While everyone sleeps, Gram snores.
Gram: (Sleeping) Oh girls, one at a time, please… there's no rush.
Suddenly, a horn blares, startling Gram awake.
Gram: AHHHHH!!!
Gram jumps out of bed, opens his door, and sees Rito blowing the horn as everyone else opens their doors, except for Daru.
Akira: WHAT THE HELL!!
Ohma: Hey, did you hear that horn?
Himitsu: Yes, Ohma… we did.
Zodiac: I'm seriously considering slicing your head off.
Rito: Ahhh! Good morning, everyone! Did you all sleep well?
Akira: It's early in the morning!
Rito: (Laughs) I know, right! Today is going to be a great day.
Zodiac: I take that back; I might slice my own head off.
Rito: I don't see Daru… does anyone know where he is?
Ohma: He's probably training.
Rito: Ahh! Yes, I almost forgot… sometimes I forget I trained him.
Gram: Rito, how many people have you trained?
Rito: Uh… okay, there's Daru and 1, 2, 3… yep, only Daru.
Kono: You only trained one person?!
Rito: Yep!
Rito pulls a can of beer from his back pocket, cracks it open, and takes a sip.
Rito: Okay, I want everyone on the battlegrounds in 10 minutes!
Rito walks away, drinking.
Ohma: Yay! First day of training!
Himitsu: I don't know if I should be happy or not.
Zodiac: I'm not.
Everyone starts getting ready for training. As Rito walks and drinks, he spots Daru through the window on the battleground, punching a rock.
Rito: Hmm…
Rito approaches Daru, who is striking the rock forcefully.
Daru: Ahh! Ahh! Ahh!
Rito: Daru, what are you doing? That's not how I taught you to train.
Daru: Oh, Rito, I didn't see you there. Yeah, sorry, I got carried away.
Rito: Is something wrong?
Daru: What? What are you talking about?
Rito: You don't seem like yourself lately. Even during our fight, something felt off.
Daru: Nothing's wrong.
Rito: Daru, I can sense your blood moving through your body faster than usual.
Daru: How the— Oh right, you're a vampire; I forgot.
Rito: So tell me, what's wrong?
Daru: (Sighs) I joined this thing called the Order of Triumph, which is why I'm with those guys, and we do missions throughout the dimensions.
Rito: (Nonchalantly) Ooh, that sounds like a lot of work…
Daru: Yeah… some missions are, but before we got here, we helped a girl named Hana and her little sister Aimi at a school, and I—
Rito: What? Spit it out.
Daru: I saw so many people die… over a hundred!
Rito: You saw dead bodies, and that's why you're upset?
Daru: No… it's because Aimi's sister died… Hana died.
Rito: Ahh, I see. Well, Daru—
Daru: Yes, yes, I know, be grateful for the lives you save! I get it.
Rito: (Laughs) What! No! Well, yes, to some extent, but I was going to say this is a positive outcome.
Daru: (Angry) What! How! Did you not hear anything I just said?!
Rito: Ah, I can see how that sounded bad. Okay, let me try again. This is a good thing, Daru, because you can use that pain as fuel to help many more people! Yes, Hana died, and it's sad, but I'm sure she would want you to save more people instead of sitting here and moping.
Daru: You know, your way of trying to make people feel better is really weird, but it somehow works.
Rito: (Laughs) Ahh, I just winged it!
Daru sighs as the group arrives at the battlegrounds.
Ohma: Hey guys! I found Daru!
Akira: We know, dumbass; we can all see him.
Ohma: (Smiles) Great!
Himitsu: I'm not surprised you're up early… he always rises early.
Rito: I guess I trained him right. Well! Who's ready to get started on training!!
Ohma: ME!!
Kono: Umm… Mister Rito?
Rito turns to Kono.
Rito: No, no, please don't call me Mister Rito; just Rito is fine.
Kono: Oh, okay, Rito. I don't know how I'm going to do any training because I use guns.
Rito: Well, I suppose you're going to have to get your hands dirty.
Kono: Get my hands dirty?
Rito: Don't worry, I'll help all of you, but right now, I need everyone to give me your best shot.
Everyone: What?
Rito: Do you guys not know English? HIT ME! Come on!
Akira: Don't blame me if I hurt you!
Akira charges at Rito with a smirk. She extends her claws and attempts a slash attack, but Rito leaps and evades her strike, seizing her head and pinning it to the ground.
Akira: AHHH! GET OFF OF ME!
Akira quickly rises and begins launching slash attacks at Rito, who dodges effortlessly.
Rito: Really? Is this all you've got? I thought you were stronger than this.
Akira: SHUT UP!
Akira unleashes a fire blast from her mouth, but Rito intercepts it with his bare hands.
Akira: What the hell!?
Gram: Holy crap! Rito is insane!
Rito redirects the fire blast back at her, striking her down before she collapses.
Akira: (Injured) Uhhh!
Shortly thereafter, Zodiac enters, launching a slash attack with his sword, which Rito catches.
Zodiac: I will take your head.
Zodiac delivers a kick to Rito's face, forcing him to relinquish the sword.
Rito: A kick? Come on, fight like a man!
Zodiac's hair turns white, and a black tattoo appears over his eye. He transforms his dual blades into a scythe and lunges at Rito. Rito conjures a small red blast in his hand and charges at Zodiac, who expertly dodges the attack and drives the blast into Zodiac's chest, sending him soaring backward to the ground.
Kono: It's my turn!
Kono retrieves a gun from her waist and enlarges it.
Rito: Ah, this is new!
Kono fires the gun, generating large ice spikes. Rito punches and kicks them, shattering the ice as fragments scatter through the air.
Kono: What!
Rito swings his arm, and the ice shards collide with Kono, knocking her to the ground.
Kono: I'm not finished yet!
Kono pulls another gun from her shoe, enlarges it, and fires a massive fireball, which hits Rito without affecting him.
Kono: Gotcha!
As Kono continues her barrage, she hears a voice beside her.
Rito: It's getting kinda hot.
Kono turns to her side, startled to find Rito standing directly next to her.
Kono: Wh—
Rito delivers a punch to her face, sending her crashing to the ground.
Kono: (Injured) But… how?
Himitsu charges at Rito, brandishing his spear for a jab.
Rito: A spear?
Rito sidesteps, steps on the spear, breaks it in half, seizes Himitsu's head, and delivers a knee to his face as he collapses, clutching his nose.
Himitsu: (Injured) AHHH!!
Daru and Ohma exchange determined glances before launching simultaneous attacks. Ohma pulls out his nunchucks, his eyes shifting to hazel, and begins swinging at Rito, who skillfully dodges.
Ohma: AHHHHHH!!
Ohma throws both nunchucks into the air, catches them, and slashes at Rito's head, successfully landing a hit. Rito looks at him and smiles.
Ohma: Wh—
Rito punches him in the chest. Ohma swiftly grabs Rito's arm and flips him onto his back.
Rito: Didn't see that coming.
Ohma looks up at Daru.
Ohma: NOW, DARU!
Rito turns to Daru, who is charging up a blast with both fists together.
Daru: TELL ME HOW THIS FEELS!
Daru sends the blast toward Rito, who remains on the ground.
Rito: You guys are too easy.
Ohma: Huh?
Rito uses his ability to switch places with Ohma, who is now on the ground.
Ohma: WHAT!!!
Daru: UGHHH!!
Daru accidentally strikes Ohma, sending him crashing into a rock wall.
Ohma: (Injured) Ahhh!
Rito rushes at Daru, who is caught off guard, and delivers a flying knee to Daru's face. They both go flying, landing on top of Zodiac.
Daru: (Injured) Uhhh!
Zodiac: Damnit! GET OFF!
Rito: Wow, you guys are—
Rito looks around.
Rito: Gram…
The scene reveals Gram hiding behind a rock.
Gram: (Cheeky smile) Yes! He's never going to find me; he's so distracted by the others!
As Gram observes, he notices a shadow above him.
Gram: Aww man!
He looks up and sees Rito standing on the rock, looking down at him.
Rito: Gram, what the hell are you doing?
Gram: (Nervous laughs) Oh, me? I'm just testing to see if this rock makes a good back scratcher.
Gram begins rubbing his back against the wall.
Gram: Yep! This is a good back scratcher! (Smiles) Want to give it a try?
Rito tosses Gram into the air.
Gram: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Gram lands on Akira.
Akira: UGHHH!!
Akira grabs Gram and throws him to the ground.
Gram: Ouch…
Rito: (Laughs) Well, looks like you guys will need a lot of training… So let's get started for real now.
Himitsu: Real now?!?
Rito: Yeah? (Laughs) Wait, you thought this was training?
Ohma: Well, yeah.
Kono: This wasn't training!?
Rito: No, no, this was merely a warm-up to assess what areas I need to help you work on. Now, get up, grab something to eat, and meet back here in 20 minutes.
Everyone heads back into the castle to eat while Rito waits for them. After 20 minutes, they return to the battlegrounds, walking toward Rito.
Rito: Alright, you idiots… you came just in time.
Akira: What did you just call us!?
Gram: (Stuffed) Man, that food was good!
Himitsu: It really was.
Kono: So, what kind of training are we undertaking today?
Rito: Well, Miss Kono, today's training will focus on identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Based on your fighting abilities, it seems there is considerable room for improvement.
Daru: (Sarcastically) Yeah, thanks. We really appreciate it.
Rito: (Laughing) But that's alright; after our training session, you should notice significant improvements. Since each of you possesses different powers, you are familiar with Psionic Energy, correct?
Ohma: Psionic Energy? What is that?
Zodiac: It's what everyone has, you moron.
Ohma: (Smiling) Ohhhhhhh. I still don't get it.
Zodiac shakes his head.
Kono: Maybe he just needs an explanation.
Rito retrieves a beer from his pocket and takes a sip.
Daru: Rito!
Rito: (Pausing) Yes, yes, relax. I'll explain. You see, Ohma, Psionic Energy is an inherent force within all of us, coursing through our bodies. This energy originates from a singular point and can manipulate various forms of power.
Ohma: Oh, now I understand.
Akira: Stupid.
Ohma: (Smiling) Why, thank you, Akira!
Akira: IT'S NOT A COMPLIMENT!
Rito: However, it's important to remember that not everyone can access a specific type of power.
Himitsu begins to lower his head.
Gram: So, do you have to be born with it?
Rito: Essentially, yes. Your powers begin to develop at birth. After that, it is too late.
Gram: I suppose that makes sense.
Rito: Indeed, but enough talking. Let's get started with your training. First things first, I want everyone to do 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups.
Gram & Himitsu: WHAT?!
Rito: What? Is that a problem?
Kono: (Nervously) Um, don't you think that's a bit excessive?
Rito starts laughing.
Daru: (Shaking his head) I already know what he's going to say.
Rito: Well, Kono, that's not my problem. So hurry up and get started.
Ohma: (Excited) Come on, everyone!
Ohma gets on the ground and begins doing push-ups, and everyone follows suit.
Gram: (Struggling) 11, 12, 13.
Gram's arms give out, hitting the ground.
Gram: This is too hard!
Daru: 231, 232, 233.
Gram: What! How is Daru already in the two hundreds?
Rito: Gram, stop talking and start doing push-ups.
Gram: Aw man!
As 10 to 15 minutes pass, everyone finishes their push-ups and sit-ups except for Gram.
Himitsu: (Out of breath) That was tough!
Kono: My arms are so sore!
Akira: You guys are weaklings! That was too easy.
Zodiac: I don't even do this kind of stuff, and it was nothing.
Daru: Of course it's easy. Try doing 500 without breaks and then come back to me.
Zodiac: Okay, mister show-off.
Rito glances at Gram, who is still struggling with his push-ups.
Rito: You're still on push-ups?
Gram: 31, 32.
Gram collapses to the floor, exhausted.
Gram: (Out of breath) I… can't… do… it…
Rito: That's enough. Now I want everyone to pick their sparring partners. While you're doing that, I'll call you individually to talk. I'll start with Zodiac.
Zodiac: Of course I'm first…
As Gram attempts to rise, Rito halts him.
Rito: What do you think you're doing, Gram?
Gram: I thought we were done?
Rito: Yeah, for everyone else, not you. Get back to your push-ups.
Gram: Man, you suck, Rito!
Rito: (Smiling) Not my problem.
They all laugh at Gram as everyone pairs off to spar. The scene shifts to Zodiac and Rito, isolated from the others, engaged in conversation.
Rito: So, Mr. Zodiac, brother of Daru. I never thought it would be you.
Zodiac: Well, it's only natural you'd be surprised.
Rito: (Laughing) I thought you'd be as big as Daru.
Zodiac: Sure. Do you want to hurry up and say what you have to say?
Rito delivers a swift punch to Zodiac's chest, causing him to yelp in pain and fall to the ground.
Rito: Let's address that. You can't even withstand a simple punch from me. Have you not engaged in any physical training?
Zodiac: (Rising, holding his chest) If you touch me one more—
Rito: Shut up.
Zodiac notices the serious expression on Rito's face and begins to feel anxious.
Rito: I don't care how tough you act. If I wanted to, I could kill you in less than a second.
Zodiac remains silent.
Rito: Now, answer my question. Have you done any physical training or not?
Zodiac: No, I haven't. I've only trained my speed and senses.
Rito: Hmmm, and who was your trainer?
Zodiac: My master, Mizuda, and other Zodek.
Rito's eyes widen in shock.
Rito: Mizuda trained you?
Zodiac: Yeah, is that a problem?
Rito: Oh no, it's not that. I was just a bit surprised, that's all. So these people only trained you in speed and your senses?
Zodiac: Pretty much. As a kid, I thought physical training was pointless compared to speed.
Rito: Well, Your a dumbass to think that way.
Zodiac: What!? What do you mean?
Rito: While speed is certainly an advantage, it becomes irrelevant if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot utilize it.
Zodiac: I don't know.
Rito: Precisely. You shouldn't overlook any aspect of your training simply because you deem it insignificant. Now, I would like you to demonstrate your full capabilities, including your weaponry and powers. This will allow me to gain a clearer understanding of your abilities.
Zodiac: Fine.
Zodiac draws his dual blades and executes a series of swings while Rito takes a sip of his beer.
Zodiac: This is my power.
Zodiac transforms into his light form, his hair and eyes glowing white as he summons a spectral hand.
Rito: (Drinking) Ah, so your power involves summoning a hand?
Zodiac: Yes, this is my own power. But I can also do this.
Zodiac activates the black tattoo on his right eye, causing his dual blades to emanate a glow. He begins to morph them into a scythe, greatsword, and bow.
Rito: Interesting. Is this also your own power?
Zodiac: Not really. This power is derived from the dual blades; they are Zatarian blades.
Rito: I see, so it's not exactly your own power. Can you create any weapon you want?
Zodiac: When wielding my dual blades, it feels as though I can, but in reality, I cannot. It seems as if there is a limitation preventing me from generating more.
Rito: That's pretty strange. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Is there anything else you can do?
Zodiac: Well, I can also do this.
Zodiac utilizes Sudoshi and appears directly in front of Rito.
Rito: (Surprised) Oh, so you know how to use Sudoshi too!
Zodiac: How do you know the name?
Rito: It's simple. We created that technique.
Zodiac: Really?
Rito: Yes. Sudoshi is an ancient technique created by vampires, passed down through generations, and is quite rare. It often requires years of dedication to master.
Zodiac: Yeah, Zodek told me the same thing since he and Mizuda can do it too.
Rito: How interesting. Have you advanced further in the technique?
Zodiac: (Confused) What do you mean by that?
Rito: Are you serious? They didn't inform you? Sudoshi is much more than mere teleportation to a location or an individual. It offers a range of capabilities, such as this.
Rito observes a vampire engaged in sparring and prepares to teleport to him. He steps forward, and just as his foot is about to make contact with the ground, he teleports instantly, surprising the vampire.
Vampire 1: Wh-what the?
Rito glances back at Zodiac and executes the same maneuver, teleporting directly in front of him.
Zodiac: What the!? That was so fast!
Rito: (smiling) That's called the "Sudoshi Step."