Ugh, Lou. Every week, it was the same brutal dance. Sparring. A glorious euphemism for me getting my butt handed to me on a silver platter. He claimed it had two goals: to nudge me closer to manifesting my Eidos and to, in his own words, "force the old coot to loosen up." Creating my Eidos? Fine. I mean, I already got close to perfecting quite an idea. Cornering Lou into using his own? Now that, my friend, was pure comedic gold.

Just another Tuesday, then. Fresh off dumping my emotional baggage on him the night before (because apparently, that was what passes for bonding in this crazy world), I found myself facing Lou once more. This time, though, a sliver of defiance flickered in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, today would be different. Maybe today, I wouldn't get steamrolled quite so flat.

Fueled by an endless well of Flow, I surged forward, my body crackling with raw energy. A vicious heel kick lanced towards Lou's head, but the old master barely flinched. His head dipped a fraction of an inch, the air whistling past his ear as my attack harmlessly sailed over.

Surprise flickered in my eyes as a steel grip clamped around my ankle. Lou lunged, a fist aimed squarely at my gut. Reacting with lightning reflexes, I slammed both forearms into his attack, the impact sending a jolt of pain through my arms. But I wasn't done yet. With a desperate twist, I brought my free leg up in a brutal arc, aiming another kick on his head.

Lou, a seasoned warrior, anticipated the move. He released my ankle with a flick of his wrist, taking a nimble leap backward. But he wasn't finished. Another gorilla-strong punch rocketed toward my midsection. This time, I managed to block it with a single arm, the sheer force of the blow sending me flying meters back. I skidded across the rough ground, the air knocked from my lungs.

Lou was a marvel of Flow control. He never telegraphed his moves, his body subtly strengthening at the point of impact just before unleashing an attack. Unlike me, everyone had limited stock of Flow, so for him to control his Flow like that? It was a terrifying display of mastery.

"Is that all you've got, Bug?" His voice boomed, and before I could even blink, he was upon me, a fist cocked back, ready to deliver the final blow.

With a desperate roll, I barely escaped the bone-shattering punch. The ground erupted where his fist connected, sending a spray of dirt and debris into the air. Heart hammering, I pushed myself into a handstand, legs flailing wildly. This wasn't about offense; I just needed to create some space, some distance between me and that terrifying dude. Like, was he actually a Harmonizer?

Lou, ever the pragmatist, didn't pursue. He retreated a step, his eyes narrowed in a predatory glint. "Good," he rumbled.

Frustration gnawed at me. Standard tactics weren't working. Gritting my teeth, I ripped the Morphblade from my pocket, the familiar weight a steadying presence in my hand. In a heartbeat, I channeled a torrent of Flow, the energy coalescing around the hilt and solidifying into a wickedly barbed whip. With a feral snarl, I lashed out at Lou, the whip snapping through the air with a vicious hiss.

He moved with the grace of a predator, his head dipping just enough to avoid the razor-sharp barbs. But I wasn't done yet. Yanking the hilt with practiced ease, I manipulated the whip, aiming the tip not for his torso, but for his legs. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it was fleeting. He reacted with lightning speed, raising his leg and stamping down on the whip, pinning it to the ground with a decisive thud.

Exactly as planned. A feral grin stretched across my face. With a powerful leap, I used the whip as an anchor, pulling myself towards Lou in a blur of motion. My foot aimed for a vicious low kick, targeting his knee.

The distance between us vanished in a heartbeat. His surprised gasp was cut short as our faces collided – inches apart. A single bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, the only sign of exertion on his normally stoic face. My smirk widened – victory was in sight.

But victory turned to ashes in my mouth as Lou, seemingly defying gravity, propelled himself backward into a mid-air leap. An opportunity, as rare as it was unexpected. Sponsors, those elite warriors, couldn't fly. Being airborne had to be a disadvantage.

I scrambled to my feet, the Morphblade responding instantly to my will. In a flash of black, it morphed into a sleek spear, the tip humming with potent Flow. Without hesitation, I launched the weapon, hurling it at the airborne Lou with all my might.

A sharp click escaped his lips, a sound devoid of humor. His eyes, usually a deep black, blazed with an otherworldly silver light. It was the first time I'd witnessed anything like it. And despite the spear's speed, a speed that would have left most breathless, Lou moved with an impossible grace. He snatched the black spear mid-air, using it to twist his body in a pirouette before hurling the weapon back at me with astonishing force. All of this transpired in mere heartbeats, the spear a blur against the setting sun. Just as Lou touched the ground, the spear rocketed towards me, leaving me with a split second to react.

A smirk played on my lips as the hilt clattered harmlessly to the ground. Child's play. I mean, the spear was made of my own Flow after all, so I definitely had total control over it. With a flick of my wrist, I deactivated the Flow coursing through the Morphblade, reducing it to a simple hilt that thudded harmlessly at my feet. Easy. Maybe a little too easy. Pride, that age-old enemy, had clouded my judgment for a split second.

That split second was all Lou needed. The ground rumbled ominously, and before I could react, a thick pillar of stone erupted from the earth, slamming into my gut with a sickening whump. The air whooshed from my lungs again, and I found myself airborne, propelled skyward like a startled ragdoll.

"Ow!" I yelped, the indignity of the blow momentarily outweighing the pain. "Seriously, Lou? Always aiming for the gut?" There was a hint of laughter mixed with the gasp escaping my lips. This crazy training was starting to grow on me, bizarre attacks and all.

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Ignoring the throbbing ache, I channeled Flow into the Morphblade, the familiar weight solidifying into a sleek black sword. Just in time. Another earthen pillar shot towards me, but this time, I was ready. With a satisfying clang, I met the stone head-on, shattering it into a shower of pebbles. Unfortunately, the victory was short-lived. Two more pillars rose from the ground in quick succession, their Flow-enhanced sturdiness proving too much for my hurried strikes. They connected with a sickening thud, sending me sprawling back to the earth in a heap. As much as I hate to admit it, this body of mine was rather weak. If I had the same speed and strength as my former body, Lou would’ve lost from our first spar.

"Ow...ow...ow..." Groaning, I cracked open my eyes to find Lou looming over me, fist cocked back for another blow. "Dammit, Lou!" A surge of adrenaline propelled me to act. Frantically, I channeled a torrent of Flow into the Morphblade. It was too much, far too much for me to control. The raw energy crackled around the hilt, refusing to be shaped into a weapon. It pulsed, a formless mass of power that threatened to consume him.

For the first time ever, I saw a flicker of genuine fear in Lou's eyes. His fist halted mid-punch, his gaze locked on the writhing mass of Flow. He stumbled back, a primal fear replacing his usual gruff demeanor. It was a terrifying display of uncontrolled power, and for a horrifying moment, I reveled in it.

Seizing the opportunity, I scrambled to my feet and lunged at Lou. The Morphblade, finally responding to my desperate will, solidified into the familiar form of Death's Tear. My swings were a blur of rage and desperation, each one laced with the raw, untamed Flow. He dodged the first strike, then the second, his movements growing more erratic with each passing moment.

Finally, with a grunt of exertion, he drew his own sword, the clang of metal against Flow echoing through the clearing. "Alright, that's enough babysitting!" he roared.

But something was wrong. The moment our blades met, a surge of unseen force ripped through me. It was as if an invisible fist had slammed into my chest, sending me flying backward. I landed hard on the ground, the air knocked from my lungs. Lou stood above me, his sword glinting in the fading light. The playful glint in his eyes had been replaced by a steely resolve. "Sparring is over," he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Go get some rest."

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. I stared at Lou, my mind a whirlwind. The memory of that raw, untamed power still sent shivers down my spine. A humorless chuckle escaped my lips, the sound devoid of mirth. Lou, ever perceptive, lowered his sword, his gaze wary.

"Don't you think you went a little overboard there, Lou?" I finally managed, my voice hoarse. Pushing myself to my feet, I brushed the dirt off my clothes, a futile attempt to erase the lingering ache in my body.

He studied me for a long moment, his brow furrowed. "Overboard?" he echoed, his voice gruff. "Perhaps. But that simply means that you got better. Congratulations," he added, the word laced with a hint of annoyance. He sighed, a deep rumble that resonated in his chest.

"Congrats with that kind of scare tactic?" I countered, a sardonic smile playing on my lips. Exhaustion gnawed at my bones, pulling me down to the ground. "Besides," I continued, a newfound seriousness creeping into my voice, "I have questions, Lou."

His gaze sharpened. He settled beside me, a silent invitation for me to speak.

"Two new tricks in one session," I stated, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. "What was that about?"

"The first..." I began, choosing my words carefully, "it seemed to affect your eyes. Their colors suddenly changed to silver while you were midair, then it stopped as soon as you got your footing back." I paused, his gaze flickering towards the setting sun.

"And the second," I pressed, urgency lacing my tone, "the moment our blades touched? That invisible force that shoved me back. What was that?"

Lou stroked his chin, a thoughtful hum rumbling in his chest. He opened his eyes, a glimmer of understanding flickering within them. "I see, I see," he muttered, nodding slowly. "Yes, it makes sense now."

Did he? Honestly, Lou's grasp of subtlety left a lot to be desired. Sometimes, I wondered if hitting him over the head with a textbook would be a more effective teaching method.

"Aha!" His face lit up with a triumphant grin, a rare sight that always managed to surprise me. "The first technique! It's similar to night vision. By condensing Flow into your eyes, you heighten your sense of sight!"

My jaw dropped. Flow manipulation had its uses in combat, sure, but this? This was a whole new level of versatility. "Whoa, seriously?!" Excitement bubbled in my chest. The possibilities were endless!

Lou nodded, but his smile faltered. "However," he cautioned, "mastering such a skill requires a deep understanding of living cells.”

My smile evaporated faster than morning dew. "Living cells, huh?" Understanding them at that level meant becoming a Harmonizer, a path permanently closed to me. Frustration gnawed at my gut. "So, that's out of the question then..."

A heavy silence descended. "What about the other technique?" I finally managed, a sliver of hope clinging to my voice.

Lou's gaze turned distant. "That," he rumbled, "will have to wait for another time. You’ll learn it once you attend Chasles Academy anyway."

Disappointment flooded me. Why the secrecy with his only student? "Lou," I whined, puffing out my cheeks, "you're the most annoying teacher ever!" Honestly, the man could drive a saint to tears.

A sigh escaped him, a sound so familiar it was almost comforting. "And you," he countered, a hint of amusement in his voice, "are the most arrogant bug I've ever trained."

“I’m the only bug you’ll ever train as well!”

…

“…Arrogant Bug…”

Lou groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Ugh, forget I said anything." He trailed off, his hand hovering comfortably close to my back. A faint blue shimmer emanated from him as he channeled his healing Flow. "Think you've got any leads on that Eidos yet?"

I sighed, the sting of his earlier comment lingering. "I’m getting there, I’ll just surprise you with it one day…” I muttered. I could practically feel him smirking, but I refused to acknowledge it. (Though, okay, maybe a tiny part of me wanted to sock him right in the arm.)

"Hey, I know it might sound weird, but," I said, my voice laced with amusement. "The more we train together, the more this whole Eidos thing seems to slip through my fingers.”

"Yeah, most of the people did say discovering your Eidos is a real pain in the butt," He grumbled sarcastically. He finished channeling his Flow with a final pat on my back. As expected, Lou didn't waste a beat. He stretched out his arm, palm facing me. The moment he realized I could replenish his Flow with mine, he wasn't shy about taking advantage. Not that it actually hurt me and my limitless amount of Flow, but still. The nerve.

Clamping my hands down on his arm, I slowly channeled my Flow into him. The energy surged, a warm current revitalizing his reserves. I had to be careful, feeding it slowly to let it transform into his signature Flow and avoid overloading him. No need to turn the poor guy into a glowing human battery.

"Discovering your Eidos is such a drag, huh?" I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sounds like someone spilled the beans on yours, or maybe even handed your Eidos to you on a silver platter." A sly smirk played on my lips.

Lou, to my surprise, simply bobbed his head in agreement. "Yeah, someone did hand me my Eidos on a silver plate,” he replied nonchalantly, as if confessing to having three bowls of ramen for breakfast was no big deal.

…

“… Comment?”