Lunch break was ending and Kira was speaking to some of the students that were from powerful clans. As he was expanding his connections, one of his subordinates came near him and whispered something in his ear. Kira was surprised by what he heard, but it never showed on his face as he continued smiling. 

“Oh… I’m sorry everyone there is something in need of my urgent attention.” 

After saying goodbye to the future influential figures of various clans he left with his subordinates. When no one else was looking the smile on Kira’s face disappeared. 

“So what was it you were saying?” 

“Shin has made contact with Loki.” 

“Hmmm, what does that battle freak want with my future brother-in-law?… Hmmm… Oh, of course, what else would that guy want with someone that became a rank four martial artist. So did he and my future brother-in-law fight?” 

“No, Loki rejected his challenge.” 

“As expected of my brother-in-law, despite gaining so much power so suddenly he didn’t get drunk on it. So then what else did that battle freak do?” 

“Apparently he went to meet with the Principal.”

“Oh, that’s unusual… What does he want to do?”

While he was talking Kira headed towards the Principal’s office. 

…

Back in the library, Shin was observing Loki’s movements. Now that he had more time, he started to think of ways on how he was going to change Loki’s mind. On the other hand, Loki continued to do what he usually does. The two remained silent for a few minutes before Shin broke that silence. 

“So is that all you do all day, sorting out books?” 

“Well, that is part of my job?” 

“You do nothing else?”

“Well, that depends, sometimes, when I’m done and have nothing else to do I meditate.” 

“That’s it? You don’t practice your martial arts or even try inner energy breathing techniques?” 

“Why should I do that? I might have gained inner energy, but I’m just a librarian.” 

“Hmm, fine don’t tell me the truth, I’m just going to stick by you until you accept my challenge.” 

“Then you’ll be staying here until you graduate.” 

After that Shin stopped talking again. As the day was nearing its end, Loki was not able to properly meditate because of Shin. He could not risk gathering mana in front of Shin as this battle freak was very sharp and might notice something unusual. Loki did not want too many people to know that he knows how to use mana. Michael was already too many for him.   

“That’s alright with me, it was getting boring sitting through class anyway.” When Loki heard what Shin said he couldn’t help but sigh. He might not be able to get rid of this kid for the time being. 

“Why do you want to fight so much?” Loki suddenly asked which surprised Shin. 

“Hmm, what kind of martial artist doesn’t want to fight? What’s the point of training all the time, practicing all those forms, all those techniques, and increasing one’s strength if you don’t fight?” 

“Isn’t the point of training is to surpass one’s self, and not to surpass another person?”

“Of course, there’s that, but to me, it’s not only that. I won’t lie to you, I love fighting, I love the thrill of battle. I like seeing how much I improved by testing my might against others. I want to see what kinds of techniques other people use. In this way, I can also improve my own techniques while I fight. In battle, I can figure out what works and what doesn’t.” 

“You do know that if you keep on fighting the way you do, you would most probably meet your end in battle.”

“Then so be it, in fact, that would be the best end for me. I would rather die in the heat of battle than to die weak and old.” 

“… I can’t really understand your way of thinking, what’s so fun about fighting? Getting hurt and hurting others doesn’t sound like fun to me.” 

“But that’s not all there is to a fight. In a fight between equals, you would gain a deeper understanding of each other more so than if you just talk. In a battle, you can feel your opponent’s true selves. You can sense their passions, their convictions, their anger, their joy, their madness, and many other things.”

“Why do I need to fight to do that? Why can’t you just say what you’re feeling?”

“Because words can lie, but your fists cannot.” 

“Huh?” Loki could not help but show a weird expression when Shin said those words. 

“You see, if I say I don’t want to fight you, that would be a lie, but if I don’t say anything then how would you know that I was lying? In fact, I can say anything I want and you’ll never know if what I’m telling you is the truth or a lie. On the other hand, your fist can never lie like that, it might not be able to speak words, but it can send your true emotions to your opponent. If you fight as much as I do, then even you can communicate with your fists.” 

“…” Loki became silent as he remembered all of his past battles. When he fought in his old world and in this new one, he saw the true faces of his targets but that was when they were about to die, as for what they were feeling during their fights… 

The moment Loki thought of that, he suddenly came to a realization. What Shin said has some truth in it, the emotions his opponents had when they exchanged attacks were pure and he could vaguely feel what they wanted to convey. Though most of them only had anger and fear against him, there were some that actually felt pity, excitement, and relief as they fought him.

Loki could not help but look at the battle freak in front of him in surprise. What he was saying wasn’t just pure nonsense. 

‘Where the battle freaks back in my old world the same as him? Is that why they would always feel pity for me when I end them? Were they truly able to see my inner self, through battle?’

“I see… I apologize, I thought you were only some rowdy delinquent. It does seem that you have a reason as to why you like fighting.” Loki bowed his head as he spoke. 

“So then, are you finally willing to fight me?” Shin was getting excited as his goal was in sight. 

“No.” 

“But I thought you understand why I want to fight.” 

Loki shrugged his shoulders as he responded. “I do understand, but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want to fight you.” As Shin was about to say something in response the school bell rang. 

“Oh school’s over, you can go now, or are you going to stay with me until my shift is over?” 

“Of course, I’m staying. I’m not giving up until you agree to fight me.” 

“You can do whatever you want, my answer will always be the same.” 

…

While Loki and Shin were talking just outside the library sitting on a tree branch watching them was one of Kira’s subordinates.