Kou is a bit surprised at first.
Taro: "Of course I know him! I guess it's a twist of fate, my son has become friends with my rival's son!!"
Ciel: "Kou, why didn't you tell me your dad was Mr. Taro?!"
Kou: "Huh?! Was I supposed to say that?!"
Taro, with a friendly gesture, puts his arm around Ciel's shoulder and messes with his hair.
Taro: "The last time I saw you, you were just a kid learning to speak! Hahaha!"
Kou: "When was the last time you saw him? Also, what do you mean by my rival's son?"
Taro: "Kou, actually, Ciel's father and I were rivals."
Ciel: "It wasn't a life-or-death kind of rivalry, Mr. Taro may have seen it as a little friendly competition, but I can't say my father was too thrilled about it..."
Taro: "Four years before you were born, Ciel's father and I had a fight."
Kou: "What was the fight about?"
Ciel: "Do you remember the tradition I explained to you?"
Taro: "I was strongly against that tradition, and Everard was a little annoyed by me interfering with his work. That sparked a short conflict, we could say."
Ciel: "A little?"
Taro laughs.
Kou: (thinking) "Ciel... My dad's rival's son? I hope my dad won't be bothered by that..."
Taro: "So, Ciel, what brings you here?"
Ciel: "Mr. Taro, actually, I... Actually, I'm trying to ensure world peace. To do that, I need to become the strongest artist, you know."
-"The strongest artist? How cliché."
Taro: "Come on, Taku, don't be so harsh."
Taku: "Dad, you know that dreams like becoming the strongest sorcerer always lead to death. You shouldn't teach this kid anything, he'll go off and get himself killed."
Ciel's childish expression and smile fade, replaced by a look of anger.
Ciel: "Huh? Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?"
Taku: "What did you say?"
Ciel: "Are you deaf?"
The argument quickly intensifies, and both sides throw punches at each other, but Taro swiftly stops both of their punches.
Taro: "Taku, the kid's right. He can decide what he wants to do. Also, he's Everard's son, so you shouldn't underestimate him." Taro pushes Taku and flicks his finger on Ciel's forehead.
Kou, as sweat drips from his forehead and cheek, secretly feels a sense of joy as he snaps out of the shock of the event.
Kou(thinking): "Finally! Finally, you've fallen in his eyes, you damn bastard!!"
Ciel: "Anyway, what I meant to say is, you know... I want to learn the Ogawagi clan's techniques."
Taro: "Eh? But you do know the Adjustment Art is unique to just one person, right? I know there are many people in the clan who share the same Art, but it's exclusive to our clan. It's our clan's inheritance. I can't teach you that."
Ciel: "I know, I'm not planning to learn the Adjustment Art. But I also know that there are people in the clan who, without the Adjustment Art, use much stronger ice magic than normal humans. Ice magic is already difficult, and I'm here to learn the best ice magic in the world."
Taro: "Oh, oh! I get it! Hahaha! I would expect nothing less from Everard's son!" Kou, shocked by how fast things have escalated, watches as Taro lets out another laugh. Taro: "Yes, Ciel! It's only natural for a talented Artist like you to want to master different arts. So, do you take this seriously?"
Ciel nods.
Ciel: "Yes, Mr. Taro. I'm here to learn the Ogawagi clan's ice magic techniques, like I said."
Taku, still eyeing Ciel skeptically, softens a little upon seeing his father's determination.
Taku: "If you're really serious, don't expect me to go easy on you. Also, wanting to train with the clan leader without even surpassing me is pure nonsense."
Taro smiles at his son's softening stance.
Taro: "Ciel, I respect your determination and would like to train you, but just like Taku said, you can't clash with the best without even mastering the basics."
Ciel: "Of course, I'm not expecting that. As you said, I need to pass 'the weaklings' level before mastering anything."
Taku, noticing Ciel's competitive and annoying attitude, avoids reacting in front of his father.
Taro: "I'm glad we've come to an understanding. Since we're on the topic, why don't you help Kou out as well, Taku?"
Taku, initially a bit surprised, then nods reluctantly without much enthusiasm.
Kou: "Huh? Did you get my approval? Besides, I don't need training—"
Taro gives his son a sharp slap on the head, silencing him.
Taro: "What's there to talk about? Right, Ciel?"
Ciel nods in agreement.
"Yeah, yeah. It's important for Kou to get stronger as the heir and son of the leader. Also, I don't want some bum walking around with me."
Ciel puffs out his chest with pride. However, Kou shoots him an annoyed look.
Taro: "Then everything's settled, no problem! Haha! Tomorrow morning around seven, you'll shape them both up, Taku. I trust you."
Taku gives an unwilling look but speaks with a furrowed brow.
Taku: "Of course you'll trust me, who do you think I am? I'll mold them both like dough and bake them."
Kou looks away, and Ciel sticks his tongue out childishly.
Taro puts his arm around Ciel's shoulder and forces his head down.
Taro: "Ciel, no fighting with Taku during your training. I mean, you'll do things like training, but actual combat is forbidden. This goes for you too, Taku."
Kou cuts in.
"Then will Ciel stay with us?"
Taro: "Good question, he's old enough to sleep on the street."
Ciel: "Huh?"
Ciel spent the night sleeping on a makeshift bed with Kou
At night, Kou, unable to sleep, tries to start a conversation.
Kou: "Ciel, you're serious about this, right? About becoming the strongest Artist?"
Ciel: "I'm stronger than you in every way."
Kou: "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!"
Ciel chuckles. Ciel: "Of course I'm serious."
Seeing that Ciel had gotten at least a little serious, Kou relaxes and smiles while staring at the ceiling.Kou: "I guess... I want to become strong alongside you."Ciel shifts away slightly.
Ciel: "Are you gay or something?"
Kou: "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!"
Kou: "I mean... you kind of motivate me. I really do want to grow stronger with you."Ciel gives Kou a grateful look.
Ciel: "If you become a burden, I'll stab you."
Kou: "Huh.—"
The next morning, Kou wakes up and, still half-asleep himself, drags the drowsy Ciel to the training grounds of the clan. However, this ends abruptly when Ciel wakes up enough to land a kick straight into Taku's face.
After a brief scuffle between Taku and Ciel, they finally start training. Taku sighs and begins to explain:
Taku: "Let's start with the basics of ice magic. I'm assuming you both know this, but concentration and mana suppression are vital when it comes to spellcasting."
Ciel: "Of course we know that."
Kou: "Yeah, yeah, but why are they so important?"
Taku gestures towards Kou with his eyes.Reluctantly, Ciel starts explaining—
Flashback
On a morning when the snow had just begun to melt and the sun was shining brightly, a child and a tall man were speaking in front of a wooden cabin.The child was a young Ciel.
Ciel: "Hey Ken, why is mana suppression important in magic?"
The tall man, whom Ciel called Ken(Kenneth)and who appeared to be around mid-twenties placed his hand thoughtfully on his chin and began to explain: "Mana suppression, huh? There are two main reasons why that's important in magic.
As I mentioned before, magic generally stems from adjustment and creativity. Concentration is needed to focus your mana better. What are you concentrating on? You're concentrating on your mana levels. You must suppress and adjust the amount of mana used in casting so you don't burn through your entire mana reserves. Let me show you the difference between casting with and without suppression."
Kenneth opened his left hand and extended it outward, then unleashed a wave of flames from it: "This is magic without suppressing." The wave of flames were massive, they were much taller than Kenneth's house. The flames, tore and burned through a single tree.
Kenneth then, started to focus. He was obviously suppressing his mana, from the amount of mana that Ciel could see, then Kenneth opened his left hand again—
Then, from Kenneth's hand, a flame in the shape of a dragon burst forth, traveling much farther than the previous wave of fire, hitting a distant tree and dispersing in multiple directions.After observing the scene, Ciel seemed to understand.
Kenneth: "Secondly, suppressing your mana is important so that your spell doesn't destabilize. Or worse yet, collapse in on itself."
Kenneth, holds his right hand with his left hand. He then starts casting another fire spell, but before he can cast it, the spell collapses in on itself like he said, throwing him backwards. He stops himself by coating his feet and leg with mana to reinforce his structure.
Kenneth: "Now, I purposefully caused that spell to collapse. But if you don't intend for a spell to collapse, the outcome could be much worse and cause the caster some serious damage. It might even damage the internal mana structure."
Flashback End..