Elemental Awakening

After returning from the dungeon, they went to the association. 

"Congratulations, I have confirmed that you are the first and the only duo to have completed the 'Black Castle' dungeon. You have set a new record for clearing that dungeon. And from the data you have provided us, the difficulty is determined to be A+ in rank. As such, we will be providing double the amount of payment we usually provide for A - class dungeons." The receptionist said with a cheerful expression on her face. 

"Yes, thank you very much." Blaze replied with a smile on his face. 

"Also, the dungeon had disappeared once you cleared it. Our experts are working hard to determine the cause. But, they have yet to reach a concrete conclusion." 

{What? Disappeared? It didn't exist originally, and it disappeared as soon as we cleared it?}

{That's suspicious. It's like someone deliberately, create it only for me and Frore. But that can't be it, right? There is no particular cause for the appearance of dungeons. However, they are a natural phenomenon. Nobody can control them, at least that was how <TVCWT > described them.}

{I hope it's just me overthinking.}

"Thanks for telling me."

"Well, you guys were the one who cleared it, so I thought you should know about it. Don't mention it."

Frore was starting to feel annoyed with the receptionist's over - friendly attitude towards Blaze. So, he grabbed Blaze's arm from the elbow and pulled him back. 

"Huh?" Blaze was surprised and slightly turned his head to look back.

Frore just held his arm and looked at him silently. 

Blaze studied his face for a bit and quickly came to a conclusion. 

"Frore, are you tired? Do you want to go home?"

Frore lightly nodded his head. 

"I am almost done, sorry for making you wait." Blaze said with an apologetic look.

Frore then shook his head, "...not at all."

Blaze smiled and said to the receptionist, " Then we will get going."

"Yes, I hope you have a good day."

The receptionist then made eye contact with Frore accidently, who looked at her with a scornful gaze. 

{It feels like I got hated for no reason, somehow.} The receptionist thought. 

When they got out of the association building, Frore asked Blaze. 

".... Can I keep holding onto your arm?" He looked like his usual self, but actually he was really afraid of what answer Blaze will give him. He was afraid Blaze would find him annoying and abandon him like his parents but, he still wanted to feel Blaze's affection. 

Blaze thought that Frore's actions were very unusual. 

{It's weird for us to be holding hands in public, since we are not biological brothers. Our age difference is also very less, so the others can misunderstand. But he has already suffered too much. I don't want to deny him something, as small as this.} 

"...Sure, if you want to." 

Frore seemed to be really happy at his response. His grip on Blaze's arm tightened and they went home like that. 

A few days later.

In the front garden.

Frore was training his skills as usual, and Blaze was sitting on a chair and writing about the next major events about to unfold according to <TVCWT > in a notebook, he bought from the nearby market.

After writing for about 4 to 5 pages, he closed the notebook and went over to where Frore was training. 

"Skill training is good, but you train to increase your stats too."

Frore who was focused on his shadow looked up at Blaze.

Blaze happily patted his head. He had a smile on his face. 

"You have grown taller, good job. Let's work on increasing that physique too. We should be prepared for when those bastards might attack next."

{Heh...I am so proud of myself. Proper diet and care can really produce changes quickly. This is how you should raise and treat kids.}

Frore nodded his head, he had a small smile on his face, which was almost undetectable.

{...no one has ever praised me before. It feels...nice...} 

"As such, I have made a training schedule for you. 10 sit-ups, squats and pushups, followed by running for 1 Km. We will start with this for now and slowly increase the amount as you get used to it. What do you think?"

"...Good." 

{I didn't come up with up with it. It was you who made it. I just told you about it, before you could come up with it.} Blaze had that thought as his smile deepened. 

{There is the 'Elemental Awakening' too. Hmm...but I can't tell him how to do it. He should figure it out on his own. But I guess giving an introduction and a small hint should be fine...He needs to grow stronger faster. Because, if the gaze I felt that day was from 'that' bastard, then he will make through preparations and move as soon as they are completed. Dealing with him won't be as easy as it had been with others. He is quite a pain in the ass, since I can't predict his movements.}

Hunters in <TVCWT > don't only have skills and stats, they also have elemental abilities; based on the element they have an affinity to. Of ccouse, not everyone has an element affinity. There are only about a 100 of them in the Aswalt Empire. 

The elements being referred to here, are not only the five basic elements known to everyone. But, it can be anything as long as you have an affinity to it. For example, metals, glass, electricity, shadow and others are treated as elements since, there are hunters who have an affinity to them. 

"But before you start your new training regime; I have something I want to ask you first. Do you know about 'Elemental Awakening'?" Blaze continued. 

Frore lightly shook his head and concentrated on Blaze's next words. 

Frore, too wanted to get stronger. He didn't want to be a burden for Blaze. He wanted to help Blaze instead of helplessly looking over, while Blaze was fighting and getting hurt for him. 

"Then, I will begin telling you about it from the basics. Let's take a seat, it will be quite a long explanation." He pointed towards the Patio. 

Frore nodded his head.