The crowd around Genesis buzzed with activity. Theft, murder, adultery, and other wicked acts unfolded before his eyes. Genesis looked around, saddened, observing the chaos and decay of humanity.
Suddenly, a thunderclap resounded, snapping Genesis out of his reverie. He woke with a start, a mournful expression still etched on his face. He rose slowly, revealing a dark room. The floor was dampened by a single tear that had fallen.
The scene cuts to Genesis standing before the hall where the battle took place, the floor stained with blood and bodies still scattered about. It was a desolate sight. He proceeded down an alley in the trade hub, where he witnessed a robbery. With a swift motion of his saber, he severed the robber's arm, leaving him screaming in pain, and continued on his way without looking back.
Genesis entered a shop, seeking a map. He requested a map of the Kingdom of Kintô from the vendor, paid, and left, heading to the streets of the trade hub to buy supplies for his journey.
The scene shifts to Izumi waking up. He rises and leaves the room, finding Leonhart.
Leonhart:"You're up already? You're tough, huh?" (Leonhart laughs.) "Eat something; we're about to start your training."
Izumi eats a rice ball and soon joins Leonhart by the lake.
Leonhart:"Use everything you've got."
Izumi charges, aiming a kick, but Leonhart dodges. Izumi follows with an uppercut, but Leonhart catches it.
Izumi's expression turns colder. He tries another punch, but Leonhart grabs his wrist. Izumi opens his hand, and an orb appears.
Leonhart releases Izumi and dodges, summoning flames along the way. The flames and darkness dissipate, and Leonhart loses sight of him.
Leonhart:"Where…?"
Izumi appears behind his opponent, landing a punch to Leonhart's back and trying to bring him down, but fails. Leonhart frees his arm and swings a fist at Izumi, stopping just short of hitting him.
Izumi freezes.
Leonhart:"You're not as much of a beginner as I thought. This is going to be good."
Izumi looks exhausted.
Leonhart:"How do you create that explosive orb?"
Izumi:"I just focus Ether until it forms a bubble, then add more to overload it."
Leonhart:"Got it. It works, but it's definitely not the most efficient method. Who taught you that?"
Izumi:"Lumen. He taught me the basics of manipulation."
Leonhart:"Lumen being Lumen, huh?" (Chuckles softly.) "I'll teach you something that uses less Ether and will help you a lot."
Leonhart:"Focus the Ether in your stomach area."
Izumi complies, gathering Ether with some difficulty.
Leonhart:"Ready?" (Izumi nods.)
Leonhart punches Izumi in the stomach, catching him off guard.
Leonhart:"So?"
Izumi:"It hurt less than I thought it would…"
Leonhart:"That's how you can enhance your physique with Ether. Depending on how you use it, you can increase resistance in an area or boost the power of a strike. It all depends on how you apply it."
The scene shifts to Takeru on the roof of the house, gazing at the sky. Lumen arrives and stands beside him.
Lumen:"What's up with that girl?"
Takeru:"Niori? Why do you ask?"
Lumen:"She always seems kind of down, like she's disappointed about something."
Takeru, turning his gaze back to the sky:"Oh, that… She's been like that ever since that thing got into her."
Lumen, intrigued:"What?"
Takeru:"I don't know, when it happened she was in shock, started mumbling something, looked like she was staring into nothing."
Lumen:"Was it a spirit?"
Takeru:"I think so. After that, she kept saying something about Adima… Aniba… something like that."
Lumen:"Anima, huh? That explains the crimson eyes… but someone like her…"
Takeru, looking at Lumen:"You know something about it?"
Lumen:"Anima is the Judge of Souls, a pretty powerful spirit among us, but it seems she's not in sync with her vessel."
Takeru:"What do you mean, man? I'm not getting it."
Lumen:"Sync is when the spirit and the vessel act in harmony. It enhances the spirit's influence over the body and improves Ether manipulation. Basically, it's what makes the two parts one."
Takeru, with a skeptical look:"Sounds like some complicated nonsense…"
Lumen:"I didn't even recognize Anima. They must be completely out of sync, so Niori won't be able to use Anima's Art at all."
Takeru:"But Izumi can use it even though Excidium doesn't want anything to do with him…"
Lumen:"Izumi isn't even a proper vessel, just someone compatible with Excidium. He can only use the Art of Destruction because Excidium tries to take over his body, so circulating its own Ether is the only way out."
Takeru falls silent, contemplating and processing everything.
Takeru:"Meanwhile, I can barely get us out of danger when things get tight…"
Lumen:"You're a mage, right? What spells do you have so far?"
Takeru:"I can only open portals, but trying to open them outside my line of sight takes forever. Even with incantations and hand seals, I can still only manage a few per day." (Clutching the necklace.)
Lumen looks ahead for a moment, taking in the landscape and thinking.
Lumen:"You know what… I can teach you a few things."
Takeru looks surprised, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
Lumen:"But don't think it'll be easy."
Takeru:"I can handle it, no problem!"
Lumen jumps down from the roof, followed by Takeru.
Lumen:"You already know how to control Vigor, so I'll teach you how to refine it, optimizing your spells."
Takeru:"What do you mean, refining Vigor?"
Lumen:"Let's start with the basics. First, focus on your breathing. Refinement begins with mental and physical control. Take a deep breath and let the Vigor flow through your body."
Takeru complies, breathing deeply.
Lumen:"Now, channel the Vigor to your hands. Feel the energy move through your spine and meridians. You should feel it like a warm current."
Takeru:"Okay, I think I'm feeling it…"
Lumen:"Perfect. Now, condense that energy. Compress the Vigor into a denser form. This boosts your spell's power without using as much."
Takeru:"This is… tough…"
Lumen:"It's hard at first, but you'll get used to it. Keep practicing. Over time, you'll increase your stamina and attack power, plus improve your spell efficiency."
Takeru:"Got it… I'll try."
Lumen:"Good, now focus on the spot where you want to open the portal…"
Takeru stares intently at a point ahead, a fierce look on his face.
Lumen:"And execute!"
The portal opens quickly in front of Takeru, who can't hide his glee. Lumen just watches.
Lumen:"Let's keep going. Remember, constant practice is the key to refining Vigor."
Takeru:"Lumen, can I ask you something?"
Lumen:"What?"
Takeru:"Why are you helping me? I mean, it's not like you're obligated to teach me all this."
Lumen:"We need to be ready for what's coming. We can't afford to have weak links on the team."
Takeru:"Got it."
Lumen nods, a serious look on his face.
Lumen:"Then let's keep going."
The scene shifts to Izumi, still training with Leonhart. The sun was high in the sky, reflecting off the lake's surface.
Leonhart:"Izumi, you're doing well, but you still need to refine your Ether concentration technique."
Izumi:"I'm trying, but it's hard to stay focused for so long."
Leonhart:"I know, but practice makes perfect. Now, try again—focus the Ether in your hand and create the orb."
Izumi takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, concentrating. A small Ether orb begins to form in his hand.
Leonhart:"Excellent, now hold that focus and try with your other hand."
Izumi extends his other hand, struggling to form a second orb.
Leonhart:"Come on! I know you can push further! Keep going!"
The second orb slowly takes shape in Izumi's hand until it fully forms. Exhausted, Izumi collapses to the ground, catching his breath.
The scene shifts again to Genesis, walking along a deserted road, the sun setting on the horizon. He carries a sack of supplies on his back and a map in his hand. His face is stern and determined, though a shadow of sadness lingers.
Genesis:(To himself) "I need to find a way to restore order to this world. I can't let humanity keep destroying itself like this."
He pauses for a moment, gazing at the horizon.
Genesis sighs and continues walking, his figure becoming a silhouette against the orange twilight sky.