43 Kuro's adventure

(T/N: Warning of animal cruelty)

The artificial island, Ark, moves incredibly slowly and its location constantly changes. Without the central headquarter's lead, it would be near impossible to find Ark in the vast Pacific Ocean. It took an astronomical amount of money to build and there were many places which students were forbidden from entering.

"Ugh, my shoulder hurts."

Kuro received an electric shock examination from Professor Grace. He had remained prone for a long period of time which made his whole body ache. Kuro lightly stretched his body.

'My psychic energy increased a lot in the recent days, so it must be good.'

His emotions took a big hit due to his psychic skills. Kuro had experienced rapid growth of his psychic powers two times. Once had been when he was in the deserted island, and the second was when Kijo had killed a cat. Kuro's psychic skills evolved exponentially due to the sudden burst of emotions.

"According to Professor Grace, my psychic skills seem to depend highly on my emotions…."

Kuro was very sensitive to his own emotions. In turn, his skill's up and down was just as erratic. To say it plainly, his skills were unstable.

Those who are emotionally detached like Han, had stable psychic powers. However, it's rare for one to sporadically manifest their hidden unique skills.

Military officials looked for stable soldiers like Han. This was also one of the main reasons that there were few training facilities made for females.

"We ended quicker than usual today. I have emptied all of today's training schedule."

Kuro enjoyed today's laxness. He wasn't one to put pressure onto himself like Han.

He would purposely travel the longer route instead of the shortest for a light walk. He would observe the map on his data bracelet and travel the places he's never been to.

"Ah, Simon."

Kuro discovered Simon in the airbeat training center. Simon was by himself practicing his control with the airbeat. Simon glanced at Kuro.

"What is it Kuro?"

Simon spoke without interest. But inside, Simon was greatly bothered by Kuro.

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He was a similar type of psyker and they both had been named geniuses of their field. Simon had considered himself Kuro's rival.

'Humph, to be treated as equals to this black boy who didn't even receive proper psychic training. I refuse to acknowledge you.'

Simon hated to lose against Kuro in psychic skills. If Han had invited him into squad 13, he would have rejected just on the fact that Kuro was in the squad already. Then he wouldn't be able to step on Kuro as his opponent.

"Are you practicing with airbeats? How many are you controlling? One, two, three, four…. wow, you can control five at once. You're amazing."

Simon widened his shoulders upon Kuro's compliment.

"The announcement of squad 13's opponent should be announced soon, don't worry I'll properly pummel you. The second year's strongest psyker is me!"

Simon spoke as if he had declared war. He forced himself and managed to control seven airbeats. This required intense focus and mind. He had to use telekinesis to strongly push the airbeats to maneuver them into complicated directions.

'I'm capable of this much, damn Kuro.'

Kuro who had been watching Simon from below took out some airbeats from the storage. These were luxury equipments so fingerprint recognition was required.

"It's been awhile since I practiced, I should also train a bit."

Kuro took out some airbeats. He closed his eyes and focused. He imagined the airbeats floating from within the darkness.

Kuro had a great sense of imagination due to his sensitive emotions. He could perfectly draw images into his mind. This was the root method of commanding various psychic skills.

Wwoong!

Kuro's clothes fluttered from the wind. This was an air current that only appeared from highly skilled psykers. The moment they manifested their psychic energy, it would change the natural airflow. This was clear proof that his psychic talent had surpassed A rank.

Twitch, twitch.

Simon tried not to care, but Kuro's whole body emitted off psychic energies. Kuro's psychic energy was monstrous.

'When had Kuro grown this much…?'

Kuro's growth speed had been fast, but the previous Kuro had not been this strong.

'He's got more psychic energy than me.'

Kuro moved four airbeats simultaneously. He looked relaxed while moving four at the same time.

The reason Kuro didn't bother to control more, was simply because he didn't feel like it.

Kuro didn't have a sense of rivalry against Simon at all. He simply wanted to befriend him while controlling the airbeats together.

Simon clicked his tongue and packed his airbeats. He shortly glared towards Kuro and disappeared. Kuro who had been left hanging also put away his airbeats.

"Did I do something wrong? He looked angry."

Kuro scratched his head while watching Simon walking away.

He continued walking and found himself at the storehouse. There were several helicopters on standby. The soldiers were in the middle of moving supplies into the storehouse.

'The job could be finished in an instant with psychic skills.'

Kuro stared toward the soldiers while thinking of various things. The soldiers who finished moving the supplies decided to take a break.

There was someone who was smoking, and there was another soldier who sat down eating a snack. The soldier took out jerky to eat. Cats began gathering around the soldier.

The cats pulled on the soldier's pants and managed to get a small piece of jerky to eat.

'The cats were my only friends in the orphanage.'

Kuro's personality was gentle by nature. He was naturally clumsy and could not fiercely change his personality. He was often called a dimwit.

He wasn't good at a single thing. The other children all bullied him because of his black skin in the orphanage. The cats which lurked around the orphanage were his only real friends.

'I'm also good at something now. I also have a friend.'

Kuro discovered one cat straying off into a different direction. The spotted cheese colored cat strayed.

"Ah."

Kuro began to follow the cat unknowingly. The cat twisted and turned in complicated paths. Kuro moved through, following the cat, with nimble swiftness. He looked like an athlete. He was only weak compared to the children who had undergone the superhuman transformation procedure. Kuro was quite strong compared to an average athletic adult.

"I've come too far."

Kuro had no idea where he was. The cat he caught stretched and yawned in his arms.

"Nya-."

Kuro hugged the cat in his arms and gently pet it. Kuro turned on his data bracelet and checked his map.

"The ocean?"

On the map, it marked that he was not on land but water. It read that Kuro was simply floating on top of the ocean.

'I feel like I've come to a place I'm not supposed to.'

Kuro's eyes trembled. He enjoyed a brisk walk, but this was far from it. He looked back on the path he had come.

Boo-oom!

Kuro heard a heavy sound from behind himself.

"Who is it?"

Kuro looked back toward the thick voice.

"eeek!"

Kuro fell over from fear. A robot who looked like a human stood tall. The cold steel frame shined.

"Huh, isn't it Kuro? I couldn't recognize you because you've changed so much."

This voice sounded familiar. Kuro who had scrunched up into a tiny ball lifted his head to peer up.

"Sergeant R-red?"

The two meter tall robot belonged to Sergeant Red. It had not been a robot but Sergeant Red had put on a bionic suit. Cigarette smoke puffed out from the opening of its face.

'I'm done for. I'll probably get harshly punished.'

Sergeant Red was well known for having a bad temper. Kuro had also been badly beaten by him before. His legs felt numb by reflex. The fear for Sergeant Red had been deeply ingrained into Kuro.

"Are you lost? You should have something to drink before you go. There is a development center just ahead of here."

Sergeant Red didn't punish Kuro. Rather, he spoke in a smooth voice.

"Huh? What?"

Kuro confusingly asked. If it had been when he was a first year, Sergeant Red would have been howling with rage. However, Sergeant Red didn't say anything particular. Kuro blankly trailed behind Sergeant Red.

Gii, Gii.

Every one of Sergeant Red's movements created a metallic robotic sound.

-Sergeant Red! How many times have I told you not to smoke while wearing the Frame? Aren't you crazy?"

"You're noisy, old man."

Sergeant Red turned off the communication function, ignoring the other completely.

"Wh-what is that? The one that sergeant is wearing?

"The second generation psycho frame. This is only a prototype, but we're in the middle of a test. This is the best gear that psykers could having while fighting against dragons. We noticed an intruder, but it was just you."

"You don't seem mad."

"I'm not your drill instructor anymore. If there is a person who lives everyday angry, that person must have a personality disorder. A psycho. Don't you think?"

'So you're aware.'

Kuro didn't say his thoughts out loud.

"Anyway, the second generation psycho frames would be showcased. It doesn't matter that students find out. This is especially the case for second years or higher. You guys can't leave Ark. You belong to Ark now."

Kuro's shoulders trembled. Second years could not leave unless they die or become permanently disabled. He already knew, but hearing it verbally had hit a chilling nerve inside of him.

"Psycho frames are the bionic suits that only psykers are able to wear, right? They act as the user's second exoskeleton? This is my first time seeing one."

"The first generation model was made in haste so it's low grade. Each nation has their own model as well. The second generation psychoframe doesn't even compare with that one. This gear has been prepared for only the best. The outer shell is made of dragon bone and leather, while the gloves are made of highly elastic alloy. This gear has been made especially for you. I'm barely able to move this myself."

Sergeant Red calmly explained. This type of Sergeant Red felt unfamiliar to Kuro.

'He just might actually be a very friendly person….'

Every student severely abhorred Sergeant Red, but to Kuro, Sergeant Red now felt like nothing but kind.

"It's a second year. Give him a drink, then give him a ride back in the car."

Sergeant Red arrived to the development center. He could only see an entrance that goes into an underground garage. There were only necessary equipment and staff on the surface. Sergent Red left Kuro to a soldier nearby.

The old man suddenly burst into a fit of anger toward Sergeant Red. Sergeant Red took out another cigar to smoke while confronting the old man.

"Would this be a successful model? It's very responsive toward psychic energies. But it's probably better to reduce some of the dragon materials required to build it. Power is important, but would anybody be able to control such a sensitive psychoframe? The person to control this must be able to manipulate psychic energy like their breathing."

The old man was still angry, but made sure to make detailed memos of Sergeant Red's comments. The two looked very close.

"If a standard model is confirmed, this model would probably be destroyed."

"This is only a prototype. Why don't we leave it as a commemoration? I feel it's a pity the suit I tested would be destroyed."

"We're always short on dragon material. We don't need a suit that won't be used. We will take it apart and reuse the parts we can."

Sergeant Red said nothing for a moment and blew out a puff of smoke.

"Who knows, maybe someone would end up using this," he said indifferently.

Kuro watched the old man and Sergeant Red talk while drinking his orange juice. Soon, a soldier came with a military car. Kuro hopped into the car and returned to the second year complex.

Many students were returning after completing their training drills. Kuro watched all the youths he passed. Everyone's body looked burly but their faces remained childish. They would all fight against humanity's extinction. Kuro tried to imagine himself wearing the suit and fighting against dragons.

'The adults are truly preparing for the war against dragons….'

Reality suddenly fell down upon him. Kuro could only perceive that he had been receiving training for war. This isn't a joke or dream. War is nearing.