The cloaked man turned around, allowing Rosa and Serrano to see the man's red and black mask.

"Hey, answer me! Who are you? How long have you been watching us?" Serrano asked, raising his arms in a boxing stance.

The man raised both black-gloved hands into the air and laughed. "Woah, easy there, buddy! I am not an enemy!"

"He's right," Rosa said as she wrapped Tetsuya's right arm around her shoulders to make it easier to carry him. "This man right here is the creator of Agnes. He goes by the name of 'Kuroshi'."

"Kuroshi?" Tetsuya asked, opening one eye. His golden eye glanced at the man's black dress. "How ominous..."

"Hmm? Ominous?" Rosa asked, eyes wide.

Serrano nodded. "Yeah, his name is like that of a reaper." He glanced at Tetsu and grimaced. "I didn't think that I hurt you that much to push you toward death's door."

Kuroshi chuckled. "Aye, I guess it is rather ominous. This name of mine tends to strike fear to all those who see me. Especially to those who are injured, but rest assured young man, I am not some psychopomp who has come here to deliver you to the realm of death. I was merely curious as to who the wielder of Aventine will choose. To think that it'd be someone like you."

Tetsu's gaze moved toward the cracked tiles underfoot. "I am also surprised. It was so sudden..."

The man snickered. "Well, it seems like he made a good choice. Then again, it is too early to say that with absolute certainty. Still, you possess great power."

Tetsuya gave him a tired smile. "Thanks..."

The man crossed his arms and tilted his head at him. "However, you are missing something."

Tetsu closed his open eye. "I... I know, but I can't say what it is..."

"Hmm? Wish for me to tell you?"

Tetsuya opened both his eyes this time and stepped away from Rosa, suddenly feeling energized. "Yes! Uh, please, sir! Please tell me!"

The man raised his right hand and pointed his index finger upward. He chuckled and waved his hand. "No, I better not. That would be too easy. It's best if you figure it out on your own."

"Come-" Tetsu lowered his head. "I... I see."

The man let out a joyful laugh. "Come on, have more spirit boy! Don't give up so easily!"

Tetsuya slapped himself with both his hands. "Right! I just need to give it my all like always! This is like figuring out a video game of a genre one has never played before. I may be a struggling noob now, but the more I explore and play, the more I'll understand."

"What? Seriously?" the man said as he lowered his arms.

Serrano chuckled nervously. "My cousin is kind of a geek."

Kuroshi tilted his head at the young knights. "How does a college kid these days even find time to play video games? Anyway, that doesn't matter. I find that analogy to be worth considering. Now, Mr. Noob, you need to master at least the first stage of this 'game' by the next full moon."

"That's twenty-eight days from now," Serrano said, gazing back at his cousin. "That's two days after the finals."

"Right! Just use that day in between to refresh yourselves."

"Twenty-eight days from now... Going to need to use all my free time to practice," Tetsuya said, rubbing his chin as his golden eyes wandered across the empty arena. "Guess I won't be dropping by the gamers club anytime soon... but I'm the president... so..."

"Don't worry about it. I'll take over," his cousin said, nudging him on the shoulder.

Tetsuya narrowed his eyes at him and grumbled. "Aren't you going to train me?"

Serrano snickered as he let go of his cousin's shoulders. "Yeah, but during club you can practice by yourself."

Tetsu narrowed his eyes some more. "Oh, I see how it is."

"I can help!" Kuroshi said with a bounce in his step. "I am the creator of Agnes after all!"

Tetsuya smiled. "Thanks, sir. I appreciate it."

The man slapped the air. "Agh. There you go again with the 'sir', it's K, U, R, O, S, H, I!"

"My bad, s- Kuroshi."

The man nodded appreciatively. "There ya go! Though I do like your politeness. Got to thank your mother for raising you right."

Tetsu lips curled slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Y-yeah. Mom sure did a good job with us three."

"Polite? Seems it's only toward adults," Rosa said, pouting.

"Woah, was he rude to you?" Kuroshi asked.

"He made fun of me!"

Tetsu chuckled softly. "Sorry, sorry."

Rosa glared at him. "Hmph, you're only sorry now, huh?"

The man rubbed his neck like Tetsuya was. "Gosh, seeing you two argue like this sure brings back memories."

Rosa turned over. "Memories? That's a first."

"Eh?"

The princess smiled. "I never heard you or anyone else talk about your past. Well, other than that my father and you go way back. Actually-" Her eyes lowered. "I barely know what his own past was like, beyond the legends."

Kuroshi averted his gaze. "Osamu isn't one for nostalgia. That man seems like he'd rather forget. Not that I blame him."

Rosa sighed. "Nor do I. He has suffered a lot."

Osamu? So I was right about her... but why would he send someone of her status to deliver Agnes to me?

"Anyway, I appreciate your offer to help him, but what about the creation of the rifle?" Rosa asked.

"I finished it the other day. As you know, the spear and meteor hammer are in the hands of their respective owners already. So that leaves the rifle and the sword. Kohri and Miyuki will handle delivering the sword. As for the rifle, that one is being delivered by Eiji."

Tetsuya's eyes started to glisten at the mention of the latter two names. They were both Seven Hills from his father's generation. The Seven Hills themselves were an order made up of the strongest knights given the task of protecting the royal family. 

"Are you having the Seven Hills deliver all five?" Serrano asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yeah. They are valuable. Can't have just anyone handle them. We were going to originally hand them over to  them at the castle in a month's time, but it's best that they start adapting to them now."

Serrano nodded as if thinking of something. "I see. So that's why you had Rosa bring it. But why her? Why not the others?"

Rosa pouted. "Doubting me, aren't you? Hmph. You might be the strongest of our generation, but I can stand on my own."

"Still, you're a princess," Tetsuya blurted out.

Rosa grimaced. "S-so, you figured it out?"

Tetsu snickered. "Yeah. Not that you did a good job at hiding it, princess. Actually, I figured it out a long time ago. It was fun to see what excuses you would come up with."

Rosa blushed.

Kuroshi chuckled. "It was me who asked her to search for Serrano to aid her. Plus she was escorted here by Prince Zafir of Mizu no Kin at the orders of his mother. Thanks, your highness. You performed well."

Rosa curtsied. "You are welcome, sir Kuroshi. Though I would've liked it if Father had more faith in me and had allowed me to deliver Agnes without Prince Zafir's aid."

"Probably would've gotten more lost," Tetsu said, grinning.

Rosa glared at him and pointed her finger at him. "See! See! See what I meant? He's being rude, even after learning that I'm the second princess!"

Kuroshi chuckled. "It appears so. Shall I send him to the gallows, my lady?"

Rosa raised a hand to her chin and looked the dust covered young man over. "Hmm... maybe..."

"What?" Tetsuya said, lowering his arms. "You wouldn't seriously do that to your new knight, would you?"

Rosa giggled. "No. I, unlike you, know how to show appreciation. Plus, it is a tad refreshing to hear someone of your status be so blunt to a princess."

"Refreshing? I could really use something like that right now. I am all sweaty and covered in dust." He grabbed the bottom of his torn shirt and took it off. "Serra, go on ahead. I'm going to take a shower before heading back."

"You idiot, what do you think you're doing?" Serra snapped, shaking his head at him.

"Huh?" Tetsu asked, blinking. He glance at the completely red Rosalba. "Ahhhh! Sorry, princess, my bad!"

Serrano face-palmed and shook his head. "You can be such a dunce sometimes."

The neophyte knight pouted. "Hey! At least I didn't take off my pants or something!"

"Wow, does this bring back more memories," Kuroshi said, stifling a chuckle.

Rosa fanned herself with her hands. "I-I will be going now."

He gulped. Perhaps he had messed up. The princess probably now thought of him as a boorish man... 

Hmm, maybe what I'm missing is manners. I can be polite toward adults but- No, I doubt it's that. 

Serrano himself wasn't all that different from him. He only put up the facade that he was around people who weren't him.

Tetsuya gazed over his shoulder only to see Rosa staring back. His face flushed.

Is she checking me out? T-this is so awkward!

"Hey, princess! Weren't you on your way out?" Kuroshi yelled as he tried not to laugh.

Rosa spun around. "I-I was, but I do not seem to recall the path we took to get here."

"I'll show you," Serrano said, sighing. "Think Tetsu might've been right about you. Well, the getting lost part."

"He's not!"

"Hmm? So you do remember, huh?" Tetsu asked, grinning.

Serra put a hand on his hips and smiled at the princess. "So, do you?" he asked.

She averted her gaze. "N-no-"

That girl...

Kuroshi and Tetsuya watched as Rosa and Serrano walked away.

"Now that they're gone, teach me how to use this," Tetsuya said, raising his arm.

"And the shower?"

"That can wait. I want to hurry up and become a tsukumoten wielder."

"Tsukumoten wielder?" He chuckled. "That's a very old fashioned term you used there, young man! Almost no one uses that these days. Also, that term refers to wielders of special weapons in general. Even the wands used by the mages of Xeleria are considered tsukumoten." 

"You sure seem to know your history," Serrano said, smiling.

The masked man laughed. "Of course I do! I love studying it!" He sighed. "Though, we aren't here to talk about hobbies." He glanced up at the floating spectator domes. "Come on down, Yuko!"

Tetsu glanced up and watched as a tiny figure came falling down from one of the domes. It was a little girl with the roundest face he had ever seen. Her small stature and large cheeks made her seem no older than twelve. Her hair was as brown as loamy soil and so were her eyes which were large. Though there was something about those eyes which bothered Tetsu. There was no shine in them. It was as if he were staring at a broken or possessed person.

Though there was something else about her that gave him the impression that she wasn't an angel like them. The fact that she had jumped without spread out her wings was one of those.

He leapt forward to catch her but the girl spun around and moved away from him even as she was still in mid-air. Before touching down, she held out one foot and landed on the floor without even a thud.

Tetsuya stared at the little girl in bewilderment. She had the grace of a swan.

"Yuko, you'll be helping me gauge this guy's defenses," Kuroshi said.

"Yes, sir. Yuko shall do as commanded," the girl said, bowing her head at the man. She glanced at Tetsuya and raised her arms in front of her while moving one leg back. "Is the young sir ready?"

Tetsu narrowed his eyes. "A kid? I am not going to battle a kid!" Even though she does have impressive movements for one. Especially one not using wings at all.

Kuroshi snickered. "Yuko, attack!" he said, pointing at the young man.

"Yes, sir!" Yuko dashed forth before Tetsuya could protest. The youth flew back several inches.

His eyes widened. She had struck the left side of his abdomen with her knee at a speed he didn't think a kid could reach. Incredible, she so fast! She might even be as fast as Serra, if not more!

Tetsuya's eyes widened as Yuko switched from kicks to punches. His eyes could barely keep up with her rapid fire blows.

I need to block, can't stay as a punching bag. But her speed is like that of an experienced fighter such as my cousin. Though the force of her attacks, while strong is nowhere near that of the kick Serra used to nearly knock me out. And each strike is gradually weaker and a tad slower than the last.

He smiled. Then it seems that I'll just have to hold on a little longer and wait for the kid to tire herself out.

Tetsuya raised his right arm over his face as soon as Yuko's punches had slowed down enough for him to stop with ease.

Yuko pulled back her punch as she noticed this movement and delivered a spinning kick. However, Tetsu managed to grab a hold of her leg before she could make contact with his right leg.

Tetsu chuckled. "So you tried to mix things up, eh? Too bad I got you now," he said, keeping his grip on her right leg.

The girl raised her other leg and went for his chin. Tetsuya ducked and smiled, but the little girl wasn't done yet. She slammed her leg down. Tetsuya moved his arm and blocked it just as her heel came a few inches from the back of his head.

Tetsuya smiled. "I heard that kids were more flexible than adults, but I didn't expect this much. Even as a kid, I didn't have moves as flashy as yours."

Kuroshi whistled. "Not that your current self is any slouch. You certainly have an incredible amount of endurance which would put even professional boxers to shame. Still, no Agnes, though."

Yuko slammed Tetsuya's head with clamped hands, causing Tetsu to unhand her.

This little girl sure is a feisty one. Why do I need to fight her, though?

"That's enough, Yuko. I'll take over from here," Kuroshi said, chuckling.

Yuko fell to one knee and panted. Sweat covered her face. Her brown eyes scanned Tetsuya.

"You healed," she said, an ounce of emotion pouring out.

Tetsuya stared at the spots she and Serrano had hit. Any markings the two might've made were gone.

"Yeah, it seems that you two aren't all that different," the man said, patting Yuko's head. "Though that doesn't mean that you two can keep this up forever. Go back and have Nori heal you."

She closed her eyes as soon as he removed his hand from her head. With a single leap, she jumped several meters into the air.

"Woah! Who is that kid?" Tetsuya asked, watching as she vanished into one of the domes. "And what did you mean by we're not all that different?"

The man slipped his hands into the bags of his black pants and turned away. "Who she is doesn't matter. You still didn't manage to call upon Agnes during that exchange."

Tetsuya stared at his right arm. "I didn't think of calling upon it. All I could think of was her attacks. I needed to stop them."

The man snickered dryly. "You could've done so with your shield."

"Yeah, but I'm used to using my hands and arms to block." His eyes shifted toward the bracelet around his wrist. "I guess having one of these will take some getting used to."

"I see... how about we call it a break?"

Tetsu grimaced. I want to continue, but perhaps taking a break would be for the best. Maybe it won't work due to my nerves. Yeah, that's likely it. I have waited for this moment for so long that now that it's here, I'm a wad of nerves.

He glanced over his shoulder and gave the man a thin lipped smile. "Alright. Perhaps a shower will help me figure something out."

"Figure something out, huh? I see... I'll check up on you in a few days to see how it goes."

Tetsuya blinked. "Huh? Weren't you going to train me in place of Serrano?"

The man walked away. "It seems that you're one who loves to think," he said as he shrugged. "So take this time to reflect and see if you can 'figure it out'."

Tetsuya nodded, a solemn look in his face. "Alright, I'll try my best."

Kuroshi chuckled, "Meanwhile, I'll be checking up on the others..."

He snapped his fingers and vanished in a poof of black smoke.

Tetsu gasped. Did he use a smoke bomb... or did he actually teleport? Hmm, he said that he was off to visit the others. Wonder if any of them in the same predicament as me...

He slapped himself. Think about your situation first, Tetsu! You need to train more!

"Need help?" Yuko asked, jumping back down.

He gasped. "I thought you left."

She shook her head. "Master told Yuko to have Nori heal me. He's done. Since Yuko has now been looked over and given a prana drink, she can continue."

Nori? That guy did mention that name awhile ago, but just who is he? Wait, did she say prana drink? Is she a Xelerian?

Xelerians were beings from the universe of magic. Out of the known universes, they were the ones proficient at using prana. Unlike mana, which drew upon the natural surroundings, prana drew power from one's soul. While theoretically, any being could use it, non-Xelerians lacked the capacity to store said energy inside one's body for long.

Tetsu put his hand on his hips. "You sure you feel up for it? You looked very exhausted after our first exchange."

Yuko picked up a clump of cement that had cracked off from the wall Tetsu had crashed into earlier.

"Dodge," she said before launching the stone at him.

Tetsu stood his ground and raised his right arm. "Agnes!"

Nothing appeared, luckily his arm didn't bare any damage from it.

He sighed. "This is going to take time..."

"Yuko will make sure mister succeeds."

"Say, what happens if I fail?"

She looked at me with her big empty brown eyes. "Yuko will make sure mister succeeds."

O-okay... He smiled slight. I'll keep on trying to awaken it. Once I do, I'll finally be a knight. Just you watch Dad, one day, I'll become as great as you. If not more.

*Character Section*

Yuko- Age: 12? (looks like) 16? (claims to be)

'Kuroshi'- Age: ?

And for those wondering...

Shirtless Tetsuya (except take away the sword xD)

*Solar Note: Happy Easter. I hope that you're enjoying this day in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ^_^!

Also hope that you enjoyed the chapter :). Please let me know your thoughts on it! What do you think of the two new characters?**