Continuing to stand, Nobori looks down at them crossing his arms, his towering presence almost oppressive awaiting a response.
Kasumi stands with her fist to her chest and smiles wide with excitement at her father's outburst as this was the most excitement he'd shown in years. The boys remained seated, unable to move, stunned by Nobori's words.
Shiku's eyes dart back and forth between Houki and Nobori for a moment. Shiku's mind starts to race and he jumps up to his feet with his fists clenched, and his feet tap impatiently against the floor, his excitement barely contained. His eyes gleam with joy as he smiled.
"D-Did you say train us?" Shiku ecstatically asks, his excitement is untamed.
"I'll do my best to impress you, sir! " Shiku exclaims, his determination shining brightly.
Houki regains his composure and leans back thoughtfully looking at Nobori, focused with his eyes narrowed and fixed on Nobori as he crosses his arms. His voice is calm but carries the weight of curiosity.
"Could you tell us more about the Èlan Spirits?" Houki asks curiously.
Nobori's expression softens just a little as he walks to the window, gazing out at the city below. Opening the window to admire the beautiful city for a moment, he folds his arms behind his back and inhales deeply as he watches children playing and kicking a ball past the window.
"Yes, I will train you but just so you know, I'm not the best fighter. Though when it comes to mana not many know more than me."
Turning his head slightly back glancing at the boys he strokes his beard. "The Èlan Spirits," Nobori begins, his voice carrying an air of mystery, "are the essence of our world, the lifeblood that sustains us.
"The Èlan Spirits are ancient beings, our protectors and guides, woven into the very essence of this land," Nobori explains. "They aren't just power—they're companions, partners in battle. They reflect your strengths… as your core reflects your weaknesses. The stronger your bond, the stronger your potential—" he continues.
"Wait, does that mean they get stronger too?" Shiku interrupts clenching his fist with excitement.
Nobori continues explaining, glancing back at the boys. "Yes exactly, but everyone's spirit is different including ones of the same magic types. From the looks of it, Shiku you have an augmenter fire spirit and Houki you have a mage void spirit. Each spirit has a personality of its own, it's up to you to completely bond with it."
Shiku glances at Houki who now leans against a bookshelf, arms crossed. Nobori turns around facing them and walks over to touch their shoulders. Kasumi follows him to the boys as the wind from the window blows through her hair revealing her beautiful complexion that Houki admires.
"Kasumi now, take them and show them around the city."
"Okay, I'll be happy to! Let's go!" Kasumi exclaims with a playful grin, beckoning the boys to follow her.
"The way she's so quick to smile. It's kinda amazing." Houki thinks, admiring Kasumi's beauty.
Walking down the bustling road, Kasumi points out the various vibrant colored shops selling spices, fabrics, and trinkets.
The air smells of fresh bread and roasted meat, and the chatter of merchants echo around them. The boys are in awe of how well the city looks with tons of landmarks, vibrant colors, and a flourishing community compared to Zeodia's disparity.
As they stop at a food shop, Kasumi grabs some of her favorite snacks and shares them with the boys, giving each of them one. Next, she takes them shopping for clothes.
While watching her try on outfits, Houki blushes. He couldn't help but notice how confident she seems in every new dress, each one highlighting her grace in a unique way.
Shiku browses for new clothes in the background. The boys carry all the bags, and the three of them continue their journey around town. As the sun sets, they end up at a stadium.
"That's the Grand Plaza. The tournament my father spoke about is held there every year," Kasumi exclaims, pointing at the tall stadium.
Staring at the Grand Plaza the boys get excited and want to learn more about the city. Kasumi pulls one of each boy's arms pointing toward a statue of The Sura Kingdom's King. Making the boys sit on the fountain surrounding the statue, she returns moments later making them close their eyes.
"This is our fantastic king. King Gokuro Hayasaki, he does everything he can to make this one of the safest places in the world." Kasumi gleefully stands like the statue showing her appreciation for the king. "Oh, wait here I have a surprise for you guys."
Before surprising them she makes a drumroll noise with her mouth then pulls out some candy specifically made only in The Sura Kingdom for the boys. Tasting the candy before eating it Shiku falls in love with the sweet fruity taste. They all eat their candy and continue conversing until the sun fully sets.
Stuffing his mouth with candy, Shiku muffles "Woah this is amazing! This is one of the best candies I've ever had. I could eat this all day!"
"Thanks, Kasumi, this candy is great. You've helped us so much this past week. You didn't have to do all this for us." Houki sincerely shows his appreciation to Kasumi.
Playfully nudging Houki, Kasumi laughs. "No, it's my pleasure. Everyone needs a little help sometimes."
Noticing how late it's gotten, Kasumi decides it's time to head back. Walking back to the inn the three of them laugh and joke all the way there. Getting back to the inn Kasumi hugs both boys before grabbing her bags and heading to her room.
The boys go to their room and sit on their respective beds reflecting on what Nobori said earlier in the day. Shiku lays back, eyes closed, wondering just how far he'd come in such a short time.
He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but the thought of training with Nobori fills him with hope. For the first time in a while, he is able to fall asleep with a smile.
"Houki… I told you we would become Èlan Warriors someday." Shiku teases. "But thank you for saving us that day."
No problem, you idiot."
**"Two days later."**
Waking up, Shiku sees Kasumi entering their room with a tray of breakfast. Noticing Houki was not in the room he wondered where he had gone the smell of the food distracts him, bringing all his focus to the food.
Getting ready to dig in he gets interrupted by Houki walking in wearing only a bathrobe. Kasumi blushes and covers her face in embarrassment. She hastily leaves the room. Noticing Houki blushing as well, Shiku bursts out in laughter that makes him roll on the floor. Houki gets embarrassed and kicks him before getting dressed behind a foldable wall.
After finishing their breakfast Shiku goes to take a bath and then they head to Nobori's office looking to gain more knowledge about their Èlan Spirits.
Knocking before entering, they walk in and see him sitting at his desk. He stands up to greet the boys, happy to see them. Houki leans against the wall next to a window as Shiku leans over a chair next to him. Both boys have intrigued looks on their faces.
Nobori greets them happily with a smile. "Hi boys, are you enjoying your stay at the Steel Beast Inn?"
"It's been great staying here but can you tell us more about Èlan spirits—" Shiku replies.
Houki interrupts. "More importantly. About our spirits."
"Of course, just let me finish my work"
Waiting for Nobori to finish up the paperwork, the boys look around his office finding books dedicated to the origins of mana and other things relating to learning about mana. After a few minutes, he finally finishes up his paperwork and then looks up to the boys admiring the things around his office.
Nobori laughs, slightly amused by the boy's determination to learn. "Haha, You boys are extremely interested in Èlan spirits, aren't you?
"Yes, it's been my dream to be an Èlan warrior since I was a kid! My dad was the greatest warrior ever!"
"But what do you know about being a true Èlan Warrior?
Nobori walks around the room as Shiku sits down in the chair, eyes gleaming in anticipation. Houki looks out the window leaning against the windowsill watching the sun rise over the horizon trying not to show his excitement.
Nobori pulls out two books from his bookshelf and begins looking through them while rubbing his beard, noticing something in each book that reminds him of their abilities. He hands Shiku and Houki their respective books, pointing out two illustrations in each of spirits that could be one of the ones connected to them.
"So, Shiku, looking at the way your power manifests your spirit must be either the legendary spirit Infrit who's hellfire incarnate, or the mythical Incedis, who wields the eternal flame. And Houki your spirit must be either the legendary spirit Abbyssalith, the ruler of the void, or the legendary spirit Nyxen, the void rider."
Looking at the book, Shiku instinctively picks Incedis. Shiku feels a deep connection pointing at the picture.
"This one feels like it's the one," placing his finger on the picture.
Heat coils around Shiku's arms, seeping into his skin. A distant roar echoes in his ears, growing louder until it becomes deafening. Suddenly, flames surge outward, engulfing his vision. When the fire parts, a towering figure stands before him—Incedis, its molten eyes locking onto his own.
He enters a new world connected to his soul.
The air is suffocatingly hot. A gust of blistering wind slams into him, forcing him to shield his face. When he lowers his arms, he finds himself standing in the middle of a cracked volcanic wasteland, molten rivers carving through jagged rock. The ground beneath him trembles as if the world itself was alive and breathing.
A deep, echoing growl shakes the sky.
Shiku turns sharply, his heart pounding in his chest. From the roaring inferno ahead, a monstrous figure emerges.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen. Towering over him, the spirit's body was a mass of undying fire, its outline shifting like a mirage. Two blazing eyes—like miniature suns—bore into him. The temperature spikes, and sweat drips from Shiku's brow as the entity steps forward.
"You…" The voice was like a furnace opening, heat rolling from every syllable. "You are the one who has called me?"
Shiku's fists clench involuntarily, flames licking at his knuckles. He could feel something ancient stir within him as if this spirit had always been part of him
"I-Incedis…?" he murmurs, his voice nearly lost in the crackling flames.
The fire spirit leans closer, the air warping from its heat. "If you seek my strength… you must prove yourself worthy."
Before Shiku could react, the world erupts into flames. His body burns—not with pain, but power. The fire doesn't consume him; it becomes him. His vision turns red and gold, his veins hum with raw energy.
Then—just as quickly as it had begun—Shiku snaps back to reality, gasping for breath. His hands tremble, heat still radiating from his fingertips.
"Woah…" he whispers, blinking rapidly. His body still feels too hot, as if he had brought back a piece of that world with him.
Nobori watches with a mix of intrigue and caution. "Looks like you've found your answer."
Shiku grins, still catching his breath. "That… was AWESOME."
Houki stares at the book, eventually pointing at Nyxen. Everything fades to black as if he's closing his eyes.
Houki feels a deep connection to Nyxen.
For Houki, the transition was instant. One moment, he was staring at the book—then, everything vanished.
He is weightless. Floating.
No ground beneath him. No sky above. Only endless darkness, stretching infinitely in all directions. The air is eerily silent, yet he can hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Then—something shifts.
The darkness isn't empty.
From the abyss, a shape unfolds. A figure that was not made of flesh, nor fire—but of pure void. Its body shimmers like a cosmic night sky, filled with distant, shifting stars. Space itself seems to bend and ripple around it, distorting reality with every movement.
Houki inhales sharply. This presence—it was overwhelming.
Then, a voice echoes directly in his mind.
"You gaze into the void, yet you do not turn away. Interesting."
The voice is neither deep nor high—it simply was. A whisper and a roar all at once.
Houki swallows, forcing himself to stay composed. "You're… Nyxen, aren't you?"
The void spirit remained silent for a moment, then tilts its head slightly. "Yes. And you, child, are mine now."
A sharp chill runs through Houki's veins as he feels something crawl beneath his skin—a cold, creeping energy wrapping itself around his very soul.
It wasn't painful.
But it was terrifying.
Before he can react, the void swallows him whole.
Suddenly, he is everywhere—and nowhere. He could feel himself being pulled through countless places at once, glimpsing fractured visions of the past, present, and future yet to come. It was too much.
And then—
Darkness.
Both boys back into the real world. Shiku's skin is still hot to the touch.
Houki's skin is barely visible as if he was phasing in and out of a different dimension.
"That…" he mutters, staring at his trembling hands. "…was something else."
Nobori looks at them proud but slightly scared about how fast each boy was able to connect to their spirits. Taking a step toward them and placing his hands on the boy's shoulders.his expression was unreadable
You two…" He exhales slowly. "You connected to your spirits far faster than you should have. That's…" He hesitates, choosing his words carefully. "…unnatural."
"How come it didn't look like what it did in the picture?" Shiku asks, his curiosity piqued.
"Because you haven't bonded with it enough," Nobori explains. "It will show its true form eventually.
Nobori looks at his clock realizing it is almost time for the tournament to start.
"Boys don't forget the tournament is starting soon," Nobori reminds them.
"Oh, right, I forgot about that." Shiku snaps back, his competitive spirit rekindled.
"We gotta get going." Houki nods, still feeling the remnants of energy coursing through him.
Houki flicks his wrist, opening a portal to the Grand Plaza. After the boys step through the portal they see a large lively crowd of people standing in front of the stadium excitedly waiting to get in. Everyone's talking amongst themselves in anticipation of the tournament.
Looking for the registration desk they see a smaller group of people around their age standing near a desk. Heading over to the group Shiku waves toward them looking at them as potential friends while beside him Houki sternly looks at them.
"Is this where we sign up for the tournament?" Asking around the crowd, Shiku finds a girl sitting behind a small table.
The girl behind the table hands him a piece of paper with a list of names on it.
"Yes, here's the sign-in sheet. Just sign your name and your magic type here."
Right after signing both boys the paper a loud horn goes off signaling all the participants to head to the backstage area to prepare for the tournament.
"Looks like you barely made it on time." The lady behind the table teases.
They start walking to the back area of the plaza with the rest of the participants. Shiku's excitement runs wild as he throws one of his fists in the air before entering the building.
Someone in royal clothing pushes past Houki, bumping his shoulder and laughing at him as he passes him. Clenching his fist, he puts his head up to try to ignore his rudeness.
"Out of my way, commoner." the royal boy chuckles, wanting to be the first to enter the building."
"Houki, I saw that you used my last name," Shiku wonders.
"Yeah, you're the only family I have left. Plus, my last name is tainted with hatred.
In the Grand Plaza, everyone splits into four groups. Groups A, B, C, and D. Each of them having respective participants practicing their magic in separate rooms getting ready for their fight.
The King appears on the screen smiling and greeting all participants. He then shows a bracket of all upcoming battles. Houki and Shiku notice they're on opposite sides of the bracket of Group D.
"Welcome next generation of Èlan warriors. Today we'll see who will potentially become the next candidate to be one of the Four Pillars," The King proclaims. "Here are your battles: each group should have sixteen participants. Now let this year's Tournament of Glory begin."
They look at each other and high-five before staring back at the screen to listen to the king's message but are barely able to hear due to all the chattering from the others.
Houki also notices his first opponent was the cocky boy who bumped him earlier, exciting him more.
Looking back at the boy who is sitting isolated from the rest, Houki stares in disdain waiting to put the boy in his place.
The boy glances back at Houki, a smirk plays on his lips. He raises a single middle finger and scoffs. "Try not to embarrass yourself, commoner.'"
Shiku places his hand on Houki's shoulder with a wide smile on his face. The determination in his eyes flares while looking at Houki.
"See you in the finals, Houki," Shiku says, grinning but beneath the excitement, something burns deeper. This isn't just a tournament—it is his chance to prove he could live up to his father's name. That he is meant to be a warrior.
"You better make it there first, loser."
Another horn blares. This time signaling the start of the tournament. The crowd roars with excitement in anticipation of the beginning of it.
Hearing the roars of the crowd, some participants get nervous waiting to see who the first match will be.
The screen reveals that the first match will be Shiku Kitoyoshi vs Isohi Oshiga.
Shiku's heart pounds. This is it—the first step toward proving himself. He exhales slowly, setting his fist ablaze. The firelight reflects in his pinkish-red eyes.
Walking to the stage and meeting his opponent in the middle of the arena, Isohi stands tall with a determined glare toward Shiku. Both boys are ready to give it their all to win.
❧