As Naraka and Nujah climbed higher up the mountain, Nujah observed his surroundings intently. The view was both terrifying and sorrowful. At one point, he felt multiple eyes watching them, yet nothing was visible.
In a calm voice, Naraka explained:
"They are dark spirits. But some still carry a faint trace of light within. As long as I am here, they wouldn't dare harm you—do not fear."
They continued upward with slow, steady steps until they finally reached the summit. At the center stood Vercurius, playing her violin. Around her, countless spirits danced gracefully in harmony with her melody.
"Let's wait a moment," Naraka said, moving to the side. Her eyes never left Vercurius. As the lost souls danced, the light within them grew brighter, while the darkness seemed to dissolve away. Under the power of her music, the spirits embraced one another, then slowly faded into nothingness. All that remained were countless whispers of gratitude. When the song ended, silence fell across the peak.
Nujah clapped with all his strength.
"That was amazing, Vercurius sister!" he shouted.
Naraka then gently set him down on the ground, allowing him to walk on his own. Nujah took small, determined steps toward Vercurius, his eyes shining with awe.
Then he added with admiration:
"So this is how you cleanse the lost souls? Such a noble duty… You're truly incredible, Shinrei."
A faint blush touched Vercurius's cheeks. "Thank you, little brother," she replied modestly. Then she formally introduced herself:
"Ah, I almost forgot… My name is Vercurius. Among our siblings, I am the strongest Shinrei. My purpose is to guide the lost souls—those who still carry our Mother's light—show them the right path, and free them from their chains. And if you're curious… my strongest abilities lie in soul manipulation and life energy."
Nujah's eyes lit up as if seeing stars for the first time. "This… is wonderful," was all he could say.
Just then, a raven descended from the sky. It perched by Naraka and whispered into her ear:
"Vekhir Tolen has finally returned from the Void, my Queen. He awaits you."
Then the bird soared back into the air and disappeared.
Naraka stepped closer to Nujah. "This time, you'll stay with your sister Vercurius. An important guest has arrived, and I must speak with him."
Nujah protested softly, "But… I thought we were going to spend more time together?"
Naraka smiled, gently brushing his hair. "As soon as I'm finished, I'll be right back. Until then, you can enjoy yourself with your sister—train and learn something fun."
Nujah turned to Vercurius with bright eyes. "Can you show me how to heal a soul?"
Vercurius shook her head gently. "I'm sorry… in your current state, that's impossible. But I can show you how to heal wounds instead."
Nujah beamed. "That's wonderful too! I accept!"
Naraka gave them both a final look. "Good. Then I'll return once my task is done. Enjoy yourselves." With a snap of her fingers, she vanished in a wave of radiant light, leaving the two siblings alone.
--
"Are you ready, little brother?" asked Vercurius.
Nujah answered with energetic excitement: "Yes!"
"Then sit down," Vercurius instructed. She added with a faint smile, "I may not be as skilled in illusions as Maria, but I'm still far better than most beings." She raised her hand, summoning a small bird woven from light. Its leg was injured, its energy fading. She placed it gently before Nujah.
"Now, place your hand over it, Nujah. Tell me—what does the wound look like?"
Nujah studied it carefully. "It's as if an arrow struck it… but only grazed from the side. Its leg is badly scratched, like an X."
"Good," Vercurius said softly. "Now, keep your hand there. Close your eyes. What do you see?"
"Only a black void," Nujah whispered.
"Perfect. Now imagine the bird's wound in your mind. And as you do, tell me—what do you feel when you think of our Mother?"
"Endless peace… healing… a solution," Nujah replied, his voice quiet but steady.
"That feeling," Vercurius explained. "Shape it into a yellow pen in your mind. Take it with your inner hand, and draw it across the wound. Do not pull your real hand away."
Nujah obeyed. A soft glow bloomed in his palm—golden light spread and sealed the wound. The bird stirred, stood up, and flapped its wings in renewed strength.
"Excellent!" Vercurius clapped proudly. "I meant to start you with the basics, but it seems I taught you an advanced method instead. And it worked perfectly."
Nujah frowned with a trace of worry. "How advanced… how high?"
"Your potential already surpasses that of an ordinary human sorcerer. But here in Shiora, you'll need to rise far beyond even 'perfection.' Through training with higher-level spells, we'll bring that out of you."
Suddenly, from the trees, a massive wolf burst forth with feral speed, charging directly toward Vercurius.
Nujah leapt in front of her. Slamming his feet to the ground, he conjured vines to bind the wolf's legs. But the beast snapped through them with ease, lunged—and instead of attacking, showered Nujah with licks, wagging like an overgrown pup.
Vercurius laughed. "This is my wolf—his name is Vercuri. He only wanted to test your courage. Clearly, he's already fond of you."
Nujah tried to speak, but the wolf smothered him with affection. Vercurius grabbed the beast by the scruff and lifted it effortlessly. "Enough—let him breathe," she scolded, before tossing Vercuri aside. "Go play with your friends!" she called after him.
Nujah sat up, wiping his face against the leaves, but Vercurius knelt beside him, handing him a cloth. She gently wiped his face clean.
"That was one impressive wolf," Nujah chuckled, "though maybe a little too playful."
"He is," Vercurius admitted with a grin. "And he never tires."
When she finished, Nujah whispered, "Thank you, sister."
"It's nothing, little brother," Vercurius replied warmly, rising to her feet. "Now then… what shall we do next?"
Nujah's eyes lit up suddenly. "Vercurius, is there such a thing as a flying ship?"
"There is," she answered, tilting her head curiously. "Why do you ask?"
Before Nujah could respond, he pointed upward in alarm.
"Because… one's coming straight at us!"
--
Vercurius gently patted Nujah's head with a soft smile.
"Do not be afraid… because your other sister, Mabaka, has come to visit in person."
At that moment, shadows laced with light swirled around them. A delicate melody rose—like unseen hands plucking violin strings, carried by the wind as if the very souls of the air were singing.
From the ship that loomed above the sky, a figure of fox-like beauty leapt. She descended like a dancer with an unseen parasol, twirling gracefully, her movements in rhythm with the rising music. With every step closer, the melody grew louder, the notes filling the air and making their hearts tremble.
When her feet finally touched the ground, the shadows burst into stars for a brief instant, shimmering with light.
Nujah and Vercurius clapped eagerly. As the music faded, Nujah exclaimed:
"That was an amazing dance performance!"
Mabaka bowed theatrically, her eyes gleaming with playfulness.
"Thank you, sweet little brother! Together we'll make it even better—if you agree to be my mascot, of course!"
Vercurius's expression hardened. "That will not happen, Mabaka," she said firmly.
But Mabaka ignored her, stepping close to Nujah. She began playfully tugging at his cheeks, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Looking at Vercurius, she teased:
"Isn't he adorable? I'm certain the whole realm would love to see him by my side."
Then she tilted her head toward Nujah, smiling sweetly. "Wouldn't they?"
Nujah let out a sharp cry, his voice high and thin:
"Please—let go of me!"
Mabaka only laughed and continued teasing him, her hands tugging more insistently. Nujah struggled to speak through the muffled sound:
"Ver…curiu…s! Hel…p meeee!"
The moment she heard him, Vercurius rushed forward, pulling his sister away.
Nujah straightened himself and quickly smoothed his clothes, his voice steady but faint.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Mabaka pouted, her energy suddenly dipping.
"But I wanted to play more…"
Nujah shook his head gently. His tone turned calm but serious:
"I truly appreciate your affection… but everything has its limit. And mine is not as high as you may think."
He lowered his head, his voice resonating with newfound resolve:
"My name is Nujah. Chosen by Naraka as the new human Shinrei. Even if I was not born as a pure Shinrei, I still hope you will accept me."
Both Mabaka and Vercurius suddenly burst into laughter. Nujah's face turned crimson, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Vercurius spoke softly, reassuringly:
"We don't judge by such things. We look only at the sha within you—the light of your soul core."
Mabaka leaned in, her smile shifting to something almost reverent:
"And that light… it shines far brighter than in most beings we have ever seen. More importantly, our Mother has already accepted you—she even chose you herself. Remember, she has rejected some of the most elite warriors. Yet her faith in you is boundless."
Nujah's face flushed even deeper. "I… I…" he stammered, but his words broke off. The weight of the moment, mixed with his embarrassment and stress, overwhelmed him.
He collapsed to the ground, fainting.