Chapter 5: The Weak Child
The morning sun bathed the city in a golden glow as Goro and Ryusei stretched and yawned. It was a new day, but their thoughts were still occupied by last night's intense training.
As they stepped outside, Goro let out a tired sigh.
"Ugh, school again… so boring."
Ryusei groaned. "Seriously, who even invented this shit?"
Despite their complaints, they made their way to class. However, as they walked through the school gates, a disturbing sight caught their attention.
A group of older boys had surrounded a smaller student, shoving him against a wall. The kid trembled, his voice barely a whisper as he pleaded, "Please… stop…"
Ryusei clenched his fists and stormed toward them. "Oi, what the hell are you doing?"
One of the bullies turned and sneered. "Get lost, fatass. This ain't your problem."
A split second later—BAM!
Ryusei's fist slammed into the bully's face, sending him sprawling across the ground. The others barely had time to react before Ryusei knocked them out in seconds.
Goro walked up to the frightened student. "Hey, what's your name?"
The boy hesitated before muttering, "Kai…"
"Yo, Kai! You alright?" Ryusei grinned, but Kai just shrank back, his face pale with fear.
Goro studied him. "Did an angel come to you? Did you get powers?"
Kai shook his head violently, his eyes glistening with tears. "N-No…"
Ryusei sighed and patted Kai on the back. "Don't cry, man. Just be careful, alright?"
Kai nodded weakly, and with that, Goro and Ryusei continued on their way.
---
A Disturbing Presence
Classes dragged on as usual. Goro sat lazily at his desk, staring at the ceiling. Ryusei, on the other hand, was munching on snacks and passing time in his usual carefree way.
But then—something unnerving happened.
Ryusei's eyes widened as he noticed a dark figure sitting right next to Goro. Its form was barely visible, shifting like a shadow in the dim light. A pair of glowing red eyes stared at him.
Ryusei froze. His instincts screamed that this thing was not human.
He blinked.
The figure was gone.
"W-What the hell?!" Ryusei shot up from his seat, pointing at the empty space beside Goro.
"The hell you yelling about?" Goro asked, annoyed.
"Dude! There was something sitting right next to you!"
Goro raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? And who exactly were you calling a 'nigga' just now?"
"...Shut up."
The two bickered for a while, but Ryusei couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping up his spine.
Something was watching them.
---
The Final Trial
After school, they rushed home, where Jophiel and Uriel were already waiting.
"Alright," Jophiel said, arms crossed. "Today is an important milestone, Goro. You need to finally master your Lunar Shield."
Goro nodded, determination burning in his eyes.
He had been struggling with it for days. Unlike his Lunar Punch or Lunar Kick, which relied on raw power, the Lunar Shield required a deep connection to his inner energy.
"Focus," Jophiel instructed. "Feel the energy within you. Guide it—don't force it."
Goro closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath, feeling his heart, his brain, his blood flow—everything working in unison.
He imagined the pull of the moon, the weight of gravity, the silent force protecting the Earth every night.
Then—
BOOM!
A blazing white aura erupted around him, expanding into a thick, glowing shield. It shimmered like the lunar surface, solid yet ethereal.
Jophiel smiled. "Good, Goro."
Goro's eyes widened as he looked at his own hands. His Lunar Shield was finally complete.
For the first time in days, a huge grin spread across his face.