It was an understatement to say that he was dumbfounded.

One day he was running away from all he'd ever known, the next blindly venturing into what he could only call a foster home, and after that he was being called a candidate for some sort of super rite-of-passage that would end up being what decided his, and one of his best friends' futures...

...or that's what was to be interpreted anyway.

"So, the last trial is a grudge match against Reika," Kyoya thought aloud. "Obviously, I'm ready, but what happens if I lose?"

"Victory or defeat is no measure of spirit, my boy. Your resolve is what determines the outcome of battle, and will likely be the means by which you'll be measured. That being said, it appears that it has been decided."

Guran cast his gaze upon the statue's sundial, it's pendulum beckoning to the opposite horizon.

"Our duel will be held at dusk, then." Reika took a deep breath, examining their surroundings to assess Guran's findings. "Fate certainly seems eager to have him, don't you think?"

"I can't help but agree." The master nodded.

In the midst of their exchange, Kyoya found it a bit troublesome to keep quiet.

"...So, what about the rest of today? Do we need to clean at all, meals, anything like that?"

"For the love of..." groaned the Rose. "You'd be wise to learn to focus on one objective at a time. For today, you have no responsibility but to prepare. Laugh, cry, reminisce—regret, reform, and resign. In about twelve hours, we'll meet to settle things for good." Reika proceeded to fully sheath her sword, its entry of the scabbard preluding her retreating to the commons.

Kyoya plopped down on his back and stared blankly at where she stood.

"Has she always been so straightforward?"

"I won't deny that I've asked myself the same question on a few occasions... but I'd say the answer is a definite yes." Guran chuckled. "You know, what she said a moment ago wasn't simply to raise your spirits."

"I've never known her for sincerity, but I at least figured she did." The boy raised a brow.

"As a matter of fact, she hasn't quite had such an ill affinity with you as it would seem. I believe it was more of a way to call it... 'toughening you up'." His master concluded, a fist meeting his palm in triumph.

"I feel so reassured." Kyoya huffed. His eyes moved about until he finally found ease by looking at the statue.

His master mirrored the action, a puzzled look falling upon his brow. After what appeared to be a brief period of inner decision, he spoke.

"Yes... I find it a rather fitting time to directly address the given obstacle, then," Guran began, grabbing his pupil's attention. "Kyoya, if the inability to succeed is a genuine concern, it would be wise of you to eliminate it."

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"What should I do—meditate? Even then, it'll still take too long for a full session—"

"No, my boy. The technique that sister Reika and I used to confront our emotions... I believe that you should make an attempt at it. At least once, as it may benefit you in whatever future you may pursue: the coming duel and Reika's judgment, especially."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I've got twelve hours to kill, and I'll take anything to hurry that up."

"I'd first like to make it clear that this technique, taught by masters generations before my own, is known to induce a great deal of emotional distress. I see no issue with allowing you to do so, but do you, for yourself, feel capable?" Guran paced about, looking in no particular direction.

"Let's clear up the details before anything."

"Well, for lack of a better explanation... users confront the emotions that they've yet to rest with, clearing their minds of negativity. Reika's earlier years were plagued with reminders of her hardships, but through it, she turned her grief into strength, which then went on to fuel her proverbial fire and push her to where she is now."

He continued his explanation. "It's an invasion of one's own mind, usually in a similar setting to that of a dream, but entirely lucid. Those to create it dubbed the ability 'Not Forgotten': it transports the user's mind to a point in their past in which they found immense difficulty, and should they be capable of silencing that ever-lasting whisper, they emerge with budding potential..."

Guran stopped momentarily, still idly pacing. "However, silencing does not mean defeating; attempting to undo what has already been done will only make those feelings worse. You must stand and accept what occurs before you, no matter how much any of it may sting."

Kyoya took a moment to look over that game plan.

It was plain to anyone, as it was himself, that he still had moderate trouble coping with what had pent up—and cultivated what he could only see now as an undying regret. However, both Guran and Reika stressed that this was normal for such an experience. Yet, it still felt odd to even consider what was happening. For quite some time, simply toughing out such a feeling was about all that could be done.

Albeit the slightest bit wearily, he nodded his head.

"Yeah. Let me give it a shot."

"Very well. Follow me, if you will." Guran returned his nod, walking across the clearing with Kyoya close behind. They stood before the sundial, which the boy took notice of having a small, circular slot of some sort just under the dial.

Guran retrieved a gem the size of a pebble, reflecting a cerulean gleam back at him. "Over the course of your stay, this stone formed in the sundial. My students' wayward magic has a habit of wandering there and collecting over time... so this is yours, rightfully."

He tenderly opened the boy's palm, dropping the stone to him.

It was perfectly ovular, smooth to the point that it almost didn't feel right for him to even hold it, for fear of misshaping such an immaculate gem in even the slightest. "Place it on the dial, and no matter what happens—whatever you see, feel, hear, or anything else—do not let go. Once the sequence is complete, you'll know when you're free to move. As for your body in the waking world, Reika has already volunteered to keep you under her watch once you've fallen."

"So we're getting right to it, then... Okay. Am I good to—...?" His hesitation was met with a chuckle and subsequent nod, signaling confirmation.

"Venture into the depths of your being, my boy. There, you'll find a guiding light amidst the path to your final trial." Guran advised.

"Right. Wish me luck."

He grasped the gem and socketed it into the slot, being immediately met with a maelstrom of emotion. Each and every one of his senses was overclocked, this almost unbearable sensation lasting until, for the second time in his life, reality was cut to black.