⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Some time ago, Burst received a letter from his sister. I knew what that meant. They were going to fight, of course. Watching the two of them over time, it became obvious that their differences would one day put them face to face. But the month passed far too quickly.
As much as I believed that fighting wasn't the best way to resolve things, I had to admit—this world worked differently. Who was I to judge? Maybe, for them, it truly was the only option. Or maybe, as Amaterasu once said... it's just the way they know.
After Burst left for the appointed place, Merlin and I stayed behind talking about it. The more we talked, the more I realized how little we knew about their past. We only knew the basics: Burst refused the title of king, and Jane was strict about following the kingdom's rules. But the reasons—the wounds that led them to this point—those escaped us.
The issue here, however, was simple: Burst wouldn't win a direct fight against his sister. Not with the power difference between them. She was a higher class when it came to Mna. According to Merlin, Jane had the second-highest Mna we had encountered so far, right after Amaterasu—and coming from the bearer of [Enlightened], that could hardly be wrong.
"[She probably has one or two Class (A+) abilities, maybe even a Class (S) one,]" Merlin said, visibly worried. Burst being Class (A) was impressive, no doubt, but against someone of Class (A+), his chances of victory were minimal.
Finally, we agreed on something: we wouldn't let our friend go alone.
I wasn't naïve enough to think I could beat Jane, and Merlin, despite being Class (B), also knew her limits. But she had one advantage as a spirit—physical attacks didn't work on her. If we worked together, maybe we could drive Jane back—at least long enough.
I grabbed my sword, a modest blade, nothing compared to the elite gear Jane was likely carrying. I didn't bother changing clothes; the white tank top and loose pants, inscribed with talismans that boosted speed and agility, were already on me, ready for battle. With every step, the smell of wet earth grew stronger, the wind colder, and the clouds above heavier, announcing an imminent storm.
"Let's show her we're not joking around!" Merlin shouted from her floating speech bubble, her confidence warming my chest.
"Yeah!" I answered with a firm nod.
We quickened our pace.
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The dark-skinned woman with fiery red hair stood before me, her presence radiating the power of monstrous royalty. Her garments, embroidered with gold and fine fabric, only reinforced her formidable image. In her hand, she held a menacing blade that seemed to make the air itself waver with heat.
Her crimson eyes were fixed on me—piercing, unwavering, like a lion watching its prey. A chill ran down my spine. I knew that a single misstep and this fight would end right there.
'Analytical Awareness,' I thought, 'I'll need everything you've got this time, or this will be the end.'
» Understood. Focusing all output on motion perception. «
Good. I need to predict her every move. I can't risk attacking at the wrong time.
In an instant, my awareness expanded. I could feel the subtle shifts in air, the tiniest twitches in Jane's muscles—each detail warning me when she might strike.
I had to stay sharp and focused, dodging until Burst recovered. Meanwhile, Merlin would protect him from any stray attack—not that I really believed Jane would strike someone already down, but still, better safe than sorry.
I'd learned to see the energy emanating from living beings during my battle with Orion. He wielded his immense aura like armor, a shield that softened attacks while serving as a weapon itself. But Jane... Jane was different.
Her aura was contained, restrained, almost like a second skin wrapped tightly around her body.
That was even more terrifying. Her energy was under such precise control that I felt insignificant by comparison. Burst's aura was powerful too—but clumsy next to this.
Then, without warning, a sweet scent filled the air, followed by a gust of wind that burst toward me. My body moved on instinct, ducking right. I almost felt Jane's blade graze my forehead.
"You've got excellent reflexes," she said, her voice soft—almost... admiring?
What the hell was that?! If I hadn't focused every bit of [AnalyticalAwareness] on her, I'd be finished...
Even with the ability at full power, I could barely track her movements. I couldn't tell whether her speed and precision came from an extra skill or if she was just naturally that fast.
I leapt back, but she followed without hesitation, her blade clashing against mine with a force that sent shockwaves through my arms.
I managed to parry some of her attacks, but not for long. When I landed, a flaming slash cut through the air toward me. For a second, I thought about using [Fire Manipulation] to cancel it, but a sense of danger made me dodge left instead.
The flame tore through the cave wall behind me and exploded, shaking the ground. Rocks fell, and I took advantage of the chaos, kicking one toward Jane. The rock melted mid-air. I tried again—twice, three times—but nothing worked.
On impulse, I lunged forward, sword ready. But as I neared her, the searing heat from her blade forced me to halt mid-swing and back away.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked, masking my frustration.
"Hmm? Nothing special. But you're much better than I expected. Tell me, are you really just a wanderer?"
"I'll get hurt if you keep answering like that..."
"I get hurt easily too," she quipped, flashing a sharp smile.
Suddenly, a wall of fire rose around me. I jumped back, but not fast enough; pain seared through my foot and arm.
'Damn it, that hurts!'
» Detected: Her attack slows healing and regeneration abilities. «
That was bad. She was using something beyond basic fire manipulation. How did she hit me without even giving a signal?
Before I could react, Jane appeared in front of me in a blink. A powerful air current struck me, the sound of an explosion ringing out—but this time, she didn't use her sword. With a precise spin, she landed a high kick. I blocked with my sword, but the impact hurled me against the cave wall.
Even if she wasn't physically stronger than Orion in his transformed state, her precision was inhuman. If I weren't a Metamorph, that hit would've knocked me out cold.
When I hit the ground, Jane looked surprised.
"You're really durable," she said, lightly flicking her sword.
"Thanks..." I replied, trying to regain my footing.
'This isn't good... I need a way to restrict her movements.'
With a risky idea forming, I decided to use [IceManipulation] differently. I coated the sheath of my sword in a layer of frost, channeling energy through it until the metal solidified under freezing pressure. I felt the cold surge through my arm, seeping into the blade. When I unsheathed it, it had completely changed—white and cracked, exhaling icy vapor.
Those training sessions with Burst really paid off! And... maybe ice is my affinity? I thought, surprised by the intensity of the power. Seeing the transformation gave me a burst of confidence.
With a swift motion, I charged forward, swinging the sword in an arc that froze the ground in a spreading trail of frost. Jane, however, didn't hesitate—she dodged gracefully and, in a flash, sliced the ice apart with a flaming strike that cracked the air with blistering heat. I jumped back just in time to avoid being scorched, but Jane was relentless—she was on me again before I could even plan my next defense.
Our swords clashed, sparks and shards of ice exploding at every contact. This time, my blade held firm, and for the first time, I felt I could withstand the weight of the fight. The ice around my sword countered her fire, forming a fragile balance between our opposing forces.
I caught myself smiling—a small, genuine smile. Even in the middle of this deadly tension, there was something... exhilarating. It had happened before, against Orion, but I still didn't understand why. I just felt truly alive when fighting.
Then I noticed—Jane was smiling too.
She stepped back, her eyes still locked on me, now carrying a different glint—a flicker of admiration.
"You'd make a great soldier," she said calmly. "With a little training, you could become someone truly formidable."
"Eh? You really think so?" I asked, startled by the compliment.
"Yes," she said, smiling almost kindly. "But unfortunately, that recognition... will have to wait for another day."
Before I could even process her words, the world exploded into pain. In a single motion, she moved faster than my eyes could follow. My blade shattered into thousands of glittering fragments like silver snow—and then, a burning slash tore through my chest.
The impact carved into me like living fire, burning through every cell it touched. Blood filled my mouth, hot and thick, as my body trembled under the sheer force of it.
The pain was... indescribable. It felt like something beyond my flesh had been cut—like even my soul had been wounded. My knees gave out, and I collapsed, the cave floor rushing toward me. I wouldn't die from it, but my energy was gone; I couldn't move.
I heard her footsteps fade, then her cold voice echoed behind me—without hatred, just a sharp indifference.
"Don't take it personally, Victor," she said. "But I have a stupid brother to educate."
And with that, her steps disappeared into the distance.
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The redhead walked with cold grace, sheathing her sword in one fluid motion. With Victor fallen, her eyes turned toward Merlin—the spirit now protecting Burst within a translucent lilac barrier.
Jane studied it closely, impressed: it was nearly flawless, blocking not just physical but elemental attacks as well. The soft purple glow confirmed that Merlin was indeed a skilled spirit—an opponent immune to her direct strikes. For a moment, Jane hesitated.
"Are you going to stand in my way too?" she asked firmly.
"[Just a little, but I'm not going to fight you,]" Merlin replied.
Jane frowned, but before she could act, Burst stood up, his aura reignited. His wounds were closed, and determination burned in his eyes. Merlin's barrier had accelerated his recovery—or maybe even healed him outright.
"I'll be the one fighting now," Burst declared, his voice strong and confident.
Jane narrowed her eyes, half irritated, half amused. She laughed—a hollow sound that echoed in the cavern.
"And how do you plan to do that without a weapon?"
His sword was indeed gone, but he didn't seem bothered. Placing his hands together as if in prayer, he slowly pulled them apart, and a blade of living fire formed between them, pulsing with heat.
"I learned a new trick from the love you gave me," he said with a bold grin.
Jane immediately understood: the brush with death had pushed him to a new level. She recognized that technique—[Elemental Materialization]—a feat only possible for those with advanced mastery over their element.
Jane let out a vibrant laugh. "Ha! Hahaha! Then calm yourself, brother... I'll give you even more of my love!"
In an instant, they clashed—lightning-fast. The sound of their swords colliding filled the cave, followed by bursts of flame and scattering sparks. Even with his new ability, Burst was still at a disadvantage; yet something had changed. Jane noticed that his strikes carried new precision and conviction. For the first time, she truly felt his resistance—and... something else.
A strange feeling welled within her as her eyes followed him. Pride? Melancholy? Perhaps, for the first time, she was happy to be the villain—the obstacle that pushed him forward.
'He's gotten stronger...'
She glanced at Victor, still unconscious but now enveloped in Merlin's healing aura. 'I see. I underestimated you', she thought, a flicker of respect in her eyes.
As their blades clashed, memories of their childhood resurfaced—times when Burst was the family's favored heir. For years, she had envied him. But now, her resentment came from something else: the friends at his side. Despite the odds, Victor had risked his life to protect him. Merlin too.
But she couldn't back down now. She'd sworn to her father she wouldn't return without her brother. She couldn't afford to lose... though, deep down, she wanted to.
"Hey, sis... ready to be defeated?" Burst said, panting, bloodied but smiling.
"What are you talking about, idiot? You're the one nearly beaten," she replied, her smirk betraying satisfaction.
Both raised their blades, their auras flaring with immense power. The cave ceiling began to melt under the overwhelming heat.
"This will be the final blow," Burst said, his eyes unwavering.
"Yes," Jane replied, excitement and something deeper mingling in her tone.
Their blades sliced through the air in perfect arcs, colliding mid-strike. The clash released a blinding explosion of energy, growing until it consumed the battlefield.
'Come on, idiot brother', Jane thought, her heart pounding. 'Let your sister win, just this once...'
'Stubborn sister', Burst thought, trembling. 'Please... let me win, just this once!'
And then, with a deafening roar, everything erupted. The shockwave tore through the mountain, flames bursting through the cave ceiling toward the sky. The once-dormant volcano roared back to life, its column of fire and ash visible for miles.
Then—silence. The light faded, revealing a wasteland of molten rock and smoke. Rain began to fall through the broken sky.
A lilac glow emerged through the haze—Merlin's barrier, shielding them all. The ground was cracked and blackened, the air still shimmering with heat.
Burst and Jane lay side by side, staring up at the smoky sky. Then, laughter.
"Ha—hahaha!" Jane's laugh was pure, unrestrained joy.
"He—hahaha!" Burst joined her, laughing too—as if it was the perfect ending.
Merlin floated nearby, a question mark in her speech bubble. She didn't understand their strange joy.
Victor stirred awake, looking down at his torn shirt and healed body, thanks to Merlin. He turned to see the siblings laughing together—and smiled.
"Let them be, Merlin. I guess fighting really was the answer..." he murmured.
"[Was it? I don't understand,]" Merlin replied.
Victor smiled softly. "Words don't always work, Merlin. Sometimes, you have to feel it. This is how they understand each other."
Burst raised his arm, waving. "Hey, Mr. Victor, Merlin—thanks for saving me!"
"[You're welcome!]" Merlin chirped, stars floating in her bubble.
Jane shot him a mock glare. "Don't get too proud. You got your ass kicked and I barely broke a sweat."
Victor arched an eyebrow, amused. "So you two decided to blow everything up at the end, huh?"
Jane and Burst looked away, embarrassed. They both knew the explosion was... excessive.
"It was the only option," Burst muttered.
"I just copied him..." Jane admitted with a faint grin.
Victor sighed, but then smiled.
"Honestly... you two are a pair of troublemakers."
Watching the siblings, he couldn't help but laugh inwardly. Both were powerful—and equally stubborn.
They sat in silence, exhaustion settling in. Victor gazed at them, a quiet warmth growing inside.
"Now that they're on the same page," he thought, "maybe they'll find a way to turn it together..."
As the smoke cleared, revealing the turbulent sky above, Jane and Burst shared a final, quiet smile. Both understood—they'd overcome something important.
With their family battle concluded, all that remained was hope—that from now on, they'd find a new path forward, together.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
» Name: Burst Ignaris
Age: 15
Race: Human
Mna: 80,000 – 120,000 (Class A)
Personality
Burst is impulsive, stubborn, and fiercely independent. Unlike his sister Jane, he has little regard for rules or hierarchy and prefers to solve things his own way. Behind his rebellious attitude, however, lies a strong protective instinct and a sharp battle intellect — capable of formulating rapid strategies to exploit enemy weaknesses in the heat of combat.
Unique Ability: 『FlamesofIfrit』 (A+)
Burst's unique ability, [FlamesofIfrit], grants him absolute control over fire and heat, allowing him to wield devastating offensive power. Unlike Jane's disciplined mastery, his flames are wild, chaotic, and ever-changing — growing stronger and more unpredictable the longer the fight continues.
Sub-abilities of 『FlamesofIfrit』
[EternalCombustion]
Description: The longer Burst fights, the more his flames grow in temperature and intensity. His body adapts to extreme heat, enabling him to sustain relentless attacks without suffering from fatigue or overheating.
[VoraciousInferno]
Description: Burst can compress his flames into a massive explosion, engulfing everything around him in a blazing sea of destruction.
[BurningBlade]
Description: Burst channels his flames directly into his sword, greatly enhancing its sharpness and destructive potential.
Effect: His attacks ignore standard armor and leave behind persistent flames on the enemy's wounds, continuing to burn long after the strike.
[FinalRadiance]
Description: In moments of desperation, Burst releases all his remaining energy in a single, all-consuming blast that ignites everything in his vicinity.
Effect: Greatly increases destructive power but leaves Burst completely exhausted afterward.
Extra Abilities
[ElementalMaterialization]
Description: Allows Burst to forge temporary objects or weapons from his elemental energy. The durability and quality of the creation depend solely on the amount of mana invested.
[MasterSwordsman]
Description: Burst is an exceptional swordfighter, standing only one level below Jane in technique. His strikes are swift, clean, and lethally precise, relying on instinct and aggression over discipline.
[WeaknessHunter]
Description: Burst's keen perception lets him read enemy patterns and pinpoint structural or behavioral weaknesses in real time, turning the tide of combat in his favor.
[HeatResistance]
Description: Grants Burst near-total resistance to fire-based attacks and extreme temperatures, allowing him to fight comfortably even in molten or volcanic environments.
[BattleInstinct]
Description: Burst's reflexes sharpen dramatically when facing strong opponents, making him faster, more erratic, and harder to predict the more dangerous the enemy becomes.
[MobilityBurst]
Description: In urgent situations, Burst can release a surge of explosive energy throughout his body, drastically increasing his movement speed for a brief duration — perfect for sudden assaults or tactical retreats.
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» Name: Jane Ignaris
Age: 19
Race: Human
Mna: 100,000 – 150,000 (Class A+)
Personality
Proud, determined, and impulsive. Jane possesses a fierce spirit and thrives on the thrill of battle. Though somewhat strict and disciplined, she values loyalty and mutual respect among her allies. However, she tends to keep her feelings and vulnerabilities deeply hidden, showing little of her softer side.
Unique Ability: 『Iansã』 (S)
Jane wields a unique ability called [Iansã], granting her overwhelming control over fire, lightning, and atmospheric temperature. Inspired by the mythical goddess of storms and flame, this power wraps Jane in blazing energy that intensifies with every strike she delivers.
Sub-abilities of 『Iansã』
[Agbarapupa] = [RedPower]
Description: When entering combat, Jane releases a powerful aura of fire that grows stronger with every hit. This aura expands her attack range and scorches any enemies nearby.
[Ijiolugbeja] = [DefensiveStorm]
Description: Jane forms a temporary barrier of electrified flames that blocks incoming attacks. When shattered, it detonates violently, creating a fiery explosion that blasts enemies away.
[Inaisọdọtun] = [RenewableEnergy]
Description: In critical moments, Jane can envelop herself in rejuvenating flames that restore a portion of her stamina and vitality. This effect can activate up to three times per day.
[CrimsonArsenal]
Description: Jane manifests temporary weapons forged from fire and lightning — swords, spears, and even whips of pure energy. These weapons are lethally sharp and last for a limited number of strikes before dispersing.
[FuryoftheStorm]
Description: Jane unleashes the full might of [Iansã] in a cataclysmic attack, summoning a raging storm of fire and lightning that engulfs a vast area. This ability consumes a massive portion of her energy and is reserved only for moments of absolute desperation.
Note: [FuryoftheStorm] is a destructive technique that sacrifices much of Jane's energy, converting it directly into pure destructive output — temporarily increasing [Iansã]'s destructive capacity by up to 50%.
Extra Abilities
[MasterSwordswoman]
Description: Jane is a master of bladed weapons, capable of wielding any sword or cutting implement with expert precision, regardless of its form or size. Her combat technique emphasizes fluid movement and devastating precision.
[ThermalResistance]
Description: Jane is completely immune to extreme temperatures — whether blazing heat or freezing cold. She can fight in volcanoes or blizzards without suffering environmental damage. (Note: temperature immunity does not negate the secondary effects of elemental skills, only their direct damage.)
[Observer]
Description: This ability heightens Jane's perception to an extraordinary degree, allowing her to detect subtle shifts in movement, predict enemy actions, and read combat intent with surgical accuracy.
[BurstofSpeed]
Description: In moments of crisis, Jane can momentarily increase her speed to an astonishing level, enabling lightning-fast attacks and evasions that can turn the tide of battle.
Weapon: "Ignaria" — The Crimson Tempest Blade
Description: Ignaria is a sentient longsword forged from enchanted scarlet steel, capable of channeling both fire and lightning in harmony with Jane's [Iansã]. The blade vibrates with energy, growing hotter and more radiant as Jane's emotions and mana surge. When pushed to its limit, Ignaria's edge burns so fiercely that it can slice through reinforced metal and even magical barriers with ease.
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