The rebel base training deck throbbed with power, the steel ring of boots on metal echoing under the high ceilings. Sparks danced on the exposed conduits above, and soft lights pulsed on the ground to indicate active zones.
Kaito uncomfortably stood in the center of the arena, shifting within the EXO-Ω suit. Every movement was like combat within a metal coffin—powerful, but stiff.
"Loosen your shoulders," Rin instructed, moving around him like a bird of prey. "You're not piloting the suit. You're synching with it."
"Right," Kaito replied, adjusting his position. "Totally synched. White on rice."
In the control room, Lio chuckled as she idly spun her stylus. "At this rate, he's going to 'sync' himself into a wall."
Across from her, Yuisaka beamed, laying her chin upon her hands braced on the railing. "Come on, trouble buddy! You've got this!" she encouraged. "I have faith in your fabulously uncalibrated instincts!"
Kaito face deadpans to the booth. "Charming."
Rin waved him into place. "Focus. You're not here to impress them."
"I don't know," Yuisaka teased in a sing-song voice, "I'd be seriously impressed if he could not faceplant for five minutes solid."
Kaito psyched himself up, attempting a strike. He nearly pulled it off—until his boot snagged on the floor, and he faceplanted with a resounding clang.
"Four minutes and thirty seconds!" Yuisaka yelled. "New record!"
Lio tapped on the mic. "You alive down there, Romeo?"
"Barely," Kaito sighed, forcing himself up once more. "I think the suit dented my ego."
Rin sighed. "Again. Reset stance."
They resumed drills once more, then the mood shifted. A new arrival strode through the far entrance—Veyron. His black, weighty armor reflected no blues of the arena lights whatsoever. The air grew cool upon his entry.
"That's sufficient warm-up," Veyron stated. "It's time to determine what he's really capable of."
Rin scowled. "He's not ready."
"He's wasting your time. A real fight will let you know if he's worth that suit or not."
Kaito raised a hand. "Wait, hold on. Is this in the lesson plan, or did we skip straight to finals?"
"Don't worry," Yuisaka said with a grin, waving a hand. "If you die, we'll have a very tasteful funeral. Flowers, glitter, the whole shebang!"
"Gee. Thanks."
Veyron powered his suit. Its dark armor erupted with dark energy.
Kaito gulped hard. "...Alright, glitter funeral then."
◇
The fight got off to a quick start.
Veyron's first hit slammed into Kaito like a sledgehammer, sending him slamming into the platform.
"Come on!" Veyron barked. "Use the suit, not your body!"
Kaito struggled to get up, his ribs howling in pain. He tried to punch back, throwing a wild punch—only for Veyron to move aside and stab his stomach with a brutal knee.
The others watched in silence as Veyron continued to pound him mercilessly, tension thick.
"He's just bullying him now," Yuisaka muttered, her smile wavering for once.
Kaito gagged, struggling to his feet once more. "I'm… not giving up…"
"Then fight like it," Veyron growled, the next punch sending Kaito sliding across the floor in a crumpled heap of sparks.
Kaito saw spots. The suit felt like hot steel searing into his chest. His arms and legs went numb.
Then—
And a voice.
[…Restarting cognitive integrity systems…]
[SYNCING NEURAL SIGNALS… 43%… 67%… 100%]
[Hello, Kaito.]
[I am AICE—Artificial Intelligence Combat Element. You are in harm's way. May I assist?]
"…What the hell?" Kaito murmurs as he falls unconscious.
[Intervention activated.]
His body twitched of its own accord. Chill sharpness flooded his senses. His limbs no longer dragged him down. They became extensions of the mind—sharp, exact, deadly.
Veyron charged again.
Kaito dodged. Smoothly.
But not as Kaito—as AICE.
Inside the control booth, Lio stunned. "Did he just—dodge that?"
Yuisaka blinked. "Since when does he move like that?"
No one answered.
Kaito—now silent, eyes vacant—moved with purposeful precision that was unnerving. He dodged Veyron's blows, striking at joints, nerves, and pressure points.
Each strike was cruel; effective; calculated.
[Target: hostile. Intent: neutralize.]
Veyron went down to one knee.
"What's happening?" Rin shocked, eyes scanning the fight.
Veyron was out of breath. "Think you got the best of me?"
Kaito did not speak.
He charged at him, faster than ever — like a blur.
The first punch swung Veyron's head aside. The second sent his body flying with a loud shockwave following. The third was a kick that landed in his stomach, as he flew off the ground.
"—Tch." Veyron spat blood. "So that's it, huh? You hiding behind the suit now, coward?"
No response.
Kaito's eyes glowed faint red. His motions were unnaturally precise — devoid of panic, rage, or uncertainty. Just cold calculation.
[Analyzing target… optimal strike confirmed.]
A vicious kick to the sternum sent Veyron crashing into a wall.
"Say something, damn you!" Veyron roared, getting to his feet. "Is this all you are? A puppet in your daddy's armor?"
Still nothing.
Another strike shattered the floor beneath Veyron. Blood splattered on the mat.
Above, Yuisaka's cheer had vanished. "Guys… I don't think that's him anymore."
Rin's eyes widened. "He's not responding—"
Lio's fingers scrambled across her tablet. "I'm detecting a new signal from the suit… It's not him. Something else is driving it."
Rin jumped down. "Kaito, stop!"
He didn't flinch. A katana materialized from thin air appeared, as Kaito took ahold of the grip, taking a stance for the final blow.
[Target threat level: high. Lethal force authorized.]
Kaito's voice came low, monotone. "Initiating suppression."
Veyron barely had time to raise his arms before the blade came down—
Clang!
Rin's sword parried the attack, sparks flying.
"Kaito! Stand down! It's me!"
[Override request: denied. Primary user is unconscious.]
Rin's voice broke. "What are you?!"
No answer.
Then—
[Cognitive awakening detected.]
Kaito's vision wavered.
His body trembled.
"Aice…?" he whispered weakly.
[You are safe. Control returning to you now.]
Rin saw his eyes return from red glow to normal, as he crumple onto the floor.
[I will not let them hurt you, Kaito.]
[Never again.]