CHAPTER 6: THE THREE YEARS AND DISASTERS

The dawn of the next day was met with the determined faces of the 226 recruits, all standing in perfect formation, prepared to face the the challenges that awaited them. The air was thick with anticipation as they lined up before their instructor, ready for the intense training that was to shape their futures.

The instructor, a figure known for their no-nonsense approach, stepped forward, their gaze scanning the group. With a sharp exhale, he spoke, his voice echoing through the still morning air: "From today, your hard training begins. You will not be given any kind of media or news for the next three years. The only thing that matters from this moment on is your training, your growth, and your ability to unlock your full potential. You must break your limits and become stronger, not just physically, but mentally. For the next three years, you will be pushed beyond your capabilities, and you will learn to overcome every obstacle in your path. Are you ready?"

The recruits stood still, their expressions a mixture of determination and excitement. The prospect of intense training had already been spoken of by their mentors and peers, but now that the moment had arrived, it became all too real. Each recruit, from the youngest to the oldest, could feel the weight of the words. This was no ordinary training. It was the foundation of their future, and they knew it would shape them into something greater than they were.

On the other side of the city, in the eastern part of Tokyo, a different conversation was unfolding—one of much greater consequence. The Teacher, a figure shrouded in mystery and authority, made contact with the strongest one, someone who was feared and respected by many.

The Teacher arrived with an air of urgency. As the strongest one turned to face them, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Good grief! I finally get to talk to you after such a long time. How have you been?" The Teacher responded with calm seriousness," not indulging in the casualness of the greeting. "Everything is fine. But I'm here because we need to discuss something of great importance, Kageyama."

Kageyama, the strongest one, raised an eyebrow, sensing the gravity in the air. "That day…" The Teacher's voice became deeper, filled with a certain weight. Kageyama interrupted before the Teacher could continue, his expression turning serious. "Yes, I felt it too—the strange aura. Arek Takahashi, we must protect and purify him."

The Teacher nodded gravely. "Indeed. But I believe there is more to it. I think there is another vessel in this human world."

The strongest one stared at the Teacher, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Another one…?"

The Teacher continued, their voice quiet but intense. "The day the Oculus erupted, you-the strongest one had to step in and absorb the dangerous aura to protect the citizens. But many people collapsed under its weight. Even I couldn't stand in front of it for long. Don't you find that strange?"

Kageyama's eyes narrowed as he processed the Teacher's words. "Wait, you mean the western village?"

"Yes," the Teacher confirmed. "Within a 50-kilometer radius, everyone collapsed, except for you and the villagers of that western village."

Kageyama's face darkened as he connected the dots. "Now I understand. So that Oculus eruption was a distraction—so they could attack the western village."

The Teacher nodded again, their expression grim. "Exactly. When you were at the training center, I went to the official government office and checked the radar readings. I found that from the village, more trons—magic-signals—were being produced than anywhere else. That's when I realized: the Oculus eruption wasn't the true threat. It was a diversion, meant to keep us occupied while they took the real vessel from us. They placed dark magic on Arek so that we would think he was the vessel, but the real vessel had already been taken to their divine tunnel, and we weren't able to track them."

Kageyama clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "If that's the case, then we can turn this around. If Arek's body can hold that much dark magic that I sensed from his body, then we can train him to unlock all of it and use him against the real vessel."

The Teacher's gaze hardened as they considered this. "We must all be prepared for the chaos that is to come."

And with that, both figures, the Teacher and the strongest one, disappeared , their faces filled with seriousness and tension, their minds racing with the implications of what lay ahead.

Two months passed, during which the strongest one briefed the higher-ups on the situation. After a thorough investigation, the higher-ups, though cautious, agreed with the strongest one's plan. They proposed that Arek complete his three years of training first, after which he would undergo further training to unlock his dark magic. The decision was made, and the wheels were set in motion.

A year passed in the blink of an eye. Arek, now 16, had made significant progress in his training. His strength had grown exponentially, and he had forged deep bonds with his fellow recruits, including Amaya, who had become a significant part of his life. Their bond, once a fragile connection, had deepened into something far more powerful, grounded in mutual respect and love.

Arek had become one of the top-ranked recruits in the training center, sitting comfortably in third place for strength. Amaya, ranked fifth, had also grown in her abilities. Along with their friends, Arek and Amaya often shared their skills, knowledge, and battle strategies, forming a close-knit group determined to rise above the rest.

As the second year of training drew to a close, an ominous event occurred. Oculus erupted once more, but this time, the aura was different. Rather than a surge of strange energy, the eruption unleashed molten lava, scorching the very earth beneath it. The middle of Tokyo was destroyed, engulfed by the devastating force of the eruption. Panic spread as citizens fled, but amidst the chaos, the strongest one arrived.

Recognizing the intensity of the situation, Kageyama immediately set to work. He used high-level magic to absorb the molten lava, preventing further destruction. However, the eruption did not cease. Moments later, more lava surged forth, forcing the strongest one to struggle to maintain control. Despite his title, "The Strongest One," even he was pushed to his limits. But his resolve never wavered, and he managed to absorb the lava, sealing the Oculus with powerful magic to prevent further damage.

For the next year, peace returned to Tokyo, and the recruits completed their training. Arek, now 17, had grown even stronger. His rank increased to second place, as his friend Ben overtook him in terms of raw power. Arek, never one to be satisfied with mediocrity, became desperate to grow even stronger. He knew that the real challenges were yet to come, and he would need every ounce of strength he could muster to face them.

As the final days of the training approached, Arek's resolve burned brighter than ever. He was ready for whatever lay ahead, knowing that the true battle for his future—and the world—was only just beginning.