| Don't let your heart become a maga, Alma. Your blood isn't inherently good or evil. So slay evil and save others. Live your life as a human. | ||
| —Chapter 11's introduction quote | ||
"Boozer" (
Summary[]
In an effort to become stronger, Alma receives guidance from Ryu, who used to train Tao and Nei. On the day of their training, Alma is taken aback when a "serious fight to the death" with Ryu suddenly begins. He continuously attacks Alma, who is unable to fight back without Tao present to remove the stakes binding them.
Though Ryu is harsh and unforgiving, he predicts that Alma unconsciously limits his own abilities. He instructs Alma to master the flow of Maga blood within his own body, and Alma makes up his mind to do so.
During a break in training, Alma, who had been growing increasingly frustrated with Ryu's absence, is surprised to find that Nei, filled with anger, has appeared alongside Ryu for some reason.
Plot Details[]
Ryu's introduction
Alma arrived punctually at Training Ground No. 2 of the Headquarters, following Yoki's advice to meet his instructor for the day. However, an hour passed as Alma patiently waited and took the opportunity to stretch a bit. Yoki eventually appeared, accompanied by a man in a cart carrying some alcohol. Yoki introduced this man as Ryu, who would be Alma's instructor to help him become stronger. Yoki seemed poised to share some of Ryu's history related to Tao and Nei, but Ryu intervened before he could do so. Subsequently, Yoki left the two of them, offering words of encouragement to Alma.
Alma was puzzled by the fact that Ryu needed to be transported in a cart to reach the training hall. When Alma asked about it, Ryu ignored the question and opted to sip the sake he was holding, considering it his payment for teaching Alma that day. He began by stating his indifference towards people's lives and a lack of concern for anyone. Nonetheless, he assured Alma that he would teach him what the value of the booze fee was by immediately demonstrating a sliding kick technique that knocked Alma to the ground.
Dara and Yoki discussing about Alma and Ryu
In the Headquarters office, Dara expressed her worries about Alma to Yoki. She explained that within the Saragi Anti-Maga Organization Headquarters, there was a general disdain for Magas, which included Ryu in the conversation. Despite some individuals showing kindness to Alma while being part of the gray area, there were differing opinions. However, Yoki, who appeared confident in his knowledge, assured Dara that Ryu was a former. He justified this claim by mentioning that he had known Ryu for a longer period than Dara had, giving him the authority to make that assumption.
The story returns to the training hall, with Alma now on the ground, expressing his frustration about how Ryu suddenly acted aggressively towards him and then drank right after. Ryu explained that Yoki had requested his assistance to help Alma become self-reliant, as he believed Alma was struggling and unable to do things on his own. This comment provoked Alma, who questioned if Ryu was trying to start a fight with him. Ryu confirmed that he was indeed picking a fight and encouraged Alma to confront him directly.
Ryu swiftly struck Alma in the head
Ryu then prepared himself by setting aside the sake he had been holding. He made it clear that their training session would have no rules except for the condition that Alma would lose if he died. Ryu, identifying himself as a Maga, told Alma to attack him if he wished and assumed a fighting stance. He then charged toward Alma, ready to engage in combat.
However, Alma, hesitant to harm any human beings, requested a brief pause in the proceedings. Instead of granting the pause, Ryu insisted that Alma should remove the stake, explaining that he couldn't fight without it, as it granted him the necessary power. Alma, in response, argued that Ryu was not a Maga but a real human being. Before he could complete his thought, Ryu swiftly struck Alma twice, using his right hand and right foot to slam him against the training hall wall. This impact caused the wall to sustain some damage and resulted in Alma bleeding from his nose.
Ryu and Alma's second round
Despite his injuries, Alma maintained that he was not defeated. Ryu urged him to rise and prepare for another round of training.
Alma, wiping the blood from his face, demanded an explanation from Ryu. He wanted to know th reason why he is being attacked intensely, almost as if he intended to harm him severely. Ryu clarified that his strong feelings against Magas fueled his actions. Given Alma's desire to fight and eliminate Magas independently, Ryu suggested they engage in a fight-to-kill scenario, with Ryu pretending to be a Maga.
With that decision made, they began the next round of their training. Alma initiated the attack by throwing a punch at Ryu, but he failed to land a hit. In response, Ryu countered by elbowing Alma, lifting him, and throwing him to the ground. Immediately after landing, Ryu delivered a powerful kick to Alma's stomach, causing him to be propelled a short distance away.
Ryu encouraged Alma to not get lost of control over his blood
While Alma remained on the ground, clearly battered from their previous exchanges, Ryu inquired why he hadn't removed the stake yet. Alma explained that it wasn't a matter of willingness but rather an inability to do so without Tao's presence. Ryu probed further, seeking the reason behind this, but Alma, who had no recollection of the restraining mechanism, admitted to having no knowledge on the subject.
Ryu raised Alma's head by pulling his hair and offered some insight. He pointed out that Alma's hesitance could prove detrimental when facing enemies who aimed to harm him. He questioned whether Alma feared losing control and potentially harming someone due to the Maga blood within him, a concern that could consume him. This made Alma contemplate Ryu's words, realizing that he might still grapple with lingering fears.
Ryu blocked Alma's sudden attack
In response, Alma stood up and readied himself for another round of training, while Ryu resumed drinking his alcohol.
Ryu recalled a time when Tao had intervened to stop Alma. This recollection convinced Alma that he couldn't control himself without Tao's presence and that he needed to learn self-reliance. Alma asked how he could achieve this, prompting Ryu to suggest that he become more accustomed to harnessing the power of the Maga blood within him. Ryu viewed their current one-on-one training session as the ideal opportunity for practical combat experience.
However, Alma was aware that Ryu was not actually a Maga, and he believed that a simple snap of the head could end Ryu. Ryu's goal was for Alma to reach a point where he could disable his enemies, whether human or not, by targeting their heads. Alma argued that anyone could achieve this, not just non-human beings. Ryu reminded him that he, Alma, was not human, leading Alma to unleash a forceful kick with his right leg. Despite Alma's effort, Ryu easily blocked the kick with his right hand while emphasizing that the blood and power within Alma were unique to him alone.
Ryu stressed the importance of Alma learning to control his Maga blood power independently, without relying on the karmic restraint stake to suppress it. He emphasized that Alma must avoid being dominated by his own blood and instead take command of it. Once Alma achieved this mastery, he would be able to remove the restraint stake by himself.
Ryu encountered Nei outside the training hall
Alma was highly motivated by Ryu's words and prepared for another round of training. However, Ryu requested a break, explaining that he had consumed too much alcohol and needed to use the restroom.
As Ryu stepped out for a restroom break, he encountered Nei lingering outside the training hall. He inquired about her presence, and she explained that Yoki had asked her to be on standby, affording her some free time. Nei, in turn, asked Ryu if he regarded Alma as a Maga. Ryu clarified that he didn't see Alma as strictly a Maga, as he possessed a human mind but could exhibit Maga traits depending on the erosion of his heart. The purpose of their training was to prevent this transition, as it would potentially make Alma their enemy once it occurred.
Ryu then directed his attention to Nei's knowledge regarding why Alma couldn't remove the restraint stake without Tao's permission. After a brief pause, Alma, growing impatient and bored, approached Ryu. Instead of being alone, Ryu was accompanied by Nei, and he indicated that they were ready for the third round of training, with Nei assuming a combat stance, holding her katana.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Alma arrives at Training Ground No. 2 to meet his instructor, Ryu, who will help him become stronger. Ryu initially appears indifferent and aggressive.
- Ryu and Alma engage in intense training, with Ryu explaining that his strong feelings against Magas drive his actions. Alma struggles but refuses to give up.
- Ryu suggests they simulate a fight-to-kill scenario, with Ryu pretending to be a Maga, in order to help Alma learn to control his powers independently.
- Ryu questions Alma's hesitance to remove the restraint stake and highlights the importance of mastering his Maga blood power to achieve self-reliance.
- Alma becomes motivated to learn and control his powers, aiming to remove the restraint stake by himself.
- Ryu takes a break to use the restroom and encounters Nei, discussing Alma's status as a Maga and the reason behind his inability to remove the restraint stake without Tao's permission.
- The training session continues, with Nei joining in for the third round, ready to assist in Alma's training.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Yuto Sano |
Nijisanji Koshien was exciting!
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