—And what do you gain from this?— Shoun didn't fully distrust Deuz, but he knew that kind of offer usually didn't come without conditions.
—Ensuring my own safety even further. From what you've told me, the vestige we'll face will be at a level equal to the four of us combined. Sure, we just killed a brute, but it was a specter, and you should know that those things aren't a big problem as long as they're below rank 4. So this feat shouldn't go to our heads. Sein is a rookie being trained by Kaze in sword skills. You, on the other hand, are adrift, and I'm relatively qualified to teach you. So, what do you say? Will you let me teach you?
—Hmmm, alright. I guess it doesn't hurt to hear what you have to say.
—Great. To start, do you know what electricity is?
—It's energy— Shoun answered simply.
—That's a good answer if a science teacher is asking, but in this case, it's incomplete. Let me give you an example. When I became a seeker, I had to build my combat style from my first ability, which led me to ask: What are shadows?— At that moment, Deuz extended his arm, and beneath it was his shadow— Shadows are regions where light doesn't reach. They're not something physical or something you can touch, unless, of course, I make it possible— The shadow under his arm began to move, transforming into a simple sword that Deuz took in his hand— So, with all that in mind, I realized one thing: the important part of my ability isn't the characteristics of shadows, because there aren't any truly usable ones. What's important is knowing where I can get shadows to transform and shape them.
—I get all that, but it seems useless in my case. After all, it's not like there's electricity lying around here, and I can't transform my electricity either.
—It's useless to do the same thing I did. Shadows don't have a real way to affect vestiges or people unless I move them. On the other hand, electricity by itself already has its own properties. It's energy, as you said. So if I ask you: What is electricity? Don't just think about where it comes from or what it is. Go beyond— At that moment, Deuz pointed the sword in his hand at Shoun. The young man flinched and stepped back, but the beret-wearing boy had no intention of attacking. He maintained his stance while pointing at Shoun and asked again— What is electricity?
—...— Shoun considered the question for a few seconds, then slowly looked at the dark sword pointing at him. It seemed to be made of a black metal that contrasted sharply with the white light illuminating the room. Curiously, the shadow-made sword had no shadow of its own, though that made sense. After all, it would be strange for a shadow to have its own shadow— (Electricity... electricity is energy, but what else is it?)— Shoun thought that Deuz pointing a weapon at him wasn't without purpose. Then, with a flash of inspiration, the young man found the answer. He placed his hands on the dark sword and generated an electric discharge. Instantly, Deuz nodded and let go of the weapon with a smile. It fell to the ground and dissolved— The answer is that electricity is a conductor!
—Sorry to burst your bubble, but that answer is wrong. Though it's because you phrased it wrong... that shock did hurt. Did you go overboard?— Deuz said while rubbing the hand that had been holding the sword earlier.
—Oh, sorry. I got excited about figuring it out. Do you need me to get something to treat that?— Shoun said as he moved closer to check Deuz's injury.
—Relax, I'm fine. It wasn't strong enough to leave a mark. Let me continue explaining.
—Oh, right. You said my answer was wrong. Why?
—Because you phrased it wrong. Electricity isn't a conductor, because conductors are what electricity travels through. So electricity itself can't be a conductor. Though you were on the right track. One of the properties of electricity is the existence of conductors. Metals like copper or gold are conductors. Even the human body is a conductor. One way to make the most of your powers is to take advantage of conductors.
—I see... though, to be honest, I don't know how to take advantage of that— The concept of conductors wasn't foreign to him, especially considering everything he'd experienced during his years at the orphanage. But it had never crossed his mind to actively use it in battle.
—That's the next step. You know the property to take advantage of; now you just need to figure out how to use it. Think about it. We have time. The three of us decided that if you agreed, we'd dedicate tomorrow to training so we could take the test the day after. Do you agree?
—Oh, yeah. Anyway, I have things to think about after this conversation... thanks, Deuz.
—No problem. Just don't stay up too late. I'm going to sleep. I imagine Kaze and Sein are probably already asleep— The beret-wearing boy quietly left the training room, leaving Shoun alone.
The young man, with nothing else to do, continued his original training, thinking about the conversation he'd had with Deuz.
—(Conductors... How didn't I think of them before?... Tch, I messed up again)— Shoun still couldn't consistently hit the target at 10 meters, so he was stuck— (My strength increases their survival... that's true. I can't afford to be weak if I want to get everyone out of this place alive... I wouldn't forgive myself for not being able to protect the people I care about)— Shoun felt responsible for Sein. He was the one who brought him into this world, so he saw him as his responsibility. Kaze was his companion. He hadn't known him as long as Sein, but he felt a deep connection because of everything they'd been through together. Deuz was a stranger, but he already liked him, and to some extent, it was his fault for bringing him— (My life no longer belongs only to me... I need to be stronger. I need to take advantage of conductors!)
After making up his mind, Shoun ran out of the training room. It didn't take him long to reach his destination: the operations room.
—Liam, I need your help.
—How may I assist you, Secondary Administrator?
—I need a weapon, something that lets me take advantage of conductors. I have no idea what could work, and things like a sword or a spear don't fully convince me. You're an AI; you probably know much more than I do. So, please, help me!
—Of course... Please look at the screen to see if the design I've created for your weapon is appropriate. Keep in mind that the next use of the refiner will consume the Alpha grunt's corpse, and it won't be usable until more corpses are supplied.
—Understood— Shoun approached the refiner's screen, analyzing the weapon design Liam had created for a few seconds— This... wow, this is truly ingenious. Even for a seeker-rank weapon, its effects are good... It's perfect, Liam. Please proceed.
—As you wish, Secondary Administrator— The operations room filled with an intense glow, which quickly faded, revealing Shoun's new weapon.
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Sein woke up early in the morning, thanks to Liam waking him after his eight hours of sleep.
—Good morning, Guest Sein.
—Good morning, Liam!— Sein responded excitedly. He hadn't taken off his uniform, so he was already dressed as he got out of bed. He was in one of the base's many rooms, which didn't have much in them. They had a desk, a bed, a carpeted floor (with colors varying from room to room), and an attached private bathroom.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, the boy left the room and found Kaze and Deuz sitting in the kitchen.
—Good morning, Sein— Deuz greeted while reading a book and drinking coffee.
—Good... morning— Kaze greeted briefly in his monotone voice between bites of his pancakes.
—Good morning, guys! Where's Shoun?— The boy sat in an empty spot between Deuz and Kaze.
—He seems to still be training. Though before he went back to training, he left breakfast ready for us. Here— Deuz replied without looking up from his book. Instead, a hand emerged from his shadow, grabbing a plate with two sandwiches from the microwave and placing it in front of Sein.
—Thanks... it's really good... What do you mean he's still training?— Sein asked after tasting the food. It wasn't a coincidence that Kaze and Sein let Shoun do the cooking. He had great skills in that area, and Deuz, though he didn't know it at the time, simply went along with it.
—He's been training non-stop since yesterday... It seems my advice was useful to him.
—Did you teach him?
—A bit. I know Kaze teaches you, so I thought I could guide Shoun.
—I... don't teach him— Kaze said, setting aside his empty plate of pancakes, surprising both Deuz and Sein. After all, the masked man didn't usually participate much in conversations— Not since he became a seeker. Right now, I'm his training partner while his own sword teaches him.
—Is that true?— The beret-wearing boy looked at Sein for confirmation.
—Kaze's exaggerating. He still teaches me a lot, but it's true that since I got my sword, learning how to fight with it has become easier.
—Our swords are special, Sein, and yours seems to be even more so— Kaze added briefly before falling silent again.
—So your swords "teach" you... interesting— Deuz said briefly, putting down the book he was reading for the first time— In any case, we should check on Shoun. He might have hurt himself and need our help.
—Alright!— Sein quickly finished his breakfast and went with the others to the training room. There, they found Shoun completely drenched in sweat, with an unknown artifact on his wrist that only he recognized— What's that?