54 Lesson (1/2)

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Ousame's brothers were dead silent. They looked at Mame who had been gasping for air after he had been thrown to the side like a ragdoll. They didn't expect such a child to act so ruthlessly and to display such strength.

*wheeze wheeze*

”Remember the contracts you've signed. I would rarely show myself in front of you guys but I'm still your employer. It wouldn't do you any good if you judged me by how I look” Kazuya grinned and caused all of them to feel shivers down their spines. It was as if they had made a deal with the devil.

”I-I sincerely apologize young master and I thank you for your mercy!” Mame lowered his head to the floor and expressed his sincerity towards Kazuya.

He had no doubt that he would have died if Ousame hadn't intervened on his behalf. His brother had already warned him not to mess with Kazuya but he ignored it as soon as he saw that he was dealing with nothing but a kid. The respect and fear his brother held for this kid was not without reason.

”Good. Looks like you've understood. I like people who are quick to understand” Kazuya smiled and the oppressive chill everyone felt started to leave. Only then everyone started to relax.

Kazuya was impressed by this. As expected from people who used to work for the underworld. They were quite sensitive when it came to sensing danger. He was glad that the gamble in roping in these people paid off.

”What brings you here at this time young master?” Ousame decided to change the subject after sensing the danger passing. He was always on edge in Kazuya's presence and with good reason.

He didn't tell his brothers about his experience with Kazuya for the same reason Mame reacted the way he did. None of them would believe what he had experienced and see him as a crazy fool. This was why all he did was warn them not to mess with him or there will be dire consequences and he wouldn't be able to protect them.

”I was going to tell you this over the phone but grandpa Jirou already brought me here. You're all going to be meeting the people you will be working with, observing and protecting very soon. The company will have a end of the year gathering and all of you are going to be attending” all of their ears perked up after hearing what Kazuya announced.

Unlike the regular employee's contracts, theirs were different and even a little stricter. Their responsibilities differed especially because of their experiences and specialties. Not only were they security to protect from the outside, they were security from the inside as well.

”A gathering with M-mistress Kazuno and Sawada-san?” Unlike the others, Ousame felt pressured. He already heard that Mei was pretty much set to be his future wife, hence his nervousness.

”Correct. Also, since I'm already here, I want to remind you that although I told you to consider her words as mine, one command shall never be overwritten even by me. That will be that her safety is above even my own. No matter what she says, her safety if it ever comes down to it will be more important than anyone else's. Do you understand what I mean?” Kazuya looked straight into Ousame's eyes and expressed his seriousness.

”Y-yes” he shuddered. Ousame understood that he meant that even if they had to die, Mei must be kept safe or they would be pulled down to hell.

”Good” Kazuya nodded approvingly. ”I'm not telling you guys not to enjoy yourselves during the gathering but you must remember your responsibilities and not get yourselves get carried away”

”Understood. I will brief my brothers on their responsibilities”

”I will be staying here for a few days so I'll drop by and test you and your brothers if I have time” he turned towards the rest who shuddered at the thought. They all saw the color drain from Ousame's face when Kazuya said that and they immediately felt scared.

”Y-young master, can I ask a question?” Mame mustered up his courage and decided to speak up.

”What is it?” Kazuya was impressed with this guy's courage.

”How are you so strong? I don't mean to be rude but you're really still just a child, right?” Mame looked at Kazuya with expectant eyes.

”It's because he can use internal energy” Jirou walked in with Tomoyo following behind him.

”(Internal Energy? Is that how mana is called in this world?)” Kazuya pondered.

This was mentioned in Natsu's studies. There were various names and identifications on Earth but for them who had been summoned to Edea, it was mana. It was just with the small amount present on earth, only those who had real talent and trained would be able to feel or even use it.

”I knew it was something like that!” Mame looked ecstatic. It was like what happened earlier never occurred. He looked reverently at Kazuya which made even him a little uncomfortable.

”Such a thing really exists?” Ousame was a bit skeptical but he couldn't deny it after seeing and experiencing it for himself.

”Of course it exists. It's something that can't be explained by science nor something that people can use on a whim so skeptics such as yourself find it hard to believe. It normally needs to be trained and even after having some ability to use it, it would be at an age where people would shrug it off as adrenaline or muscle power.

The kid in front of you is living proof of it. I don't know how he did it but he is able to use it on a whim. You can ask him to give you another demonstration using yourselves to confirm it” Jirou laughed after seeing their startled reactions. He wasn't eavesdropping this time and just arrived but it looks like the boy already did it.

These group of people seemed a bit shady at first but after starting their training, Jirou felt that they really were trying to turn over a new leaf. Kazuya may have sent them here with his recommendation but Mei followed up to make it clear that they were aspiring security personnel that she was asked to take care of.

”Then are you able to use it as well Master?” Mame asked with glittering eyes. He not the least bit skeptical since he had already experienced it himself.

”It would be a too early to explain it to you but I will allow you to listen since all of you were already shown part of it by this kid I assume” Jirou turned to Kazuya who had remained silent. ”Since you haven't denied it, you admit to being able to use it right?”

”I didn't know it was called internal energy until now. But if you're referring to this…” Kazuya used mana to enhance both his presence and abilities to make everyone feel a sense of danger towards him. ”Then it would be correct” he cut it off after noticing Jirou's startled expression. This crafty old man successfully tricked him.

”You really can use it on a whim… (I've really lucked out this time old Kou)” Jirou smiled and looked at Kazuya with excitement.

Tomoyo who had been at the side remained quiet but tried to absorb everything she could. Kazuya had already given her tips on how to use it but he referred it as 'mana' rather than 'internal energy'. Kazuya promised her that as long as she progressed, they would be able to spar for as long as she could use it.

”Did you just want to confirm it granpa Jirou?”