- The next day arrives with a brilliant clarity. The sun perfectly illuminates every corner of the earth. A slow, steady, warm wind whistles through the woods, carrying the fresh scent of pine and damp earth. Birds dart between the branches, their songs weaving through the wind -

  - Inside the house, the air is thick with the smells of toasted bread, fried eggs, and tea. Having finished his breakfast, Ryusui completes his preparations. As he approaches the main door, his heart beats with a restless tempo, eager to finally uncover the mystery of "Spirit Energy". Suddenly, Retsu's voice from behind stops him -

  [ Flashback Note: Late yesterday evening, upon returning from his training, Ryusui had found Retsu standing at the threshold, her silhouette framed by the fading light. Her face was a mask of sorrow and deep concern. Ryusui had stayed by her side, his voice low and steady as he consoled her, recounting every detail of his training ]

  Retsu: "Ryusui, wait."

  - Her soft voice echoes through the hallway. He turns his head toward her. She approaches with slow, measured steps. Her eyes are soft, but a trace of slight concern flashes across her face. She holds out a small lunch box wrapped in a simple cloth -

  Retsu: "Ryusui, take this with you. There is some food for you and your sensei."

  Ryusui: (Taking the box with a confident grin) "Thanks for the food."

  Retsu: "Just... don't be late."

  Ryusui: "Got it. I'll be back before evening. See ya!"

  Retsu: "Be careful on the way, Ryusui! Bye."

  - Ryusui's silhouette slowly dissolves into the emerald depths of the woods. Retsu stands frozen at the threshold, her gaze locked on the empty path -

  Retsu: (A soft whisper) "I don't know who is teaching you... but it seems to be working."

  - Ryusui reaches the training spot, his breath steady and his mind clear. The golden rays of the sun pierce through the emerald leaves in sharp, brilliant needles of light, dancing across the grassy ground. A gentle wind passes through him, leaving behind a soft, cool touch -

  - He stops at the start of the clearing. There, sitting in the deep, dark shade of an ancient oak, is the old man. He looks small, almost fragile, with his eyes closed and his hand resting on his knees -

  Ryusui: "Sensei..."

  - Ryusui's voice is loud and respectful. Hearing the call, the old man slowly opens his withered eyes -

  The old man: "Cough... Cough... You are early today, young man."

  - Ryusui reaches back, his fingers gripping the hilt of the sword strapped to his back. His face is set, radiating a raw determination and a newfound confidence -

  Ryusui: "My body is itching to learn Spirit Energy—or whatever you called it yesterday!"

  - His shout echoes through the clearing, vibrating into the dense woods. The old man's gaze remains sharp and cold as ever. The old man lets out a long, weary breath -

  The old man: "It seems you forgot something."

  Ryusui: "Huh? What?"

  The old man: "I told you... this is the hardest part of the training."

  Ryusui: (Grinning, his eyes flashing with an inner fire) "I haven't forgotten a thing. You said it is the hardest part, and that is exactly why I am excited!"

  - The old man rises in a single fluid, haunting motion. He walks toward a nearby tree—unremarkable in height, yet twisted with age, its bark ridged and dark as forged steel. He presses a weathered palm against the trunk and turns his gaze back to Ryusui -

  The old man: "Enough talk. We should start the real lesson."

  Ryusui: "You are right, Sensei. How do we begin?"

  The old man: — His hand remains pressed against the bark, his voice a low gravelly rasp — "Cough... Cough... break this tree. Use your fist."

  - A wave of pure confusion flashes across Ryusui's face. He lets go of his hilt and scratches his forehead, his eyes darting from the old man's hand to the solid trunk of the tree -

  Ryusui: "Huh?! Is that even possible? It is a tree, Sensei—and it looks tougher than the one from yesterday! How am I supposed to break something like this with my bare hands?"

  The old man: "Just do what I said."

  - Ryusui locks eyes with the old man's sharp, piercing gaze. Finding no room for argument, he slowly approaches the tree. The old man glides back, his movements silent as a shadow, clearing the space -

  - Reaching the trunk, Ryusui plants his feet deep into the earth. He clenches his right fist until his knuckles turn white, pouring every ounce of his raw strength into his arm. With a sharp exhale, he slams fist into the centre of the trunk -

  - The tree remains an immovable pillar. A few high branches tremble, shedding a few lonely leaves, but the bark isn't even dented. Instead, the shockwave of the impact recoils instantly. Ryusui's face contorts as stumbles back, clutching his throbbing hand and shaking it widely -

  Ryusui: "GAAAHHH! Damn, that hurts! Are you trying to shatter my hand, Sensei?!"

  - The old man places his hand over his mouth, suppressing a dry cough. His eyes dart from Ryusui's reddened knuckles to the undisturbed bark, observing every vibration of the failed strike -

  The old man: "(Thinking: "If I hadn't done that, his raw power would have shattered the wood.") "Listen to me. Your punch is powerful, young man. But the impact is spreading all across the surface of the tree."

  Ryusui: (Blinking in confusion) "Huh?! Spreading?!"

  The old man: "Think of water, boy. When you pour it normally, it is harmless. But when that same water is compressed and focused into a single point at high speed, it can split a mountain stone."

  - Ryusui places his right palm on his forehead, his face contorting into a puzzle of frustration and deep thought -

  Ryusui: "Hmm... I think I get the idea, but..."

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  The old man: — He sighs, a dry, papery sound — "It seems you need another example. Look at the light in your home. A single wire carries the lightning—the electricity—to a bulb. If there is one bulb, it shines with its full potential. But if you try to feed a hundred bulbs with that same wire, the light fades. The power is spread too thin."

  Ryusui: "I see... but what do these two things have to do with my training?!"

  The old man: "Let me finish it. In both cases, power only reaches its peak when it is denied an escape. When you struck that tree, you had the power. You had the speed. But that power leaked out and scattered across the bark the moment you made contact. You lacked Focus."

  Ryusui: (His eyes widening as the pieces start to fit together) "Oh... I think I understand the focus part. But what about Spirit Energy?"

  The old man: "The core of Spirit Energy is consistency. Every living being possesses it, but because they lack the focus to hold it, their energy leaks away. It pours out of them, fading into another Realm, until they are left with only a tiny spark—just enough to keep their hearts beating. That is why common men believe they have no Spirit Energy at all."

  - Ryusu stares at his own palms. His mind races, imagining the Spirit Energy escaping him, bleeding out into an unknown void -

  Ryusui: "Whoa...!"

  The old man: "And remember this: that Spirit Energy refills every day after you rest. But because the pitcher is cracked, it always drains back down to the same low point."

  - Ryusui lets out a soft, slow breath. He looks up at the old man, his gaze steady and his voice quieter, more serious -

  Ryusui: "What should I do now to actually gain it?"

  The old man: "Do you remember what you learned yesterday?"

  Ryusui: "Yes. I remember."

  The old man: "Yesterday you saw your sword's soul; today you will see your own. You will use your soul as a ladder to draw your sleeping Spirit Energy out and into your body. From there, it will automatically flow through your vessels like blood. Finally, you will gather it all into a single point and release it through your fist."

  - The old man rises a single finger, his piercing gaze locking onto Ryusui eyes -

  The old man: "One warning: Spirit Energy is like an iron tool. But instead of rusting when left unused, it retreats. After years of neglect, it seals itself back into the depths of your soul, making you a common man once again."

  Ryusui: — His fist clenches slightly — "I think I understand. But... how exactly do I sense my own soul?"

  The old man: "The path is the same as yesterday, but with two additions. Press your right palm over your left. Close your eyes. You must find a specific rhythm—take exactly two breaths within seven seconds."

  Ryusui: "Understood, Sensei."

  - Five hours have passed. The sun hangs heavy in the centre of the sky. Ryusui remains anchored to the scorched earth, the wind whipping dry dust against his clothes. Suddenly, his voice cuts through the stillness, though his eyes remain tightly shut. Disappointment is etched into every line of his face -

  Ryusui: "Shit! No matter how much I try, I can't see a damn thing!"

  - The old man remains seated deep within the shadows of a nearby tree, his gaze locked on Ryusui -

  The old man: — His voice is a calm rasp — "Be patient, young man. Your rhythm broke several times. You either finished your breaths before seven seconds or let them linger too long."

  Ryusui: — He takes a jagged, frustrated breath — "Okay... okay. I'll be patient. I'll do it again."

  - Ryusui prepares to reset his posture, but the old man's voice cuts through his focus like a blade -

  The old man: "Eat your lunch first."

  - Ryusui's eyes snap open. He plants his palms on the dry ground, staring at the old man -

  Ryusui: "But, Sensei—!"

  The old man: "Your body doesn't run on will alone, boy. It needs energy."

  Ryusui: "Fine... but you are joining me. Retsu packed enough food for both of us."

  The old man: — He looks away, his expression unreadable — "I have no need for it."

  Ryusui: "Then I don't need any either."

  - The old man stares at Ryusui for a long moment, then he lets out a weary, rasping sigh -

  The old man: "Hmm... hmph. Fine."

  - Six more hours have gone away. The mid-day sun has surrendered, sinking slowly toward the horizon and drowning the forest in a deep, amber glow. The wind has picked up, turning sharp and cool, rustling Ryusui's hair as he remains anchored to the earth -

  - Suddenly, Ryusui's voice breaks the long silence. His eyes are still tightly shut, but the exhaustion has vanished, replaced by an explosion of pure, raw excitement across his face -

  Ryusui: "Sensei! I see a light in the distance! It's tiny, like a spark when two stones collide! What should I do now?!"

  - The old man rises. He walks toward Ryusui, his shadow stretching long and thin across the grass. He places his right hand firmly on Ryusui's shoulder shoulder -

  The old man: "That light is the part of your soul that holds your sealed Spirit Energy. Listen to my voice: visualise yourself walking through that void. Do not run. Move toward it with the same steady consistency you used for your breath."

  Ryusui: — His breathing remains steady, his focus absolute — "Okay... moving closer. I have got it."

  - Inside the void of Ryusui's mind, he stands before the brilliant spark. Up close, it takes a defined shape: a gray-fire symbol, flickering with ethereal flame. It isn't just light; it's a humming, vibrating pulse—the very core of a living being. He takes a final measured breath, keeping his rhythm perfect -

  Ryusui: "I am there now... what's next?"

  The old man: — His voice echoes through the vast darkness of Ryusui's mind, sounding as if it's coming from miles away—"Now, visualise both of your hands. Catch the light, and slowly... press it."

  - Ryusui extends his mental hands and clamps them around the gray symbol. For a heartbeat, he is paralyzed—his hands feel as if they are frozen in ice and burning in fire at the exact same time. He slowly forces his palm together, crushing the spark -

  - Suddenly, in the physical world, the air around Ryusui's body begins to distort. A thick, swirling mixture of blue-and-violet smoke erupts from his body, lurking around him like a living mist. The raw pressure creates a localized vortex; the dry dust is blasted away from his clothes, and the dead leaves on the ground are swept into a frantic, circling dance around him -

  - The blue and violet mist finishes retreating into Ryusui's skin, leaving the clearing suddenly quiet and cold. The amber sun has nearly dipped below the horizon -

  The old man: — He watches the last wisps of energy vanish, his expression returning to its usual guarded stillness — "That is enough for today. Go home, rest, and practice the rhythm. The more you practice, the brighter it will be."

  - Ryusui stares at his palms, curling his fingers trying to recapture the vibration of that gray fire symbol. A slight sorrow flashes across his face -

  Ryusui: "But... I can still continue."

  The old man: "Don't be ridiculous. Look around you—it is getting dark. You must not rush it. Once the light reaches a certain size, you won't need to hunt for it like this; it will grow automatically alongside your stamina. But if you push now, while your body is weak, it will cause harm inside you."

  Ryusui: "I understand. But..."

  The old man: "No 'buts.' If you take your rest now and practice the rhythm tonight, you will reach that point in a single day. Then, and only then, we can move to the next stage. We will continue tomorrow."

  Ryusui: — He looks at the darkening woods then back at his teacher. He realizes the old man is right — "Then... see you tomorrow, Sensei."

  - Ryusui turns and breaks into a sprint toward his house. The old man remains in the clearing, silent guardian of the training grounds. He watches Ryusui's silhouette vanish into thickening shadows of the woods. His face finally softening into an expression of profound, ancient respect -

  - The sun has fully drowned beneath the horizon, and the moon begins its slow, silver ascent, casting a cold light over the scorched earth where Ryusui had sat for eleven hours -

  The old man: — His voice is no longer a rasping command. It is suddenly clear like crystal — "You are doing exceptionally well... Master Ryuma."

  - From the depths of the woods, a figure approaches the old man. His body is a defiance of nature; it is not made of skin or bone, but a living void—light-absorbing and depthless. There are no highlights of muscle, no reflection of the moon on his surface. Only his eyes burn through the darkness with a terrifying, steady light -

  - His right eye consists of a deep-orange sclera with an oceanic-blue iris, while his left is the inverse—an oceanic-blue sclera with a deep-orange iris. They do not flicker; they do not blink -

  - He is draped in a golden hooded cloak, the edges shimmering with intricate, embroidered patterns that seem to shine with their own internal light in the moon's glow. Beneath the gold, he wears a deep crimson red robe, layered and wrapped in a kimono-style cross pattern across his chest. He pairs it with gray hakama-style pants, his footsteps making no sound against the scorched earth -

  ???: — His voice is deep, vibrating with a resonant that seems to echo from the void of his chest — "Yo."

  - The old man turns toward the voice, his movements no longer slow and cautious, but sharp and deliberate -

  The old man: "What are you doing here, San?"

  San: "I am here to see Ryuma's training progression. I never thought you were that good at teaching... Ryumaru."

  - As the name is uttered, the air around the old man begins to ripple. Ryumaru sheds the guise of the old man, transforming back into his original form -

  Ryumaru: — He lets out a sharp genuine bark of a laugh that echoes through the clearing — "You are complimenting me? That's funny! Hahaha!"

  San: "Even though your teaching was good, you messed up the training order."

  Ryumaru: "I knew that if I did everything perfectly, you would still find a mistake."

  - San's eyes narrow, the deep-orange and oceanic-blue irises sharpening as seriousness flashes across his void face. His gaze is piercing, seemingly cutting through the silver light of moon as he looks toward the horizon -

  San: "How many more days?"

  - Ryumaru's smile fades. He looks at his own hands; for a brief second, they flicker and turn translucent, the grass visible through his palms before his form stabilizes again -

  Ryumaru: "I think tomorrow is the last day I can stay like this. After that, my powers will be sealed away."

  San: "As I calculated."

  Ryumaru: "What about you? I thought you had a small amount of your power left."

  San: "I also have a small amount of my power left. Try to save some of your power and finish tomorrow's training faster, and I will also save my last remaining power. I am sensing two negative energies closing toward Ryuma. They will reach this place in two or three days."

  Ryumaru: "You are right, I can also sense the danger now. So, you're saying for emergency purposes to save our remaining power?"

  San: "Yeah, we don't know if Ryuma can handle the enemies alone in this state. If he were in his past self, we wouldn't have to worry about it."

  Ryumaru: "You are right, brother."

  San: "Thanks for understanding. I think you know that very well that after using our last remaining powers to repel this threat, we won't be able to contact him again. Not until he gains his sealed memories... which are directly connected to his Spirit Energy."

  Ryumaru: — He narrows his eyes, his gaze following the path where Ryusui had disappeared —"I have one question... could they be his servants?"

  San: "They could be. But I am not certain about it."

  - A random, dense patch of deep woods, miles away from Ryusui's home. The air here feels heavy, the wildlife silenced by the passage of two figures moving with lethal intent. They leap across ravines and weave through massive oaks without breaking stride -

  ???: — His voice strained from the pace, his eyes darting through the foliage — "How many days will it take to reach Ryuma, Kanjo?"

  Kanjo: — He leads the way — "I think we will reach him in two days if we speed up. Otherwise, it will take three, Kinjo."

  Kinjo: — He pushes off a tree trunk with an explosive force, closing the gap between them — "Let's speed up, brother... and inform Your Majesty about it."

  [ Calling upon the shadows... the foes draw near ]

  Next Chapter: Thursday