Chapter 30: Retreat and Resolve

The figure that emerged from the shadows was like a manifestation of the darkness itself. Kael's heart raced as he instinctively gripped his sword tighter. The energy coming off this person was unlike anything he had felt before—raw, untamed, and far more potent than the soldiers they had faced so far.

The voice from the shadows rang out again, cutting through the tension. "You think you can defeat Kurojin Tsukiro's soldiers in your state? You have no idea what you're dealing with."

Kaede moved forward, placing himself between Kael and the figure. His eyes were cold and calculating. "We've faced worse. But you're right about one thing: We're not ready for this. Not yet."

Kael's mind was racing. They had just fought Azrael, barely managing to survive the encounter. And now, this new threat was clearly more dangerous. The last thing they needed was to get trapped in another battle they weren't equipped for.

"Retreat," Kaede barked, his voice laced with authority. "Now!"

Without hesitation, the group turned and ran. Kael stayed close to Hana, his eyes flicking between the shadowed figure and their escape route. The moment they turned their backs, the figure's voice rang out once more, dark and mocking.

"You think you can run? There's nowhere to hide."

The ground trembled beneath their feet, and Kael felt the oppressive weight of the figure's Will pressing down on them, trying to hold them in place. But Kaede, with his sharp instincts, had already calculated their next move.

"Now!" Kaede shouted, raising his hand in a commanding motion.

At his signal, Tetsu activated his Will, creating a powerful burst of energy that shot out, pushing back against the pressure that threatened to freeze them in place. Kael and the others ran faster, their legs moving on pure instinct as they plunged deeper into the forest, away from the clearing and the looming presence that had been watching them.

The figure did not pursue. Instead, they heard a soft, sinister laugh echo behind them, a sound that chilled them to the bone.

"I'll be waiting. When you're ready to face the truth."

As the figure's voice faded into the distance, Kael's chest heaved, his breath coming in shallow gasps. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, but the weight of the situation settled on him like a heavy cloak. They had barely escaped. And if they were going to stand a chance against Kurojin Tsukiro and his soldiers, they needed to be better prepared.

The journey back to the academy was long and silent. Kael's thoughts kept returning to the strange figure in the clearing. Who were they? How much stronger were the soldiers of Kurojin Tsukiro than they had realized?

When they finally arrived back at the academy, the gates loomed before them like an intimidating fortress, a symbol of both safety and the burden they now carried.

They entered the academy grounds in silence, their faces grim. The usual bustling of students was absent, the air thick with an unease that mirrored Kael's own thoughts.

Kaede wasted no time. "Everyone to the training grounds. Now."

The group followed him, their faces set with determination, their steps heavy with the weight of their failure. The academy's training grounds were expansive, stretching out in all directions. In the center, a large arena stood, the centerpiece of their physical and combat training.

Kaede stood before them, his eyes locking onto each of them, one by one. "You've faced an enemy far beyond what you've encountered. But the battle isn't over. Kurojin Tsukiro's return means everything changes. If we're to have any hope of stopping him, we need to become stronger. All of us."

He turned his gaze to Kael. "Especially you, Kael. Your Will is our greatest weapon, but it's also the most unstable. You need to learn to control it—or it will control you."

Kael nodded, determination filling him. "I understand."

Kaede gave a small, approving nod before turning to the others. "This will be the most grueling training you've ever faced. If you aren't willing to push yourselves past your limits, then you won't survive what's coming."

There was no fear in their faces. Only resolve. Ryuu's expression was as unreadable as ever, but Kael could feel the fire in his eyes. Tetsu cracked his knuckles, eager for the challenge ahead. Hana, as always, stood beside him, her resolve just as firm as his.

Kaede looked to the sky for a moment, his eyes distant. "We have no time to waste. Prepare yourselves. The real battle begins now."

With that, Kaede raised his hand, and a surge of energy rippled through the ground. The air crackled with electricity as the training grounds transformed into a chaotic battlefield, designed to push them to their absolute limits.

The next few weeks were nothing short of brutal. The academy's training grounds became a crucible, testing their physical and mental endurance. Kael found himself pushed further than he ever thought possible, his body aching, his mind straining to keep up. The power of his Last Will was both a gift and a curse, constantly shifting, threatening to overwhelm him if he didn't focus with absolute precision.

Kaede worked tirelessly with Kael, teaching him how to focus his Will, how to control its chaotic power. Every day, they sparred, each session more intense than the last. Kael felt the weight of his mentor's words, the responsibility of the power within him. It wasn't just about strength—it was about control. The more Kael learned, the more he realized how little he knew about the true potential of his Will.

Meanwhile, Hana's training focused on honing her own abilities, pushing her to understand her strength and her limits. Ryuu and Tetsu worked together, combining their skills in a way that made them a deadly team. The four of them trained day in and day out, forging bonds that would be tested in the battles to come.

The academy became a place of constant motion, a place where every minute spent in training brought them one step closer to the confrontation that loomed ahead. The pressure of what they had learned—the return of Kurojin Tsukiro, the power of the Four—hung over them, but they pushed forward. They had no choice.

The world was changing.

And they had to be ready.