Chapter 3:

"You need my help training Kumiko?" Nene was a little surprised by her friend's request. "Aren't you worried that her training might lead to being discovered, Shizuku?"

"Riko!" Shizuku emphasized.

Nene patiently waited for Shizuku to continue.

"Three years ago, without really thinking much about where it would lead, I began training Kumiko in sword skills. About a year later, I thought I saw Kumiko display the potential to use Blade Steel."

That caused Nene to sit forward in her seat. She remembered watching Ikki Kurogane use that skill numerous times. Observing, copying, and in some ways perfecting an opponent's techniques was an exceptional skill that should take years to perfect. If Kumiko could use it at such a young age, it would be truly exceptional. Sensing her friend's increased interest, Skizuku continued.

"I tried to teach her the basics of Blade Steel that Ikki once taught me. While she did get better at sword skills in general, it turns out she had just mimicked a sword skill she saw me try. It wasn't actually Blade Steel."

"Well that's disappointing," Nene sighed.

"Yes," Shizuku agreed.

"So, what do you have in mind?" Nene asked.

"I've been thinking a lot about our situation. It's probably foolish to think that Kumiko and I can stay hidden forever. So, she needs to learn as much as she can. At the same time, we still need to keep our true identities a secret. Blazers are not able to use magic at birth but do learn how to use it later. Kumiko will eventually learn that she can use magic. She will want to go train like other kids her age. I won't have a logical reason to say no."

"So, you want me to train her?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you knew of some place where she could train but hopefully not be so high profile as to draw too much attention."

Nene looked down in thought for a moment, "Well, I don't know of any low-profile places where I could get her in without raising some eyebrows. If I was the sponsor, most would expect the student to be some sort of prodigy and would then be curious as to why the student wasn't going to a prominent dojo. Anyway, we might be getting ahead of ourselves. I'd like to evaluate her during your morning training."

A few silent moments passed and then Nene continued.

"Switching subjects. Over the last several years, Kurono and I have been quietly trying to find out information on Or-Gauel and the motives behind the attack. Rumor has it that Or-Gauel has taken over control of Rebellion. It's just a rumor because the leadership of Rebellion has been extremely quiet since the attack. If it's true, that probably means the old leader, Tyrant, has died, either from old age or assassination. That's hard to verify since his whereabouts have been unknown for some time. Kurono and I suspect that Union is somehow behind all of this, but we still can't figure out why."

"If Union was behind it, you'd think it was to start a war with the League," Shizuku stated. "First, Or-Gauel weakens Rebellion by killing most of the Numbers. That removes Rebellion as a block between Union and the League. Then he seizes control of Cradleland to cause problems between the kingdom of Vermillion and Cradleland. Maybe to trick the League into some action that Union could exploit."

"That's sort of what we were thinking as well. Perhaps the attack was a plan B, of sorts, because Team Vermillion disrupted the original plan when we defeated team Cradleland," Nene included. "Anyway, what is confusing is why nothing has happened since. Was it because the League didn't take the bait?"

Shizuku put her hand to her chin. "Maybe. If Union's plan had been to make it look like the League started the war, they definitely would have been trying to hide any involvement in Or-Gauel's actions. Since the League didn't take any action, Union couldn't move against the League without exposing themselves."

Nene's face turned a little sad, "Well that and the fact that force that attacked suffered tremendous losses. From what we could gather, despite being killed in the attack, Ikki and Stella managed to take out dozens of attackers in the tunnel. We've heard numbers as low as 25 to as high as 50."

Shizuku was astonished, "Fifty!?"

"Kurono and I figure that so many were sent to ensure they would overwhelm and survive. However, Ikki and Stella proved them wrong. The high number of losses may be the reason nothing else has happened so far. Those responsible might secretly be trying to rebuild their numbers. As for the Japanese branch of the League, they are being pretty tight lipped about the 'internal affairs of other nations'."

The two friends talked a while longer before retiring for the evening. Shizuku laid in bed reflecting on the conversation. Was the attack just something personal against us or part of some larger plan? If it's personal, how much longer can we stay hidden. If it's something larger, how much longer until they make their next move? Either way, Kumiko needs training and she needs it fast.

The next morning, all three gathered in barn behind the house. With her mother sitting off to the side, Kumiko stood in the center facing the woman she met briefly the night before. The woman was wearing a flowery kimono with an enormous bow in her hair. She was very short, being not much taller than Kumiko. Given her small size and young facial features, Kumiko thought she looked to be about her mother's age. She wanted to inquire more about this mysterious friend, but the woman suddenly began speaking to her.

"Tell me, Kumiko, have you ever seen a Blazer manifest their device?"

Staring back at the small women, Kumiko shook her head. With that, Nene focused her soul energy and called forth her device. "Let's bewitch them, Beniiro Ageha!"

Brilliant light emitted from the woman's hands and two metal fans appeared when the lights dissipated. Nene was taken aback by the expression on Kumiko's face. Even though children usually know that Blazers can call forth a device from thin air, they are still in awe the first time they actually see it. Instead, Kumiko had a stoic, almost curious look on her face. Nene paused for a moment, considering the possibility. Extinguishing her devices, she stepped towards Kumiko.

She explained to the young girl that devices are a Blazers soul represented as physical items. The inner spirit of a Blazer. A representation that Blazers can use in battle and as a conduit for their Noble Arts. She added that some Blazers have been able to bring forth more than one device and it's also common for a Blazer to change spiritually, and that change would also change the form of the Blazer's device. Seeing that Kumiko was fully engaged in what she was saying, Nene described how a Blazer focused on their soul to draw forth their device.

"Now, Kumiko, I don't expect you to be able to do this, but I would like you to try and call forth a device."

Nene stepped back as Kumiko closed her eyes. Quietly, she spoke to the girl, pausing for a moment after each sentence.

"Hold out your hand… Take a moment to think about yourself… What's important to you?... What you want to do with your life?... How would you use your powers as a Blazer?... What do you feel?"

Subconsciously, Kumiko whispered, "Hogo-sha."

A blinding light emerged from her fingers and was replaced by a wakizashi short sword with a pearl white handle and scabbard. Shizuku stood up from her seat along the wall. Eyes wide, she gasped and put her hands to her mouth. Kumiko's face did not show surprise of any kind, just a small smile of satisfaction. Nene, for her part, stood motionless, studying the girl's face and again considering the possibilities.

Kumiko withdrew the short sword from its scabbard and admired the shiny blade. It was beautiful and felt good in her hand. A warmth enveloped her body as she slowly cut the air with the blade. Then, a jolt went through her body.

"Let's bewitch them, Beniiro Ageha!" Nene called out as she re-materialized her Iron Fans devices and charged at Kumiko swinging for the young girl's face.

Sparks flew from Nene's fan as it struck a small white shield, perhaps three feet tall and two feet wide, that materialized in front of Kumiko's body. It was V-shaped from the bottom, sweeping upward to a point in the middle at the top of the shield. Nene stepped back and lowered her fans. The shield hung momentarily in the air before disappearing.

Shizuku raced forward. "What do you think you're doing, Nene?" she yelled.

She was about to call forth her own device until she saw that Nene wasn't making any effort to continue with her attack. Turning to look at Kumiko, there was surprise in her eyes, but the girl stood firm, sword ready to repel the next assault. Turning back to her friend, Shizuku saw excitement in Nene's eyes.

Nene calmly put away her device, "I'm evaluating."

Stepping up to Kumiko, she put a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "Kumiko, training is over for today. Although I can't explain right now, I ask that you do not attempt to train any further with your device until the next training session. Please head back into the house while I have a word with your mother."

"Yes… sensei." Kumiko instinctively bowed.

Kumiko placed the sword into its scabbard, releasing her focus. The device disappeared, and she left the barn. Once she was gone, Nene turned to Shizuku.

"This is a lot bigger issue than you think. You have no choice but to have her properly trained. Sending her to an inferior dojo is out of the question. A child being able to successfully manifest a device on the first try is not the norm, but hardly unusual, so that is not the issue. Blazers can use mana to create a barrier to protect themselves, but without any training, she was able to use magic to create a physical barrier that was able to deflect my attack."

Shizuku was confused. "How did you know?"

Nene explained further, "The potential of her magical powers is extremely high, I felt it when she materialized her device. Years ago, Stella asked for my assistance in training her to fight Ouma Kurogane at the Seven Stars. Telling her what she was missing about herself would not have worked, she wouldn't have been able to understand. So, instead, I choose to attack her. During the fight, Stella was able to discover her problem and solve it. It was a guess today, but when I manifested my device, Kumiko was totally focused on me. Instead of being overwhelmed by the experience, she was studying me. It was as if she somehow understood without knowing that she understood. I decided to test her, and I was right. At this point, her ability to use her powers will only continue to grow, whether we guide her training or not."

Shizuku still wasn't sure but decided to move on. "So, what now?"

"She needs to be sent to train with Tohka and Yudai Moroboshi at their dojo. We will have to explain the whole situation to them."

"We can't," Shizuku interrupted.

Nene explained, "I can't devote enough time to train her properly in secret, so she has to go to someplace she can not only properly train, but also can be trusted to keep her safe. Her skills will quickly draw attention. Tohka and Yudai can properly train her and can help hide her real skills. And that's not all. We need to reveal some of the real story to Kumiko as well."

"Out of the question!"

Nene tried to reason with her friend. "Until now, Kumiko has only been told that her father died in an accident. If any serious attention comes her way, she must know there is a danger if the wrong people discover her. I'm not saying to tell her the whole truth, just enough so she can avoid revealing her true identity."

Nene emphasized her point by using Shizuku's real name, "Shizuku… we really have no choice. All we can do now is try to control as much as we can around her."

"Okay," Shizuky said with a heavy sigh.

Shizuku and Nene spent the next hour discussing just exactly what and how much they were going to tell Kumiko. In the end, they felt the only option was to tell her the complete truth. She might be a little upset now to learn of the deception, but if they lied to her again, and she found out later, it might be too much. It also made involving Tohka and Yudai easier since they wouldn't have to be deceptive to her as well.

Five Years Later…

The lifeless body slipped off the tip of her sword and dropped to the floor. The room was eerily quiet, gone were the sounds of battle and the screams of pain. The young girl stood motionless, looking forward but staring at nothing. Slowly, she began walking across the room approaching the only man left alive. Her eyes showed no concern for the bodies she casually passed. An occasional drop of blood would drip from the tip of her sword, staining the floor as she walked.

Despite the level of carnage around him, the man's eyes observed the girl's movements with boredom. His lack of concern for her approach was apparent. He even showed no level of interest when she stopped in the center of the room and dematerialized her sword. He simply stood in quiet observation.

Wordlessly and unmoving, she stared at the man returning his emotionless expression with one of her own. However, an aura of death emanated all around her, black storm clouds violently rolling, with flickers of bright red and yellow flashes. It looked as though a raging inferno was trying to escape from within the clouds.

Finally, he spoke, "And who might you be, miss?"