My Ninja Girl 4 by Gideon Caldwell (latest novels to read .TXT) 📕

was the second best of the current group, her focus on levitating bamboo canes and arranging them in the air into shapes. Because they were both better at using the new technique, Bunni and Liza began training together, the nun flinging items at the ninja, Bunni catching them midair and sending them right back, all without touching the items with their hands.

“Showoffs,” Soraya said as she continued to focus on moving a simple brick. The kitsune was able to make it shake, and there were a few times that she lifted it a few feet using just its industria, but she still never quite got the hang of it.

Micah hadn’t mentioned his success in using the power last night against Kami at the massage parlor. So much had happened since then, and he didn’t want to come off as bragging, nor did he want this conversation to shift to himself, especially when they had a future to think about, and Yuri was still in mourning. As it turned out, what happened last night seemed to be a one-off event—Micah was unable to move anything.

Just my luck, he thought as he tried to lift a brick solely using its industria. Last night I was able to save the day with the power, now I can’t even summon it.

It was clear that this industria technique shouldn’t be something he should rely on, that he was better at other things, like healing himself and even absorbing an attack, than he was actually controlling something with the unique form of energy that ruled his world. It wasn’t quite back to the drawing board; Micah never expected himself to become a powerhouse in the group, but it was disappointing, and it reminded him once again of his role. It also made him question his usefulness to some degree. What did he truly bring to the group? Was he holding them back?

Micah shook his head. It was a rabbit hole to continue with thoughts like this; he needed to focus.

Watching Liza and Bunni go about their routines was inspiring, and it was only when Micah finally forgot about his own misgivings that something happened. Losing focus on his brick yet again, he quickly shifted his gaze to Liza and Bunni, who were now tossing a fifty-pound statue between them solely using industria. When he looked back, Micah was floating one of the bricks. And not only that, he was floating another one directly above it, the two separated by a thin line.

Soraya nodded, impressed. “Do it again,” she said once he let the bricks drop.

“Yeah, sure…” Micah focused on the bricks again and was able to lift both with relative ease. How is it possible? Just moments ago, he would have had more luck getting down on his knees and blowing air at the bricks, and now he was exhibiting the power again.

“When did you start?” Liza asked as she turned to him, Bunni doing the same.

Micah explained what happened last night at the massage parlor, how he had knocked Kami to the side during her surprise attack, which had helped Bunni eventually overpower her.

“Well, consider me impressed,” Soraya said, offering him a rare smile. “You’re getting stronger every day.”

“It’s the massage,” Bunni told the kitsune. “I told you they are valuable.”

“Your little perverted massages have no value to me.”

“Oh, you would love one of these massages,” Bunni assured her. “And as I’ve always told you, the first one is on me. You just let me know.”

“I’m seriously impressed,” Liza told Micah, looking at him with bright eyes. “You should have said something about it last night.”

“What’s the point? I still can’t do the things that the three of you can do,” he said, “but I’m trying. My usage seems to be triggered by adrenaline to some degree. Like, when I’m in the situation, it just comes to me.”

Bunni nodded. “Industria will do that to you, especially at the early stages. Once you get used to being able to fully control it, it doesn’t work the same way.” She considered what she had just said. “Let me rephrase: it still happens, but you have more of a sense over it, and by that point you’ve already been using it.” She approached Micah and reached her hand out to pinch his cheek. “Look at you, from a schoolboy to an industria master. We’re going to make something out of you yet, hubby.”

The evening came faster than Micah anticipated it would. After training, he had spent a few hours with Yuri, who maintained the distant gaze she’d had all day. That did change, however, when Micah explained to her that they would be buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Ninja. This seemed to mean something to her.

“It was Bobi’s idea,” Micah said as she gave him a hug.

“It’s a good suggestion, and you’re a good man, a good husband.”

“Why don’t I feel that way? I just want you to be… to feel…” Micah didn’t know how to express himself in that moment, but he tried. “I know this has been incredibly hard, but I just want you to take all the time you need, and we can even change what we’re going to do here tonight, if it’s better for you. We don’t have to go right now. Who cares if the moon is out or not? You know what I’m saying.”

“No, we need to go back to our country. I appreciate you worrying about me, but my life has been defined by death. I can handle this. And traveling will get my mind off what happened. I would like my sister and Kami to be buried in the proper place.”

“Right. We will leave shortly.”

They purposely had a light meal that night, and once they were ready, all their gear packed, they were joined by Choro, Youseg, and Micah’s grandmother