Beginnings and Ends (13)

"Before I explain the techniques and how to properly train revenant. We need to tell you about how this power works." Kuroi says, trying his best to explain revenant to Kodak.

With the power of revenant, all users have access to the basics of revenant techniques. Their nothing special but they give the user a sense for what revenant is capable of.

Kodak listens very closely to Kuroi's explanation, he needs to learn. He needs to understand what it meant to be a revenant ranker.

"As you know Kodak, revenant is born through negative emotions. And if you have the correct motive and mindset, you'll unlock it."

Kodak nods his head in response, "mhm, I think I get it, negative emotions are the main contributor. But if your mindset is weak it'll crumble. Like how a martial artist needs to steel their resolve."

Kuroi smirks, "Exactly Kodak, you're a lot smarter than you look." Kodak smiles over confidently. "Yeah I-, wait what do you mean by how I look?!"

Kuroi ignores Kodak and continues his explanation. "Anyways, I will teach you about revenant and the techniques with them. First up, aura applications. By concentrating your revenant, you can shroud your entire body in it. Giving you increased speed, strength, and even durability. This is called revenant aura. It's basic but the main point of strength. Give it a try, show me your current progress."

Kodak focuses his mind and thinks about his whole motivation and his end goal. To gain strength and surpass the strong. The dark blue aura shrouds his body, the same feeling washes over him. The energy starts spread out and the domain consumes it.

Kodak feels his energy shoot even higher than he's fight against Maeko.

The domain expands and Kuroi senses the quality of the domain has increased massively. He taps the ground with his knuckles.

"(Interesting, so his domain gets more refined and complete the stronger he gets. In addition to that, if he uses his abilities in his domain they help in training. The domain's rank also shot up from a D-rank to a C-Rank. This kid's gonna grow up to be quite the monster.)"

Kuroi stands up and stretches. "Now this is the tricky part, most auras have different versions and applications. They shroud the user typically but this one is a little different."

Kuroi concentrates and his aura shrouds his body, but suddenly the energy dissipates. Kodak looks at him confused, "What's the trick?"

"No tricks Kodak. Instead of keeping your aura to the body, you can extend it to act like a radius around yourself. Come on, rush at me."

Kodak grins with confidence and rushes at Kuroi, his aura radiants throughout. He feels the energy store up in his legs, he speeds forward and tries punching Kuroi. He's then suddenly crushed into the ground. "Ack!"

Kodak stands up weakly, but he's barely able to even move.

"This is known as Radial Aura. By creating a radius of aura, you create an amplified version of gravity. But you can also do the reversal of it and float with anti-gravity. You can even create footholds in the air. Essentially creating your own leverage."

Kodak watches as Kuroi jumping around on invisible footholds. He even starts shifting the gravity of the entire domain on and off.

Kuroi smirks at Kodak watching very seriously. He then tries himself and is able to fly but not well. It was like watching a baby bird try so desperately to flap its little wings.

"You're doing a lot better than my past students Kodak. There are a couple more techniques to explain, so just bear with me."

Kodak chuckles and floats down. "I can go through anything, if it doesn't kill me. It only makes me stronger!"

His eyes suddenly flash purple, catching Kuroi off guard.

"By the way Kodak your hair is getting darker. It's pretty much black at this point." Kodak picks a strand of hair out of his head, it was black.

"The next technique is called: Bodily shockwave. While you were doing something similar to this shockwave technique, it's not quite the same."

Kodak looks at Kuroi confused at his comparison. "What do you mean similar?"

Kiko steps into the conversation to explain something Kuroi had trouble explaining.

"He means you have a physical innate technique. We revenant users have innate techniques. There are three types; Metamorphosis, physical, and spiritual. Physical relates to physical attributes, spiritual involves techniques that affect outside the physical body. The final one, Metamorphosis. Involves a change in the user, be it physical or mental. You Kodak, have a strong physical innate technique called: Kinetic charge. We don't know the full capabilities. But we assume you can charge kinetic energy by your impressive speed, and when you want to you can use it to enhance your basic techniques. But be careful cause you might not know your limit with this energy."

Kodak nods, "So, I just need to figure my max speed and kinetic energy capacity."

Kiko smiles and walks away to observe what Kodak has learned so far.

"Kodak, come here!" Kuroi says trying to get their successor's full undivided attention.

"What's up?" He turns his attention to Kuroi needing his focus towards him.

"Anyways, Bodily Shockwave is where the user gathers revenant from the surrounding area. Adding to your current revenant and releasing it in short bursts. The way you do this is from you charging up after every strike, It's not too difficult but if you lose focus you'll suffer backlash. So learn this technique well."

Kuroi jumps back far away from Kodak and puts his hands around Kiko, trying to protect her.

Kodak radiates his aura, while throwing various attacks with revenant. He tries to gather more revenant lost from the strikes, the energy was immensely more powerful. He felt like he was gonna burst but he focused and struck the air. The shockwave explodes around him, Kuroi feels the energy from Kodak spread out like a bomb, it felt nostalgic. Kuroi thinks back to training a certain student that performed a similar move. "(He's just like Kenji, I guess he'll be as much of a monster like him.)"

Kuroi smirks and walks up to him. "You are amazing Kodak, but now we get more serious."

He extends his hands outward and a compass made of revenant appears above his head. Kodak looks at the compass, wondering what the concept could be. Suddenly the compass points at him and random areas.

"Whoa, what's this compass technique do exactly Kuroi-San?"

"It detects and tracks revenant. It's super useful for tracking down opponents. The activation for the technique is extending your arms from side to side. You then expand your revenant to about 10 meters to start. When you get better with it you'll gradually add more distance to it over time."

Kodak extends his hands from side to side, and then expands his revenant outward. "(The incomplete domain that we're in right now is about a 1 mile radius. I just need to expand my revenant as far as I can.)"

A compass appears above Kodak, the size was about the same as Kuroi's compass. He continues to expand his revenant. "(I need not only quantities but quality. Come on, find it-)" But before he could continue, he felt Kuroi shaking him.

"Kodak stop you'll break the domain!" He opens his eyes from the intense concentration state he was just in. He looks up to see his progress, his distance with the compass had reached a mile. The revenant struggles to expand cause of the domain's strong structure and density.

"I can do that far?!" Kodak looked at the distance of his compass. It felt rewarding and refreshing. 

"So, what's next Kuroi?" He asked, eager for more about revenant. But to his surprise Kuroi just shakes his head. Kodak looked at him confused. "I'm ready for more, just trust me."

Kuroi just stares at him and lets out a breath of disappointment. "It's just like I thought. You're too arrogant and overconfident in your own abilities. If you keep that attitude of overconfidence will only tear you down. I suggest you get familiar with your newfound abilities, see you soon Kodak."

Kiko looks over, her face seemed sorry for Kodak. 

He clenches his jaw and grabs Kuroi by the arm. "I am more than ready and you know that!"

Kuroi pulls his arm out of Kodak's grip and starts to walk away. "(He's acting just like Fukushū. Mostly when he was a teenager, how poetic.)"

Kodak's frustration rises even further as Kuroi walks away. "I know. You're scared I'll become stronger than you!"

Kuroi abruptly stops and turns around, walking towards Kodak. His were focused but frightening to look at. Kodak puts his hands up to fight as Kuroi was right in front of him. He lunges at Kodak, he raises his hands to fight Kuroi. But he's suddenly hugged by him, it confused Kodak. 

"I know you want strength for the vengeance of your mother and sister. But this progress of strength takes time and discipline. So please don't rush down a different path to power. Cause you never know, you could harm those you love and cherish."

Kuroi's words hit Kodak fiercely, more fierce than any attack thrown at him in his life. "I get it Kuroi, I guess I should get going."

Kuroi smiles as he watches Kodak leave the domain. "(Sorry Kodak, but I can't let you go down the path I went down.)"

Fumiko looks at Kodak's body fast asleep. "(He must have pushed through his limits too much, He needs to rest. If he were to continue this desperation for power, he'll crumble.)"

Fumiko holds Kodak's hand and puts it up to her forehead. "(Please, come back to me.)"

Kodak's eyes twitch and are followed up by the brief moaning of him waking up. "Hm?" His eyes open, the same black eyes that pierced any gaze. Fumiko looks in shock. "How are you even moving? The doctors said you had broken ribs and a fractured skull. Is this what you meant by this town was changing day by day?"

Kodak sits up and feels something on his chest. He lifts his shirt, revealing a massive scar on his chest. An impact scar that covered most of his chest, he looked at it. "(If Maeko was strong enough to do this much damage, then I need to start training right away.)" He stands up immediately from his hospital bed and starts stretching his body. His body wasn't in any pain or stiffness to his surprise.

He turns his attention to Fumiko to ask her a question, "My birthday is 2 weeks right?" Fumiko looks at him a bit confused by the obvious answer to the question. "Yeah, why the sudden question just now?" Kodak continues stretching, his body felt limber and lighter than ever before.

"(Kuroi, what's the best way to train my revenant?)" He says, trying to contact Kuroi through his mind. "Oh shit, I forgot to tell you a few things.)"

Kodak then passes out and falls to the floor. Fumiko freaks out and picks him up, dragging him back onto his hospital bed. "(I swear if he faints again I'll kill him!)"

He opens his eyes and finds himself in the domain once more. "Really Kuroi, You can't just pull me into the domain just cause you forgot somethings."

Kuroi just glares at Kodak and ignores his complaining. "Anyways, I forgot to show you how to form your own revenant core."

"Revenant core?"

"It's a formation of revenant that helps with the quality and quantities of your output. Now watch carefully."

Kuroi sits down on the floor and gets into a meditation stance. His revenant starts to gather to a single point. The bundle of energy combines into one another, until a small orb appears. The energy radiates immensely and Kodak's eyes flash dark blue. "I think I get the concept of it Kuroi-San."

"Try it then."

Kodak sits down and takes the meditation stance of his father and his energy starts collecting, but instead of a single core. 3 cores are formed by the revenant that Kodak had gathered and refined.

"Woah, this feels incredible! My body feels strong but also more agile."

Kuroi stands up and looks closely at Kodak, before briefly putting his hand out. "What re you doing Kuroi-San?"

"Detecting the cores." Kuroi's compass appears and points at Kodak. Suddenly the compass shatters and Kuroi jumps back. Kodak looks at him confused and wonders what he saw. "Did you see anything?"

Kuroi holds his chest and his breathing starts to get heavier. "That.. shouldn't be possible... But it's a new era so I guess I shouldn't freak out too much."

Kodak looks at Kuroi annoyed and pokes him on the forehead, "Just tell me you idiot." Kuroi looks at him, hesitating but explains regardless. "Most people have parts of a core, most geniuses have 1 at best. But you have 2. One for the basic revenant energy pool. And the other for your innate physical pool. In total, you have two different energy pools for revenant and when you store up kinetic energy."

Kodak smirks confident with his talent. "Guess I'm special then. "He boasts with a cocky attitude. Kuroi looks at Kodak annoyed and smacks him over the head. "You're getting cocky again, I keep telling you to keep that in check."

Kodak holds his head in slight pain and glares at Kuroi. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You grumpy bastard." 

"I have one more thing to tell you about." He says, needing Kodak's attention. "Yeah, what's up?"

"The best way to train is in this domain. But if you're too busy I guess meditation and circulating revenant through your body works fine."

Kodak smirks and rushes at Kuroi, throwing a punch imbued with revenant aura. The impact shakes the entire domain and even catches Kiko and Kuroi by surprise.

"Then before I leave I wanna try and kick your ass!!!"

Kuroi smiles at Kodak's decision and shrugs off his punch. "I could say the same about you!" Radial aura spreads across the domain, crushing Kodak. Kuroi doesn't let up and kicks him in the face, sending Kodak flying back. Kuroi watches his opponent struggle to move but something was happening. The struggle from Kodak was less obvious and his efficiency with revenant was vastly superior.

"Looks like you learned a couple things tricks just from that monstrous fighting prowess you boast about so much." Kuroi says, smiling to himself. "Your use of revenant has improved. So show me why you plan with it."

Kodak smirks and speeds around the domain at great speeds. The kinetic energy builds up even more than previously. Kodak then wonders to himself, "Is the kinetic energy combined with my revenant?! Lemme try something.)"

He continues moving around, confusing Kuroi's assumption about Kodak's plan of attack. "(He has way more energy built than normal, right now his kinetic energy is full. Wait a damn minute... Is he using kinetic and the gathering method with bodily shockwave to release a burst of energy of pure energy?!"

Kodak then lands on the ceiling of the domain, launching downwards at Kuroi. This catches him off guard, in fact it impresses Kuroi. "(Looks like you figured out the trick neutralizing my opposing radial aura with your own. Climb Kodak, climb higher and faster to show your newfound strength!)"

Kodak then brings back his arm, feeling the energy from both his revenant and kinetic energy resonating even further. "(Kinetic Shockwave!)"

He reaches closer and closer until Kuroi puts up his guard against Kodak's attack.

The energy explodes, engulfing Kodak and Kuroi completely.

The domain barely holds on against the energy. Kiko watches the shockwaves ripple throughout, shaking the ground immensely. Kiko runs over, worried for Kuroi and Kodak. "Hey, are you both okay!"

The smoke begins to settle down. As the silhouette of two people appear from the smoke. "Haha! your powers as a rookie truly are amazing Kodak! I don't know the last time something had me put up my guard like that."

"Yeah right, you changed your level of output last second. I won't stand a chance if you went all out."

Kiko swipes her hand through the smoke, erasing it. She then looks at Kuroi and Kodak talking with one another. Almost like they knew each other like brothers. "(They were about to fight like fierce warriors, but now they're laughing. Reminds me of Kuroi-Kun's relationship with Fuku-San before they fell apart.)"

Kuroi looks at Kodak and smiles, "Seems you're ready for any opponent, just please train during this 2 week period as much as possible. You need to end Maeko."

"You know her?"

"Of course, I mean she's a pretty popular topic in the media if revenant rankers."

Kodak's ear perk to the words "revenant rankers." He begins to wonder what they are. Kuroi looks at the confused and puzzled face Kodak was making, chuckling to himself. "Oh, yeah. You don't know what revenant rankers are. A revenant ranker is based on their power, speed, durability, and even abilities. The rank up process is simple, but concrete."

Revenant Rankers: Someone who fights with revenant and has a rank based on their capabilities and potential.

S-Rank: The strength of S-Rank can level multiple large cities. Their speeds can range from being fast as lightning to almost reaching light speeds. Most modern weaponry can't even scratch an S-Ranker. A fight between two S-Ranks causes even entire countries to be heavily affected. The only thing that could hurt a revenant S-Ranker is another S-Ranker.

A-Rank: Powerful and difficult to combat, a nuke that can wipe out a small might not be enough.

B-Rank: Displays abilities that are hard to counter, but are easily countered by a low grade nuke.

C-Rank: Displays the average strength and abilities for a revenant ranker. But regardless they're taken down by the weaponry of a tank.

D-Rank: Shows way more potential but an anti-armor bomb puts them down firmly. 

E-Rank: Slightly stronger than the average military soldier, but nothing worth hyping up. An assault can easily put them down or any gun for that matter.

Kodak listens closely to Kuroi's explanation, "(I wonder what rank I am?)" Kuroi continues rambling about what could potentially harm each individual rank of revenant rankers.

"Sounds like revenant rankers are strong as hell. Makes me wanna fight one." Kodak's eyes then flash a dark blue and his aura ripples through the domain. Kuroi chuckles and shakes his head, "Calm down your bloodthirsty you damn maniac."

Kodak releases his aura, calming down immediately. "My bad bro. Anyways I gotta wake up cause the last thing Fumiko saw was me fainting on the floor of a hospital."

Kuroi smirks at Kodak and nudges his elbow, "Sure, buddy. I know what you really want with her." Kodak pushes his arm off, "Yeah, yeah. Fuck off." Kiko walks up to them and hug them both tightly. "Promise you'll come back Kodak." She says with her face wearing a warm smile. Kodak looks at her and smiles, patting her head. "I promise Kiko-San