“Come on Kae, you move like my Grandma! And she’s DEAD!” Kae’s arms ached; his whole body ached. He was on pushup number 102 when Karma walked in. “Hey you guys! How’s it going?” ‘Finally.’ Kae though gratefully as he collapsed in a heap on the floor. “Hey! Who said you could be finished?” “N-no one, sir…” “Okay then; ten more pushups for behaving without orders. Then you can go take a shower.” “Yes sir.” Kae said gratefully. He quickly finished off the remainder of his torture, and hurried off to the bathroom.

            Rubbing a towel through his unruly hair, Kae walked along the hall of Mizuumi Sensei’s house. He was about to walk into the kitchen to have some much desired nourishment, but he stopped when he heard Karma and Mizuumi talking seriously. He pressed his ear to the door and listened.

“You seem to be working him quite hard, sensei.” “Yes. It’s surprising, actually. For someone from Earth; no, even by our standards… he works very hard. He’s made a lot of improvement, and it has been a week, so… I’m going to start training him tomorrow. I’m going to start teaching him telepathy.”

Kae gasped. “Telepathy…” He whispered to himself. He’d wanted to learn that ever since he started training… Kae listened again as the conversation continued.

“Tomorrow? You don’t think it’s too soon?” “Well… maybe. But its better he learns it here than on the job.” Kae shrugged. He had a point. “So… which strategy will it be?” Kae blinked. Strategy? What were they going on about? “Hm… well… with him I’m thinking Phoenix.” “Really!? Are you sure?” “Positive. And even if I wasn’t, we can really use a phoenix around here… the rest of you are all Dragons and Poseidons. ‘Cept you.” Kae distinctly heard Mizuumi pat Karma on the back. “You’re the only Soul we’ve got- and its lucky, too. Because Phoenix and Souls work well together I hear.” “Mmhm.” Karma replied happily. Kae was still confused, he still didn’t have a clue what they were talking about- but he felt sure he was in safe hands.