Two months had passed under the relentless training of Akhoipam Leiphunglapkpa and his disciple Sandreibam Naopa, and the difference in Lanthaba and Yaikhomba was clear the moment they stepped onto the training ground again. The air felt heavier, not because of hostility, but because of growth. Lanthaba stretched his shoulders slightly and smiled at Yaikhomba, saying, "So… did you have great training this month?" Yaikhomba cracked his neck and smirked, replying, "Of course. I didn't waste a single day," and the confidence in his tone alone showed how much he had improved.
Naopa stepped forward between them, calm and composed, and said, "Both of you are ready," before raising the whistle to his lips. The sharp sound cut through the air, and the match began instantly.
Yaikhomba didn't hesitate for even a second as he raised his hand and muttered, "Crystallokinesis," and dozens of sharp crystal shards formed mid-air, spinning slightly before launching toward Lanthaba at high speed. Lanthaba didn't step back; instead, he moved forward and used Tank's ability as his body hardened like steel, the crystals colliding against him with loud metallic sounds as they shattered into pieces. Without slowing down, Lanthaba ignited a flame in his palm and used Meiraton's Flame technique forming a bright blue fire that flickered violently as he rushed forward.
Yaikhomba narrowed his eyes and responded quickly, slamming his foot into the ground as he said, "Let's see you pass this," and crystal spikes erupted upward, creating a jagged path meant to block Lanthaba's advance. Lanthaba moved through them with precision, weaving between the spikes without losing speed, and within seconds he was already in front of Yaikhomba. "Too close," Yaikhomba said calmly, and in that instant, an invisible plate formed on Lanthaba's chest.
Before Lanthaba could react, Yaikhomba punched forward and said, "Crystallokinesis Technique: Prismatic Fracture," and the invisible plate shattered instantly, releasing a violent vibration that bypassed Lanthaba's hardened defense entirely, sending him flying across the ground. Lanthaba crashed and rolled several meters before stopping, and for a brief moment the battlefield fell silent.
Yaikhomba lowered his hand and explained calmly, "It hardens the air into an invisible crystal plate against your body, and when I strike it, the vibration bypasses your outer defense," as if teaching rather than fighting. Lanthaba slowly pushed himself up, coughing slightly, and said, "…That's dangerous," before closing his eyes and raising his hand again, saying, "E-FLUX Technique: Summon Saru Guna."
A small glowing dragonfly made of white jade appeared and hovered briefly before entering Lanthaba's wound, and a faint glow spread across his body as glowing threads began weaving inside him, reconnecting broken bones and healing internal damage. Within moments, Lanthaba stood upright again as if nothing had happened. Yaikhomba blinked in disbelief and said, "…You healed that fast?" while Naopa's eyes widened and even Leiphunglapkpa, who was watching from a distance, showed clear surprise.
Naopa whispered, "Isn't E-FLUX supposed to come from negative emotion?" and Leiphunglapkpa smiled slightly, replying, "At his age, he found a way to convert it into positive use… that's a big achievement," his gaze fixed on Lanthaba as he added softly, "That boy is not ordinary."
Lanthaba opened his eyes and said, "Let's continue," before raising his hand again and calling out, "E-FLUX Technique: Summon Khoi Langba," and instantly hundreds of small, glowing crystal flies filled the air, moving erratically around Yaikhomba. Yaikhomba frowned slightly and said, " What are those things," Lanthaba replied calmly, "They are Khoi langba—they just need to distract you."
In the next moment, Lanthaba vanished from sight, and Yaikhomba's instincts kicked in as he turned quickly and said, "…Behind me," just as their fists collided with a loud impact. From there, the battle turned into close combat, both of them exchanging rapid strikes, blocking and countering each other with precision. Lanthaba shifted his stance and said, "E-FLUX Technique: Chimera Fang," his attacks becoming sharper and more aggressive as he scratched across Yaikhomba's torso and face, forcing him back slightly.
Yaikhomba gritted his teeth and hardened his hand into crystal as he said, "Not bad… but let's see this," and he lunged forward with a powerful punch aimed at Lanthaba. However, before the attack could land, a calm voice cut through the battlefield as Leiphunglapkpa said, "Stop," and both of them froze instantly.
Leiphunglapkpa stepped forward with a composed expression and said, "That's enough, it's getting late," while Naopa lowered his whistle and added, "You both have missions today." There was a brief silence before Lanthaba looked at Yaikhomba and laughed, saying, "We'll finish this next time," and Yaikhomba laughed as well, replying, "Definitely."
Later, they returned to their university hostel, changed into their uniforms, and stepped outside where a few students greeted them with "Morning," and Lanthaba casually replied, "Morning," as they walked toward the canteen. Inside, the atmosphere was lively, but what surprised them was seeing Oungh Rangwa himself behind the counter in casual clothes.
Yaikhomba blinked and said, "…Principal?" while Lanthaba stepped forward, took his plate, and said, "Thank you, sir." Rangwa smiled warmly and asked, "So, what's your mission today?" and Lanthaba replied, "Exorcism at Langol B3/113 house, a naturally occurring Lairoi," to which Rangwa nodded and said, "Best of luck."
Lanthaba sat down and began eating, and soon Wakheipam Kondonglei approached silently, placing two eggs on his plate. Lanthaba looked up and said, "Thank you," but she simply replied, "Okay," and left without another word. Moments later, Yaikhomba arrived carrying extra food and said proudly, "Three milk and more eggs—the canteen mother is always happy when I tease her a bit," making Lanthaba smile awkwardly as he said, "…You shouldn't do that."
After a moment, Lanthaba asked, "What about your mission?" and Yaikhomba replied, "Roaming Lairois near Litan village, Michael Jajo will take me there," before adding with a slight smile, "Looks like we're on separate missions now." Lanthaba nodded and said, "Yeah… but we'll still train," and Yaikhomba agreed, "Of course."
Far away in Lairois Leipak, inside Amangba Konung, Hingthoileima sat quietly counting her contracts as she murmured, "Thousands…," her voice calm but filled with intent. Footsteps approached, and Thangron appeared carrying his Myanmar sword, Dha, as he said, "The last contract isn't finished yet—the required Thawai hasn't been fulfilled," and hearing this, Hingthoileima vanished instantly.
She reappeared before Mitamcha and asked, "What about the last contract?" and Mitamcha replied calmly, "The condition is difficult, it requires massive Thawai and strict sacrifice rituals, so it remains incomplete," before pausing slightly and adding, "But it doesn't matter."
Hingthoileima narrowed her eyes, and Mitamcha continued, "For now, begin preparations for the event and call all reincarnated sorcerers to the hall," and within an hour, the hall of Amangba Konung was filled with ancient sorcerers in traditional attire.
Mitamcha stepped forward and asked, "Do you enjoy your second life?" and many responded, "Yes," to which he nodded and continued, "Then tell me, is it easy to live in this modern world?" The hall fell silent until one voice suggested, "We could live in Thawai Leipak," but Mitamcha shook his head and said, "Impossible, modern sorcerers control money, politics, and even the environment."
He looked at them again and asked, "So what should we do?" and no one answered until Tonin stepped forward and said, "We should wipe out Thawai Leipak and Meeyoileipak," causing murmurs to spread. Mitamcha smiled faintly and replied, "Wiping Thawai Leipak is not wise because of Taibang Sana Heithoiba and Leiphunglapkpa," before adding, "So we start with Meeyoileipak."
Shock spread across the hall as someone shouted, "They will send reinforcements immediately!" but Mitamcha calmly responded, "I will break the barrier and create a new one that traps most sorcerers in Thawai Leipak," his voice steady as he added, "The rest are weak… and you will handle them."
Later, in Langol, Lanthaba stood inside a ruined house and said softly, "Exorcism complete," before turning to leave, but suddenly a loud noise echoed nearby along with screams. Lanthaba's expression changed as he rushed outside and saw civilians running in panic, being attacked by Lairois.
"…What is this?" he muttered, his eyes widening.
Then he looked up.
The sky itself was cracking.
A massive fracture stretched across space, distorting reality like shattered glass, and Lanthaba whispered in disbelief, "…The barrier…," realizing that the great barrier created by Taibang Sana Heithoiba had been destroyed.
From the crack, something began to emerge.
Lanthaba clenched his fists and said, "…This is bad," his voice tense as chaos spread around him.
The apocalypse of the Lairois—
Had begun.