Chapter 4: Hidden Depths
Akira POV
Tuesday morning started like any other day, but everything changed when I walked into the kitchen to find Dad casually lifting our refrigerator with one hand while Mom cleaned behind it with military precision.
They both froze when they saw me.
"Akira!" Mom said, her voice pitched slightly higher than normal. "You're up early!"
Dad slowly lowered the refrigerator, his face carefully neutral. "Just helping your mother with some spring cleaning."
I stared at them, my mind racing. The refrigerator had to weigh at least 200 pounds, and Dad had been holding it like it was made of cardboard. Combined with Mom's eerily systematic cleaning pattern—she'd been scrubbing in perfect grid squares—it was clear I'd just witnessed something far beyond normal human capability.
"That's... impressive, Dad." I said carefully. "You must work out a lot."
A look of relief flickered across both their faces. "Your father is very strong." Mom agreed quickly. "Years of martial arts training."
[They're not even trying to hide their supernatural nature anymore.] Ddraig observed with amusement. [Though they're clearly hoping you won't realize what you've seen.]
'Should I let them know I understand what they are?'
[Not yet. Let them reveal themselves naturally. Forcing the issue could create complications.]
I nodded and grabbed my usual breakfast items, acting as if watching my father casually deadlift major appliances was perfectly normal. "I'm going to practice in the backyard before school." I announced.
"That's wonderful, sweetheart." Mom said, still sounding slightly strained. "Just remember to be careful with your movements. We don't want the neighbors to... worry."
The phrasing was odd enough that I filed it away for later analysis. What kind of movements would make the neighbors worry?
After breakfast, I settled into my usual meditation spot in the garden shed's shadow and accessed my [Archive Magic] interface.
{Archive Magic Active. User Level: Novice. Morning practice session initiated.}
The familiar light-blue holographic screen materialized in front of me, complete with the projected keyboard that had become second nature to use. I quickly created a new file documenting my parents' display of supernatural abilities.
'Create file: Parent Supernatural Observations - Refrigerator Incident.' I typed.
{File created. Input data?}
I carefully recorded everything I'd witnessed: Dad's casual superhuman strength, Mom's unnaturally systematic cleaning pattern, their panicked reaction to being seen, and their warning about neighbors. As I worked, patterns began to emerge from my accumulated data.
'Cross-reference with previous observations about combat training indicators.' I commanded.
{Cross-referencing... Analysis complete. Pattern identified: Both parents display consistent indicators of supernatural enhancement beyond baseline human capability. Probability of concealed supernatural nature: 97.3%.}
[Your magical system is becoming quite sophisticated.] Ddraig noted approvingly. [Though I'm curious about something else. You mentioned wanting to experiment with [Jutsu Shiki] today.]
'Right. Rune-based magic should be safer to practice than fire magic.' I minimized the analysis window and opened a new interface. 'Archive Magic, access database: Jutsu Shiki fundamentals.'
{Accessing... Jutsu Shiki overview: Rune-based magical system utilizing written symbols to create barriers, enchantments, and magical effects. Basic runes include: protection, concealment, enhancement, and binding. Recommend starting with simple protection runes for safety.}
Perfect. I pulled up the basic protection rune from my previous life's knowledge—a simple circle with intersecting lines that was supposed to create a minor barrier against magical detection.
Using my finger, I carefully traced the rune in the dirt beside me. Nothing happened for a moment, then I felt a subtle shift in the air around me, like a gentle pressure settling over my shoulders.
[Interesting.] Ddraig murmured. [I can sense the barrier forming, though it's quite weak.]
'It's working though.' I traced the rune again, this time focusing on channeling my energy into the symbol as I drew it. The barrier feeling strengthened noticeably.
{New magical system detected: [Jutsu Shiki] - Basic level achieved. Recommend practicing fundamental runes before attempting complex applications.}
Encouraged, I spent the next hour practicing different basic runes, gradually building my understanding of how the symbol-based magic worked. It was different from [Fire Dragon Slayer Magic]—where that felt instinctive and wild, [Jutsu Shiki] required precise intention and careful energy control.
By the time I needed to get ready for school, I'd successfully created protection barriers, simple concealment effects, and even a minor enhancement rune that made my movements feel slightly more fluid.
[That is excellent progress.] Ddraig commented as I brushed the dirt off my hands. [You're developing a solid foundation across multiple magical systems.]
'Now I just need to figure out how to practice them without my parents detecting the magical traces.'
The solution presented itself during lunch at school. As I sat with my classmates, I overheard two older students talking about an "abandoned shrine" on the outskirts of town.
"My brother says it's been empty for like fifty years." one was saying. "Nobody ever goes there anymore because it's supposed to be haunted."
"Haunted by what?" the other asked skeptically.
"Dunno. Probably just old stories to keep kids away. But it's really isolated—perfect for..." the first student lowered his voice, "secret stuff."
Perfect. An abandoned, isolated location that people actively avoided would be ideal for magical practice. I made a mental note to ask Shizuku if she knew about it during our Wednesday training session.
{Archive Magic Active. Creating file: Potential Practice Locations - Abandoned Shrine.}
'Note: Investigate abandoned shrine mentioned by older students. Location described as isolated and avoided by locals. Potential for secure magical practice away from parental detection.'
The rest of the school day passed normally, but I found myself paying more attention to subtle details I'd previously overlooked. The way certain teachers moved with unconscious grace that suggested combat training. How some students seemed to have unusually sharp senses or quick reflexes. The faint energy signatures I could now detect thanks to my growing supernatural awareness.
Was Kuoh Town more supernatural than it appeared on the surface? Or was I simply becoming more sensitive to the hidden world that existed alongside the mundane one?
[Probably both.] Ddraig suggested when I posed the question. [Your enhanced senses are revealing what was always there, but places with significant supernatural activity tend to attract more supernatural residents.]
Wednesday's dojo session brought new challenges and revelations. Master Yaegashi introduced us to partner combat exercises—controlled sparring that required both technique and restraint.
"Remember," he instructed as we paired off, "this is about learning to apply techniques under pressure, not about winning or losing. Focus on form and control."
Shizuku and I were partnered again, which suited me perfectly. Her superior skill level meant I could push myself harder without seeming suspiciously advanced.
"Ready?" she asked, settling into a perfect ready stance with her wooden sword.
"Ready." I replied, trying to mirror her posture.
What followed was both educational and humbling. Shizuku moved with a fluidity that made combat look like dance, her techniques flowing seamlessly from defense to attack. I found myself struggling to keep up, even with my enhanced reflexes and coordination.
"Don't think so much." she advised during a brief break. "Your body knows what to do—trust it."
[She's right.] Ddraig agreed. [You're overanalyzing every movement instead of letting your instincts guide you.]
I tried to follow their advice, relaxing my mental control and allowing my enhanced physical abilities to respond more naturally. The improvement was immediate—my movements became smoother, my reactions faster, and my technique more precise.
"Much better!" Shizuku said with genuine enthusiasm. "See how much easier it flows when you're not fighting yourself?"
By the end of the session, I'd made significant progress in both technique and confidence. More importantly, I'd begun to understand how my supernatural abilities could enhance my martial arts without making them obviously inhuman.
"Akira." Master Yaegashi called as class ended. "A word, please."
I approached him somewhat nervously, wondering if I'd revealed too much during the sparring exercises.
"Your progress has been remarkable." he said carefully. "Unusually rapid for someone with no prior training."
My heart sank. Had I been too obvious about my enhanced abilities?
"I wanted to ask about your family background." he continued. "Your father mentioned he teaches martial arts?"
"Yes, sir. Mixed styles, mostly."
Master Yaegashi nodded thoughtfully. "I see. And your mother?"
"She... she's very athletic." I said carefully, not sure how much to reveal.
"Hmm." He studied me for a moment. "Talent often runs in families, especially when it comes to physical disciplines. Just remember—with great natural ability comes great responsibility. The techniques you learn here should be used to protect, not to harm."
"I understand, sensei."
"Good." His expression softened slightly. "You and Shizuku work well together. She's never been as enthusiastic about helping a training partner before."
As if summoned by her name, Shizuku appeared at my side. "Papa, can Akira come practice with me at the park again? I want to show him the advanced footwork patterns."
"If his parents permit it." Master Yaegashi agreed. "Just remember to focus on fundamentals before attempting advanced techniques."
The walk to the park gave me an opportunity to ask about the abandoned shrine I'd heard about at school.
"Oh, you mean the old Inari shrine?" Shizuku said immediately. "Yeah, it's up on the hill past the residential area. Nobody goes there anymore because it's all overgrown and kind of spooky."
"Have you ever been there?"
She shook her head. "Papa says it's dangerous because the path is steep and the buildings are falling apart. Plus, some people think it's haunted."
"Do you believe in ghosts?"
Shizuku considered this seriously. "I don't know. But I think there are things in the world that most people don't understand. Papa says the old shrines were built in places where the spiritual world touches the physical world."
[The girl's family definitely knows more about the supernatural than they let on,] Ddraig observed.
'That's becoming increasingly obvious. The question is whether they're aware of my supernatural nature, or if they're just generally cautious about supernatural matters.'
At the park, Shizuku demonstrated the advanced footwork patterns she'd mentioned—complex sequences that required precise timing and balance. As I watched her move through the forms, I was struck again by how impossibly skilled she was for a six-year-old.
"Your turn." she said, settling into a teaching stance. "Start with the basic pattern and work up to the full sequence."
I spent the next hour learning the footwork, gradually building from simple steps to the complete pattern. It was challenging even with my enhanced coordination, requiring intense focus to maintain proper form while executing rapid directional changes.
[This training is excellent for developing your physical control.] Ddraig noted. [The precision required will serve you well when applying your supernatural abilities.]
"You're getting it!" Shizuku said with delight as I successfully completed the full sequence. "Most people take weeks to learn that pattern."
"I have a good teacher." I replied, meaning it sincerely.
As the sun began to set, we settled onto a park bench to rest. Shizuku pulled out a small notebook and began sketching something.
"What are you drawing?" I asked curiously.
"Kata sequences." she said, showing me detailed diagrams of sword positions and movement patterns. "Papa taught me to record what I learn so I can remember it better."
The sketches were remarkably detailed and accurate—far beyond what I'd expect from a six-year-old's artistic abilities. More interestingly, some of the notations around the diagrams looked almost like...
"Are those runes?" I asked before I could stop myself.
Shizuku looked up in surprise. "You know about runes? Papa said most people don't learn about them until they're much older."
My heart rate spiked. This was definitely not normal childhood knowledge. "I... I read about them in books. Old stories about magic and stuff."
"Oh." She relaxed slightly. "Papa teaches me about traditional symbols and their meanings. He says they're important for understanding the deeper aspects of martial arts."
She showed me more of her notebook, and I recognized several symbols that looked suspiciously like the [Jutsu Shiki] runes I'd been practicing. But these were more complex, integrated into what appeared to be advanced training diagrams.
'The Yaegashi family definitely practices some form of supernatural martial arts.' I realized. 'The question is whether it's connected to any of the power systems I know about.'
[This complicates things.] Ddraig observed. [If the girl's family has their own supernatural traditions, they may be more observant about magical development than ordinary humans.]
"Shizuku." I said carefully, "has your father ever mentioned anything about... unusual abilities that some people have?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "He says that dedicated training can awaken potential that most people never develop. And that some families have traditions that go back hundreds of years." She paused. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. Sometimes I feel like there's more to martial arts than just the physical techniques."
"There is." she said seriously. "But Papa says you have to master the basics first before you can understand the deeper teachings."
That evening, I shared dinner with my parents while processing everything I'd learned. The casual display of superhuman strength that morning, Master Yaegashi's pointed questions about my family background, and Shizuku's notebook full of what appeared to be magical symbols—it all pointed to a supernatural community that was much more extensive than I'd initially realized.
"How was training today?" Dad asked as Mom served what looked like a perfectly normal family meal.
"Really good. Master Yaegashi taught us partner combat exercises, and Shizuku helped me learn some advanced footwork."
"The Yaegashi girl seems very dedicated to her training." Mom observed. "Her father has quite a reputation in certain circles."
"What kind of circles?" I asked innocently.
Dad and Mom exchanged another look. "Traditional martial arts circles." Dad said carefully. "He's known for preserving very old techniques."
[They're being deliberately vague.] Ddraig noted. [But that comment about 'certain circles' suggests they know more about the Yaegashi family than they're admitting.]
After dinner, I retreated to my room and accessed my [Archive Magic] interface to process the day's revelations.
{Archive Magic Active. Multiple significant data inputs detected. Recommend comprehensive analysis.}
'Begin analysis: Yaegashi family supernatural connections.'
I input all my observations about Shizuku's notebook, Master Yaegashi's comments, and the family's apparent knowledge of runes and traditional symbols. The system began cross-referencing patterns and drawing connections.
{Analysis complete. Probability assessment: Yaegashi family practices supernatural martial arts tradition. Estimated knowledge level: Advanced. Threat assessment: Unknown. Recommendation: Proceed with caution while gathering additional intelligence.}
'Create file: Investigation Plan - Abandoned Shrine Reconnaissance.'
{File created. Input data?}
I outlined a plan to visit the abandoned shrine on Saturday, when I'd have more time to explore without parental supervision. If the location proved suitable for magical practice, it would solve my most pressing problem—finding a place to develop my abilities without detection.
{Warning: Solo exploration of unfamiliar supernatural location carries significant risk. Recommend backup plans and safety protocols.}
Good advice. I made additional notes about informing someone of my plans and establishing check-in procedures. The last thing I needed was to disappear mysteriously while investigating a potentially haunted shrine.
That night, I slipped out to my usual practice spot behind the garden shed. The [Jutsu Shiki] protection rune I'd learned that morning would hopefully prevent my parents from detecting the magical energies I was about to generate.
Carefully tracing the concealment rune in the dirt around my practice area, I felt the familiar settling sensation as the barrier activated. Then I began working on my [Fire Dragon Slayer Magic], slowly building the warmth in my chest before channeling it into my hands.
This time, I managed to maintain a small flame for nearly thirty seconds—significant progress from my earlier attempts. More importantly, the flame was steady and controlled, responding to my intentions without the wild fluctuations I'd experienced before.
[That is excellent control.] Ddraig approved. [You're beginning to understand the balance between power and restraint.]
Next, I practiced combining magical systems, using [Archive Magic] to analyze my [Fire Dragon Slayer Magic] in real-time. The interface provided detailed feedback about energy flow, efficiency, and areas for improvement.
{Real-time analysis active. Fire Dragon Slayer Magic: Power output 15% of theoretical maximum. Control rating: Good. Energy efficiency: 73%. Recommend focusing on sustained output rather than peak intensity.}
Following the system's suggestions, I spent the next hour working on maintaining smaller, more efficient flames for extended periods. By the end of the session, I could sustain a candle-sized flame for over two minutes without significant fatigue.
[Your progress is impressive.] Ddraig said as I climbed back through my bedroom window. [You're developing the patience to build power gradually rather than trying to force dramatic results.]
'Tomorrow I want to try combining [Jutsu Shiki] with [Fire Dragon Slayer Magic]. If I can create fire-enhanced runes, it might open up entirely new possibilities.'
[Ambitious, but also potentially dangerous. Make sure you test any combinations in a controlled environment.]
As I settled into bed, my mind was already planning the next day's experiments and Saturday's reconnaissance mission to the abandoned shrine. The supernatural world was revealing itself in layers, and I was determined to understand as much as possible before the larger forces at play made their intentions clear.
[Sleep well, young dragon emperor.] Ddraig murmured. [Tomorrow we delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding us.]
Outside my window, the night was quiet and still, but I could sense something in the darkness—a watchful presence that suggested our activities had not gone entirely unnoticed. Whether that was a threat or simply the natural awareness of a town with supernatural secrets remained to be seen.
But one thing was certain: the game was becoming more complex, and I needed to be ready for whatever came next.
{Archive Magic Active - Auto-save initiated. All data files secured. Good night, Akira.}
The interface's parting message brought a smile to my face. Even my magical systems were learning to adapt to my needs. Whatever challenges lay ahead, at least I wouldn't face them unprepared.