[4th/4th] Week 316: Welcome to the Fourth

[Evergloam]

Welcome to
the Fourth​

Evergloam as Ren Tegishahara
Nargles as Lucia Amaterasu-Frey​

- 3,248 words -​

A calm breeze seemed to perpetually blow through Lucia’s personal training ground, deep within the healing gardens. The lavender-haired girl was sitting on a tree trunk, reaching behind her to pull out what appeared to be an increasingly ridiculous set of kitchen ware. A small collapsible table, table-cloth, two plates, a pitcher of iced tea, and surprisingly varied three-tiered sandwich platter all seemed to appear out of thin air.

She frowned for a moment as something was clearly missing. With an expression of sudden genius, she reached back again to pull out two tall glasses for the tea as well as a fully stocked ice-box.

With a satisfied grin on her face, she looked over to her still exhausted student before pouring iced tea into her glass. “Drink some of the iced tea, it’ll perk you up quickly! You need to start replacing some of those lost calories as that training session was super-negative calories,” explained Lucia, as she poured some of the lemon iced tea into her own glass. She reached over, hesitating for a moment, before setting her sights on a cucumber and tahini finger sandwich.

“I remember when I first started to use Fruit of Labor,” she began to talk with her mouth full, “I was starving. Nearly cleared out the manor pantry.”

There was noise somewhere. She couldn’t tell, all she could see was the brown and green of the ground. Oh, the soft ground. There was a voice after the ruckus, calling out to her. The same voice that had been instructing the vampire.

Slowly, her body rose, her arms shaking violently as she pushed her body into a sitting position. Reaching out to grab the glass, she let out a sharp gasp. The tea was cold, and the glass didn’t hide that fact. To her aching arms, it felt heavenly. Her second arm embraced the glass and its cool feeling. Ren sat there for a long moment as Lucia talked, enjoying the sensation of her hands being cooled off.

Then, the glass was lifted up, straight to her lips, as loud gulps were taken and the glass was emptied rather quickly. When the glass left her lips, she let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you, Lucia-sama,” she paused briefly before reaching up to grab one of the many sandwiches, stuffing her face in a rather unceremonious way. Such elegance. “Is it meant to feel this bad afterwards?”

She looked up, sandwich still halfway in her mouth. “I’m totally surprised you even managed to lift your arms. Fruit of Labor pushes your muscles to the breaking point and forces your body to rapidly repair them with reiatsu. Essentially it’s a power weight session with a bit of magic mixed in. However, considering you’re ripping apart every muscle fiber in your body... let’s just say you’ll be sore the first few times you use it!”

Lucia turned around, grabbing a stack of napkins. Oddly enough, she took one with a noblewoman’s grace, patting the sides of her mouth to remove any crumbs. “Take it easy for the next few days and then start slow. Start with something like... I dunno... lifting a large futon with one hand. As you improve your skill, you’ll soon be on your way to the ‘bench-pressing sedans’ phase.”

As her arms shakily reached out for another sandwich, the vampire listened to her teacher carefully. She was going to be in pain for a while, but it was worth it. When Lucia said, in the most casual way ever, that she could lift up a futon with one hand, her eyes went wide. “I could barely move you, how can I move a piece of furniture?”

Almost immediately in response, a spoon was smacked into Ren’s face, thrown with surgical precision (literally). “That’s quitter talk Ren! Don’t you remember what you just told me? How on Earth are you going to become strong enough to protect yourself if an IKEA futon sends shivers down your spine?”

As Ren recovered from the sudden impact, she was immediately met with a bowl of vanilla ice-cream. In Lucia’s hand appeared to be a gallon of ice-cream and a set of serving bowls. “Then again, I guess I’m not the best person to say that. Even just a year ago, I was doing whatever I could to get out of doing anything risky or even remotely difficult.”

When the spoon hit her forehead, it left a simple red mark. And a falling Ren.

She rubbed the mark on her head and sat back up slowly, careful not to tire her muscles any more than they already were. She reached over to her side to grab the offending spoon, sticking it into the bowl of ice-cream and letting it rest there for a moment. “It doesn’t scare me, it just seems... weird to hear those words. I just pushed my body to the very limits, and I don’t feel any different unless you count being tired as different. This morning, I could lift my weight in clothing and now you’re telling me I could lift a couch with a hand.”

She bowed her head apologetically, shoving her spoon into her mouth after her head raised. “I’m sorry for complaining. It just seems... weird that after today, I can lift a couch over my head with ease. And bench pressing cars? When does that come in?”

“Oh, don’t worry, it is totally weird. There’s no way getting around that. But it’s easily the best part of the technique. Your progress with technique is something both mental and physical. It’s so closely tied with the user that it’s actually a really good way to measure your own progress.”

The girl got up, walking over to a relatively large boulder and readied a punch. With a single strike forward, the monolithic stone was launched far into the neighboring river. “It’s physical as in you have to slowly work up what you can lift like any other weight training. However instead of weights, you’re more likely than not going to have to improvise. Don’t worry though, with a proper diet you won’t end up bulking up too much. You’ll probably feel a bit more toned but nowhere near mega bodybuilder physique.”

Lucia walked back over to Ren, sitting on the other side again. “More importantly though is mental training. Enjoy that weird feeling because it’s only get weirder. You’ll need to start thinking about things like always being in control of your strength. Hell, some days I have to consciously remember to hold back my strength or I might accidentally pile-drive someone into the ground when I pat them on the shoulder. But I’m thankful for that as well. You want control over your life, don’t you Ren? This is one of the best ways to slowly develop a sense for your own body and your own limits.”

Ren watched the boulder fly with ease, eyes widening. Holy shit.

She continued to eat the food provided, switching back to a sandwich with one bite and an ice-cream scoop with another. Casting a look at her thin muscles in her arms, she raised a questioning eyebrow. Yeah, she had strength beforehand. She could stand her own in a fist-fight against a handful of people, but now? What kind of strength did she have to learn to control?

“So this strength is something I’ll need to learn to control daily... It’s not something I can just will or draw on like Kidou?” she asked, moving her hand to grab the glass of chilled ice tea. It felt just as amazing as it did before when she first touched it. Bringing it to her lips, she drank it down to wash down the smorgasbord of food she had started to eat.

“Unlike kidou you’re not gathering energy from your body to cast. The strength’s there, something that you’ll soon quickly find out when you recover. It’ll be rough for the first few weeks, you’ll probably underestimate yourself until you get a good handle on the strength you can draw out. However, after that, well it becomes so second-nature that it’ll become automatic!” she exclaimed.

With a smirk and a single raised eyebrow, “And honestly, when you get to that point things become really cool. Everyday tasks become way easier when you can ramp up to superhero strength at a whim.”

Lucia placed her spoon down in the bowl in front of her, “And don’t think you’ll have no supervision. This wasn’t a one-shot deal Ren. Just learning the technique makes me think that you have a knack for hakuda and the previous training session showed me that you have a good handle on kidou as well. You’re a bit rough around the edges for now, but who hasn’t been at that point? And hey, I like teaching people and passing on whatever skills I’ve learned. Doesn’t help anyone if I hoard them all to myself.”

The healer paused for a moment, “That is if you’re up for that Ren. Hopefully I haven’t scared you off with this session!”

The vampire smiled, even going so far as giving up a chuckle at the mentioning of superhero strength. She continued to put spoonful after spoonful of ice cream into her mouth until it left a very visible chill in her throat, her body shuddering as she swallowed the delicious treat. She continued listening, smiling more when the medic stated she had potential in Hakuda and Kidou. God, was there anything better than getting praised by a captain who happened to be your idol?

“You haven’t scared me at all!” she declared, sticking the spoon into the half-eaten bowl of ice cream. “Actually, I was going to ask you something after our training session. I was going to ask before I passed out, but... well, I passed out.” A sheepish smile formed in place of her elated smile, her hands folding into her lap as she looked up at the healer captain.

“I want to transfer to the Fourth, with your permission, Lucia-sama.”

Lucia looked up suddenly, a combination of surprise and curiosity on her face. She seemed to pause for a moment before her brain remembered how to formulate words again. Ever since her ascension to her Captain, her division had slowly become more popular, in no small part due to the publicity of her taishuu. However, having someone actually coming up to her to request a transfer was still very new.

“Oh! Uhh! Yeah!” she exclaimed, in a manner that was far more excited than she thought Captains should be. Realizing her bubbling excitement she suppressed it for a moment, “I mean, I’m fine with you transferring to the Fourth. But if you don’t mind me asking... why?”

She took a more quiet, almost sad tone as she began to speak. “Well, Adelaide-taichou and the Mystics are my family, they always will be. But it’s a small family. A distant one at that. Adelaide-taichou and I rarely speak anymore and she prefers to speak and be around Adele-chan, her younger sister. She’s been that way ever since she adopted her.” It was a harsh realization when she felt the words pour from her mouth about how she felt lately, but she knew it was one of the reasons why she was wanting to leave.

“Adelaide-taichou said she was going to teach me as well. She’d teach me how to control my kidou ability because of our similar zanpakutou abilities. And that was months ago... We rarely talk and it seems the only person that I do talk to in the Tenth is Adele-chan. If I went to the Fourth, I’d be able to at least speak to my superiors more often. I’d be able to form a new family that wouldn’t just grow distant and stagnant as time passed. I’d even be able to learn under you and learn how to control my strength and go to new extents!”

The hopeful medic looked at Lucia from across the table, her eyes meeting the captain’s own. “I’d be able to transfer as soon as possible if you’d be able to accept me. I’d even notify Adelaide-taichou and hopefully leave on good notes and not gain the dislike of anyone for doing so. I don’t want to leave my family, but it feels... wrong to stay there. The only one keeping me there really is Adele-chan, and she wouldn’t be upset about my departure.”

A frown appeared on Lucia’s face. What was getting into Adelaide as of late? Sure, the Mystic Captain had always been a bit... emotional at times, but it had gotten much worse as of late. Her perpetual state of mopiness hadn’t escaped Lucia, and the bold declaration of hostilities between her and Feng had only caused her to worry more.

“Adelaide... has been weird, as of late. I don’t think she’s going of her way to ignore you. She’s been like this since becoming Captain, since she doesn’t feel as if she ‘earned’ the position. Honestly, that’s a load of crap since if she had even a little bit of faith in herself she would rise to challenge, but I’m getting a bit off topic...” she mumbled.

“Well, I accept your transfer request. You can transfer whenever you want. If you feel uncomfortable bringing this up to Adelaide I can talk to her if you want,” explained the noblewoman before a calming smile appeared on her face, “I don’t play favorites in my division Ren! Just because you’re my student doesn’t mean you’re going to get leeway. You’re going to be pushed and prodded into success since I want to start a new golden era for the Fourth!”

Ren’s face continued to darken at the mention that the Briton wasn’t like this just recently, but was like it ever since becoming a captain. Ren never noticed a bit of self-loathing or anything of the sort except when Adelaide roasted Hikaru, and that was due to the fear she instilled in her subordinates. There was a bit of light that continued to shine like a summer sun as Lucia spoke, essentially welcoming Ren to the medics.

“Thank you, Lucia-sama,” Ren said, smiling softly. “I wasn’t expecting special treatment for it. Everyone is technically your student in the Fourth since you’re captain.” The idea of a new division welcomed the new possibilities for growth, camaraderie and more. She wouldn’t leave the Mystics behind completely, she’d see them. Adele and Adelaide would receive their visits whenever she could spare the time for a check-in and a conversation. Ren’s smile only widened at the thought. Things were going to turn out better.

“After another bowl of ice-cream, I think I can try to push you again, Lucia-sama!” Ren declared with a joking smirk, knowing full well that her body wouldn’t handle it. “Or should I stick to lifting furniture?”

“Oh, since you want to transfer, I have a better idea than lifting furniture. How about using super strength to move the large dumpsters of biohazard materials!” she exclaimed excitedly, realizing the potential of having another person like her in the Fourth.

Seeing the somewhat shocked look on Ren’s face she laughed out loud before looking back down at the food in front of her. “You need to rest up before challenging me again! But, you’re whole transferring thing has put an idea into my head... and I think I have the perfect job for you!

“You’ve heard of combat medics right? We’re the ones that go beyond just patching people up. We hold our own in battle, kicking ass while still supporting our allies. Makoto started a combat medic program a while ago, but it never really got off the ground. But... I think you have potential to be an actual combat medic,” she explained.

Ren chuckled quietly at the mentioning of someone like her in the Fourth. “I’ve heard of some medics straying out to the field even during combat, with the potential to fight as well as heal. There’s not many of them, though, right?”

She smiled when Lucia said she had potential as a combat medic. “I’d be glad to join the combat medic program, Lucia-sama. I have fighting potential, though not as much as I could.” The vampire smiled wider at the woman across the table, her aching hands and body jittery with the thought. She was already finding a little niche she could fit well into in the Fourth.

“I have an even better idea than that!” she began to explain, “I want you to be my new Ninth Seat! You’d be in charge of your own team: The Emergency Response Unit! Unlike the primary and secondary squads, the ERU is supposed to be the first on the scene. You take care of the critically wounded and make preparations, including ensuring that the area is safe, for the larger relief squads to take over. It’s the Third Division of the Fourth Division!”

For a moment, Lucia was rather pleased with the name she had just made up.

“It’s a dangerous job though. You’ll be arriving sometimes in the middle of open combat, with only your unit and some members of the Third. Who knows if the area would have been cleared out of all enemies by that point. Not only that, your squad is smaller, in order for it to be more mobile, so you won’t have numbers on your side,” the noblewoman said with a slightly more serious tone, “It’s not for the faint of heart Ren.”

She listened to the explanation of the sub-division the Ninth Seat was in charge of, contemplating the decision. Her words would mark her standing in the division, as well as her role in doing useful things outside of the standard medic stuff.

Finally, her words came out, with a little bit of confidence to boost. “Neither is training with you, Lucia-sama. But I’d still do it no matter what, even if I had to do it every day of my life. I would be proud to take the position of Ninth Seat, as well as the duty that follows,” she stated, looking Lucia in the eyes. The vampire was serious and intent on doing what it took to make sure she fit well, to make sure her decision to transfer away from the Tenth wasn’t a bad one.

Lucia clapped her hands in excitement, pleased with her ability to actually perform Captain duties. “And it’s going to be great too. Because outside of work we have parties, and leadership conferences, and resort trips, and sightseeing missions to Earth, and Lady Gaga concert passes, and a fashion budget, and discounts at Whole Foods, and slumber parties!” she listed rapidly.

Breathing out, “But that’s all for later. I’ll send you a transfer request and you’ll just need to file it with the Tenth and Fourth. After that youâ be my new Ninth Seat!” Looking up towards her student.

“All that’s left to say is...” Lucia dragged out the syllable while reaching into her sleeves, “Welcome to the Fourth!” Comically large amounts of confetti was thrown out, showering down over the now former Mystic.

Ren chuckled lightly at the attitude of her teacher and future captain, a warm smile forming on her worn out face. When the multi-coloured shreds of paper showered over her, she could only laugh more, bowing her head to the noblewoman. “Thank you, Lucia-sama. I’ll try not to let you down.”