Chapter 3: Awakening

April 25th

-Come on man! -Where did all your motivation to train go?

-Ngh... Don't... make... fun... of me.

Here again Kisaragi Rikka to report on the progress of the training. Previously I started writing this diary to put my thoughts and impressions in order, now I use it as a record of Riochiro's training.

To begin with, the first phase of Riochiro's training is going to consist mostly of physical training, this with the objective of getting him to recover and increase his muscle mass.

Since normally children of our age are not as malnourished as he is, we start feeding him correctly. Five meals a day, that is: Breakfast, snack, lunch, daytime snack and dinner.

Thanks to his diet and the exercises we have sent them to do, Riochiro has shown a great threshold of recovery of his wounds and an increase of body fat, that according to the analysis of the doctor that we bring him to this place to be examined every Sunday.

Now, in my perspective... I still see him looking a little scrawny, although maybe that's because he's short and looks a little smaller than the rest of us. Whatever it is, I'm glad he's recovering. As for the training we sent him to do, well, the truth is, I set a "false goal" for him to accomplish.

-100 Squats.

100 Sit-ups.

100 Push-ups.

-And running 10 km.

Being objectively honest, I achieved all that in one day with a lot of hard work and effort, also that the process can be self-destructive.

Nevertheless. I set this "false goal" for him so that he would be more determined to achieve it, as well as a long-term goal for him to master the basic exercises. I do this because of the experience I had training the other sons of nobles. The truth is, I don't know what happens with men, but when they hear that they can or should reach a high number, they go crazy.

I'm going to emphasize this in quotation marks so it stands out:

"100 is the magic number."

Right now, Riochiro is on push-up number 30. Not bad, he's done two sets of push-ups (15 each) and now on his last repetition, he's pushing with all his might to push his body up.

If you bring up conversation at this point, he will respond like someone who is constipated while he is doing his thing, It's just a habit I have with him, but I love to tease him when he is like this.

-Come on, you're shorter than me even though you're a guy and you can barely lift your own weight?

-SHUT UP AND LET ME FUCKING CONCENTRATE.

Yes, that's the reaction I wanted to see, his face red as a tomato due to the strength he's putting into the exercise and the best part, his expression. But I'll leave it to your imagination, grandpa.

July 1st

After getting up early, as usual, I followed my casual routine. After I finished exercising, I took a bath, finished the breakfast that Haru had prepared for me and then I got ready to go and wake up Riochiro with the breakfast plate that you had prepared.

To my surprise, when I arrived at the center of the labyrinth, Riochiro was awake and to make matters worse, he was drinking a coffee with the gardener, or well, trying to drink the coffee because when he took the first sip he made a grimace because of the bitterness of the coffee.

-Bleh... How the hell can you take "this" Mr. Kawashima?

-You eventually get used to your bitterness my dear Takanashi.

-I can't visualize myself taking this with as much gusto as you.

-Just give yourself time Takanashi, in the meantime, just keep tasting it, I'm sure you'll find something good in it.

Riochiro stared at the cup of coffee, surely thinking to take it in one sip to end that bitterness and not waste anything, although he was still hesitating whether to drink it or not.

I approached the table where the two of them were sitting. And from the thermos where you poured Riochiro's milk, I took some milk and poured it into Riochiro's coffee.

Both the gardener and he looked at me strangely, as if they had just noticed my presence. Well, although that is the case, at the end of the day they are both too entertaining.

-If you add a little milk to the coffee, its taste will be more appetizing, that's what I do," I said to Riochiro while I was carefully calculating how much milk to add to the coffee so the cup wouldn't overflow.

-Oh Rikka, good morning," Riochiro said to me strangely.

-Good morning Miss Rikka, I hope your sleep was pleasant," said the gardener after bowing and putting his hand on his chest to greet me.

Finishing mixing the coffee with the milk, with a small spoon that was on the table, I looked at both of them.

-Good morning to both of you, I came to give breakfast to this boy here," I said in an animated tone while I put the tray on the table and then shook Riochiro's shoulder.

Riochiro, for his part, frowned for a few moments, as he knew that this comment was directed towards his height. Actually it was just a sarcastic joke, but Riochiro usually takes this kind of jokes very seriously, especially when it is about the defects of his person.

Still, Riochiro began to eat the hearty breakfast, in the process appeasing his discomfort. He voraciously devoured everything on his plate, then once he took time to breathe he turned his gaze to me.

-As always, old Ryuugamine's seasoning is a delight, I wish you had the ability to cook "this" way, unfortunately, from what you told me the other days, it's not the case.

Riochiro let out a little laugh before I glared at him and he stared at me with his typical smug brat expression.

I knew what keys to play to annoy me.

You see grandpa, a few days ago while you were in another meeting, I told Riochiro that a few weeks ago he almost burned down the kitchen while I was helping you cook his breakfast. Then, every time he gets the chance, the bastard throws it in my face, it's infuriating, there are times I want to hit him.

To top it off, when he first came here, he hardly spoke at all, and if he did speak, it was very serious. But since he learned the different uses of language, this f*cker has been getting better at the art of mouthing off.

Well, at least that confirms that I'm a good teacher....

-Of course, the breakfasts prepared by Mr. Ryugamine were always the best," said the gardener.

Riochiro looked at him with some curiosity, trying to analyze what he had tried to say.

-Did the old man also prepare breakfast for you?

-Not only me," he said, "but all the staff of the mansion. Sometimes he would take the cook's place and prepare a delicious breakfast for all of us. Thanks to him, all the staff would wake up energized for work. Ah," he added, "he also makes the best coffee I've ever tasted.

-Even better than yours? Riochiro asked.

-Mine is an attempt to copy your coffee. Although I have to say, in all humility, that it is a very good attempt at a copy.

Riochiro discreetly looked back to where his empty coffee cup was now.

-Well, I'd love to try the old man's coffee sometime.

Half an hour later, the gardener had retired to do his work around the mansion and Riochiro was inside his room getting ready for training.

He came out with only a pair of pants on, with nothing on top and no shoes either, so I was very impressed, not only by his carefree appearance, but also by his physique.

The thin, pale boy I had seen arrive at the mansion a few months ago looked nothing like this one. Already the results of the training were becoming visible on his body.

Riochiro, despite not having defined or made a "noticeable" volume, his muscles were beginning to show on his body, the differences of before and after starting his training, I am satisfied as his teacher.

Although...

-Why are you half naked?

-Because I don't want to wear the compression shirt, it's a bit tight and it's uncomfortable to have a fabric pressing on my skin.

-That's your excuse?

-Hey...

-Look, the compression shirt is made to wick sweat away from your upper body, so the fabric of your pants doesn't have to be stained by sweat, that's why I gave it to you.

-But-

-No buts, go and put it on.

-Vale," said Riochiro, crestfallen when he saw that I was imposing myself on him. Seeing that he was inoffensive in front of my argument, it was double the emotional damage for him.

-And also put on your shoes, we don't want to have to stop your training because of the blisters.

-Okay.

After a moment of waiting, Riochiro came out fully dressed, ready to begin his training. When I saw him, I nodded enthusiastically.

-Teacher Rikka, I have a question," he said as he tried to bite his tongue, trying to keep from calling me "Teacher.

You see grandfather, this is because months ago I "imposed" on him that he would have to call me teacher, to which he seemed very reluctant to that idea. At first, I was going to let Riochiro pass on this fault, but seeing his reaction, I simply forced him.

And you may ask "What for?" Well, just to annoy him and that's all, it's nothing more complex than that.

Note from your Grandfather: Stop bothering the Takanashi's son so much, if you continue like this he will hate you. He loves you, your grandfather Ryugamine.

-Tell me what is your doubt, my "little" student," I emphasized in a small voice.

-Tch.-Riochiro clicked while looking at me with a frown- Vera Maestra, every time I am about to reach the goal of the training that you entrusted me, you increase the number of total repetitions that I have to reach? Why do you do that?

Well, although I tried not to think about it, the truth is that the numbers were not something that could be hidden, not that they were very subtle to say.

As the months went by, I measured Riochiro and saw how quickly he was advancing and getting closer to his goal, so I gradually increased the number of repetitions and the number of kilometers he had to run.

Well, to make a long story short, Grandpa. Currently, the number of repetitions that Riochiro must reach are as follows:

-420 squats

-500 push-ups

-300 abdominaels

-And running 30 km

Quite a considerable increase if you ask me.

-I just see that you have it too easy, so I try to make you sweat it out. Remember that you are here to become strong and protect your sister, or that's the goal you told me.

-Well yes, it may be true but..." -Riochiro dragged the "o" for a couple of seconds, as if he was thinking whether to tell me what he was thinking next- "When will I become strong?

When I heard him, I could see, the boy was desperate for power, he simply wanted to become strong as fast as possible, he wanted to see the results of his effort of these last months.

To his bad luck, the answer was the opposite of what he wanted to hear, as I know from my own experience, that power doesn't come just like that, it takes sacrifice to reach the necessary strength to protect others, and not only that, as in Riochiro's case, he must be strong enough to protect his sister and himself.

-Soon you will be, in 5 years, when I finish the training, you will see it," I said with a certain tremor in my voice, since what I was saying was uncertain, but it was a little lie so he wouldn't get discouraged, "Meanwhile," I approached him and lifted his face, putting my hands on his cheeks, "Trust me, as your teacher, I assure you that I will make you a super human.

Riochiro remained silent, while he looked at the floor, and then, just nodded in a shitty and discouraged way.

Lack of confidence towards me? I can't say what that reaction is, but for the moment I think I'll hold back the urge to hit him.

And so began today's training.

Part 2

October 11th

Riochiro' s progress in training, has been fruitful and super fast by my standards. In fact, there were days when I thought Riochiro was going to break down from the work and effort he was putting into training. But his determination is strong and his motivation fiery, it's as if there is nothing that can stop him from reaching his goals.

Although she is now 10 years old, her body is lean and muscular, although this may be due to her short stature. It's very easy for short people to develop muscle mass anyway, but I never imagined that kind of physique in a child.

His muscles are marked on his skin and protrude from it, making it look like a thin, shiny sheet of metal, almost as if it were aluminum foil.

Recommendation for your breakfasts: Grandfather, it seems that Riochiro has a lot of muscle, but little body fat, we will have to put him on a heavier diet, so that at least his body remains balanced.

-Teacher Rikka, I'm done," said Riochiro as he approached my back.

-I already told you that only Rikka, the addition of "Maestra" was just a joke.

-I'm sorry, but I'm used to calling you that way, besides, "Mestra Rikka" sounds better.

-Do whatever you want.

Although a few months ago I imposed on him that he should call me "Maestra" every time we train. Thinking about it, the formal tone bothers me, it puts a lot of distance between me and Riochiro.

Although being called "Teacher" is not bad from time to time to make him annoyed, as you can see, that only worked before, with time he got used to call me "Teacher Rikka" and now he even prefers it.

Note from your Grandfather: Ohhhhh! So you are getting fond of the boy, is that what I imagine?

Note from Rikka: Grandpa if you play with that again I'm going to get angry and I won't talk to you for a whole month.

Part 3

April 11 (1st year of training completed.)

After the 9th month of training, Riochiro had fully reached his physical threshold, or well, his threshold until he started to develop. After all, he is not yet in his teens.

So I decided to make time and jump from the physical training to the purely educational part. To do this, I had the gardener carry a few mountains of books into the center of the maze.

In the first round, poor Kohei looked too exhausted, so for the second round he had to borrow power from Uemi, that made his comings and goings more bearable.

Once I made Riochiro's room, almost like a library, I simply started to teach him. To my surprise I found out that he could neither read nor write.

Although you haven't told me anything yet about what happened before Riochiro and Kyouka arrived at our mansion, I can more or less imagine the life they led before you picked them up.

Note from your grandfather: You just teach him, when the time comes I will clear all your doubts. Or maybe Riochiro will tell you first. Who knows.

With the above in mind, I knew more or less where to start. So I decided to be practical and teach him myself to read and write without the need to give him a book or anything to guide him.

Several hours passed and to my pleasant surprise Riochiro was paying attention and concentrating on the class, while keeping his eye on me and what I was teaching him.

Normally the other kids that you had brought to me before would fall asleep or simply not even understand. To be honest Grandpa, now that it's been a long time after that, most of them I had to electrocute.

Note from your grandfather: You wouldn't have bothered to tell me, rightfully so and they were so quick to back off saying "They officially don't owe my family any favors anymore." To be honest with you... You did well, it's better that they left quickly than that you spent time with them, after all I don't like arrogant people either.

So Riochiro, little by little began to be able to write and read throughout the day, although he still had many letters and vowels to learn.

April 12 (second year.)

I was leaving the mansion, it was almost 6:00 in the morning and the sun was rising at the back of the mansion. I was walking again through the main path to get to the labyrinth.

But outside the mansion something caught my eye, although it used to be something casual these days. They were Anne-Nee was doing combat training with Kyouka.

Although Anne-Nee, already known for her ruthless teaching, seemed to have a soft hand with Kyouka, but my thought didn't last long in my head until she started clashing swords (wooden) with her respective student.

Anna-Nee used her Skill against the poor girl, without her being able to do much to dodge her fast attacks charged with electricity, luckily the swords were made of wood.

Between bellowing Kyouka complained.

-That's unfair master, I have no skill!

With the complaint, Anna ne began to speak, though she continued to mercilessly attack Kyouka without ever stopping her rain of rapid incessant blows.

-Unfair? In a real fight, when things have been fair?

-Agh! Shouldn't you use your Skill when I at least awaken mine?

Anna-Nee now stopped her endless attacks on Kyouka and stood before her, looking at her with a certain sternness. In her eyes was reflected a certain revealing cruelty.

-What if you never develop a Skill?Said Anna-Nee while she raised the sword again and swung it at Rikka, she blocked the attack, but only by the skin of her teeth- If before you develop the Skill someone who does have Skill attacks you again? she launched another attack, but this time, she threw the sword that Kyouka had in her hand into the air, the girl writhed from the sordid pain that ran through her arm- You and your brother would be doomed, right?

Something in Anna-Nee's words awakened a feeling inside Rikka, who now with a certain fierceness in her eyes, stared at her.

-That won't happen again," she said as a spark of determination flashed inside her eyes.

Something unusual happened next, though.

Anna-Nee swung her sword at the little girl again without any mercy as she said:

-Then prove it to me!

Kyouka dodged the sword strike, albeit by the skin of his teeth.

-The determination to protect your family! Sharpen your resolve! It's the only one that will propel you forward!

Anna-Nee applied electricity to her feet and moved towards Kyouka with tremendous speed, while ready to swing her sword again, she positioned herself in front of the girl.

But before she could swing the wooden sword at Kyouka again, Kyouka's hair and skin began to stand on end, and then transmitted a familiar feeling to the surroundings.

Anna-Nee stopped dead in her tracks and retreated backwards at the speed of an arrow. Seconds later electricity began to spill out of Kyouka's body.

Lightning and flashes of lightning began to ricochet across the grassy grounds surrounding Kyouka, as Kyouka screamed in pain.

Seconds later, Kyouka lost consciousness, falling heavily to the ground. Anna-Nee and I stared at each other for a few moments. Something amazing had happened.

Kyouka had awakened his Skill.