Tenebrous Wolf
Chapter 63: The Moment Before Departure

Chapter 63: The Moment Before Departure

For the remaining three weeks, Klaus decided to use this opportunity to train not only himself but also Briar. As a succubus, she possessed the ability to influence and control the minds of others, making her a valuable ally. According to the description of her Mysticism Ability, her mind control worked well on anyone, humans and monsters included.

Simply put, in situations where his great physical strength would be ineffective, Briar could use her ability to ward off enemies or even tame one using her blood. However, he noticed that the succubus had one major flaw.

Her physical stats were trash! It wasn’t even possible to sugarcoat it. Her physical stats were utter trash!!

Not only did she tire out easily, but she also couldn’t even complete a simple short-distance sprint properly, let’s not even talk about her pitiful arm strength. It wasn’t looking good at all!

Physical fitness was a standard requirement in the academy, regardless of one’s classification. This was due to the geography of the Shadow Realm. The land was mostly barren, riddled with towering mountain ranges and treacherous terrain, making physical endurance a necessity for survival. At any moment, one might need to retreat to higher ground to escape a high-ranking abomination or flee from an overwhelming horde of creatures.

In such a scenario, how would she be able to escape when she couldn’t even complete a twenty-meter sprint? Yes, that’s right. She couldn’t complete something that even a child could do daily! This was a serious problem!

Though Klaus wasn’t sure whether her condition was a result of his influence or if she was naturally this weak, he knew for certain that she couldn’t leave the succubus like this!

Thus, their daily training began. The academy had a track field available for Aspirants to use for exercise. Given the current circumstances, he couldn’t afford to let Briar be noticed, even in disguise. However, it was a different story at night, when the place was empty.

On one particular day, under the soft, Illuminate glow of the academy’s street-lights, Klaus led the disguised Briar to the empty track field. The night air was chill, and the vast space felt eerily silent, save for the occasional rustling of wind against the surrounding trees.

The young awakened crossed his arms and wore the expression of a gym instructor. Then, he glanced at Briar, who was wearing his tracksuit.

"Alright. We’ll start with the basics. Run from here" — he pointed to a starting line — "to that marker over there and back."

Briar followed his gesture and narrowed her amber eyes at the distance.

"That’s... a hundred meters."

"Exactly. If you can’t handle this, then forget about surviving in the Shadow Realm."

"You know, I’ve never needed to run in my life. My ability usually take care of everything. Besides, can’t I just stay in your Soul Stream?"

"Didn’t you say that you didn’t like the vibe of that place?"

"Yes, but it’s definitely better than this pointless things."

"OH, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT MAKING EXCUSES WHEN YOU CAN’T EVEN COMPLETE A HUNDRED-METER SPRINT! ABILITIES THIS, ABILITIES THAT! IF YOU COLLAPSE FROM RUNNING, WHAT’S STOPPING SOMEONE FROM STABBING YOU BEFORE YOU EVEN GET THE CHANCE TO USE YOUR ABILITIES?! DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A CREATURE’S LUNCH? BECAUSE THERE’S NO COMING BACK FROM THAT!!"

Briar looked utterly offended but could only grit her teeth. She sighed before stretching her arms, preparing herself for the inevitable suffering.

"Fine, fine. No need to yell so much. I’ll do it."

"Good. Get into position."

With a small nod, she crouched slightly, readying herself to run. Klaus raised his right hand.

"Three... two... one... go!"

Briar launched herself forward and used her thick legs to carry her entire body weight down the track.At first, she moved with surprising speed. However, that great burst of energy faded just as quickly as it appeared.

Barely twenty meters in, her pace wavered. Her breathing grew rough, and by the time she reached the halfway mark, she was visibly struggling. Her arms flailed slightly as she forced herself forward while her speed dropped to something closer to a fast jog of sorts.

By the time she crossed the finish line, she collapsed onto her knees, gasping for air.

She wheezed:

"Water. I need... water."

Klaus shook his head.

"That was pathetic."

Briar shot him a glare between ragged breaths.

"How about you try running with a body like this? My muscles weren’t made for this kind of abuse!"

"That’s exactly why we’re doing this. You didn’t seem this exhausted when you were eating well and growing fat."

"You jerk! Did you just call me fat?! I’ll have you know it’s practically impossible for me to gain weight!"

"Yes, yes, demons sure are amazing, how wonderful," Klaus said dryly, his lips curving into a sadistic smirk. "I’m sure I already know where all that extra weight goes." Needless to say, he was talking about her butt.

Briar gasped in outrage.

"You—!"

Ignoring her reaction, Klaus tossed her a water bottle, which she barely caught.

"Anyway, you need to build stamina, whether you like it or not. Since we don’t know what’ll happen in the Shadow Realm, this is necessary preparation."

Briar groaned dramatically but still took a long sip of water.

After downing the entire bottle in one go and taking a few minutes to catch her breath, she was about to relax—

"Again," Klaus ordered, his arms still crossed.

"W-Wha...!"

Briar choked on absolutely nothing.

"Are you insane?! You want me to do that again?!"

"That’s right. If you don’t make it this time, I’ll take your Mini Pad."

"Oh! That’s just a low blow and you know it!"

Klaus remained indifferent.

"I’d start running if I were you."

"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! This is shit! I hate you so much, you big jerk!"

Shouting her grievances to the heavens, Briar began running again.

This was going to be a long night. No. A rather long and excruciating three weeks for the succubus.

† †

Time ticked by. Days turned into days, slowly turning into weeks. It was natural for time to fly when everyone was busy with their own individual training.

In such a situation, before anyone realized it, the time for their First Departure had finally arrived.

On such a decisive day, Klaus was already missing the comfort of his bed and, of course, the soft sensation of Briar’s skin as he used her as a body pillow. The succubus was already inside his Soul World, and it seemed that her resentment toward him had only increased.

Unfortunately, nothing could be done about that.

Forgetting that, he didn’t exactly know how to feel. Well, this was going to be his last day on Earth... for a while. Soon, he would enter an uninhabited realm filled with countless mysteries. Just what would he face in the Shadow Realm? Would he fall victim to Chaos or would he manage to escape with his life?

He decided not to think too much about those questions.

’Ugh. Let’s just hope we have prepared enough.’

There was nothing else he could do right now. It was understandable. He had trained with all his might for this inevitable moment, improved his strength and sharpened his senses through countless virtual simulations. Moreover, he has his trusty succubus who could now hold her own somewhat. Remembering the pranks she pulled on several male and females was enough to put a smile on his face and ease his unease.

All things considered, he was ready.

Dressed in the black form-fitting Advanced Combat Suit with a shealthed cybernetic katana he had purchased earlier, along with a backpack, Klaus made his way to the Tactical Survival class.

Obviously, there was no class today, but he had come here anyway to bid farewell to Teacher Rex.

The old man got pretty emotional while sending him off. Honestly, it had been a long time since Klaus had received this kind of affection, excluding his past encounters with Sasha.

After expressing his gratitude, Klaus met up with Yuki one final time to say goodbye.

The pilot trainee was still the same as he remembered, but it was undeniable that she had changed, if only slightly. Lately, she had become more expressive, especially when visiting the black cat they had adopted together and named "Lucky."

The small feline had grown attached to Yuki, often curling up in her lap whenever they visited. Klaus had expected her to leave most of the caretaking to him, but to his surprise, Yuki had taken full responsibility, ensuring the cat was always well-fed and cared for.

As Klaus approached, he found her sitting in their usual spot on a bench, stroking Lucky’s fur. She glanced up at him, her strange, golden eyes calm yet holding an emotion he couldn’t quite place.

"I see. So, it’s finally time for you to depart."

"Guess so."

A brief silence stretched between them before Yuki reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small, rectangular device and handed it to him.

Klaus tilted his head slightly, examining it with curiosity.

"What is this?"

"It’s a communicator linked directly to me. If you manage to locate and open the Secondary Gateway, the Angelion Attack Squad will mobilize immediately. I’ll be participating in the operation as well."

"Wow. You’re already getting involved in battle operations? I don’t know whether to be impressed or concerned."

"I’m only participating in a limited capacity, so I have no real authority or freedom of movement. However, I should be able to provide assistance as long as the Secondary Gateway is found and opened."

"You don’t have to worry about me too much. The academy’s precious instructors have trained me well, so I should be able to handle myself. Still... thanks for this."

Klaus said those words sincerely.

There was always the possibility that they wouldn’t find the Secondary Gateway at all. In that case, the device Yuki had just given him would be completely useless. Even so, he made sure to express his gratitude.

Lucky let out a soft meow, rubbing its head against Yuki’s hand before turning to Klaus. He crouched down and scratched behind its ears.

"Also, make sure to take care of her while I’m gone. You’re her adoptive mother, after all. Wait, hold on... doesn’t that make us some kind of couple if I’m the adoptive parent as well?"

"A couple?" Yuki repeated, her voice carrying an unusual note.

"Forget I said anything. That was weird."

Another silence fell between them, this time heavier. Klaus knew Yuki wasn’t the type for long-winded goodbyes, and truthfully, neither was he.

He stood up and gave her one last glance.

"Well, see you around, Yuki."

"Ah, wait a moment."

"Huh? What is it?"

Something strange happened. Yuki placed Lucky on top of her head and, with a monotone voice that now oddly resembled that of a stay-at-home mother, she said:

"Remember to not get yourself killed and eat properly. Lucky would be very lonely if you die so if you sustain any injuries, make sure to treat them immediately. And if you die, I’ll be very disappointed."

Klaus was scaught off guard by the sudden change in tone.

"... What was that? Did you just turn into some kind of overprotective housewife?"

Yuki blinked slowly.

"I’m just mimicking something I saw in a television show where the wife would put her cat on her head and wave her husband goodbye for work. I just changed the dialogue appropriately to match this situation."

"That’s... certainly interesting."

"Why the low voice? You don’t like it."

"No. Actually, I was rather moved. Shocked, but moved. It’s a good year strange feeling y’know."

"I understand. I don’t have any experience in this regard."

Klaus chuckled and patted her head. Receiving his glorious headpat, Yuki froze like a statue and her eyes widened at the same time.

She was frozen in this state for approximately 60 seconds before she snapped out of it.

Glancing up at Klaus, Yuki asked:

"Why did you do that?"

Klaus shrugged, with a lazy smile tugging at his lips.

"I don’t know really. It just felt right."

Yuki stared at him for a moment, as if processing his words. Then, without another word, she adjusted Lucky on her head and looked away.

"... I see."

The air between them shifted slightly, neither uncomfortable nor awkward. It was just different. Sensing the atmosphere, Klaus took that as his cue to leave.

"Well, take care, Yuki."

She didn’t respond immediately, but as he turned to go, her voice, softer than before, reached his ears.

"You too, Klaus."

With that, he walked away, his footsteps steady yet filled with a strange lightness. He didn’t know why, but that final exchange left him in an unexpectedly good mood.