Extra Training

Night passed, day passed, class was over once more. The whole school erupted in a chorus of cheers as the decibels level sharply rose; that was what signaled the end of the school day, more so than the actual bell. The usual peace lovers stayed in their seats in class.

"So," Supido said as he turned his chair to face Heat.

Heat sighed. "What now?"

"I thought you didn't like the new girl and all of a sudden you're good pals with her?"

"Shut up, Supido."

"Answer to the question is that you're not good friends, are you?"

"Yes, we are. We were just not on good terms."

"Whatever, what's her name?" Supido asked.

"You're in the same class as her. How could you not possibly know her name?"

"Well—" Supido momentarily paused as he caught a flying backpack behind him. "Ursus, next time, I'll blow your weights to smithereens."

"Sup people?"

"Supido, I need to talk to you," Aquila said, walking up from behind Ursus.

"Hello to you too. Wait, you stood by as he threw his bag at me?" "You guys can deal with this later. I'm here for something else."

"What?" Supido asked, despite being clearly uninterested.

"Let's go. I gotta tell you on your own."

As the two of them walked away, Ursus yelled, "Keep ya lips apart while ya at it." He chuckled, turned around and first bumped Heat, who was also laughing.

"That was a good one!"

"I know. I'm a natural. By the way, did ya want a ride home? I'm going to pick up something from my aunt's, she's a few blocks away from ya."

"That would be great! Thanks dude, can we make a stop along the way?"

"No problem."

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Aquila and Supido were discussing the issue with Zainab.

"I have no idea why that happened." Supido paused for a moment. "Maybe it has to do with me sustaining Heat. I'm not a healer after all."

"Whatever happened, that was pretty dangerous."

"Did you tell me just to scold me?"

"No, Supido. I told you to give you a head up just in case she starts to behave weird around you."

"Ok, thanks. You have company, so I'm off." Supido walked away.

In his place, Mel and Zainab approached Aquila. As Mel walked past Supido, her breath was cut short for a second.

Back at home, in the dead silence of a suburb's weekday afternoon, Heat walked out of his kitchen with a toolbox and two paper bags. He placed the bags inside a transparent box resembling a microwave and set a timer to countdown for three hours. After that, he made the long journey from the front door to the main gate before finally walking onto the street. As he was walking, a car stopped right beside him. Out of it, the stranger turned compatriot walked out.

"Goodbye, Heat!" Aquila drove off.

"Where are you going to?" Mel asked.

"No need to bother your precious brain with it."

"As usual I get no answers. When are we starting?" Mel asked as the two of them walked along the road together.

"Start what?"

"Helping you learn how to control yourself."

"Why would I need your help and not any other person's?"

"Because, not up to two other people aside me knows your problem, and deep down you don't want anyone else to know because you are worried about what they might do."

"You do seem to know what you're talking about, I'll admit."

"I do. You're not the first person I've known with such a problem."

"You've known someone else who had to deal with aged spa ruining their lives."

"Well, technically, I've known people."

"I can help you if you're willing to receive help."

"When do we start?"

"Today."

"Not possible; I've got a job to do."

"Well, that explains the toolbox. How about after? After work, I'll meet you at this bus stop."

"Sure. See you later."

Mel waved him and walked to a bus stop.

As the darkness had almost fully covered the Kami forest, Heat's back crashed into the ground again. He was panting, exhausted from just the past few minutes he spent being tossed around. A short-lived wind blew dead leaves in his face.

"I never knew you were this strong," he said.

He got up and brushed leaves from his trousers. Mel smiled and threw a punch at Heat. He blocked it and summoned snakes from his sleeves at her, which she swiftly cut and kicked Heat unto the floor again.

"I have always been this strong, even though it's not much. You just never fought me without being all possessed. When you're that way, not only does your power increase, but you release gravity."

"Gravity?"

"It's a technique where you reduce an opponent's abilities. That's not its actual name, I'm just calling it that."

"Sweet! I can do that?"

"Not really. The thing in you can though." Mel took a fighting stance. "You ready? Remember this time, no snakes, just fists."

The sparring went on for a couple of hours, after which they went to Heat's home. Heat immediately entered his room, while Mel remained with Dan and Debbie in the living room. He threw himself on his bed, squinted his eyes at the ceiling, and they closed unconsciously.

When he opened his eyes, it was the next morning already. He went to school on his normal route, without taking the bus, unlike Dan and Debbie. He walked along the quiet and calm streets, walked unto the loud and busy streets and then finally, another calm street and then school. When he returned from school he went through the same procedures as the day before. He took the toolbox and went to work and left food behind for his siblings. After work, he trained with Mel for a couple of hours, and then went to Ur-tir'ak to practice while Mel went to look after Dan and Debbie. When done with training at Ur-tir'ak, he came home, did his homework, studied and went to bed. Heat's daily routine was working out well for him. After some time, his instructor back at Ur-tir'ak, Kisuke, noticed some rapid improvements in Heat's combat skills.

On Mel's side, she became good friends with Zainab and they did much together. After school, she helped Heat and then went to look after his younger siblings. Heat had given her lodge in his home, with her own room, on the condition that she never goes to the upper floors of the house. Mel was very fascinated by how Heat managed everything. The house was very big with a very huge compound. Although she's forbidden from entering the basement, Mel entered once and saw signs of a fire, evidence that someone attempted to burn the place. At school, Mel could easily point out those who Heat's good friends were; his amen buddies, Riza and Zainab. She was in the same class as Supido, Heat and Zainab.