Lord Zenin stood on the balcony overlooking the Yurai Clan, his sharp eyes fixed on the bustling village below.
Behind him, the Traveller stepped out onto the balcony.
"I didn't expect to find you here," the Traveller said.
Zenin smiled faintly.
"I prefer quiet places."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Zenin broke the silence.
"You're not an ordinary man."
The Traveller chuckled.
"I've heard that a lot lately."
"You crossed into our realm without using any known gateway."
The Traveller's expression grew serious.
"I didn't have much of a choice."
Zenin turned to face him.
"The demon commander called your Ability valuable enough to risk entering Yurai territory. Why?"
The Traveller rested his arms on the stone railing.
"My Ability allows me to perceive the paths that connect different worlds."
Zenin remained silent.
"I can locate unstable passages between realms and travel through them. Most people believe those paths no longer exist... but they're wrong."
"And the demons want that power."
"They don't just want it—they need it."
"Why?"
The Traveller looked toward the distant mountains.
"Because someone is gathering powerful beings from every world."
Zenin's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know who is behind it, but I've seen the signs. Entire clans have disappeared. Ancient beasts have abandoned their territories. Even demons have begun moving in organized groups instead of fighting among themselves."
He paused before continuing.
"It's as if someone is preparing for a war."
A Yurai guard hurried toward the balcony before kneeling.
"My Lord."
"What is it?" Zenin asked.
"Our scouts have returned from the northern border."
"And?"
"They've discovered traces of demonic Manarai Energy, but no demons were found."
The Traveller frowned.
"They've already retreated."
Zenin looked at him.
"No."
"They've gone into hiding."
The Traveller understood immediately.
"They're waiting..."
Zenin nodded.
"They now know the Yurai Clan has chosen to protect you. Their next move won't be a reckless attack."
He looked toward the horizon, where the sun was slowly setting.
"It will be a carefully planned one."
The Traveller clenched his fists.
"Then we don't have much time."
"No," Zenin replied calmly. "We don't."
Far beyond the borders of the Yurai Clan, unseen eyes watched from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to make their next move.A heavy silence settled over the valley.
Nero stared at Kitsune, trying to make sense of his words.
"The foundation of an Ability..." he repeated. "I thought an Ability simply awakened on its own."
Kitsune shook his head.
"That's the biggest misconception in every world."
He slowly walked toward the ancient tree at the center of the valley.
"An Ability isn't something you obtain."
"It's something you uncover."
Nero and Fortis followed him, while the Crimson Fang wolves quietly padded behind them.
Kitsune placed a hand on the trunk of the ancient tree.
"Every living being possesses Manarai Energy."
He looked back at Nero.
"But not everyone possesses an Ability."
"Why?"
"Because an Ability is born from the soul."
Nero frowned.
"The soul?"
Kitsune nodded.
"Your fears."
"Your desires."
"Your convictions."
"Your purpose."
"When those become one..."
"Your Ability is born."
Fortis folded his arms.
"So forcing an awakening is impossible?"
"For most people, yes."
Kitsune smiled faintly.
"But there are ways to guide the process."
Nero's eyes lit up.
"So that's what you're going to teach me?"
"I'll teach you how to understand yourself."
"But whether your Ability awakens..."
"...depends entirely on you."
Kitsune suddenly turned toward the three Crimson Fang wolves.
"You three."
The wolves immediately stood at attention.
"You've become Nero's contracted companions."
"From this day onward, your growth is tied to his."
One of the wolves let out a low growl, as if acknowledging the statement.
Kitsune continued.
"The stronger your bond becomes, the stronger all of you will grow."
Nero looked at his companions and smiled.
"I guess we've got a long road ahead."
Kitsune chuckled.
"Long?"
He looked toward the distant mountains beyond the valley.
"You haven't even taken your first real step."
His expression slowly became serious.
"The King's Selection won't care how talented you are."
"It won't care how hard you've trained."
"It only rewards those capable of surpassing their limits."
He turned back to Nero.
"So tell me..."
"If your life depended on it..."
"What is the one thing you're unwilling to lose?"
Nero lowered his head.
For the first time since beginning his training...
He couldn't answer.
Kitsune nodded.
"Good."
"The moment you discover that answer..."
"...will be the moment your true journey begins."
Nero remained silent.
Kitsune didn't ask the question again.
Instead, he turned and began walking toward the edge of the valley.
"Come."
Nero, Fortis, and the three Crimson Fang wolves followed closely behind.
The group soon arrived at a wide clearing surrounded by towering stone pillars. Ancient symbols were carved into each pillar, glowing faintly with traces of Manarai Energy.
Nero looked around curiously.
"I've never seen this place before."
"That's because I never intended to show it to you until now," Kitsune replied.
He walked to the center of the clearing and slowly turned around.
"This is where I trained long before either of you existed."
Fortis's eyes widened.
"So this is your personal training ground..."
Kitsune nodded.
"There are no beasts here."
"No enemies."
"No distractions."
"Only yourself."
Nero frowned.
"I don't understand."
"You will."
Kitsune raised a hand, and the symbols carved into the pillars began to glow brighter.
A gentle pulse of Manarai Energy spread throughout the clearing.
Immediately, Nero felt an invisible pressure settle over his body.
His breathing became heavier.
Even the Crimson Fang wolves instinctively lowered themselves to the ground.
Fortis narrowed his eyes.
"This pressure..."
"It's not meant to harm you," Kitsune explained. "It strips away your reliance on instinct and raw Manarai Energy. Here, strength alone is meaningless."
Nero clenched his fists, struggling to remain standing.
"So... what's the lesson?"
Kitsune smiled.
"Survive."
Before Nero could ask another question, Kitsune snapped his fingers.
The pressure doubled.
Nero's knees nearly gave out, but he forced himself upright.
Beside him, Fortis remained standing, though beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
The wolves growled softly, fighting against the invisible force.
Minutes passed.
Every second felt heavier than the last.
Finally, Nero collapsed onto one knee, breathing heavily.
Kitsune walked over and looked down at him.
"Do you know why you fell first?"
Nero shook his head.
"You resisted."
Kitsune pointed toward the wolves.
"They accepted the pressure instead of fighting it."
Nero watched as the three wolves, though exhausted, had adjusted to the overwhelming force.
"They adapted..." he whispered.
Kitsune nodded.
"Exactly."
"The strongest warriors aren't always the strongest."
"They're the ones who adapt the fastest."
Nero slowly rose to his feet once more.
This time, instead of forcing the pressure away, he relaxed his body and focused on his breathing.
Little by little...
The weight became easier to bear.
A faint smile appeared on Kitsune's face.
"Good."
"Now you're finally beginning to learn."