Chapter 118: Responsibility

One months later,

Howard and Barabin both had sweat dripping down their countenances. 

Howard had almost hit Barabin three times in a row, and seemed to be growing stronger during their battle. The longer they fought, the more Howard used Barabin's own Ki against him. He had even reached the doorway to mastering Ki Resonance.

Howard looked down at his feet and took a deep breath after unleashing dozens of salvos of flames. He stood on the ridge of the mountain with a white shirt on and a pair of black pants. However, underneath the shirt, he had on a set of heavy silver armor that could be seen through the wear and tear. His blue eyes looked like endless wells of power, with two black Dark Ki flames in his right and left hand. He smiled and stepped off his back foot and slashed at Barabin.

Swoosh!

Barabin stepped back and dodged. His black hair spun around his head before he sent a single finger flying toward's Howard's naval. He expected to hit Howard, but a flame then appeared around his body. He seemed to split into three phantoms and attack Barabin from all sides.

Boom!

Barabin flicked his finger to the right side and sent Howard bursting into a nearby rock. The rock had dozens of body imprints from other times Howard had slammed into it. However, this time, Howard put his single leg against the rock and instantly traveled forward.

'I got him this time!' Howard spun and ignited all his strength. He combined his normal Ki and his Dark Ki easily and caused a orange and black flame to tornado towards Barabin's position. Yet, Barabin, didn't seem frightened. He merely held up his hand before a flame wall appeared. At the same time, he turned and caught a small rock Howard had tried to throw at his head.

He smiled, and gently moved his hands before they clapped into both sides of Howard's cheek.

Howard instantly lost the smile on his face and fell directly onto the floor. All his efforts for the past month had resulted in constant defeats. He still couldn't hit Barabin once, even if he tried!

"You could probably hold your own against Necrolith now," Barabin smiled and offered Howard a hand that he accepted. "However, you're forgetting I've been drinking blood every day! I'm getting closer to the middle stages of the S rank!"

"Ugh, that hurt," Howard got up and wobbled to a stand. His white short had been torn during the battle, and he felt bad that Jenny would have to repair it again. He sighed and rolled up his sleeves before stepping back.

"Again! I don't care about Necrolith! My real enemy is losing! I can't lose or everyone will die!"

"Oh, someone wants to be quite the little leader," Barabin clapped his hands. "We're done for the day. Come back in a few hours. I need to talk to Carter. I'm leaving in the morning and Reslan will be staying with you at the East Branch to help with the invasion. If i fight you again, I might end up killing you!"

"Liar, I almost got you," Howard sighed and jumped down the mountainous ridge and landed in front of the opening of the Mountain Pass. 

Carter had finally introduced him to his two students. For several months, he hadn't learned of their names, but only observed their beautiful figures and Ki. Camala was a blonde haired twenty year old girl with a petite frame with a set of beautiful curves and gorgeous orange eyes. She had on a black tank top with blue jeans that seemed to not hide even a small portion of her beauty. Howard couldn't help but look at her face and stare at her pink lips as she walked down the stairs.

Carter's training for her was very intense. She had to create 10,000 wind blades in an hour, so she constantly had to punch out with her arms to channel the Ki around her. He watched the sweat drip down from her forehead and smiled. Only to see her turn and laugh when she observed Howard's torn white shirt and the dozens of scars against his cheekbone.

They had started to heal, but Howard had no idea how miserable he looked. Camala immediately covered her mouth and said "Awww!" Her need to tend to Howard immediately activated.

"Aww, what did Barabin do to you?" Camala took out a set of gauze from her pocket and began to wrap it around Howard's arm. She wanted to be a medical doctor, and had spent a few hours a day reading textbooks on medicine that appeared from Ki Storms. She also had an interest in meteorology and loved watching Ki Storms appear and disappear. Thus, she couldn't help but tend to Howard's dozens of injuries. Although she knew they'd heal, she still wanted to take care of him.

She knew Howard had three and a half girlfriends, but couldn't help but try and be an older sister to Howard. She smiled and finished wrapping the gauze around his wrist. Howard ended up looking like a mummy on the right side of his body because of all the white gauze she'd wrapped around his injuries. He couldn'y help but smile and watch her bend down and tie the final knot.

"As your nurse, you have to not fight for 5 hours until the injuries heal. Carter will back me on this, promise."

"You're cute," Howard said with a smile. "I love it went you bandage me! It makes me feel like kissing you!"

"Howard, you speak your mind too much. I got to train, or Carter will toss me down the well," Camala flicked his face and revealed her beautiful pearly white teeth. She rubbed his head and pointed over towards his bedroom. "Anyways, you got a bus ride tomorrow right? You'll be our handsome leader in the East Branch."

"He's got to stop a war, and you got to train. Now stop interrupting her Howard. She's my student! " Carter tossed his bucket down and walked over and used his arms to split apart the two bodies. "I-I can't take it! Camala, go get me some water!"

"Yes, teacher," Camala bowed and left to go to the well. "Howard, come see me before you go. There's something I want to give you.���

"She's pretty isn't she," Carter said with a smile, "Howard, do you like her?"

"Of course," Howard nodded his head. "I used to sleep with two different woman a night and Vicky so I'd be able to take part in experiments! I love meeting women!" 

When Howard had been in the prison, one of the things the prison guards did was make him feel good when he woke up in the morning so he could participate in the experiment. He regularly got shoulder massages in the morning, and kissed by the prison guards. In addition, some morning's Vicky would play video games with him and teach him new strategies.

Of course, then he had to suffer after, but he still learned that women were valuable from that experience. Every woman he met deserved to be cherished! However, he then realized Carter had turned angry, and gulped. His adams apple raised and fell quickly while he legs tensed in anticipation. The last time he said something like this, Carter had almost killed him with training! 

"Howard, I want to talk to you about girls today, but I can't. I once had a wife, and she got killed because of my stupidity."

"Many people here have lost loved ones, including Founder Arista because of the tides of time. In the future, I hope you can keep that cheerful spirit. I guarantee you, at least one person you love will die every 100 years."

"Now, go, go get ready! In the morning, you'll be the second in charge of the East Branch. The new stage of your journey is just about to begin."