The clearing remained quiet.
Golden leaves drifted lazily through the air while a gentle breeze passed between the towering trees. The members of the Black Sun Syndicate sat around the edge of the clearing, watching attentively as Kaelus and Zeth faced one another.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke. Then Zeth slowly lifted his sword with his right hand.
His left hand slipped calmly behind his back. His posture was relaxed.
Almost casual. He looked toward Kaelus.
"Attack me."
The words had barely left his mouth. Kaelus vanished.
A violent gust exploded beneath his feet as he appeared directly in front of Zeth, Tempest already descending in a powerful overhead slash. Steel met steel.
Clang! Zeth raised his own blade effortlessly, stopping the attack without taking a single step backward.
The impact sent a ripple through the clearing. Kaelus' eyes narrowed.
Instead of forcing the clash, he released his grip. Tempest left his hand. At the same instant, his body twisted.
His right fist surged upward in a devastating uppercut aimed beneath Zeth's guard.
For the first time, Zeth moved his left hand. His palm intercepted the punch with perfect precision.
Kaelus smiled. Tempest vanished. Before it could touch the ground, it reappeared in his hand.
Without hesitation, he swung the sword diagonally toward Zeth's shoulder. Zeth smiled. His left index finger rose. Tap.
The very tip of Tempest stopped against a single finger.
The sword refused to move another inch.
Kaelus' eyes widened only briefly before he kicked backward, creating distance between them. He landed lightly several meters away. The wind settled.
Zeth lowered his hand.
"Try and use your soul power now."
Kaelus nodded.
He inhaled slowly. His breathing became steady.
The world around him faded. Instead of reaching for power, he focused on what already belonged to him.
His soul. The invisible current flowing through his entire existence.
He released it. A powerful aura spread outward. The wind answered immediately.
The forests of the Land of the Sun People erupted into motion as countless leaves danced through the air. The breeze became a gale, racing across the valleys and mountains beyond the clearing.
Kaelus opened his eyes. They were coated in the invisible current of his soul power.
Then He disappeared.
Not once. Not twice. Everywhere. The wind itself became Kaelus.
One slash came from behind. Another from above. Then another from the left. Another from beneath.
The attacks arrived simultaneously. Every direction. Every angle. Everywhere Yet nowhere.
Zeth remained exactly where he stood. His sword moved. Once. Twice. Again and Again.
Each movement was impossibly small.
Every strike was intercepted. Every slash diverted. Every attack blocked. The sounds of steel echoed continuously throughout the clearing.
Then Silence kaelus appeared high above the battlefield.
He gripped Tempest with both hands and raised the blade toward the heavens. The surrounding winds gathered. The sky itself seemed to spiral.
"Wind of Destruction."
The words rang across the forest.
Kaelus pointed Tempest downward. A colossal beam of rotating wind erupted from the blade.
The attack spun violently, carrying countless invisible blades capable of slicing apart anything in its path. It raced toward Zeth.
The wandering swordsman simply watched. His expression never changed. He smiled. The attack arrived.
Zeth casually swung his sword in a horizontal arc.
No one saw him move. No one saw the blade. The beam separated cleanly into two halves before dispersing harmlessly into the sky.
The next thing anyone realized Zeth was no longer on the ground. He stood in front of Kaelus. In midair.
One hand rested gently against Kaelus' chest.
Kaelus looked at him. Then laughed quietly.
"I lost."
Zeth smiled.
"Get more used to your soul power, Kaelus."
His voice remained calm.
"You haven't touched the limit of your potential yet."
He slowly lowered his sword.
"When using a sword…"
His eyes remained hidden beneath the white cloth.
"…always remember that a cut begins before the blade."
Kaelus repeated the words softly.
"A cut begins before the blade…"
His eyes brightened. A smile slowly appeared.
"I understand now."
The two of them descended gently to the ground.
As soon as Kaelus landed Rein burst into laughter.
"You got what you deserved."
Kaelus immediately glared at him.
"Shut up, Rein."
He pointed accusingly.
"You'll have your time."
The others laughed quietly. Eryndor watched the exchange.
A small smile appeared on his face. His gaze moved across every member of the Black Sun Syndicate.
Rein. Kaelus. Darius. Stellar. Alucard. Dova. Isly. Tina. His companions. His family.
We've only come so far…His eyes slowly drifted upward toward the endless golden sky.…but we still have a long way to go.
Zeth sheathed his sword.
"You can all visit the restaurant."
The group looked toward him.
"After that…You may proceed to your next training."
Darius blinked.
"Come to think of it…"
He looked around.
"We haven't eaten in two days."
His brows furrowed.
"But…I don't feel hungry."
Zeth nodded.
"It's because of this land."
He gestured toward the sun hanging high above the forest.
"You see…The sun provides us with energy."
He swept his gaze across the vast landscape.
"So does this land. Solar power is a power of purification…and destruction."
"The energy surrounding this realm exists in both refined and raw states. It allows us, as deities, to gradually adapt."
He smiled faintly.
"With constant exposure to solar energy…You won't experience things like hunger."
The team listened quietly.
Then Zeth added,
"If you noticed…Every time Sera struck you…You recovered almost instantly. That was also because of solar energy."
Stellar nodded thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
Not long afterward, the Black Sun Syndicate made their way toward one of the restaurants within the Land of the Sun People.
The building itself was beautiful.
Constructed entirely from polished golden wood, every surface shimmered beneath the sunlight. The walls reflected warm rays in every direction, making the entire structure appear as though it had been carved from living light.
The scent of fresh food drifted through the entrance. Tina looked around with wide eyes.
"This place is incredible."
Isly smiled as she admired the surrounding buildings.
"Yes."
She looked toward the bustling streets.
"It's not short on surprises."
Kaelus folded his arms confidently.
"You guys shouldn't act surprised anymore."
Before anyone could answer His nose twitched.
He froze.
"…What is that food?"
His eyes sparkled.
"It smells so tasty."
Eryndor couldn't help laughing.
"You shouldn't say anything about surprises, Kaelus."
The others smiled as they entered together.
A large round table stood near the center of the restaurant.
Big enough for all of them. They gathered around it comfortably before placing their orders.
Soon afterward the dishes arrived. The aroma alone filled the air.
Without waiting any longer, Dova picked up a piece of roasted meat.
He took a bite. His eyes widened. He immediately felt warmth spread throughout his body.
Strength surged through his muscles.
His breathing became lighter. His body somehow felt even stronger than before.
Dova slowly lowered the meat.
"This food…"
He looked around at everyone.
"…strengthens you."
The table became silent.
Every member of the Black Sun Syndicate looked down at the food on their plates.
Then Without another word They all dug in.