Furn Star

Chapter 26.5: Tree Looking Back at the Apple

Mr. Hakuri's Perspective

     "Lift your knees, Lucus!!"
     "Yes, sir!!"
     The feeling I always have watching these children, it reminds me of Alabaster and Obsidian.
     Alabaster was my pride and joy. Always in the top of her class, always striving to be better. Not only that, but she made it. She had the innate talent and attacked aggressively for her spot as a World-Class.
     She won, not only martial awards, but academic ones. I look back now and know that while all that was great, I ignored all other aspects. Alabaster was fine, she was older - but Obsidian? He probably would've been better off if I had payed more attention.
No!!! No more blaming myself!!! My head shaking profusely as the children continued their kicking drills. "Okay, now it's time for stances!!" I made sure my voice projected well. No anger, just booming, which does sometimes scare their parents... the children have gotten used to it. 😓
     "Make sure your dominate foot is in front and your legs are diagonal from each other." I looked at how they all stood. Most were solid, but some still had trouble. "David, spread those feet a little more! Jessica, shift your body weight forward!"
     I surveyed the room and gave a slight nod. "Okay, kids!! You can start self-practice. Use Magic, just don't burn anything down - Amy." All the students, including her, laughed as she affirmed my joke of a warning.

     I examined every small movement they made. Mental notes of each student was added, changed, and updated. Just like then.

It all came together. This reminded me of the time they still used wolves in combat experiments. I was able to delay Obsidian's time, but eventually even I had to back down.
Being one of the three strongest in the world was kinda exhausting, always something we had to do.

He was so cute and small when he was young. I have to admit though - he was a little... off as a kid. Never really seemed to have an opinion on things. Just acted as an observer, even to his own problems. When he started private school, he became quite aggressive, even attacking students, though I only heard this from Alabaster.
     Then, he kinda just mellowed out. I'm not sure what happened, but not too long before the experiments he never again hurt a fly.
     He was easily the weakest of his class then. I always tried training him, but he never seemed to grasp it. I vividly remember when one of his teachers asking if he was autistic and that it would make sense - since 'wolves are more likely to have mental disorders'.
     I was enraged and took him out of private schooling, which is part of the reason I had him in the training program. He never told me about the bullying he went through in the program, Alabaster had to tell me that as well.

     Damn, I really was a bad father... shaking my head. Realizing how the kids were getting a bit too rough. "Okay, guys!!!" They all immediately stopped and turned to me respectfully. "Clean this mess up, your parents should be coming in about 10 mins."
     They all gave a quick bow and got to work. "Tasha, make sure to get the burns off that wall over there. And Billy!! I told you not to eat out of the trash!! It's not healthy!!"
Even though I like kids, these guys are going to kill me before the demons do...

     After work, I headed on over to pick up Jade at school. "Daddy?"
     I always feel less stressed after hearing his voice. "Yes, Jade?"
     He paused before he murmured, "Why is Obsidian in jail? He didn't do anything wrong - right?"
     "That's right." I didn't want him to worry, but there's no way that Obsidian was conspiring with a demon that's just disgusting.

     After getting home and eating dinner. I headed to bed. Memories swirling in my mind as I was plagued by the past. The past where I failed, I failed as a father and as a man.

     I could never train him, even untrained humans were able to beat him in combat simulations. He never gave up though. His panting after hours of secret training at night. His determination was staggering.
     "Dad, when I grow up, I'm gonna be stronger than even you!!!"
     'Oh, you think so!!? I'll just have get even stronger!!'
So cute!!! ☺️

     He suddenly got unbelievably strong. I'm not sure what kind of training he did (I stopped watching after a while), but he became something unheard of at that time. Someone who didn't use destructive Magic, but purely Support Magi in combat situations.
     It was years before I realized the abusiveness of my ex. She had already cheated on me once and had Jackson, but then beat them without me being around at all!?
     I wish I could blame it all on her, but if I had just been less stupid, none of this would have happened...
     At first, I dismissed the possibility of what she was doing after I was told, but after another long period, she had sex with another guy!! And got pregnant again. If I hadn't witnessed her assault on Obsidian when trying to protect young Jack, I would still be with that wretch.
     Even when he could easily left the house at that time, he always insisted staying. I never knew why, but I believe he couldn't bear leaving his brother in the hands of that woman.
     Then, that's when a Shadow Demon flew out of her. I realized she was being manipulated by it at some point, but that doesn't excuse her awful actions for a decade.

     'BEEP!!' 'BEEP!!' 'BEEP!!' I was knocked out of bed in a cold sweat. Oh shit!!! Today's the day!!!