Chapter 111: Proper understanding & Research

Ty stood on a blue mat, reminiscent of those he had seen back on Earth. As General Mattison observed, he asked, "Does a skeleton need to stretch?"

Ty chuckled lightly. "No, not really. But it does help me get in the right mindset," he replied.

General Mattison, clipboard in hand, got down to business. "Let's start with the basics. What does your weapon do, and where is it?"

This question caught Ty off guard. He was a bit perplexed. "That's a good question. I assumed you would have that information since you're the one who arrested me. Shouldn't you know where it is?"

Ty raised a valid point about the whereabouts of his double-bladed kama. "It's not like I have many places to hide a weapon like that. And what about my small crystal? I had it with me before, and now I woke up as a naked black skeleton. By the way, I would prefer some clothes later."

General Mattison nodded in understanding. "Ah, the green Ogre guy – Todd, I believe – took your crystal with him. He seemed to have put it in his sack. Is that crystal valuable to you?" He inquired, showing a hint of curiosity about the significance of the item to Ty.

Ty's expression became thoughtful as he recalled his recent experiences. "Yes, the crystal is special to me, though I can't fully explain why right now. Thanks for letting me know where it is."

He then shifted the conversation back to his recent battle. "About the fight with Orlong... I was in a tough spot, trapped under the ocean with that unbreakable barrier. Then, unexpectedly, the blade came flying in. It was strange, almost as if it was talking to me, helping me stay calm and focused during the fight."

Mattison observed Ty thoughtfully, his finger tapping his chin. "That's intriguing," he mused. "Each blade having its own soul and mind is a rare phenomenon. I suggest you try summoning the weapon. It's not common for a wielder to connect so deeply with their blade."

Ty mirrored Mattison's gesture, placing a bony finger on his chin. "I think I remember reading about that," he said, choosing not to mention the detailed papers he had acquired on their power system. His knowledge was extensive, even if he had missed some finer details in their mechanics.

Ty's attempt to summon the blades with a theatrical gesture and a call yielded no response. The silence that followed his command hung in the air, punctuated only by his own bewilderment. "Hmm, I guess that didn't work," he mused, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted drastically as General Mattison's voice cut through the stillness, his words cold and sharp. "If you don't summon the blade right now, I will have Nanako and Todd killed," he threatened, his gaze piercing into Ty.

Ty's skeletal frame stiffened, a shiver of confusion and horror running down his spine. The gravity of Mattison's words struck him forcefully, leaving him in a state of shock and disbelief at the sudden, drastic turn of events.

For the next hour, Ty demonstrated his abilities in the dojo, providing a practical display of his powers. He started by showcasing his black flames, skillfully manipulating them. First, he threw a ball of flames across the room, then he attached the flames to his fist, enhancing the power of his punches and illustrating the versatility of this ability.

He then moved on to a power he had mentioned earlier but hadn't used much before. "This one is about gravity," Ty said, focusing intently. "It's a bit strange, but it lets me apply a heavy gravitational force on a target. I feel there's more I can do with it, given some practice."

As he spoke, he demonstrated the gravity power, causing a noticeable increase in the gravitational pull within a specific area of the dojo. Objects and even some of the clones briefly felt the effect, illustrating the potential and raw power of this ability.

General Mattison, observing closely, made meticulous notes on his clipboard. The gravity demonstration, in particular, seemed to catch his attention. "That's a significant ability," he commented. "With proper training and control, it could be a formidable tool in your arsenal."

General Mattison's interest was piqued as Ty recounted the inspiration behind his rocket jet ability. "When I was a kid, I used to watch this show about a robot kid who could fly using rocket boosters on their legs," Ty shared. "And one day, while I was chasing a member of the Black Clover group, that memory just clicked, and I thought, why not try it?"

Demonstrating his newfound mobility, Ty activated the rocket jets on his feet, zipping around the dojo with impressive agility. This display of rapid movement and control clearly intrigued Mattison, who nodded in approval. "That will certainly come in handy," he remarked, making a note of it.

As the session progressed, Ty methodically went through his range of abilities, until a moment of introspection brought him to a halt. Closing his eyes, he focused inwardly, visualizing a pure black orb in his mind. The orb radiated a dark, ominous hue, stirring a sense of unease within him.

Ty's expression shifted as he observed the orb, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension crossing his skeletal face. The orb seemed to hold a deeper significance, perhaps hinting at an untapped or unknown power within him.

General Mattison, noticing Ty's pause and the change in his demeanor, looked on with curiosity. "Is there something else?" he inquired, ready to document any additional abilities or insights Ty might reveal.

Mattison, now with the bandages off his head, looked at Ty with a serious face. "Good, good," he said, putting down his notes. He seemed to be thinking about something important.

Then he said, "Before we go, I want to have a duel with you." He mentioned that Ty had defeated his mentor, which made it clear this duel was personal for Mattison. He wanted to see how he measured up against Ty.

Ty was a bit surprised by the sudden challenge but got ready for the duel. He knew this was a big deal for Mattison and a chance for him to show his own skills.

The dojo was filled with tension as they both got ready to fight. Mattison, his head now free from bandages, showed his scars from past battles. He looked ready and serious, like he really wanted to test himself against Ty.

The duel was about to start, and both Ty and Mattison were focused. This was going to be an important fight for both of them.