The scent of herbs and medicine lingered quietly in the air, blending with the soft rustle of curtains swaying against the open window. Sunlight filtered through, warm and gentle, casting a pale glow across the still figure resting on the hospital bed.
Days had passed since the battle.
Days of silence.
Days of waiting.
Mizūmi sat beside the bed, her hands resting gently on her lap. Her eyes, though tired, never left Ryūsei's face. There was a quiet determination in her gaze—a refusal to leave, no matter how long it took.
"Ryūsei…" she whispered softly, her voice barely louder than the wind brushing past the window.
No response.
Only the faint rise and fall of his chest.
She lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly. "You said you'd be back soon…" she murmured, her voice trembling just a little. "So wake up already…"
Then—
A faint sound.
"W…h…"
Mizūmi's eyes widened.
She leaned closer, her breath catching.
Ryūsei's fingers twitched.
Slowly… painfully… his eyelids began to lift.
Light flooded into his vision, forcing him to squint. His body felt heavy—like every muscle had been stretched and torn apart. Even breathing felt unfamiliar.
"Where…" he muttered weakly, his voice hoarse. "Where… am I…?"
"Ryūsei!!!"
Before he could even fully process his surroundings, Mizūmi's voice burst through the silence. Relief, joy, and disbelief all mixed into one.
Tears welled in her eyes as she leaned forward, gripping the edge of the bed.
"You're awake… you're finally awake!"
Ryūsei blinked slowly, trying to focus. The blurry figure before him gradually became clear.
"…Mizūmi…?" he whispered.
She nodded quickly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, though more kept falling.
"Yes… it's me."
A faint smile formed on Ryūsei's lips.
"I'm glad… you're safe…"
Mizūmi let out a soft laugh, though it trembled with emotion.
"That's my line," she replied. "It was all thanks to you…"
Ryūsei slowly pushed himself up, wincing as pain shot through his body. His muscles screamed in protest, forcing him to pause.
The room came into view—a simple hospital chamber, quiet and clean.
"…Where's Mr. Nendo?" he asked.
"He was called outside by an Elemental Knight," Mizūmi replied, gesturing toward the door. "They're discussing something important."
Ryūsei nodded slightly.
"I see… I'm just glad he's alright…"
He attempted to stand—
But the moment his feet touched the ground, his body betrayed him.
Pain surged through him like a wave.
"Woah—!"
Mizūmi quickly caught him, supporting his arm.
"Careful!" she exclaimed. "You're still injured!"
Ryūsei gave a sheepish smile as he sat back down.
"…Sorry about that."
He rubbed the back of his head, letting out a quiet sigh.
"That's the last time I'm using that technique…"
Mizūmi tilted her head.
"Technique?"
"Collision Slash," he replied. "It's… one of my spells."
Her eyes widened.
"That was a spell?!" she asked in disbelief. "Just how strong is it?!"
Ryūsei looked away, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
"…To be honest… I don't really know either."
The room fell briefly silent.
Then—
The door opened.
"Nizūmi—"
"Dad!"
Mizūmi rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Nendo as he entered. He returned the embrace warmly, patting her head.
"I'm sorry it took a while," he said gently.
Then his eyes shifted—
And widened in shock.
"Ryūsei…!"
Ryūsei smiled faintly.
"Hello, Mr. Nendo."
Relief washed over Nendo's face as he approached.
"I'm glad you're awake," he said sincerely.
Ryūsei bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry… for making you worry…"
But Nendo shook his head and gently motioned for him to lift it.
"No," he said firmly. "If anything… I should be the one thanking you."
His expression softened.
"You saved my daughter… You gave me back what I thought I had already lost."
Slowly, he bowed his head.
A gesture of deep gratitude.
Mizūmi's eyes widened slightly at the sight.
"Dad…"
The moment lingered, heavy with emotion.
Then Mizūmi spoke again, breaking the silence.
"Dad… what did the Elemental Knights want?"
Nendo straightened, his expression turning more serious.
"A Grand Shōtotsu will be held," he said.
"…Two weeks from now. In the Kingdom of Ryūgū."
Mizūmi's eyes lit up.
"A Grand Shōtotsu?! Seriously?!"
Her excitement was immediate—but so was her confusion.
"Isn't it too soon for something like that?"
Nendo shook his head.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But things have changed."
His gaze darkened slightly.
"The Demon Clan… has begun to reemerge."
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier.
"Without…" he paused briefly, "…the Grand Elementalist actively protecting the world, the Kingdom cannot afford to wait."
Ryūsei remained silent.
Mizūmi frowned.
"But… what about the Gādians?" she asked. "Can't they handle it?"
"They can," Nendo replied. "But even they have limits."
His voice carried weight now.
"Since the incident years ago… their numbers have declined."
"…Like Moyasu," Mizūmi murmured.
Nendo nodded.
"He was the Leo Gādian. That position has remained empty ever since he went rogue."
He folded his arms.
"The Grand Shōtotsu isn't just a tournament—it's a selection. A way to find those worthy of protecting the Kingdom."
Silence followed.
Then—
Mizūmi turned toward Ryūsei, her eyes sparkling.
"Are you going to participate?"
Ryūsei blinked.
"…I haven't really thought about it."
He looked down slightly.
"It's a Chīma-based competition… and I don't have one."
Mizūmi froze.
"…Wait… don't tell me…"
Ryūsei gave a small, almost self-conscious smile.
"I'm… a special case."
There was a hint of loneliness behind his words.
Mizūmi quickly shook her head.
"But you're strong!" she insisted. "You defeated a former Gādian!"
Ryūsei shook his head.
"…Barely."
His voice softened.
"If he hadn't lost his way… I don't know if I could've won."
Mizūmi studied him for a moment.
Then smiled.
"So? Are you going to join?"
Ryūsei hesitated.
"…I might."
It wasn't a firm answer—but it wasn't a refusal either.
Nendo chuckled lightly.
"Then I wish you the best of luck," he said. "Registration begins in one week at the Chīma Center."
Ryūsei nodded.
"Thank you… for everything."
"Oh—right," Nendo suddenly said, reaching into his bag.
"I almost forgot."
He pulled out a small object and handed it over.
Ryūsei's eyes widened.
"…Is this…?"
"It's your stone," Nendo said with a smile. "The one you dropped."
But it wasn't just a stone anymore.
It had been reforged.
A beautifully crafted badge—silver vines wrapped elegantly around a light blue gem, with a dark blue dragon crest glowing faintly at its center.
The Storm Stone.
Reborn.
"I had it modified," Nendo added. "Something more fitting for someone like you."
Ryūsei stared at it, speechless.
"…Thank you…"
His voice was soft—but filled with genuine gratitude.
Mizūmi suddenly clapped her hands together.
"Hey! Once you recover—let's train together before the Grand Shōtotsu!"
Ryūsei smiled.
"Sure—"
"Absolutely not."
Both of them froze.
Nendo crossed his arms, giving them a stern look.
"Ryūsei is still recovering," he said. "If he pushes himself now, he'll only make things worse."
A brief silence.
Then—
The two burst into awkward laughter.
"…Right."
"…Yeah…"
Outside, the wind carried the distant sounds of the recovering village.
For now, the battle was over.
But ahead—
A new challenge awaited.
And this time…
It wouldn't be fought alone.