this because I teased him earlier? What a baby, getting mad over nothing!"

Kasamaki didn't respond immediately. His gaze carried a depth that seemed to weigh possibilities, while Rayl redirected the room's focus. "Regardless of his choice, the training here will continue. Prepare yourselves."

Myouka nodded energetically, while Riyugi mirrored her determination. Only Ryuosho remained in his corner, his eyes distant, as though his mind had already left the room.

Outside, Yahageshii stormed into a secluded part of the courtyard. His shoulders trembled with barely restrained fury, his face tight with tension. Each step felt like it carried the weight of suppressed rage. He clenched his fists, his knuckles white, as faint creaks echoed from the strain in his bones. It was as though his anger had built to the brink of explosion.

"Argh!" His roar shattered the stillness of the night as he drove his fists into a towering stone in the courtyard. The first strike sent a faint tremor through the rock. The second drew blood as his skin broke against the unforgiving surface. Yet he didn't stop. Yahageshii kept punching, again and again, each blow more erratic, accompanied by ragged breaths and guttural growls.

"Thud. Thud." The rhythm of his strikes faltered, descending into chaos. His breath hitched as his frustration reached a boiling point. Summoning the power of his fire spirit, Yahageshii lifted his right fist, flames coiling around it, preparing for a final, all-consuming strike.

But before the blow could land, a firm, weathered hand caught his wrist.

Though the touch seemed gentle, it held an unyielding strength that froze Yahageshii's arm mid-swing. Startled, he looked up to meet Kasamaki's weathered face. His fiery gaze met the elder's calm, resolute eyes, a stark contrast that only deepened his frustration.

"Let go, old man! Stay out of this!" Yahageshii growled, his voice laced with venom. His body trembled as he struggled against the elder's grip, but his fiery wrath was subdued in an instant.

Kasamaki didn't flinch. His voice was low, almost soothing, yet carried the weight of authority. "What are you trying to prove by hurting yourself? If you have time for this, use it to do something meaningful."

"Shut up!" Yahageshii roared, his temper reigniting as flames erupted around his clenched fist. Without hesitation, he threw a fire-laden punch at Kasamaki. The inferno surged forward like a runaway train, its heat searing the air.

But Kasamaki simply raised his staff, intercepting the attack with effortless precision. The flames scattered harmlessly, dissipating without leaving even a scorch mark. Yahageshii's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible…" he muttered, his voice trembling.

Kasamaki lowered his staff, his gaze steady and unyielding. "You've been carrying this weight for too long," he said gently, "and it's crushing you."

Yahageshii's defiance faltered, replaced by a raw, vulnerable pain. He clenched his teeth, his voice breaking. "I couldn't help him. I couldn't do anything when he needed me…"

His shoulders slumped as the fire in his spirit seemed to dim. For the first time, tears welled in his eyes, streaking down his face. He sank to the ground, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm just useless…"

Kasamaki rested a reassuring hand on Yahageshii's shoulder. The elder's presence exuded a quiet strength, a silent promise that the young man wasn't as alone as he believed. "You've lost your way," Kasamaki said, his tone as steady as the earth. "But even in darkness, there's a path forward. And I'll help you find it."