Hello everyone! Here it is: Accidental Reverse Arc 2! This chapter is not very eventful but it explains some very important things.

Now... onto the story!

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Accidental Reverse Arc 2

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Training becomes more intense after their visit to Teikoku and the Resistance. Raimon practices early, before classes start, and until the sky starts to turn orange. Instead of going about it relaxed, like before, training has now become a serious affair that sometimes holds the same amount of skill as during their matches.

It's what Tenma is used to. Raimon's practices from his time are taken as serious as a real match and most of the time, they even use their Keshin, Mixi Max and Souls. There is a reason they've hold the champion title for three years in a row, going on four.

The brunet cannot put into words how relieved he is he's decided to practice on his own before. Without his personal practice, he'd definitely be like Shinsuke – meaning, barely keeping up with the senpai.

Luckily his stamina training paid off immensely, just like his speed and shoot practice. Having experience as a soccer player for quite a few years already, the time traveler decided early on not to focus on Keshin and hissatsu immediately. Instead he's been training his basic skills.

Because, while hissatsu and Keshin might be great, they don't make an amazing player. An amazing player is just a bit faster, has just a bit more strength, a bit more stamina, a bit more skill than his opponents. Someone might have a strong Keshin, but if it comes to it, the better player is more likely to win.

So that's what he's been doing ever since coming to the past and, seeing how it's finally paid off, the brunet decides to start on his hissatsu and, more importantly, Keshin training after the Teikoku-Raimon match.

Starting with Mach Wind. The first time 'round, he'd been practicing his shoots intensively the week before the match against Teikoku – probably the only reason he'd managed to create an offensive hissatsu technique. Since he's been practicing on all fields, he's skipped the intensive shoot training.

That's why, for the first two days after their trip to Teikoku, he practices shooting on his own at the riverbank field. While perfecting Mach Wind the first time 'round took a week, with his better training this time, it only takes a day before the beginnings of a super shot start to show. At the end of the second day, he finally manages to complete it.

''Mach Wind!'' the ball, surrounded by a blueish white aura, hits the net of the goal forcefully. Tenma lands gracefully on the ground, a smile playing on his lips.

''Guess that's enough for now, huh...'' he mutters to himself as he grabs the ball and makes his way to the bench on the side of the field. He sits down and grabs a water bottle, taking a few sips as he watches the darkening sky.

The sounds he hears are familiar and relaxing – cars in the distance, the rushing of the river water, the gentle breeze rustling the trees – and remind him of his own time. He closes his eyes, letting the peace of his surroundings wash over him.

After a while he opens his eyes again and sighs. ''I think I finished shooting...'' he mutters to himself, mentally making a checklist of everything he needs to do for practice. ''Dribbling doesn't really need a lot of work, I guess. I can't do much about teamwork without actual teammates, and my speed is good enough for now,'' he muses aloud.

Then his attention focuses on his main problem. Keshin.

'Since my Keshin is so unstable now, I can't depend on it in matches,' he grumbles mentally. 'Great. So, first things first... awakening my Keshin naturally, instead of having it try to break free like it's doing now.'

The time traveler sighs as he stares at the setting sun, the sky above his head already a dark purple. ''Guess that means I've gotta practice with my Keshin...'' his thoughts go back to the first time his Keshin showed itself in this time. ''It didn't just simply appear shapeless. It almost seemed to take the form of Keshin Armed...'' He frowns. ''Not that it's such a surprise, considering I use Keshin Armed the most... but what about Keshin Shielding and Keshin Charging?''

Raimon's Keshin users in the future have been focusing on their Keshin. There is not much known about the energy forms, and if something like Keshin Armed exists, wouldn't it be possible for something else to exist, as well? There was Keshin Drawing – using the energy of other Keshin users to power your own, like Arakumo did – and Keshin Fusion – fusing two or more Keshin together, like Takuto, Kyousuke and Tenma did with Demon Emperor Gryphon.

And it turned out, their suspicions were correct. There were more forms of Keshin Projection (also known as materializing a Keshin, unlike the Keshin Forming, which would mean a cloud of blueish black energy).

Keshin 'Armed' is actually a deceiving name for that form of Keshin Projection – people often think that Keshin Armed is a defensive projection, while it's actually a strengthening one. Keshin Armed enhances the user's abilities – speed, strength and energy control (in other words, the controlling of hissatsu energy). That's why Keshin Armed is stronger than a normal Keshin. The armor powers up the user's body, also the reason why it is harder to maintain than a normal Keshin – a 'failsafe', so to say. Since Keshin Armed enhances the physical abilities, the chance of physical failure (read: injuries) is bigger as well. If Keshin Armed was as easily accessible as a normal Keshin, it could have negative consequences considering the user's health.

If Keshin Armed is the strengthening projection, there is also a defensive one – Keshin Shielding. By using Keshin Shielding, the Keshin Projection loses its materialized form and returns to the Keshin Forming projection – the energy form. It then takes on an aura-like shaping, sometimes even a 'wall' of some sorts, around the user and the surrounding area. While it may sound weird and inconvenient, it actually functions very well as a defense method. The Keshin energy blocks opponents and shots, the range of the 'shield' depending on the user's strength and control. Once someone perfects Keshin Shielding, it can even take on the form of a hissatsu.

As there are strengthening and defensive projections, there is also an offensive one. This one is called Keshin Charging. By using Keshin Charging, the user puts all his power in an attack, 'charging' the ball with Keshin energy. When controlled completely, it can materialize as well. This is a lot like a normal Keshin shoot, except for the fact there is no normal Keshin Projection behind the user, because all the energy is used to charge the ball. This also means that the shot is stronger than a normal Keshin shoot.

Tenma sighs as he contemplates what he should do now. ''Using different Keshin Projections in the Holy Road will mess up the timeline... but that's what I've been doing anyway, right? No time to worry about the butterfly effect now,'' he mutters to himself. ''Guess I can't avoid using them, anyway, even if I try. I should at least try to master them again...''

Then he chuckles dryly. ''Or maybe I should start focusing on Keshin Projection in general, because I can't really do much without a Keshin to start with.''

Having decided what to do next, he nods to himself and then frowns. 'The sky is already completely dark... I'll have to start Keshin training tomorrow. Unless Tsu-chan beats me to it and asks coach Endou if he can train me personally. But that's unlikely, because I haven't really shown much Keshin Forming except for that time on the first day.'

His thoughts go back to the time he tried meditating a few weeks ago. Usually, when he meditates, he can feel the calming energy of both Keshin and Soul inside him, but at that moment...

His breathing started to even out and the sounds became distant, replaced by his own heartbeat echoing through his ears. His body was starting to feel warm, a familiar warmth yet different at the same time.

Not a slow and calming heat flow, like he normally felt when he uses his Keshin, bending the heat to his will and letting it follow his commands.

No, instead it was a raging, quickly spreading forest fire, devouring everything in its path. He recoiled at the hurtful energy. The amount of destruction it could cause if it was left to run free...

Slowly he reached out to the energy, cautiously looking for any sign that it would attack and overpower him like it did before.

Suddenly it lashed out and he flinched back, his eyes snapping open. He was panting heavily, sweat covering his forehead even though he hadn't even done anything yet.

''I couldn't feel my Soul at all,'' he whispers softly to himself. A frown crosses his features and he bites his lip. ''Ever since I came here, it has... disappeared. Yet... there are a few instances where I could've sworn that it was there.''

'What does that mean?' he muses as he stares at the darkening sky high above. 'Perhaps... perhaps my Soul is being repressed by my Keshin?' he discards that thought almost immediately. 'No, that's not it. It's more like my Keshin is raging and my Soul is waiting at the sidelines before making its appearance.'

Then he remembers what happened after meditating.

He had almost reached the goal now, and the brunet waited for the right moment to shoot and then kicked the ball with all his might.

The ball cut through the air like an arrow, faster than Tenma could blink, and hit the net where it stayed for a few seconds, spinning harshly, before bouncing back and lying on the ground. Smoke rose up from it.

The brunet gaped at the shot he just made. It might not have been the most accurate, but heck that was a shot worthy of an ace striker like Tsurugi!

''How...?'' he trailed off, his mouth suddenly dry. 'That shot shouldn't have been so powerful... even in my real body, that would've been one of my strongest shots. So how can I possibly make it now...?'

His eyes widened in realization.

''It can't be...''

''I thought it was my Keshin energy at the time,'' mutters Tenma, lacing his fingers together in thought. ''But now that I think about it... it didn't feel like a Keshin. It felt more like a Soul than anything else.''

He bites his lip again and rests his chin on his hands. 'But why? Why did it appear so suddenly? Why did it have such an effect? It enhanced my abilities so that they were at the same level as my most complicated plays in my older boy. Almost like...'

Then the realization hits and for a moment he is frozen.

Because he knows that feeling. He's felt it many times before, but at that time it was so faint that he didn't realize that it was-

''Soul Trance.''

  ~'0'~  

The next day after school Tenma, Shinsuke, Tsurugi and Aoi rush to the clubroom, where they find the other members of the soccer club. The three players quickly change into their uniforms, and within ten minutes after classes ended Raimon is gathered on the field, ready to put as much time in training as possible.

Training for the match against Kaiou (which hasn't been decided yet, but hey, time travel anybody?) goes noticeably different than the first time 'round. Whereas Tsurugi trained with Tenma in hopes of awakening the latter's Keshin, due to a lack of Keshin activity (if you can call it that) the Seedling has not picked up on the fact that the brunet possesses a Keshin yet.

That's the reason why Tsurugi's now training with Shindou, because the game maker's Keshin is, while naturally strong, still untrained and thus not at its highest level.

Luckily for Tenma, his Keshin has finally gotten used to Lancelot and Maestro, so this time there is no painful energy while the two (awakened) Keshin users are practicing.

The brunet himself is focusing on his hissatsu technique Spiral Draw, helped by Amagi and Kurumada. He's not entirely focusing on Spiral Draw, more or less deciding he'll just see where he ends up. Who knows, maybe he'll end up with something else entirely.

The time traveler yelps as he's once again thrown to the ground, partly due to Kurumada knocking him down and partly due to the wind throwing him off balance.

''Are you okay?'' asks Kurumada, kneeling next to him.

He hears how Amagi joins them. ''You should take a break.'' A tinge of concern laces his voice.

The brunet pries his eyes open to look at the two third-years. ''I'm fine, I've had way worse,'' he answers and smiles in hopes to quell their worries. He moves into a sitting position and stares up at the sky. 'I know I could use Spiral Draw if I really tried... but I'm not. I just can't focus right now... I don't know what to do anymore. I have to choose. Keshin or Soul?'

''Tenma?'' he's pulled from his thoughts by Kurumada's voice. ''Are you sure you're okay? You spaced out there for a moment...''

The brunet nods. ''I'm fine, just thinking...'' he answers as he stands up, grimacing at the dirt staining his uniform after being thrown on the ground so many times.

Suddenly Endou's voice sounds over the field. ''Okay guys, let's take a break and then go on with a practice match!'' he calls to the players. Said players make their way to the benches, where the managers are already waiting with water bottles.

Tenma sits down on the grass with a bottle, enjoying the fresh breeze blowing over the field as he watches Shindou sitting down next to Kirino. The captain looks about as horrible as the time traveler himself, mud and grass covering him almost entirely. The brunet holds back a chuckle, having had to put up with Tsurugi's harsh training methods often enough.

He sighs as he lets himself fall backwards, lying down onto the grass and watching the clouds lazily drifting through the blue sky.

''Tenma?''

''Hm?'' the brunet lazily shifts his gaze until it falls on the past self of his favorite ex-captain. ''Hai~?''

Shindou raises an eyebrow. ''Something wrong?''

The time traveler lets his gaze return to the clouds above, the reflection of the sky making his eyes seem bluer than usual. ''No,'' he answers after a while. ''Just trying to think of something.''

His thoughts return to the idea that has been nagging him since the day before. 'Keshin or Soul... what to do? I have to learn how to control my Keshin and Souls aren't supposed to show up in the next four months yet, but still... I'm not any closer to controlling my Keshin than I was when I first arrived and I have no idea what to do about it. And if my suspicions are correct, both my Keshin and Soul are messed up. Can I really focus on the former without figuring out more about the latter?'

Before long practice resumes, but the time traveler is not an inch closer to discovering the unknown winds lying before him.

  ~'0'~  

Tenma sighs as his team takes another break after working on teamwork. He's still trying to figure out what to do about this whole situation, yet decides to put it out of his mind for now. 'No use in getting worked up now.'

He watches as Endou's phone rings and the coach tells the team about Kaiou's Seeds. Just like the first time 'round, everyone is shocked by that news and Tsurugi tells them that not all Seeds have a Keshin.

Then suddenly, something inside him stirs painfully. His eyes widen in shock as a familiar wave of pain and exhaustion crashes over him. His chest – or rather, his heart – burns and he hears the rushing of his blood through his ears, his vision becoming blurry. He gasps soundlessly and grasps the shirt above his heart.

He slumps in his seat, gritting his teeth as the agony doesn't disappear like it did the first two times he had an 'episode' like this off of the field. Not to mention, this time he's surrounded by his teammates and sooner rather than later, they'll notice something.

He clenches his eyes shut, his whole body shaking as the agony increases and he keeps himself from curling up into a ball, knowing that that would only be more suspicious.

Suddenly a hand is placed on his shoulder and his eyes snap open. Grey eyes meet worried black and the brunet attempts a weak smile. The keeper doesn't seem to fall for it and his frown deepens as he shoots a look at their fellow soccer players.

Sangoku looks back at him and something in his eyes shifts, just as the rest of the team moves to continue training. ''Come on,'' he says softly to Tenma, standing up and gently placing a hand on the time traveler's back to unnoticeably support him as the younger stands up.

Tenma stumbles slightly but manages to catch himself, his eyes filling with pain. Sangoku smiles reassuringly at him and looks at Endou, who is standing a few feet away. ''Coach, is it okay if I show Tenma something inside the clubroom? I think it might help with his new hissatsu technique,'' he lies smoothly.

Endou looks up at the two, Sangoku blocking most of his view of the young midfielder, and nods. ''Sure!'' he grins at them. ''Take your time!''

The keeper returns the smile and turns back towards Tenma. ''Come on,'' he says, gently pushing him forward. Somehow the brunet manages to walk without stumbling.

The moment the keeper closes the door of the clubroom behind them, the brunet crumbles to the floor, grasping the shirt above his heart. He breathes unevenly and his faces is scrunched up in pain as he curls in on himself.

Sangoku sinks down on the ground next to him, worry evident in his expression. Even so, he keeps quiet though he looks like he'd rather be fussing or something. Instead of doing any of those things, he just silently sits next to the time traveler in a show of silent support.

After a few minutes the pain finally lessens, and Tenma breathes a sigh of relief. He weakly sits up straighter and leans against the lockers behind him. Sangoku's face fills with relief yet his eyes are still worried. ''Are you okay?''

The time traveler shrugs weakly. ''I'll be alright,'' he mutters as he closes his eyes, leaning his head against the lockers and letting his eyes close. ''I hate it when that happens.''

Sangoku bites his lip, a frown evident on his features. ''Has that happened before? Do you know what it is?'' he asks finally.

The brunet nods and opens his eyes, staring at the ceiling. ''Yeah, four times now, not counting matches,'' he answers the first question. He reaches for a water bottle standing on the bench next to him, taking a sip and relaxing slightly at the cool liquid. He closes his eyes and focusses on his slightly ragged breathing.

The keeper's frown deepens. ''But do you know what's wrong?'' he repeats again.

The time traveler opens his eyes and stares at the ceiling with an unreadable emotion in his eyes. After a while he gives a small nod. ''I think so.'' At Sangoku's patient stare, Tenma sighs and gives in. He sits up a bit straighter, wincing a bit at the pain that shoots through his chest, and lowers his gaze to the floor. ''It's something called a chained Keshin.''

''Keshin?'' repeats Sangoku incredulously. ''All this, caused by a Keshin?''

The brunet shoots him an amused look. ''Not even surprised by the fact that I have a Keshin in the first place,'' he jokes slightly.

The keeper's eyes fill with concern. ''Explain,'' he orders gently yet not leaving any room for debate.

Tenma sighs softly and draws his knees to his chest, letting his chin rest on them. ''It might sound unbelievable, but if you think about the amount of energy a Keshin uses...'' he watches as Sangoku's eyes narrow in understanding. ''That Keshin energy is not easy to use and takes a lot of time to awaken. Usually it 'awakens' by training or under dire circumstances, like Shindou-senpai's did.''

The third-year bites his lip. ''But normally, Keshin don't hurt their users,'' he points out after a moment of silence.

The time traveler nods. ''That's true, but normally a Keshin is not chained,'' he answers softly. ''You see, a chained Keshin... is uncontrollable. Wild. It's different from a normal Keshin. For example, Shindou-senpai's Maestro had been stirring for a while – maybe from the moment Tsurugi first used Lancelot, or maybe even before that. Due to the situation, Maestro awakened. After that, it settled down again, to be used at a later time – Shindou-senpai fainted, yes, but that was because of the exhaustion from awakening his Keshin. But once he did, he was free to call forth Maestro whenever he wanted.

''A chained Keshin is different from this, because it's awakened by force. When someone's Keshin is forcefully awakened when it isn't ready yet, it means that the Keshin hadn't been stirring before – it is suddenly called forth from out of nowhere, while the host's body is still unprepared to handle it. This might happen when the host is in danger, or something calls for the Keshin. That's good when the host is in that situation, but after that, the Keshin can't settle down again.

''Since the host's body is unprepared for the Keshin energy, it can't take the amount of energy that comes with using a Keshin. Because of this, the energy can't go to 'sleep', so to say, and since it can't settle down it tries to force the host's body to adjust to it. But the body isn't ready for this, so basically it rejects the energy. The energy then keeps trying to settle down, but since the body is shut down, it simply hurts the host. Because of this, the energy becomes wilder and starts to attack the host more. The host's body keeps rejecting it. An endless cycle.

''The Keshin energy also reacts to other Keshin. I suppose every Keshin has its own 'signature', so to say, that can be sensed by other Keshin. Whenever the rogue Keshin energy senses another nearby, it will act up again in order to... well, to 'face' the other Keshin. A defense mechanism. But because the body is still rejecting it, the energy will try to force it to work, so basically it ends up hurting the host all the more.

''And then you have the... episodes, as I like to call them. That's when the... well, the fight between the host's body and the Keshin energy becomes too much. Because as long as the energy hasn't settled down, they'll keep fighting, it's just that sometimes it's less and sometimes it's more. Whenever it's more, there's a possibility of it becoming too much and hurting the host again.''

Sangoku's eyes become more and more horrified with every passing sentence. Once the brunet is done, the third-year stays silent for a long time, thinking of everything that he has learned just now.

Tenma doesn't mind the silence, instead continuing to sip from his water.

Eventually the keeper speaks up. ''So... whenever we face a Keshin user, it's hurting you? Whenever Tsurugi or Shindou use their Keshin, it's hurting you?'' there's a slightly panicked note in his voice, mixed with a lot of concern.

The time traveler shakes his head and Sangoku frowns in confusion. Before he can ask, however, Tenma explains. ''Well, the Keshin 'signatures' differ for every Keshin – even the same ones are different, influenced by their hosts. When Keshin are often used together, for example between teammates, a... bond, of sorts, is created. They 'ally' themselves together, able to share energy and strength. They make each other stronger and react better together.

''Due to a lack of... violence, especially on Maestro's part, my Keshin and Shindou-senpai's have allied themselves. In other words, instead of hurting me and stirring up my Keshin, Meastro calms it down and soothes it. It has the complete opposite reaction. Same goes for Lancelot... kind of, but that's because Tsurugi used it to hurt me before. But Lancelot and Maestro have started to form a bond, so that calms my Keshin down as well. Besides, Tsu-chan's been using Lancelot a lot the past few matches without hurting me, meaning that Pe- my Keshin is slowly getting used to it.'' Tenma winces slightly at the slip up. Calling his Keshin 'Pegasus' probably isn't a good idea, since he's not supposed to know its name yet.

Sangoku breathes out slowly, relief flickering over his face. ''That's good,'' he mutters. He then addresses the time traveler sitting next to him. ''Is there anything you can do about this?''

The brunet nods. ''Yep. Training.'' At Sangoku's confused frown, he shrugs. ''My body is not ready to handle a Keshin right now. So I just have to bring my body to a stage where it can deal with the energy.''

The keeper nods in understanding. ''So... the stage where you should've naturally awakened your Keshin?'' he asks, but the brunet shakes his head and he frowns. ''Then what...?''

Tenma shrugs. ''In theory, your idea is logical. But a chained Keshin is uncontrollable – the energy is still wild. Instead of controlling the new yet calm energy, you'll have to deal with something untamed. That's harder than normal Keshin energy.''

''I see...''

The two fall into silence. Both know they probably can't take too long, otherwise their friends might come look for them, but they honestly don't want to go back to the field yet.

Tenma rests his head against the lockers behind him, the pain thankfully having faded away by now. He can't help but wonder if telling Sangoku all this was a good idea. The less people know about it, the better. But even so... the keeper already figured out something is wrong. That makes him unpredictable, and while Tenma hates the idea of 'controlling' his friends, there are certain things that have to happen. So if that means getting Sangoku on his side by telling a little bit of the truth... then so be it.

Meanwhile, Sangoku is contemplating everything he just heard. He doesn't know if he should be happy or not, now that he knows what exactly is going on. It's a relief to not be in the dark anymore about his junior's condition, but the details are sending shivers down his spine.

He casts a look at the brunet sitting next to him, surprised by what he finds. The time traveler is sitting with a serene look on his face despite the conversation he just had and his eyes seem to swirl with blue, standing out in the grey. The keeper blinks and when he looks again, it's gone.

Shaking it off, he sighs, attracting Tenma's attention. ''At first I thought you were ill or something,'' the third-year admits. ''With your love for soccer and the way you tried to hide it, it was logical. I never expected it would be something like this though...''

The brunet cracks a smile at that, drawing his knees to his chest and leaning his chin on them. ''Hm,'' he hums softly. ''Maybe the others would think something like that as well if they ever found out... especially with my regular trips to the hospital,'' he muses to himself. At Sangoku's startled expression, he explains. ''I have a few friends in the hospital who I visit regularly.''

The keeper nods in understanding. The two fall back into silence, both not wanting to return to the field yet. Eventually though, Tenma lifts his head. Sangoku looks up at the movement, stilling when he sees the serious look in those grey orbs – once again swirling with blue.

''Sangoku-senpai,'' says the time traveler softly, something in his voice and eyes making the keeper frown. ''Please don't tell the others – or anyone else, for that matter – about this. If they ever find out, it'll be because I told them.''

The third year stares at him in disbelief, but Tenma's grey-blue eyes simply look back without blinking, not a drop of hesitation in them. ''What if something happens during a match?'' asks Sangoku once he manages to find his voice again. ''What if you suddenly collapse during training and the others ask if I know something. Do you really expect me to lie to them like that?''

Tenma's answer is resolute, no trace of doubt in it. ''Yes.'' The blue in his eyes intensifies and for a moment Sangoku sees blue flames rising up in the brunet's orbs, pulling him in.

Then the moment is gone and the keeper lowers his own gaze to the ground, thinking it over. On one hand, if something were to happen, he wouldn't be able to tell anyone. If it was really serious, Tenma might not get the help he needed simply because he wouldn't be able to tell the truth about the brunet's condition. But on the other hand... the midfielder has trusted him with this information while he could've chosen not to. And the chance that something would happen isn't all that big... right?

But there's only one real point that stands out, isn't there? As Sangoku thinks back to the past few weeks at Raimon, one thing stands out to him.

Matsukaze Tenma is a very secretive person.

To be trusted with one of his secrets... as far as the keeper can tell, he's the first one on the team who has gotten this close to the brunet until now, and that only because he caught the time traveler during a few of his episodes. If he doesn't accept Tenma's terms, there's no telling what will happen. And that's a risk Sangoku is not willing to take.

So, with a sigh, he agrees. ''Fine, but...'' at this he locks eyes with Tenma again. ''You have to promise to keep me updated.''

The brunet nods in understanding. ''Fair enough.'' With that he stands up, dusting off his clothes before making his way to the door. ''I believe the others will get suspicious if we stay here any longer.''

Sangoku wordlessly stands up and follows him.

  ~'0'~  

That night, Tenma allows himself to fall down on his bed. Having gone for a swim again – something that's become quite regular for him by now – and then starting with Keshin practice has left him exhausted.

Grey eyes stare up at the ceiling, swirling with unspoken thoughts. 'The match against Kaiou was majorly decided by my Keshin, but I can't use it now... so what would that mean? Raimon is still a weak team at the moment, so we probably can't win like we are now...' while he'd deny it under all circumstances, he's very worried for the outcome of the next match.

He sighs softly as he turns on his side, staring at his room in the darkness of night. ''I have three days until the game, in which I have to make major process with my Keshin or reach Soul Trance.'' He groans at the thought, both ideas not something he's looking forward to.

He jumps from his bed and walks towards his desk. Within seconds, he's turned on the lights and opened his laptop, sitting down in his chair while he types in the password. Without hesitation he opens internet.

The search term Souls doesn't give much useful. Kuroiwa Ryuusei leads to some kind of old, rich man in Italy who sponsors some of the soccer teams there. It also gives Tenma a picture of a very familiar man who will be his future coach.

Nothing about Souls, though. Kageyama Reiji gives more information, but also states that the man died ten years or so ago. Nothing about Souls here either.

Kuroiwa Ryuusei Souls is not even worth talking about, same as Soccer Souls. After Tenma decides searching won't do much, he instead opens the online rulebook of the Holy Road Tournament, going through all of the 'allowed' and 'not-allowed' stuff.

A ghost of a smile slowly grows on his face as he reads further and reads nothing about Souls either. Then he reaches the end of the chapter and grins wickedly. ''Aha. Chapter 8, page 56, rule number 107. Forms of energy manipulation not stated in the rulebook are considered legal as long as it does not go against any other existing rules. Gotcha.''

After checking the other rules against, just to be sure, and taking the time to memorize rule 107, the time traveler nods to himself. ''Alright. A full Animal Soul might draw attention I don't need... Soul Trance. It'll mess up the timeline majorly, but... what else can I do at this point? I don't really have a choice – controlling my Keshin in three days is not going to happen, so Soul Trance is the only real option. The question is... can I use it right now?'' he frowns curiously, his thoughts going a mile a minute. ''Basically, Souls aren't as physically dependent as Keshin, so it should work... but the time limit...''

Tenma glances at the night sky, which has turned black by now, and sighs. 'Guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out, huh... but meanwhile, I can at least write down some important stuff.'

He grabs a pen and an empty notebook and opens it on the first page. Tapping his pen against his desk for a moment, he starts to make a timeline of the events that have occurred so far. Then, he makes another timeline, filling it with all the things he can remember from the first rebellion.

Comparing the two, he bites his lip carefully and flips to a new page. There, he writes down all the events that haven't happened yet and have to happen. Under that, the events that shouldn't be all that important, and beneath that list, he writes suggestions for his own plans.

The next pages are filled with ideas, thoughts and opinions. After that, he writes down everything he can remember about training methods for various things, Keshin and Souls included.

Once he finishes, he closes the notebook and stares thoughtfully at it. Then, not finding a reason not to, he scribbles a few words on the cover.

Reverse notebook.

  ~'0'~  

And that was the first chapter of Arc 2! Not very eventful, I know, but important. More action will come later, so look forward to it! Now Imma continue mass-uploading!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!

- Yara Meijer