Chapter 3: Chapter 1: Battle in Nagano (Part 3)
Episode 3
(Arriving in Nagano)
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"Hey! Wait up! Aghh~"
Kiyoshi ran at a lightning speed and boarded the train that had already started moving.
"Huff* Huff* Aghh."
He breathed roughly and slowly walked towards his compartment.
"I thought you were going to miss the train, kiddo."
"Gramps… Huff* No way. That's never gonna happen unless I am dead."
"Pfft! Is that so?"
"Duh~"
Kiyoshi slowly sat on his seat beside the window.
"You were so brave when you killed the Helldog. Really, good. Hmm. Hmm."
The elder closed his eyes and nodded his head.
"Hahaha~ Is that so?!"
Kiyoshi smiled and scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Yes. You were quite fast!"
"Hahaha~ Stop~! You are making me blush."
"Oh? But I am telling the truth."
"Hahaha. Wait a minute… How do you know about that, Gramps?"
Kiyoshi stopped smiling and asked with wide eyes.
"Oh?"
The elder smiled and averted his gaze from Kiyoshi's.
"Weren't you on the train?"
"Hohoho~ Anyone could see your blue aura from here."
The elder said while laughing like Santa.
"Oh. Hahaha."
Kiyoshi had a dumbfounded expression as if he totally forgot about the aura.
As a person emits his or her magical energy, a certain coloured light surrounds his or her body. And that light is known as aura. It is said a person's aura can fill an entire area, judging by how strong he or she is.
"Hohoho~ I have never seen anyone with blue lightning ability before."
"Really?"
"Yes. And your aim is good too. I can't believe you hit the phantom's core in one go."
"Hahaha~ To be honest, I couldn't believe it either."
"Oh?"
"Yes. It was my first time encountering a phantom."
"What? First time?"
The Elder's eyes widened hearing that.
"Yes."
"Haa~ Were you not afraid kiddo?"
The elder heaved a sigh.
"Huh? Of course, I was. Isn't it obvious, gramps?"
Kiyoshi replied with an aloof expression.
"Right~"
"But more than that, I was thrilled to see one with my own eyes."
Kiyoshi smiled while looking at his hand.
"To be honest, my hand is shaking now."
Kiyoshi smiled and showed his hand which was shaking like crazy to the elder.
"I guess you really were scared."
"Hahaha. Duh!"
"Drink this water. It will help you to calm down."
The elder said, forwarding a bottle of water to Kiyoshi.
"Thanks a bunch, gramps."
Saying that Kiyoshi took the bottle from the elder and drank water.
"Woah~ I feel so good now! Is it holy water or something?"
"What are you saying, kiddo? It's just plain old water. (ー_ー゛)"
"Oh? Hahaha."
"Anyways, is your hand still shaking like crazy?"
"Nope. It's a lot better now."
"Good… So how was your aim so good? And it was your first time too…"
"That's probably because I practised aiming a lot in my village. As I didn't have any partner to duel with, I focused on training on aiming and running. My village is almost surrounded by mountains. So I could practice there whenever I wanted to."
"Oh. Makes sense."
"Anyways Gramps, where are you going?"
"I was planning to return to Tokyo. But I guess now, I will stay in Nagano for a while."
The elder mumbled to himself.
"Huh? Tokyo?"
"Ah. It's nothing. I will get down in Nagano."
"Whoa~ Really?! Great~ me too."
"Hohoho."
"Anyways Gramps."
"Hmm?"
"Aren't you cold?"
"Huh?"
"I mean it's snowing and you are wearing just a robe."
"It's a heavy robe."
"Is that so?"
Kiyoshi asked with suspicious eyes.
"Yes."
"Oh. Hahaha. That might be it. Alright then. Bye, Gramps?"
"Huh?"
"I am sleepy."
Saying that Kiyoshi leaned his head on the window and closed his eyes. He woke up early in the morning today. As he could finally get out of his hometown and visit Nagano.
To be honest, he couldn't sleep well yesterday night as he was too excited about the exam.
Yes. So right now, he fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.
"I wonder what you will do facing opponents who are stronger than you."
The elder said with a mysterious smile while looking at the snoring Kiyoshi.
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"Attention Passengers! The train has reached the Nagano City Station."
"Kiddo. Hey, kiddo."
"Gasp* Gramps! Why are you calling me like that?"
Kiyoshi gasped with shock.
"What the- Haa~ We have arrived at Nagano City."
"What?! Already!"
Kiyoshi hurriedly got up from his seat and looked outside. The train had stopped at a station. And there, on a big board what written was-
< Nagano City Station>
"Whoa?! We are really here! What are you waiting for, gramps? Let's hurry up and get down."
Kiyoshi said with his bag slung over his shoulder.
"(-_-) I had to wake someone up from sleep."
"Oh! Ahahaha!"
Kiyoshi laughed awkwardly as he understood what the elder meant.
"Sigh~ Let's go."
"Huh? You didn't bring any bags or something?"
Kiyoshi asked, tilting his head as he didn't see any kind of baggage with the elder.
"No."
The elder said with an aloof expression.
"Oh… Alright. Let's go."
After that, both of them got off the train together.
"Whoa~ the city is covered with snow. Uwaa~ S-So cold."
"Pfft! Are you shivering?"
"How come you are not gramps?"
"Old age."
The elder smiled and said with a shrug.
"Yeah, right."
Kiyoshi replied with a look of disapproval.
"Oh my, you don't trust me?"
"It's usually the opposite, Gramps? Aren't you supposed to feel colder since you are old?"
"Wait… Really?"
The elder said with a thoughtful expression as if he really didn't know.
"Haa~ Nevermind. Anyways, where are you going, gramps?"
"Where will your test be held?"
"The Nagano City stadium. I heard it was known as Zenko-ji Temple before."
"A battle in a temple? That… will be remarkable."
"I know, right? I can't wait to go there."
"Sure. Good luck. The place I am heading is in the opposite direction of the stadium."
"Oh. Too bad. I guess this is where we part ways."
"Yes. See you soon, kiddo."
Saying that the elder started walking.
"Huh? See you soon? Ah. Whatever. See you soon too, Gramps!"
Kiyoshi said with a loud voice while waving his hand.
Hearing that the elder just waved his hands without looking back.
"Haa~ It's finally time! Let's do your best, Kiyoshi!"
Kiyoshi said with a hopeful voice and started walking towards the direction where the Nagano City Stadium was.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Haru_Minami
Haru_Minami I will try to update 4/5 chaps/week. Anyways, thanks for reading! (✧Д✧)
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