Chapter 23 — Echoes in the Mist

A few hours had passed since Rin collapsed. Kaela sat across from Taro in the quiet hospital room, glancing at him, then looked away.

Even though I haven't known him long… I didn't expect him to be this worried.

She broke the silence. "Hey, Taro. He's okay now. That's what matters, right?"

Taro opened his mouth to respond, but the door swung open.

It was Kobe.

"What the hell happened to him?" Kobe asked, striding into the room. "Why'd he collapse all of a sudden?"

Taro scratched the back of his neck. "Hell if I know. Last time something like this happened, we were kids. He trained himself into the ground in the rain."

Kobe raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me he actually got upset when I asked why he didn't train?"

Kaela looked between them, narrowing her eyes.

What kind of teacher talks like that to a student? And telling him to train? What's really going on here?

Before she could ask, a doctor stepped into the room. "Visiting hours are over. If anything changes, we'll inform you, Instructor Kobe."

Kobe gave a nod. "Alright. You two, let's go."

Kaela and Taro stood in silence, following him out.

—

The next day, classes ended early. Kaela and Taro made their way toward Rin's hospital room.

"You think he's awake?" Kaela asked.

"I hope so," Taro replied.

They stepped inside and found Rin sitting up, holding his head.

"Rin!" Taro called. "You good?"

"I'm fine," Rin muttered.

Kaela crossed her arms. "Fine, my ass. You collapsed in front of everyone."

Rin glanced sideways at her. "Taro, why'd you bring her?"

Taro didn't answer at first. Then he sighed. "Because we're a team, dumbass. Tomorrow's the group exam. You two need to at least tolerate each other."

Before Rin could respond, the door opened again. Kobe walked in, his eyes half-closed.

"So, you're both here." Then his eyes locked onto Rin. "Yo—Rin? When did you wake up? And what the hell happened to you?"

Kaela blinked. Did he just say 'yo'?

Rin rubbed his temple. "I guess I overtrained lately. Been slacking before, so it hit me all at once."

Kobe sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Let me guess… because I told you to get serious?"

"What? Why would I listen to you?" Rin shot back.

"There it is again, the whole 'teacher Kobe' attitude." Kobe groaned. "Seriously, stop making me worry about you guys. First the court—"

He cut himself off, eyes darting to Kaela.

Kaela tilted her head. "Court? What did you do?"

"None of your business," Rin said bluntly.

Before the tension could spike, Kobe raised a hand. "Enough. Rin, are you actually healed? Tomorrow's the group exam. If you're not ready, I can switch you out."

"I'm fine," Rin said. "Really."

"Good. Then it's time to head into the city. You all need to stock up and get ready."

Taro groaned. "Ugh, I hate going back there after what happened."

Kobe patted him on the shoulder. "Relax. I'm coming with you this time."

Taro turned to Kaela. "You coming?"

Rin groaned. "Ughhh…"

Kobe leaned in to Taro and whispered with a smirk, "Ooooo, your new girlfriend?"

Taro glared. "You really wanna go there?"

Kobe shrugged playfully. "You started it."

Kaela raised an eyebrow. "I can just go alone if it's a problem."

Rin laughed. "Yes, please. Go ahead, Lonely Princess."

Kaela narrowed her eyes. "Want me to beat you up?"

Kobe stepped in. "Why not come with us? I promise you'll enjoy it." He gave her a thumbs-up.

Kaela hesitated. "You sure I won't be a burden, teacher?"

"Just Kobe, outside school. And nah, it's fine."

She sighed. "Alright. I'll go to my dorm first. Meet you all at the gate."

"Got it," Taro said.

Once she left, Rin exhaled loudly. "Finally."

Taro shot him a look. "Why are you like this? She's not a bad person."

Rin smirked. "You like her, don't you?"

"Shut up."

—

Thirty minutes later, Rin, Taro, and Kobe approached the academy gate. As they neared it, a figure came into view—Kaela, dressed beautifully, her white hair tied back. She looked more like a royal than a student.

Taro's heart skipped a beat.

What the hell was that?

Kobe grinned. "Wow, you really do look like a princess."

"T-Thank you, teacher— I mean, Kobe," she corrected herself.

Kobe chuckled.

As they walked, Taro looked at her. "Hey… mind telling us what your attributes are?"

Kaela gazed at the sky. "Water's my main. I also have earth, light, and mind control."

Taro nearly stumbled. "Damn. And traits?"

"Only one. Water's trait—ice," she replied. "How about you?"

"Fire, space, and dark. Just one trait—fire."

Kaela smirked. "Guess I wasn't the only one hiding their strength."

She turned to Rin. "Alright, shithead. What about you?"

Rin said nothing.

"Don't ignore me!"

Rin glanced at her lazily. "Wanna find out?"

Kaela clenched her fist. "You picking a fight?"

Kobe sighed. "Enough, both of you. We're here. Let's get what we need before it gets late."

—

They reached the city streets as dusk settled in.

A familiar figure passed them—Commander Andre.

"Oh hey, you two," he greeted. "Finding more trouble?"

Rin flinched. "H-Hey, Commander Andre. Nice to see you again."

Andre smirked. "Our first meeting wasn't exactly ideal, huh?"

Rin bowed his head. "I'm sorry for the trouble back then. I didn't know how to apologize at the time."

Andre looked surprised. "You don't need to apologize. I should've handled things better too. Anyway, I've got somewhere to be. Take care."

As he walked away, Kaela stared at Rin in disbelief.

Wait. What? He actually apologized? I thought he was some arrogant punk...

Kobe raised a brow. "Didn't expect that from you, Rin."

Rin exhaled. "I didn't want to. But I also didn't want Taro dragged into my mess again."

Kaela looked away. Never mind. I take it back. He's a damn menace.

They spent the next few hours gathering supplies. Once night fell, Kobe called out, "Alright, that's enough. Let's head back."

—

Far away, in a shadowed hall deep within demon territory, two voices echoed.

"We've located Rin Takashima. Everything is proceeding as planned."

The third voice replied, "Good. We attack tomorrow."

...

To be continued...