Water rolled down the cliff into the plunge pool of a narrow river.
The left side of the river—a green forest.
The right side—a large garden. Tall trees covered in vines bearing fruit, medium-sized rocks, and flowery bushes lined both sides of a brick road leading to the fountain at the center.
Surrounding the fountain were fields of flowers, a round pond where fish swam freely, and a white marble pavilion.
Up above was a blue sky dotted with white clouds that looked like wet cotton floating in the air. A sky that never cried.
This place was like a dream. It was a dream.
A dream where he was real. A dream where she was also real.
It was a dreamscape.
On the green grass of the open field by the river sat Lady Harukaze, a gentle breeze flowing through her hair.
Zen lay on the grass, head on her lap, staring at the clear blue sky above, the scent of nature reaching his nostrils. "Did I… lie… to myself, Mother?"
"Hmm? Why is that?" she asked, gently stroking his hair.
"…Because I feel like burning the world down."
She slipped the palm of her right hand onto his heart, locking it away.
"You're not wrong to feel that way. But—"
She whispered,
"—don't let it consume you."
Zen slowly closed his eyes.
"Hmm… I did choose this, after all."
The feeling slowly faded away. But with that, so did a piece of his heart.
"You should go now. The others are waiting," she said softly.
"I wish I could stay here forever."
His eyelids shook before slowly parting just a little, and the light forced him to keep them closed.
He tried again, slower this time. His pupils slowly adjusted to the burn.
His head felt like bricks against the soft pillow underneath.
His eyes roamed over the clean, white walls of the room, and after a moment of blankly staring at them, he finally realized he was in a medical chamber of the underground facilities.
His eyes continued to roam over his surroundings until they lowered from the high walls and ceilings to the couch at the corner of the room. His eyes widened a little, as much as they could in such a condition.
Arms flat on the armrest, head laid over them, eyes closed, breathing in long stretches—a girl with fair skin, long, flowing, pale hair, nearly his height, and wearing the academy's warrior division uniform.
Zen straightened his head, closed his eyes, and took slow, measured breaths.
"Makes sense why I'm alive."
He tried to lift his right hand. He couldn't feel them. He clenched his fingers into a fist. Or at least he thought he did. His fingers weren't moving yet. He could only stare at the ceiling until an involuntary cough escaped his throat.
Shiori's eyes snapped open, green pupils instantly locking onto Zen.
She sat up, lightly rubbing her right eye, voice soft and gentle,
"You're awake."
She rose from the couch, approached the chair by his bed, and sat down.
"Don't move yet."
Placing her palms above his bandaged left arm, she closed her eyes and released her green elemental energy. "You've been unconscious for two days."
Zen's right hand finally clenched into a fist. The very next thing he did was use it to remove the oxygen mask. "Thanks. And… sorry for burdening you. I know healing costs a lot."
Shiori continued channeling.
"You should be sorry—but to yourself."
"You forced yourself to sustain Null without the supporting system of your primary gear. You used three other elements beyond your base in a fight. You healed ten people even after your body was screaming at you to stop."
"And in doing all of that, you lost hours of your lifespan you'll never get back and pushed your body to a state where you could've ended up in a long coma had I not arrived in time."
She finally stopped channeling and opened her eyes with a long exhale, hands shaky.
"Also, don't thank me. Thank Director Stelle Amarinth."
"She knew you'd need me the moment she saw the sky shift."
"You caused a global phenomenon. Thankfully, most people believe it was another one of Lady Harukaze's power manifestations."
Zen pushed against his right arm and sat up, leaning against the wall behind him.
"Most people…"
Shiori nodded subtly.
"Yes. The Legion is looking into the possibility of discovering another Pure Null. They are on high alert."
Zen observed his bandaged left hand.
"Of course they are."
Shiori's eyes flicked from his face to his arm.
"The lines in your arm have traces of corruption. What happened?"
Zen remained silent for a few seconds.
"The arm will neutralize it by itself."
"That is not what I asked," she said, her tone bordering on anger and composure.
"Whatever it is, it could kill your arm completely. You can't keep neglecting danger."
"I'm aware," he replied.
"Just… trust the process. I know what I'm dealing with."
Kyoya sat on the sofa in his living room, eyes closed, legs on the table in front of him, elbow on the armrest, and head propped on his hand.
Werner arrived from the kitchen and placed a cup of tea on the table.
"Still thinking about that person, Master Aquila?"
"Yeah…," he replied without looking.
"Elysia confirmed he was the one who saved her previously."
"But the soldiers took him away on a stretcher before I could confirm his identity."
He finally opened his eyes, lowered his legs, and reached for the cup of tea.
"Got anything for me?"
"I do indeed," Werner replied.
"The attack on the academy container zone was nothing more than a distraction to raid the dormitories. Their main goal was always to capture the heirs of the Solheim family."
Kyoya sipped his tea.
"And anything on him?"
"Classified, as stated by Director Amarinth. I'm afraid we cannot investigate further."
"However, there is another matter I must disclose," Werner continued.
"There has been a previous attempt on you, made by none other than The Foundation."
Kyoya paused just before taking his next sip.
"On me? When?"
"The matter had been quietly handled. Likely by the same Mysterious Warrior."
"And why did I not know about this?"
Werner bowed politely.
"My sincerest apologies, Master Aquila. Noticing your unwavering focus on protecting your cousins alongside the stress of the Rank Reassessment Tournaments, I decided against letting the matter burden you further."
Kyoya carefully set the cup down and palmed his face. After a moment of silence, he spoke again, voice tight, "Give me some space. I need time to think."
Werner nodded.
"As you wish, Master Aquila."
He turned and left the room without another word.
Madoka, Finn, and Julianna waited at a corridor intersection. With the academy under temporary lockdown, there were no students around other than those called for specific reasons.
Edric arrived, walking normally.
Finn noticed and waved at him.
"New glasses?"
Edric adjusted them.
"I had a spare pair."
Cassie and Viara also arrived shortly after.
Viara waved at everyone with her usual smile.
"Good afternoon!"
Finn waved back.
"Good afternoon. Feeling okay?" Julianna asked.
"I'm feeling as usual... since he healed us, somehow," she replied, face falling.
"Vi and I visited the nurse earlier. She said we look completely fine."
Viara's smile slowly faded. Madoka crossed her arms and closed her eyes. Edric stared at the ground, thinking. Finn scratched the back of his head.
Julianna observed everyone.
"Hopefully, things will make sense soon."
Cassie regained her composure and nodded before her eyes shifted to Madoka.
"Umm, how's Zen... by the way?"
Madoka opened her eyes, staring at the ground. Her posture didn't change.
"He was unconscious for the past two days."
Everyone's attention snapped to Madoka.
Viara blinked, eyes wide.
"None of our healers could wake him up?"
"There were no healers to wake him up," Madoka replied, grip on her arms tightening.
"If anyone tries to heal him, his body would drain them completely of energy, and it still wouldn't be enough."
"That would put them in a fatal condition," Edric added.
Madoka nodded. "Correct."
"As of now, there is only one known healer who has the specific calibration to endure the energy strain. And she just arrived yesterday."
Julianna frowned.
"That sounds horrible, to be honest."
"It is," Finn chimed in.
"Imagine getting beaten up in a battle and others can't even heal you in an emergency."
Footsteps echoed. Stelle had arrived. And behind her was Saya.
Stelle's eyes scanned the group.
"Is that everyone?"
Madoka gave a subtle nod.
Stelle's gaze shifted to Saya.
Saya immediately got to work. She popped her gear HUD and, after navigating a few UIs and pressing buttons, she finally spoke, "Check your gear notifications, please."
Everyone except Madoka and Finn popped their gear HUDs. A single notification in their mailbox caught their attention.
Cassie clicked the mail. A digital document popped up.
"This is...?"
"Confidentiality agreements," Stelle replied. "Whatever you see, hear, and speak doesn't leave this place. Fail to comply, and you'll end up in court."
Julianna and Edric exchanged glances.
Edric raised his hand.
"Haven't President Marcevelle and I already signed one before?"
"Think of it like another layer of security. You can never be too safe," Saya said with a reassuring smile.
Cassie and Viara were still reading the agreement.
Julianna and Edric had already finished. They pressed their thumbs against the HUD. The system confirmed their fingerprints and closed the agreement.
Cassie looked at Viara.
"This is kind of scary," she whispered.
"I know, right?" Viara whispered back.
Eventually, both of them signed it.
Saya's gear pinged with confirmation notifications.
Stelle gave a nod of approval before leaving.
"Krylova, take it from here."
Saya nodded back and turned to the group.
"Alright. Follow me."
She led the way towards the administration division. Madoka and Finn moved first. The rest followed.
Saya led everyone through a series of restricted corridors that kept narrowing until they stood in front of the elevator.
Viara peeked from behind.
"Is that a vault of some sort?"
Finn let out a small laugh.
"I had the same first impression."
Saya stepped forward and pressed her ID against the scanner.
The doors of the elevator slowly parted, just enough to let everyone in.
Once inside, it began descending.
"Are we going down?" Cassie asked quietly, feeling the motion.
"Just wait and watch," Julianna replied with a knowing smile.
Seconds passed. The descent slowed to a stop. The doors slid open, and the moment they did, cold, filtered air flooded the elevator.
Bright, polished corridors stretched ahead.
Viara's eyes landed on the labs with reinforced glass on each side of the corridor.
"Whoa! This was here this whole time?! This looks straight out of a movie!"
Saya chuckled as she continued leading the way. Everyone moved together.
Cassie observed her surroundings with quiet curiosity before landing back on Julianna.
"You look like you've been here before."
"I have... Once," Julianna replied. "Edric, too."
"But we weren't allowed to talk about it," Edric added.
The walk continued until they were finally in front of one of the many sealed medical chambers in the corridor.
Madoka stood beside and gestured at the entrance door.
"Go ahead. Finn, Saya, and I have other things to take care of."
Everyone else exchanged curious glances but didn't question it.
"Very well," Julianna said.
Zen and Shiori's eyes snapped to the door as it pushed open.
Viara entered, smiling and waving at Zen. Cassie, Julianna, and Edric followed behind.
Shiori stood up, hands clasped demurely.
"I will give you all some space."
She moved to exit the chamber, coming face to face with the others on the way.
Julianna mirrored her posture with a smile.
"You must be—"
"His assigned caretaker," Shiori replied flatly.
"I am Shiori Tachibana."
Cassie blinked.
"Shiori Tachibana…"
Then it clicked.
"You're—"
"Heir of the ruling family of Shinrin no Tami. Yes."
Shiori stepped around and walked towards the exit.
"Now, if you'll excuse me… Take your time."
And she left without waiting.
They watched her leave.
Zen cleared his throat, drawing their attention.
"So… I'm assuming you all have questions after everything you've witnessed."
He gestured at the couch.
"Take a seat."
"Well, I was going to ask how you're recovering first," Viara said as she sat down with the others. "We heard you were unconscious for two days."
"That is what I have been told," Zen replied, eyes still on his left arm.
"Not that I could count while passed out."
He looked at them.
"As long as everyone's okay, it doesn't matter."
Cassie frowned.
"We're okay. But how did you even heal us?"
"An elemental can only control one element. You have like… four."
Viara tapped a finger on her chin.
"How is that even possible?"
"Hold onto those questions," he said, eyes shifting to Julianna.
Julianna crossed her arms, face serious.
"You know what I'm going to ask, don't you?"
Zen let out a long sigh.
"Authority of the Sea… Why and how I have it, I can't tell you much about it."
Julianna paused, thinking carefully before asking further.
"Zen… Are all the elements you have… Authorities?"
Zen's eyes kept shifting to his left arm.
"…Wind is what I was born with. The rest are."
"Authority of the Sea, Authority of the Forest, and Authority of the Frostlands."
Viara raised her hand.
"Sorry to interrupt, but what is an Authority?"
"And why do you have them?" Cassie added.
Zen leaned back, relaxing against the pillow. "Good question… Authority—it's the strongest impression of an element—and also the unrestricted access. It lets you freely use any technique you want—bypassing any conditions such as your own physical compatibility."
"For example, remember that energy pellet I used when you three girls were injured?"
Viara blinked.
"Yes…?"
Realization hit.
"Wait, so you made that?"
Zen nodded subtly.
"I did. On the spot."
"But making a condensed energy pellet takes from thirty minutes to long hours of channeling pure energy, depending on how experienced you are. How did you do it in less than a minute?" Julianna asked. "Plus, it will almost entirely drain your energy."
"It does. Precisely why they are worth a fortune." Zen replied. "Not everyone can do it. But the Authority of the Forest allows me to condense the energy in a short burst. It doesn't spare me from the energy drain, though."
"As for your other question, why do I have it… Again, I cannot tell you."
"Just know that wielding multiple elements isn't all sunshine and rainbows."
Zen's gaze shifted past Julianna and landed on Edric, who had been silently listening.
"You're awfully quiet. Don't have any questions?"
Edric adjusted his glasses and looked at Zen.
"Can I speak to you in private for a moment?"
Zen paused for a second, then nodded.
"Sure."
Cassie, Viara, and Julianna exchanged glances before getting up and walking to the exit.
Viara paused before leaving and turned to Zen, placing her hands over her heart.
"Thank you for your time. We wish you the best in your recovery."
The door drifted closed once they had left.
"She's unbearably humble to be royalty," Zen said, smiling.
Then he looked back at Edric.
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
Edric leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, hands intertwined.
"I hope you can give me an honest answer."
"What did it cost?"
Zen's smile didn't falter. For the next five seconds, he simply stared at Edric.
"You and I are no different, are we?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"...Yes."
Zen's eyes softened. The fist of his left hand loosened. His heart pulsed faster.
"...Time."
Edric's fingers tightened.
Zen let out a single shaky breath.
"It cost me time."
"Every second of channeling an element I shouldn't be able to takes it from what I have remaining. Like paying for someone else's existence with my own."
"The more elements I channel, the faster it drains."
"And the more people I heal, the faster the clock ticks."
Edric's breathing became slow and heavy. The individual beats of his own heart reached his ears.
Zen exhaled, which almost sounded like a chuckle. His voice lowered.
"Every second counts."
"I chose this. I don't regret it."
Edric sat there silently, not even blinking.
He finally let out the breath that was stuck in his throat and slowly stood up.
"One more thing I would like to know."
Zen raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you haven't had enough."
"Ask away."
Edric's eyes narrowed.
"Were you… the reason behind the sky shift?"
Zen blinked, snorted, and broke out into laughter before he could control it.
"Competence is such a curse…"
He palmed his face as his laughter slowly faded and returned to a smile.
"Yes. That was me."
Edric took a step closer.
"Are you a Pure Null by birth?"
"...I am," he replied.
"I'm not capable of sustaining it for long, though. It is quite painful."
"Then… you're related to the Warriors Military Legion co-founder, Lady Harukaze?"
"She's my mother," he said without hesitation.
Edric's eyes widened briefly before returning to normal.
"...I see."
"That is all. Thank you for your time."
He turned and walked towards the door.
Just as he gripped the handle—
"Edric," Zen called.
Edric paused.
The index finger of Zen's right hand slowly moved until it was in front of his smiling lips.
"I don't want others to worry about it."
"I trust you, friend."
Edric stared at him for a second, then turned back to the door.
"You have my word."
He pulled the door open and stepped out.
Zen watched the door swing close. Left alone once more, he let his body relax.
His breathing slowly evened out, and his right hand clutched the fabric of his gown over his heart. "The seal is failing…"