R11

Tora's Pov

The moment the whistle escaped her lips everything calmed down. Even the wind that had been blowing reduced to a gentle breeze before stopping completely. The water serpent stayed still as she gracefully climbed onto its snout before coming to stand on top of its head. She stood there for a few moments before saying

"It's very rude to spy on people and you've been doing it for quite a while. However, my patience has run thin so why don't you come out."

Unknown Girl's Pov

I've felt a steady gaze on me for a while now. I couldn't tell where the presence was but I could feel their gaze. I kept on practicing my arts as my master had always told me to but I was weary the whole time. When the water serpent I had created was coming at me, my watcher's focus slipped for a second before disappearing again.

 That slight slip-up allowed me to pinpoint the general location. However, my patience an out as it seemed they were not willing to make themselves known.

"It's very rude to spy on people and you've been doing it for quite a while. However, my patience has run thin so why don't you come out."

A white-haired boy suddenly stepped out of the confines of the trees and stared at me. He was dressed in a t-shirt and simple trousers with a pair of boots. Only his air was white as every other thing on him including his eyes were black. His gaze was sharp and almost seemed dead at the same time. On his waist hung a pair of swords and one of his hands rested on the hilt of the longer blade. A close-range fighter.

 "Why have you been spying on me?"

'I wasn't at first. I've never come across anyone on this mountain before. I sensed your presence while I was training and decided to come have a look by myself.'

Staring at him in surprise I asked him warily

"What do you mean you sensed me? I always have a barrier up whenever I train. It's not something that can be detected either."

Shrugging his shoulders he replied sternly

'Well, I did. You can believe me if you want to or not.'

He didn't seem to be lying, but I had to find out for myself if this guy was bluffing. Willing the serpent to disperse while making the water directly under my feet solidify. To others this made it seem like I was walking on water. However, the white-haired boy didn't seem fazed by this. Growing eager to test him I made a staff from water to rise beside me. As my hand moved to touch it I heard him speak with a sharpness that was not present in his voice before

'That would be unwise.'

The color of his eyes had changed from black to crystal blue and his iris had become like that of a cat. His entire demeanor was that of a predator closely watching which prey had the audacity to face it head-on. Realizing I had frozen in place, I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. This guy was no joke. But that didn't mean I was a pushover either.

Grabbing the staff I twirled it around but the moment I got into a stance I realized too late that he was already a few inches away from my face with one hand over my hand on the staff and the second pointing a finger in between my eyes. The very air around him was electrifying. Staring into his eyes made me freeze all over again. It wasn't a hostile gaze but at the same time, it wasn't gentle.

Letting go of my hand and stepping back he said calmly 'I'll leave you to your training.' With a burst of electricity that cascaded over his body he instantly vanished and this time I couldn't feel him at all.

Staring at my hand still holding the staff I dematerialized it and stood on the spot wondering why my heart was pounding and I was feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I couldn't wonder for long as I lost focus and fell into the lake that was below me.

Tora's Pov

Standing at a distance from the lake I stared back in the direction of the lake before dashing off in the opposite direction. Getting back to my initial training spot my mind drifted back to the girl I had just met as I stared at my hand. Despite her defined features, her skin had been so soft, and despite the fact that she was at a spring that made a small lake she smelled like a sea breeze.

 Shaking my head clear of any distractions I sat back down to wonder about what I was going to do going forward. Something at the back of my mind told me I should not trust Kiri completely lest I regret it. How many people will I need to reach my goal? How long was it going to take me? How much stronger did I have to be in order to reach and surpass the Professor and other powerful incarnates? Will I be able to get to the level of the zodiacs and surpass them?

Quickly drawing my sword and sending a slash attack towards the northwest of my position I watched the attack speed and then explode in the distance. Gritting my teeth I quietly said

 "Thank you Byakko. I really do have a lot to learn. To think that someone could use mind manipulation on me and I couldn't even notice. I really am lacking." The moment the words left my lips I blinked and found myself in the forest where I had first met Byakko. The tiger sat and stared as if he had expected my presence.

"Listen very closely cub. There are all sorts of power in this world. But it is not always those with more power that survive. You have to be smart as well as strong if you want to survive. It seems the incident around your reconnection has caused some unwanted eyes to look in your direction but no matter. They will only serve as a way to spread the word of our power to the world. Prepare yourself cub, for there is much to be done."