"Not using any ability, I have to find a way in order to survive in the academy and become a knight. If I don't compromise I won't last long. My fighting agility and high sensibility won't be enough if I am to be in one of the squads I have to be someone who is useful in a team battle."

"Then why did you put yourself as my partner?"

"This might be the one and only time I'd do something for this group."

Raven stopped attacking and looked at her confusedly.

"Nothing, I just felt like we have more chances of winning if I tandem with you and let the other two battle in the individual battle. I suppose I should really apologize for not consulting to you at all."

"No, I think what you did gave this group a better chance of winning this compet.i.tion and be chosen by the squads from 1 to 3. Showing something new would give us higher chances of being in squad 2 than just winning."

"Not aiming for squad 1?" Eureka asked as she wipes the sweat in her forehead.

"Nope, have you noticed all those who graduated we're on squads 3, 6, 9, and 12. Not even once did a group enter the higher squads upon graduating. So aiming for squad 2 is already high enough."

"I suppose you're right. I'm leaving how about you?"

"Without any companion, I don't think I'd enjoy that kind of practice."

As they leave the training area. "By the way, you have to train the other two boys on physical fighting."

"Hmmmm are they not good enough?"

"No, not at all. They rely too much on their ability. I already told you a while ago the technique we will use would drain them but if they are already out of energy in the first place they won't be able to execute it. And so I'll do my best to train the other two girls as well."

"It seems that you thought about this farther than I thought."

"To be a knight is my goal after all."

"But what if we didn't invite you and another group would. What will you do then?"

"That would be another matter, I'll think about that if that happens." She said as she waved him goodbye.

"I think you two are becoming closer." From the side, Mamoru spoke.

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Nope, I just went out for a run when I saw you two walking side by side."

"It's not like we're getting close or anything."

"The way I see it, you became quite talkative this past month."

"Did I? Maybe it's because whenever she speaks it lead me to think a lot more when I talk to you guys?"

"That's rude." He then jokingly smacked Raven's shoulder.

*****

"I saw your arrangement." Upon entering her room she heard the headmaster's voice.

"Didn't I already told you Kaoru not to enter my room without my permission." She answered closing the door behind her.

"Why did you choose to be Raven's partner on the tandem battle?"

"Why does everyone loves that question? Want some tea?" saying as she brews some tea.

"A tea please then. Cause it's very unusual. People might think that you'll hold him up. Plus do you know why Kyro is mad at Raven?"

"I heard he wants revenge."

"And you're not planning to ask why?"

"No"

"I'll tell you a bit then"

"No need. Here's your tea." She answered instantly as she gives him a cup.

"Thank you. But you have to at least know."

"I don't."

"Then why did you partner up with him?"

"So we're back to that question?"

"Just answer me."

"He might lose himself in this battle."

"Why do you say that?"

"It's because his opponent is that Kyro guy."

"I've heard about it. It was you who provoked that guy to battle in the tandem part even though it's pretty obvious that Raven was avoiding him."

"You really do love gossiping, don't you? I can't let him run away much longer."

"Runaway? What do you mean by that?" knitting his brows he asked her confusedly.

"I want him to move forward. I heard that he's ability awaken when he was 8 but usually, ability awakening would be at the age of 12. And I've heard that he awakened it when he was faced in grave danger. Adding that together with what Kyro said in the party of him being a murderer, I have concluded that a very close person to both Kyro and Raven died while he was with Raven. And that during that time faced with the danger of dying he's power awakened and he was able to defeat all those trying to kill him. Indeed Raven couldn't move on from seeing the death of a precious person but what really holds him back and what causes a change to his emotions was the word murderer. If he knows he didn't kill that important someone then why would this word affect him? Simple, he couldn't forget the taste of killing someone, the sight of dead bodies, the smell of blood."

"But if you know that who you're killing are enemies why would that affect you?"

"For a person at the age of 8 killing is still killing. But at the same time what if it wasn't just enemies he had killed? Being the son of the head knight it is impossible for him to be traveling alone with his friend. He would be traveling with some guards protecting them. And those guards died when he lost control of his ability. If that's what happened, then for someone who's only at the age of 8, you would be greatly affected even if you grow up."

Kaoru looked at her with different emotions seen in his eyes.

"You, where did you hear this from?"

"Who knows, maybe I'm just perceptive enough to piece the information together."

Putting his cup down, Kaoru walked towards the window and looked up at the sky.

"2 guards were badly injured and safe but it is indeed true that that time 2 guards died together with the 10 knights sent by the enemy. At the age of 8, he was unable to control his ability and killed everyone near him. He lost control of his emotions when he saw his friend dead. But what we announced in public was that the two guards were killed by the enemies. It might be wrong but he was still a kid, it's not his fault that happened." Kaoru then looked at Eureka. "So how will you help him move forward?"

"I have a feeling that Kyro would use a different tactic on our battle. And that would cause Raven to remember what happened on that fateful day, Kyro's planning on breaking Raven psychologically. If he fights on his own, the kingdom might lose a very capable knight."

"I don't get it, but will this really help him?"

"It will"

Kaoru smiled at her, "I'm happy you found yourself some friends"

"Nope I don't treat them as friends"

"Huh? Then why are you going so far in order to help them?"

"To thank them, if they didn't accept me in their group then I would be in a dire situation. That's it, now get out cause I need to sleep." She said as she kicked him out of the room.

"W-Wait" *bang* she literally closed the door in his face. "And don't try to open the door with your key." Hearing her say that from the inside he decided to just leave.

Thinking to himself as he walks out of the dorm and towards his own residence.

*****

Meanwhile, on the dark side of the forest.

"You understand your part you must not let anyone notice."

"I understand, young master."

"Just you wait, tomorrow is the day you'll regret everything" saying just as a sinister smile appear on his face.