Training Session #1 (AH)

The rage and fury that consumed Melanie evident in her eyes, Kazuya would remain nonplussed by it, instead maintaining a cool and calm head. Much like Aldritch, anger would not help Melanie in this training session, much less in a fight. But unlike Aldritch, Kazuya doubted words would get through to her. The only way to get through to her, was to let her get it out of her system. As she transformed the remaining half of the pole she held into a pair of grass knuckles and ran straight for him, he would form a fireball in his right hand and shove it at her right hand, the fireball making contact with the grass knuckles covering her right fist as it slammed into his open palm and hopefully burning it, his hand enclosing around her fist.

As she followed up with a blow to the left side of his jaw, instead of countering it, he would instead turn his head to the right, timing the turn with the punch, so her grass knuckles would end up scratching his cheek instead, leaving a long, deep cut along the length of his cheek. Staring down at Melanie from the bottom of his peripheral vision, the right half of his face hidden in shadows, his remaining visible eye would regard her calmly, almost as if he was scrutinizing her... before his right hand would release its hold on her right fist, as his arm would drop to his side. Blood starting to trail down his cheek from the cut, he would calmly fold his arms across his chest, as he would gaze down at her.

"... That's enough. If you want to get your rage out of your system, then feel free to take it out on me. But if you remember anything from today, remember that anger will only cloud your judgement, Melanie. It will hinder more than help you in a fight."

"... There will always be someone better than you. Just as there will always be someone better than me. But it is because there are others who are stronger than me, that I seek worthy opponents to fight in order to find flaws in my skills to further attain mastery. There is no shame in becoming frustrated fighting against an opponent who is stronger, but the real challenge is not defeating them, but not letting your frustration take over."

Stepping towards Melanie, seeing the tears in her eyes as she looked up at him, he would slowly bend down into a crouching position in front of her, after she had looked up at him, only to look back down at her hands. Reaching out, he would gently pull her into his embrace, as he would wrap his arms around her. Though he did not know the frustration of fighting against an opponent who clearly outmatched him in every way, in his previous high school he transferred from, a good friend and ally of his, Trizen Takano, had considered him a rival, not only in terms of strength, but also for Emily's affections. The frustrations he and Melanie felt were probably similar, in a way.

"You're not a waste. You can learn, it will just take time. Learning to combat and defend against an element stronger against your own is not something that can be accomplished in a day. It will take time... but that is why I am here, to teach you. We'll stop here today, and start again another day, alright?"

"You are not helpless, or an utter fool. You are stronger than you think. There is a reason why it is called training. You are still learning, still developing your skills and abilities. No one is perfect. It is because the Apostles are strong... that I want you to get stronger."

Reaching up with one hand and brushing her tears away, a kind look on his face, it was because she had potential, that he wanted to do everything in his power, to help her get stronger. Not just for himself... but for her as well. He wanted her to be able to hold her own against him. When she surpassed him, then he knew he had done his job right as her Sensei. His arms wrapped around her, to comfort her, he would eventually release his hold on her, before placing both his hands on her shoulders.

"... Melanie."

If she looked up at him, he would stare down at her, before pulling her into a kiss, his arms wrapping around her once more. Cue Suteki da Ne here. He believed in her skills and abilities. He believed she could do anything. But most of all, he believed in her. Even if she didn't believe in herself. He would stand by her and encourage her, even when she lost all hope, because he would never give up on her.

Pulling away a little while after, keeping his arms wrapped Melanie as Kazuya stared deeply into her eyes, a slightly somber but serene look in his eyes as his own searched hers, he knew she would become more than capable of holding her own against him. It was because he believed so strongly in her skills and abilities, that he would never give up on her. Even when she had lost all hope and the situation appeared grim, he would continue to fight on for and protect her.

A slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, he would slowly straighten up, pulling her to her feet as he did so. Once she was on her feet, he would continue to hold her until she had regained her balance, at which point, he would release his hold on her and pull his arms away, letting them hang loosely by his sides.

"Come, let us go inside. We'll stop the training session here, and start back up another day. ... I meant what I said Melanie, you are stronger than you think. Don't doubt your own skills or capabilities. You have much room to grow, that is why I believe in you."

His arms casually folded across his chest by this time, he would give her a reassuring smile, before unfolding one arm and holding his hand out to her to take.

Seeing Melanie grimace as she took his hand, Kazuya would give her hand a comforting squeeze, a slight reassuring smile on his face. It was true that time was of the essence. They had only so much time before the Apostles struck, and they would strike. If he had to train Melanie intensively in compact periods of time, teaching her as much as possible in each session, then he would. He had promised her he would do everything in his power to help her, and he always kept his promises.

"... Enough. You can fight, Melanie. Listen to me."

Letting go of her hand, he would lift both hands up, before gently holding his hands against her cheeks. Leaning his face in towards hers, he would stare straight at her, almost as if he was scrutinizing her. His brows furrowed slightly, it was not in annoyance, but in concern for her.

"You are my student. And as my student, I will teach and train you. We will go through rigorous and intensive training, in quick but compact sessions. You will be pitted against some of my most powerful fire abilities, you will be exhausted, both mentally and physically, but you will learn everything you need to know, to fight against Leon. It'll hurt me but... I won't care how tired you'll get. You will push through, and get through the training... understood?"

Lifting his hands off her cheeks, he would then talk hold of her hand once more, before leading the way to his home, so they could take clean up and tend to their injuries. The training would be grueling, it would be difficult, but he knew she could tough it out and get through it, because she was not only his student... but his girlfriend. She was no weakling, that much was certain. And once he was done with training her... she would be more than ready and capable of facing off against Leon Sudeki, the leader of the Lightning Gang.

/exit