Chapter 13: 400 DegreezDay 7 of 2nd Fire Cycle, 1995 g.c.

  I stood in the aftermath of my own handiwork, the air thick with a dense, unsettling energy. The barrier surrounding the town still shimmered, though it was faint and fractured, bearing the scars of my recent assault. I focused, letting [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom analyze the damage.

  The results were...interesting.

  "It’s still eating away at the barrier," [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom reported, the voice calm and analytical as always. "Your attack mixed Yin and Air mana to create a compounded mana—essentially, you formed 100% pure magiton oxygen. This gas is lethal; it kills living cells and decays magitons, releasing micro amounts of energy as it does so."

  The implications of this hit me all at once. "Holy shit, why were we about to hit that boy with that?"

  "You were thinking of proving a point, so I helped," [Midnight Star: Belial] replied, cutting in nonchantly.

  "Belial, the fuck!? Null, don't do that." My thoughts were racing.

  "Was I not following your desires?" [Midnight Star: Belial]’s voice held a hint of sarcasm as if he found my sudden change in attitude amusing.

  "I don’t know," I admitted, "but I didn’t want to kill him."

  "Fine…" Belial muttered, a note of reluctant compliance in his tone. I could almost imagine him shrugging within my mind, dismissing the matter as unimportant.

  The barrier flickered weakly as it struggled to hold itself together. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as the weight of what I had nearly done settled in. A small mistake, but it could’ve had huge consequences.

  "Would you like to repair the barrier to 100%?" [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom’s voice interrupted my thoughts—efficient, precise, and ready with a solution.

  "Yeah, I agreed, already envisioning the repairs in my mind. But let’s add a few yers to bolster the defense. Can we use [Transmutation] with [Barrier Creation] to change the properties of the yers?"

  "An excellent idea," Tsukuyomi responded. I could feel his calcutions beginning even before I’d finished speaking. He was always a step ahead, a quality that was both impressive and slightly unnerving.

  I held out my hands, palms facing each other, and concentrated. Between them, a cube of energy began to form, shimmering with the blue-white light of pure magitons. The cube rotated slowly, and I started yering it with different properties. The first was an energy-absorbing yer, designed to neutralize any attacks by draining it of its magic power. The second was a Mana Cancel yer, capable of nullifying spells and magical assaults.

  "After witnessing Vericka’s [By Your Side] in action," Tsukuyomi added, his voice tinged with something akin to admiration, "We now understand Spatial Warping. You could use [Spatial Control] to alter the dimensions between each yer, giving the barrier an extra level of defense."

  I couldn’t help but be impressed. "You analyzed Mom in that short amount of time?" I asked, more rhetorically than anything. Tsukuyomi’s capabilities never ceased to amaze me, but this was on another level. He had deciphered the mechanics of a high-level skill just from observation.

  I focused, my mind linking with Tsukuyomi’s suggestions. I began weaving [Spatial Control] into the barrier’s yers, creating tiny pockets of space between them that would distort and diffuse any incoming attack. The cube between my palms pulsed as it grew more complex, each yer adding another level of defense.

  Finally satisfied, I thrust my hands upwards, and the cube shot into the sky. It expanded as it flew, its yers unfolding like an intricate piece of origami, until it formed a new, multi-yered barrier that overpped with the fractured remnants of the old one. The prism dome shimmered once again, this time brighter and stronger, ced with the new protective measures.

  "With this in pce," [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom informed me, "you could unch multiple Deadwind Mana Arts safely. The barrier will hold."

  I started walking back toward my home, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "I’ll probably work on a few new arts then," I replied, already thinking of the next challenge. The town was safe for now, but there was always room for improvement, and I wasn’t about to let things slide.

  The air was cool against my skin as I walked, the afternoon settling in, peaceful and calm—at least for the moment. The barrier shimmered behind me, a testament to power used wisely, a bance of destruction and repair. There was always more to learn, more to refine, and I intended to keep pushing those boundaries. I couldn't let the mood of an accident keep the atmosphere groggy.

  As I strolled through the calm streets of the town, the afternoon air was packed with the scents of grilled meats, spiced vegetables, and sweet pastries from the various food stalls lining the way. The soft glow of warm sunlight on the cobblestone path, and the distant chatter of townsfolk filled the air, creating a symphony of everyday life.

  I was lost in thought, reflecting on the events of the day, when a voice called out to me, cutting through the noise.

  "Lord Xiro! Lord Xiro Mikazuki! Hey, over here!"

  I turned to see one of the food vendors waving me over, his broad smile revealing a few missing teeth. He was an older man, with a kind face and eyes that twinkled with gratitude.

  "Thanks for those extra boars you brought me earlier today," he said, his voice loud and cheerful, carrying over the general hum of the market. "Hunting has been tougher these st few month cycles."

  I returned his smile with a nod. "No problem, old man. Gd I could help."

  "Come by ter," the vendor continued, leaning over the counter of his stall, "I’ll have some spare beef cuts ready for you to take back to Lady Vericka. She’ll appreciate it."

  "Will do," I replied, feeling a slight warmth in my chest. It was moments like these that reminded me of the small but meaningful connections I had in this town.

  As I exchanged a few more pleasantries with the vendor, my gaze shifted to a figure standing just in front of the stall. The man was hard to miss—tall, about 6'2", with fair skin that seemed to almost glow in the sunlight. His sand-brown hair was thick and wild, cascading down to his shoulders, but what caught my eye was his chest-long beard, with a mustache braided neatly on both sides. He was dressed in a chocote button-up shirt paired with a bck fitted vest, the kind of outfit that spoke of both refinement and a certain ruggedness.

  But it was his silver circur gsses and pointed ears, like those of an Elf or Majin, that truly set him apart. He held a book in one hand, its cover adorned with symbols that piqued my curiosity. Resting it on the barcode that wrapped his wrist, I couldn't help but notice the way he handled it—almost reverently, as if it held secrets not meant for just anyone.

  "Tsukuyomi, what do you make of that book?" I asked internally, my mind linking with [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom.

  "Analyzing..." Tsukuyomi responded, a faint hum of energy pulsing through me. "The book has a high concentration of spiritual energy coming from within. The cover is written in ancient Celestial script. The text reads Fate's Diary."

  "Fate's Diary?" I thought, intrigued. But before I could delve deeper into the implications of that, I was abruptly pulled from my musings.

  "Xi! Yo, Xiro!"

  I turned to see Alex and Steez making their way toward me, their faces lit up with excitement. Alex, my cousin—short, broad, and always brimming with energy, while Steez, my brother, was slimmer and slightly taller, his demeanor more id-back but no less intense.

  I gave them both a nod in greeting, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "What's up?"

  "We just heard that the Prince made it into town," Steez said, his voice buzzing with excitement. "We're going over to meet him."

  "You want to come with us?" Alex added, his eyes bright with anticipation.

  I chuckled, the memory of my first encounter with the Prince fshing through my mind. "Be prepared, he might still wanna fight," I said, the amusement clear in my tone.

  Alex and Steez exchanged puzzled looks, clearly not understanding. But I just shook my head, still grinning. "You'll see," I said, leaving them with that small piece of mystery.

  As they fell into step beside me, I gnced back toward the stall, where the tall man with the book had been standing. But he was gone, vanished as if he’d never been there at all. The vendor, still busy preparing food, was the only one left, oblivious to the strange presence that had just disappeared.

  A sense of unease crept up my spine, but I shook it off, focusing on the conversation with my brother and cousin as we made our way toward the town square.

  When the three of us—Steez, Alex, and I—finally made it back to Mom’s house, we were greeted by an unusual sight. The six knights of Prince Luda stood outside the house, their imposing figures casting long shadows across the ground. They were positioned strategically in the shade, clearly trying to escape the relentless heat of the afternoon sun. Without their helmets, their faces were visible, and I could see the strain in their expressions. Four of them were drenched in sweat, the heavy armor they wore clearly taking its toll in the sweltering weather.

  I could tell they were uncomfortable, so I decided to do something about it. With a subtle motion of my hand, I summoned a continuous gentle breeze. It whispered through the air, weaving around the knights and cooling their overheated bodies. I watched as they visibly rexed, their shoulders loosening as the refreshing wind brushed over them. Satisfied, I continued inside, Steez and Alex following close behind me.

  Once inside, the atmosphere shifted from the oppressive heat of the outside to the cool, welcoming interior of Vericka’s home. The scent of freshly brewed tea mingled with the faint aroma of vender, creating a calming environment. As we walked further into the living room, I noticed Sir Edwind and Prince Luda seated comfortably on the couch. Vericka was across from them on the loveseat, pouring tea into delicate porcein cups for everyone.

  Sir Edwind was speaking as we entered, his voice smooth and tinged with curiosity. "Lady Vericka, I must say, your home is a marvel of modern advancements. The technology here... it’s quite impressive."

  Vericka smiled warmly, acknowledging the compliment with a graceful nod. "Thank you, Sir Edwind. Much of it is the result of my many adventures, though I must give credit to Xiro here for some of the improvements."

  At this, Prince Luda, who had been quietly sipping his tea, paused for a moment. His eyes flicked in my direction, a brief but deliberate gnce before he returned his attention to the cup in his hand. It was a subtle gesture, but I caught it. The prince was observing, taking in more than he let on.

  Steez, never one to enter quietly, announced our presence as we approached the group. "Mom, we're home!"

  Vericka, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of affection and amusement, responded without missing a beat. "We have company, dear."

  Sir Edwind took that as his cue to stand up, his movements precise and practiced. He turned to Steez and Alex, offering a respectful nod. "I am Sir Edwind, the Court Mage of the Braye Kingdom. And this," he gestured toward the young man beside him, "is Prince Luda."

  Alex, ever the casual one, was the first to speak up. "Hey, what's up?" he said, his tone friendly but informal.

  Before I could react, Steez reached over and spped the back of Alex’s head with a pyful yet firm smack. "Idiot, you're supposed to bow when you meet royalty!"

  Alex rubbed the back of his head, giving Steez an annoyed look. "I was getting there," he muttered under his breath.

  Prince Luda, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, gave a small, acknowledging nod. His voice, when he finally spoke, was quiet yet carried an air of authority. "There is no need to bow," he said, his words measured and calm. "We’ll be training together for the next couple of years. We’re all equals here."

  Both Steez and Alex seemed to appreciate the prince’s down-to-earth attitude. They exchanged gnces, their earlier tension dissipating into curiosity and a hint of excitement.

  "Training together?" Alex asked, a smile creeping onto his face. "Sounds exciting."

  Steez nodded in agreement, a spark of interest lighting up his eyes. "Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. Maybe you can show us some moves from your kingdom."

  The prince gave a small smile in return, the kind that didn’t quite reach his eyes but was genuine nonetheless. "I’m sure we can learn much from each other."

  As the conversation continued, I couldn’t help but observe the dynamic forming between us all. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, an unspoken understanding that the next few months would be challenging, but also an opportunity to grow stronger together.

  I couldn’t hold it in any longer. The questions had been swirling in my head since we walked in, and the weight of them was too much to bear. So, I broke the silence with a question that had been gnawing at me. "Why does another nation's future ruler need to be trained by Mom? And on top of that, learn one of our cn's strongest techniques?"

  As soon as the words left my mouth, the room fell into an even deeper silence. The air felt thick, charged with a sudden tension. All eyes turned toward me, some curious, others uneasy. I could feel the heat of their stares, but I didn’t flinch. I wanted answers, and I wasn’t going to back down.

  Sir Edwind took a moment, letting my question hang in the air before he responded. His voice was measured, careful, like he was choosing each word with precision. "Because without your cn, the Trappers would have destroyed Gaia long ago. So if there is anyone we need to learn from, it is the cn that helped the Great King Garnd reflect the first invasion."

  His words hit me like a sack of nickels. I knew our cn's history was steeped in power and prestige, but to hear it id out like that—to hear that without us, Gaia might not even exist—was something else entirely.

  I felt a flicker of confusion, a question forming before I could stop it. "What do you mean by that?"

  Before Sir Edwind could answer, Mom stepped in, her voice as calm and composed as ever. She set her tea down gently, the porcein clinking softly against the saucer. "Synga Mikazuki once taught Garnd the same technique, Xiro. And Garnd used it to take down the Trapper named Virgo."

  I blinked, trying to process her words. Synga… my ancestor, someone I’d heard stories about but never truly understood. He had taught Garnd Braye? My mind was racing, trying to connect the dots. But before I could say anything, Prince Luda’s voice cut through the room like a knife.

  "Why would it matter when you hide away in your little boondock town, away from true responsibility?"

  The shock of his words stunned the room into silence. I could see Sir Edwind’s eyes widen as he turned sharply towards Mom, bowing deeply in apology. Steez and Alex looked at each other, clearly confused, their faces mirroring the same unease. They didn’t understand what was happening—didn’t understand the tension that had suddenly spiked between Luda and me.

  I felt blindsided like I’d just been punched in the gut. The insult was clear, but what stung more was the fact that it had come from this new nigga. My mind was a whirl of emotions—anger, confusion, annoyance. I locked eyes with him, feeling a fire ignite in my chest.

  “What the fuck are you saying, my nigga?” I shot back, my voice low, ced with the anger I was barely holding in check. “Break it down for me, 'cause I must be stupid.”

  Luda’s grin widened; a cold, satisfied smirk that made me want to knock it right off his face. But before I could move or say anything, he spoke again, his tone sharp and cutting.

  “Why do you wield such immense power yet sit idle while your nd crumbles?” Each word was a jab, his voice steady and relentless. “Your nation is a fractured relic. Lashun, once a symbol of your cn’s influence, has turned into a cesspool of danger for its own people. Your cn was the lifeblood of this nation, but all I see now is a dried-up husk, abandoned by the very power that should have revived it.”

  My fists clenched at my sides, his accusations pressing down on me like a weight I wasn’t ready to bear. I was still getting my bearings in this world, still learning its ways. I didn’t want to jump into the fray before I was ready, didn’t want to paint a target on my back too soon. His words cut deep, like salt in a wound, stinging and bitter. I could’ve done more, sure, but was it my pce? My responsibility? He didn’t get it—how could he? But that didn’t stop him from twisting the knife.

  “It’s clear these people mean nothing to you. I could never stomach such indifference. So I do what you won’t—I learn, I act, and I protect my nation, even if it means studying the history of another cn… in another nd.”

  The room fell into silence, the faint ticking of a clock the only sound. Everyone’s eyes were on me, waiting for my response. But for a moment, I couldn’t find the words. Luda’s accusations settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. He knew nothing about me beyond rumors, yet… could I really say I was improving my hood? Were my minor efforts really enough?

  I thought back to my childhood on Earth, struggling to survive, wishing someone with power would come and fix what I couldn’t. Wishing someone would take responsibility and make shit better, especially for kids like me. And here I was, just bullshittin' with this new life and power. Maybe he was right a bit... Maybe I was fuckin' around.

  But I couldn’t let Luda see that. I couldn’t let him know his words had hit home. So I took a deep breath, forcing down the anger and the hurt, and met his gaze head-on.

  Luda’s words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. His accusations had stung, not because they were baseless, but because, deep down, a part of me knew there was some truth to them. I had been hiding, shying away from the responsibilities that came with my power, and he had called me out on it in front of everyone.

  As the silence stretched, Sir Edwind cleared his throat, trying to smooth over the tension. "Your Highness," he began, his tone firm but respectful, "I believe an apology is in order. Lady Vericka and her son have shown us nothing but hospitality, and your words were—"

  I held up a hand, cutting him off. "Don’t sweat it, Edwind." My voice was steady, though my mind was still reeling. "It’s clear Luda won’t rex until he gets an understanding of who I am." I met Luda’s gaze, letting him see that I wasn’t backing down. If he wanted to push, I was ready to push back.

  Mom finished the st sip of her tea and set the cup down with a soft clink. Her eyes were on Luda, sharp and unreadable. "Prince Luda, You have no right to bme Xiro for my sins," she said, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of warning.

  I shook my head, stopping her before she could continue. "It’s fine, Mom," I said, surprising myself with how much I meant it. "He’s kind of right." I turned my attention back to Luda, feeling a strange sense of crity settle over me. "Only recently have I even given my future much thought outside of just doing whatever I wanted. But now, after learning more about our cn’s legacy… I’ve realized I want more. I want to create a paradise for everyone, one day."

  The room went still, the weight of my words sinking in. For a moment, no one spoke, the silence stretching taut between us. Then, suddenly, Luda burst out ughing, the sound harsh and incredulous.

  "You sound like a child," he sneered, shaking his head. "Creating a paradise? That would require the power of the Creator himself. You would need to get a lot of people in line."

  I met his eyes, my expression dead serious. "Then I’ll become stronger than the Creator to make it happen," I replied, punching my fist into my palm.

  For the first time, Luda’s ughter faltered, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. I could see the gears turning in his head, the realization dawning on him that I wasn’t joking. Edwind was silent, his gaze flicking between the two of us, and I could tell he was weighing the gravity of what I’d just said. The air in the room grew tense, almost electric, as if we were all standing on the edge of something monumental.

  Then, just as the silence threatened to become suffocating, Steez broke it with his usual fir. "And I’mma be the Realest Nigga Alive, so everythang gonna be good." He said it with such confidence, such casual certainty, that for a moment, the tension cracked.

  Alex, standing beside him, nodded in agreement, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I could see the confusion cross Luda’s face at Steez’s words, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of what he’d just heard.

  Mom stood up then, her movement drawing all our attention. "Well, how about we just get it out of y’all’s systems," she suggested, her tone light but with an edge that told us she was serious. "Let’s head to the backyard, fels."

  I felt a grin tug at my lips, the adrenaline starting to pulse through my veins. Luda mirrored the expression, though his was more of a challenge than excitement. I could see Sir Edwind bring a hand to his face with a deep sigh; a resigned look crossing his features as he realized there was no stopping what was about to happen. His nervous foot tapping was evidence.

  The tension that had been building was now charged with anticipation, every moment ticking by like the countdown to something explosive. I could feel it in the air, the promise of a csh that was going to change things between us forever.

  And as we all started to make our way to the backyard, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The beginning of something that would either forge a new bond between us, or break us apart entirely.

  The air outside was thick with anticipation as the six knights who had been standing watch followed us into the open field, their expressions betraying a mix of curiosity and excitement. They had no idea what was about to go down, but the tension in the air made it clear that something serious was about to happen. Steez wore the biggest grin, practically vibrating with excitement. He had been waiting for this—a chance to see his big brother get serious for once.

  Alex walked alongside him, his usual fiery demeanor repced with a spark of interest. He’d only ever heard stories about my abilities from his mom, tales that bordered on legend. Now, he was finally going to witness it firsthand. For them, this couldn’t be more perfect.

  "Man, I just knew today was gonna be lit," Steez said, his voice bubbling with excitement.

  "Right, bro?" Alex replied, a big smile breaking across his face.

  As Luda and I reached the center of the field, the crowd that had formed—a mix of knights and family—lined up along the edge of the clearing, their backs to our house. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, the kind that only two real M-Cees could generate. We were warriors at heart, and this csh was inevitable.

  Mom stood at the center of the sideline, her presence commanding respect as the referee for this duel. With a flick of my wrist, I cast a containment barrier over the field. The translucent walls shimmered into existence, encircling us in a protective dome. I didn’t want our fight to cause any unnecessary damage to the town.

  "When did he get this good with barriers? That child of mine," Mom thought to herself, a mix of pride and surprise fshing in her eyes.

  She cleared her throat, her voice carrying over the field. "This will be a Freestyle Battle. The fight ends when one submits or can no longer stand."

  Luda stepped forward, his gaze never leaving mine. "Xiro, you understand why this has to happen, right?"

  I chuckled, shaking off any lingering tension. "Haha, oh yeah. I might act like I don’t care, but I get it, tho. As long as there are differences in strength, Sociovores will always create hierarchies. And as a warrior, it’s hard not to respect power, right?"

  Luda’s eyes narrowed, the pyful edge in his voice fading as he locked onto me with deadly seriousness. "Good... So, show me the real Devil of Velonica."

  He took a deep breath, and in that instant, the atmosphere around him shifted. His mana, which had been a steady, controlled current, suddenly roared to life. "Activate [Journey of Ra]!" he commanded, and the effect was immediate and overwhelming.

  A shockwave of power erupted from Luda’s core, the force of it nearly knocking the breath out of me. His mana signature, once a mere flicker in the vast sea of energy, now surged like a tidal wave, crashing over everything in its path. Golden-red light and thick, swirling smoke poured from his body, as if his very essence had ignited. The smoke coiled around him like serpents, and the light bzed so brightly it cast long, flickering shadows across the ground.

  The mana around him wasn’t just visible—it was alive, crackling with raw, untamed energy that hissed and spat like a firestorm. The heat was a monster, a suffocating pressure that made the air shimmer and warp, as though the very fabric of reality was bending to his will. The ground beneath his feet bckened and smoldered, unable to withstand the intensity of his aura.

  This was more than just a dispy of strength; it was a decration of power that demanded respect. Luda’s presence dominated the field, his mana spilling out like a flood, filling every corner of the containment barrier with its oppressive weight. The sheer magnitude of his energy made it hard to breathe, the air thick and heavy as if we were standing at the heart of a star.

  In that moment, it was clear: Luda wasn’t holding back. He was tapping into the deepest reserves of his power, pushing himself to the brink. This was no longer a friendly fade—it was a battle of pride, a csh of titanic forces where only one could stand victorious.

  I gnced over at Mom, who gave me a subtle nod of approval. She trusted me to handle this, and I wasn’t about to let her down.

  "Holy snap! Where did this come from?" Steez excimed, eyes wide as he took in the sight of Luda's mana signature.

  Alex could only nod, equally stunned. "This is crazy! Isn’t he a kid like us?"

  Sir Edwind, standing off to the side, watched with a mix of awe and concern. "You must truly respect his power or really want to see his strength, Your Majesty," he thought to himself, realizing the gravity of Luda using his trump card so quickly.

  Mom, too, was impressed, though her thoughts were more analytical. "The prince is amazing. But there’s no way his body can sustain this power increase for long, as this mana signature is near the level of a True M-Cee. Moonlight, what will you do against this challenge?"

  Luda’s eyes burned with determination, his aura fring brighter as he prepared to make his move. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the challenge in it, daring me to match his intensity.

  Despite the raw power radiating from the prince, I remained calm. He might’ve gotten under my skin in the house, but out here, I was back in control. I added pocket dimensions between the barriers on top of my skin, turning them completely translucent, a subtle but effective yer of protection. As I assessed my new rival, [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom kicked in, analyzing Luda before I even had to ask.

  "Analyzation complete," Tsukuyomi’s voice echoed in my mind, cold and efficient.

  Battle Css:B (+S)Name:Luda Alh BrayeAlias:The Star LionVessel:Empyreal King: RaAge:10 yrsRace:CelestialHP:1311 (+35000)MP:7460/9950 (+90000)Offense:B (+S)Magick Offense:B (+S)Defense:B (+S)Magick Defense:C (+S)Speed:B (+S)Mana Affinity:Water Mana, Earth Mana, Fire Mana, Yang Mana, Yin Mana, Metal Mana, Sor ManaDefensive Skills:Water Nullification, Earth Resist, Yang Resist, Disease ResistUltra Skills:Ready to DiePersonal Skills:The Fated Hero, Ra: Journey of Ra, Overcompensation, 6th Sense, Quick Thoughts, Barrier, Cast Reduction, Mana Control, Dual Thinking, Mage Silence, Ready to Die: Suicide Thoughts, Mind Domination, Soul Domination, Scan, Ra: World Wisdom, Intimidation, Enhanced Body, Enhanced Speed, Water Control, Tracking, Ra: Mana Weapon Summon, PrecisionMana Arts:Yang: Greater Heal, Yang: Restoring Wave, Yang Arts: Golden Fist, Yang Arts: One Million Lights, Yang/Metal: Sun Disc, Water: Hydro Missile, Fire: Cardinal Embracement, Fire: Fming Arrow, Water: Hydro Arrow, Water: Geyser ExplosionCombat Arts:N/A

  Luda was impressive, no doubt about it. Here he was, not even fully grown, yet already packing a skill set that could put many seasoned warriors to shame. He had his Ultra Skill active, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Even my siblings had unlocked theirs, leaving me as the odd one out, the bck sheep of the group. It honestly made me feel frustrated, like I was too stupid to understand what the others had already figured out. But what caught my attention was that st move he pulled—something I hadn’t seen before.

  "What the fuck was that?" I thought, eyes narrowing as I took in the sight before me. "Cuz just turned the fuck up on me."

  "He's using a sub-skill of his Vessel Skill, [Empyreal King: Ra], that's allowing him to use Omnis Mana to break past his limits to reach his soul's current maximum potential." [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom voiced, calm, and analytical as always.

  "I tend to forget Godwalkers be having crazy abilities," I mused, mentally nodding in agreement. The sheer scale of his energy was something else entirely. Luda wasn’t just flexing; he was dead serious.

  "Incoming domination attempt from an Ultra Skill. Blocking," [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom warned, just as I felt the pressure of Luda's power trying to force its way into my mind.

  "Skill analyzed," [Midnight Star: Belial] chimed in, his voice deep and resonant. "Would you like to install the personal skill [Soul Domination]?"

  "Wasn’t it just mental domination st time? He cranked it up, huh?" I thought, impressed despite myself.

  [Moon Sage: Tsukuyom replied swiftly "Luda's Ultra Skill [Ready to Die] has the sub-skills [Soul Domination] and [Mind Domination] built in, allowing the user to end a battle instantly when the opponents' Willpower can no longer resist the magical pressure against their soul."

  "Word? Yeah, install it. I’ll test it out ter." I gnced over at the knights and my family, who were anxiously watching. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. It was time to cut loose.

  "Let’s not disappoint," I said, my voice low but ced with a thrill I couldn’t quite suppress.

  I eased into a rexed battle stance, keeping my center of gravity high and my hands low, ready to react to anything Luda threw at me. With a deep breath, I felt the energy coiling within me, tightly bound and pulsing with raw power. Then, I let it loose.

  The Bio Mana I had been holding back surged forth like a tsunami, no longer restrained. It erupted from my core with the force of a dam breaking, the sheer intensity of it sending a shockwave through the air. The energy manifested as a swirling indigo and silver ethereal fme, roaring to life around me. The light from the fmes danced wildly, casting long, distorted shadows across the ground and trees, making the surroundings appear as if they were caught in the grip of a living, breathing entity. The electric fmes jolted and twisted, their glow so intense it was almost blinding, painting the world in sharp contrasts of light and shadow.

  This wasn’t the usual dispy of power I kept in check on a daily basis—this was everything I had, unleashed without reservation. My mana signature, usually compressed and hidden from view, expanded to its true form, stretching out and warping the space around us. The air around me shimmered, distorted as if reality itself was bending under the strain of the power I was releasing. Every movement I made left trails of light in the air, the ethereal fmes reacting to my presence, as if alive and eager to consume everything in their path.

  The smell of concentrated magitons filled the air, a familiar scent like metal mixed with sugar, sharp and sweet all at once. It was a scent that signaled danger, that sent adrenaline coursing through my veins. The potent odor clung to the back of my throat, almost sickly sweet, adding a tang of urgency to the already electrified atmosphere.

  The amount of mana we were both producing was beyond comprehension. It wasn’t just power—it was a force of nature, a tempest that tore at the senses. The ground beneath us trembled, cracks spiderwebbing outward from where we stood, the earth itself struggling to withstand the pressure. The air was thick with energy, crackling with an almost electrical charge that made every breath feel like inhaling lightning, sharp and tingling. My skin buzzed, tingling with numbness as the sheer volume of released mana overwhelmed my senses, almost as if the energy was too much for my body to contain.

  If not for the containment barrier I had cast earlier, the six Celestial knights watching us would have been obliterated by the sheer pressure of the mana storm we were generating. Even with the barrier, they were barely holding on, their faces pale as they struggled to remain conscious under the oppressive weight of our combined power. Sweat poured down their faces, soaking their armor as they braced themselves against the invisible force pushing down on them. Their bodies trembled with effort, hands instinctively shielding their eyes from the blinding light of the ethereal fmes swirling around me. It was as if the very atmosphere had turned against them, pressing down with an intensity that defied reason.

  This was more than just a show of strength—this was the true might of Xiro Mikazuki unleashed, and I wasn’t holding anything back.

  "What!? Where did all this mana come from?" Edwind’s thoughts bled through, his composure cracking as he struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing. His knees quivered, a tremor running through his body as the realization of my power hit him full force. "To think someone like this exists!"

  Alex’s eyes were wide with awe, his mouth slightly agape as he tried to process the scene before him. "This is crazy! Did you know Xiro had this much magic power?" He wiped a hand across his brow, blinking rapidly against the brilliance of the light, his heart pounding in his chest.

  Steez, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear. "Keep watching. You ain’t seen nothing yet."

  Mom stood between us, her gaze steady as she raised her hand. "Fighters, ready... Match start!"

  And just like that, we were off.

  [End of Chapter]