The first Zenith activation – every Awakened remembered that moment, and Garet was no exception.
The black sun hovering between his hands was none other than the Crimson Blight, his only ability at that moment.
With a tremor, the black sun split into dark and red streams, heading toward Garet's hand to form two seals.
[The Sun Seal has been formed and is now part of your Zenith.]
[The Void Seal has been formed and is now part of your Zenith, but you cannot use it until you create the First Anchor.]
In the blink of an eye, the darkness disappeared, leaving only the mark of the crimson sun on Garet's hands.
Xir narrowed his eyes, closely studying Garet's reaction. No matter how experienced he was, each Awakened's Zenith was unique, but many had similar features.
"Hey, that's only part of your ability, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess so... It seems like I won't be able to use my Zenith to its full power until I get stronger. Is that normal?"
In response, Xir nodded deeply.
"Sure. There's nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, I'd say it's a good sign."
"Hmm? What do you mean? Half of my power is unavailable to me! What if my survival depends on it, like with that rhino that was chasing us?"
Xir chuckled mockingly. "Hahaha, that monster would have trampled you regardless of how strong and unique your Zenith was. Abilities are important, but the energy that infuses your body is what determines whether you can defeat an enemy or if you don't stand a chance at all."
"But why? Your ability is so powerful..."
"Stop right there. If you think you could defeat that rhino with the same ability, you're wrong."
Xir threw the bare bone aside and, without warning, struck the tree behind him.
Crack.
Splinters flew in all directions as the tree broke in two, falling at Xir's feet.
Garet's eyes widened in disbelief. Xir did it as easily as if he snapped a stick.
"This. Even though you are an Awakened, you cannot do this. You simply do not have the physical strength."
Step. Step. Step.
Xir approached him and poked him in the chest.
The energy emanating from the Genesis Core flows through your entire body, your blood, and your genes. The Genesis Core makes you stronger in every way, whether it's physical force or energy.
"What I'm trying to say is that even if you had my abilities, you couldn't defeat that rhino. It would simply tear your chains apart like threads without even noticing them. If the monster is weak enough and the Awakened is strong enough, victory is possible with a single blow. It works both ways."
Garet bit his lip. Everything was more complicated than he thought. As an ordinary human, he had seen the Awakened use their powers several times, but he didn't understand the details.
"What about your ability?" Xir glanced at Garet's hand. "You only have access to part of it because you're not strong enough to harness its full power. The Genesis Core protects you."
"It protects me? But wouldn't I be stronger with two seals than with one?"
Xir rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see, a chef is teaching a child to cook. Obviously, an experienced chef has all kinds of tools and knives, right?"
Garet nodded.
"So, the chef has the option of giving the child either a blunt knife or an extremely sharp one that even he doesn't always use. What will the chef do?"
The answer was so obvious that the question seemed rhetorical. Still, Xir wanted to hear it.
"A blunt knife, because the child will definitely cut himself, just like any beginner."
"Exactly, and it's better to have a small cut that heals in a couple of days than chopped-off fingers, isn't it?"
Garet nodded again, his eyes filling with realization.
"The Genesis Core isn't your friend or teacher, it's a part of you that's supposed to help you survive, just like your instinct for self-preservation and pain, without which humans would be doomed to a quick death. If a part of your Zenith is inaccessible to you right now, then that part is strong and dangerous. Isn't that a good sign?"
Gradually, a satisfied smile spread across Garet's face as he clenched his fist.
"Hah. Thanks, I understand a lot now."
"Agh..." Xir shook his head. "You're so lucky, you little bastard. Why didn't I have a teacher as good as yours?"
"Pffft!" Garet snorted. "Someone's got a high opinion of themselves, aren't they?"
Xir spread his arms wide. "What can I say, I've earned it."
At the same time, a pile of wood was dumped into the campfire as the flames caught Xir's attention.
"Alright, time's almost up. Come on, show me what your Zenith can do, and let's get back to camp."
With a serious expression, Garet turned and stood in a fighting stance, clumsy, but not bad for a first try.
His target was the tree in front of him, and he hoped to achieve the same result as Xir.
Step.
Garet stepped forward, clenching his fist tightly and striking the trunk with all his might. The sun seal lit up, enveloping his hand in crimson flame.
At the moment of impact, a blast rang out, scaring away several birds hiding in the branches deep in the forest.
"Agh... Agh... Agh..." Garet breathed heavily, the sensation was unfamiliar, as if his strength was siphoned out of him in an instant.
Still, he smiled, wanting to see the destroyed tree.
"W-What?"
Garet blinked several times, looking at the bare trunk and torn bark, but the tree remained standing and would eventually recover.
Is that all I'm capable of?
The same question ran through Garet's mind. He wanted to have the same power as Xir, but first, he had to face the harsh reality.
Tap.
Xir patted him on the shoulder.
"Good job. Let's go back to camp."
He wasn't lying. The fact that Garet was able to activate Zenith and use his ability in just a few hours was a rare feat, a true achievement.
However, Xir would never say that out loud. He didn't want Garet to become arrogant, as that often led to a rapid death. He knew that better than most.
Perhaps Xir was actually a good teacher.
Garet gulped, looking at his trembling hands as he spun around and stared at Xir's receding back.
The killing of the dark rhino and the tree knocked down by a light blow flashed through his mind, making his eyes shine.
'Such power, such confidence and freedom... I want that!'