A few minutes earlier……..

A large shadow monster shaped like a frog suddenly emerged from the city park river, wreaking havoc on the peaceful citizens who were leisurely walking around. A mother and her young daughter, part of the crowd fleeing from the creature, slipped and fell to the ground. In that instant, the shadow monster noticed them and lunged toward them, intent on devouring them. The mother held her child close, preparing to face their grim fate. But just as the monster was about to strike…

A boy who bore an uncanny resemblance to Joshua Egoshin appeared, stepping between the pair and the monster with a sword in hand, surprising everyone present. No one had called for the HFA.

The boy stood before the shadow monster and assumed the Waki-gamae stance, his eyes locked on the creature as he poured his lighter energy into his sword.

[WHITE: KENJUTSU SLASH]

In an instant, he drew his sword and cleaved through the shadow monster in one fluid strike, destroying it completely. The boy’s name was Eric Egoshin, the younger brother of Joshua Egoshin, who had passed away only a week ago at the hands of the Kaimi Daja.

Eric: (turning to the mother and child behind him) Are you two alright? Are you hurt?

Mother: (nodding her head) We’re fine. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up just now.

Eric: (smiles) I’m glad you’re both okay.

Mother: (suddenly noticing the resemblance) Wait… you look just like Joshua Egoshin.

Eric: (laughs) I do? Well I get that a lot. He was my big brother, after all.

Chapter 50: The Late Entry Student

Meanwhile, Jason was going through the file Gabriel had given him when the name “Egoshin” caught his eye. Realizing who Gabriel was referring to, Jason’s mind raced.

Jason: He’s Joshua’s brother!?

Gabriel: Indeed, he is. His family was insistent that I enroll him, even though it’s late. Considering the power he possesses, I couldn’t deny that he could be of use to us if we continue training him. So, putting him under your tutelage will help him bring out the results his family is expecting. Though, I’m still not sure about this, considering it’s right after Joshua’s death.

Jason: They’re sending him to fill his brother’s place? And you want me to teach him!?

Gabriel: Yes. After seeing how your students performed in the exams, my faith in your skills has grown significantly.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Jason: (scratching his head) It’s definitely a lot to process. But if he’s got the potential they said he does, we should give him a chance, right? What’s his lighter technique? (Jason picks up the file and sees something that shocks him) WHAT!? You mean…

Gabriel: (nodding) Yes. He has not one, but TWO techniques, making him…

Jason:.......AN ANOMALY!?

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Eric Egoshin entered as Gabriel had instructed him. The moment Eric and Jason laid eyes on each other, they recognized one another immediately.

Jason: HUH!? You’re the kid I saw at the funeral! You look just like Joshua!!!

Eric: Of course I look like him. He was my brother!!!

Gabriel: (laughs) It seems you two have already met.

Jason: Yeah!? I thought I was seeing Joshua’s ghost back then, but I was wrong.

Gabriel: (laughs) Alright. Seems I don’t need to introduce you. (to Eric) Eric, this is Jason Enderby. He’s going to be your teacher while you’re at the academy.

Eric: I already know who he is. My brother told me everything about him. You were his best friend, right?

Jason: Yeah.

Gabriel: Well then, Jason, you can show him to his class where he can meet his peers. Also, when you schedule the make-up battle exams, make sure Eric participates.

Jason: Roger that, sir.

Gabriel: Off you go then.

As Jason and Eric walked to the academy, Jason couldn’t shake the awkwardness. Eric looked exactly like Joshua, even wearing similar glasses, which made it feel like Eric was cosplaying his brother. Still, Jason decided to break the silence with a question that had been on his mind.

Jason: (to himself) I guess I’ll go ahead and ask. (to Eric) Hey, kid. I’m going to ask the obvious question. Why? Why are you joining the academy now? Admission started back in August. Why enroll now, after your brother’s death? Did your family send you to fill Joshua’s shoes, or do you have your own reasons for being here?

Eric: (sighs) That’s a lot of questions, you know?

Jason: Well, do you blame me for asking them?

Eric: (sighs) My family wants me to fill my brother’s shoes now that he’s gone. And since I’m an anomaly with the same potential he had, my enrollment was easy. That part is true. But that’s not the real reason I’m here. (They stop walking)

Jason: (nodding) So what is the real reason?

Eric: My brother told me everything he went through on his first mission.

Jason: (remembering his conversation with Joshua the day before he died) He told you about that!?

Eric: Of course he did. I’m his brother.

Jason: (to himself) Seems they were awfully close.

Eric: He told me how he hesitated to take a life, because not all shadows or people labeled as evil are actually evil. I respected that about him. I decided to follow his mindset. But then… he died.

Jason: (remembering Joshua’s death)

Eric: After he died, I thought about his ideals. I realized something.

Jason: (raising an eyebrow) A flaw?

Eric: My brother couldn’t take the lives of people, even his enemies. Even when they were evil and tried to harm him. And it got him killed. That was the mistake he made. (gripping his sword tightly) But I’m NOT my brother. I won’t make the same mistake. (his face hardens) IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW STRONG THEY ARE. WHEN I FACE THE KAIMI DAJA, I WILL CORRECT MY BROTHER’S MISTAKE AND CUT THEM DOWN.

Jason looked at Eric, seeing the serious determination in his eyes, and couldn’t help but think of what Joshua had told him about the cycle of hatred. Now, it seemed as though that cycle had come full circle with Joshua’s death.

Jason: (to himself) The cycle doesn’t seem to end, huh? Even Joshua’s death has brought his brother into it. How was Joshua planning to end this cycle?

As they arrived at the academy, they met up with Lisa, who joined them as they walked to the classroom where Takimo and the others were waiting. When the three of them entered, Takimo and the others stood to acknowledge their teachers.

Jason: (sighing) I’m glad you guys are recovering after what happened last week. I know you’re all worried about Karla and her situation, but dwelling on it won’t get us anywhere. The best we can do is get stronger and watch each other’s backs. Understood?

Everyone: YES, SIR.

Lisa: I know it’s sudden, but we have a new student with us. (points to Eric) His name is Eric Egoshin, and he’ll be joining your class starting today. So please get along with him, okay?

Tendo: Egoshin!?

Kazemaru: You mean like Joshua Egoshin!?

Eric: Yeah. He WAS my brother. (to himself) How many times have I said this today?

Takimo: (to himself) He looks just like him.

Silva: (to herself) He’s kinda cute, though.

Rin: (to himself) Is he joining the academy to get revenge on the Kaimi Daja? Enrolling two

months late isn’t normal.

Meanwhile, back at Benville City hospital, Dana was doing her daily check-in on Korra Hamura when she sensed something unusual in the room where Korra was resting.

Dana:(to herself) What’s this strange feeling? It’s like someone else was here… And these energy residuals? Shadow energy!? A shadow was here!? But who?

Before Dana could ponder further, Korra coughed and slowly opened her eyes.