The arena glowed under a gentle, otherworldly light, the floating platforms now still, bathed in calm after the storm of trials. Shinjiru stood at the center, chains coiled loosely around his wrists, violet-silver aura lingering like a halo in the air. His chest rose and fell steadily, the pulse of hybrid essence now harmonizing with his human form. For a moment, he allowed himself to breathe, to feel the weight of what he had accomplished—but he knew the trials were only a prelude.
The Elite 8 had gathered at the edge of the arena, their auras radiating quiet authority. Tensei Raidon's golden lightning shimmered with controlled intensity, Ryuzen's jet-black silhouette was sharp and precise, Kaoru's white-gold calm radiated discipline, and the others' presence carried a mixture of judgment and silent expectation. They had observed, tested, and measured every move, every decision, every flicker of essence Shinjiru had exerted during the trials.
Tensei stepped forward, the leader's presence commanding the attention of every participant. "Shinjiru Arakami," he intoned, voice echoing with both authority and solemnity, "you have completed every trial of the Succession Games with skill, judgment, and restraint. You have demonstrated the qualities of instinct and strategy, compassion and leadership. Above all, you have proven mastery over the essence you were entrusted with—the rarest of gifts, a hybrid essence unmatched in history."
A hush fell over the arena. Shinjiru's heart thumped in rhythm with the energy vibrating through the platforms. Though he had no full memory of his past, something deep inside him recognized the weight of Tensei's words. He felt the pull of destiny, subtle but insistent, like a string tugging at the core of his being.
"You," Tensei continued, gesturing with one hand, "are hereby named the first 9th Elite Himen."
A wave of golden light erupted from Tensei, cascading over Shinjiru in warm, radiant streams. His chains shimmered with violet-silver energy, reflecting and amplifying the golden hue. For the first time, fragments of his past battles flickered before him—images of Orochi no Kyōfu writhing in the ruined cityscape, Shinu's enigmatic figure, Kaito's unwavering loyalty, and the countless moments of sacrifice he had endured. Though incomplete, these visions resonated deep within, reminding him of the path he had walked.
The aura around him intensified, rising and spiraling like a storm contained within calm. Shinjiru felt the hybrid essence fully awaken, a symphony of human ingenuity and Himen power harmonizing inside him. His muscles tingled, his senses heightened; he was not just a participant anymore—he was a force capable of shaping the future of the Serium Realm.
Ryuzen stepped forward, his deep violet aura flickering softly. "You have surpassed expectations, Shinjiru. Not merely because of your power, but because you understand the weight of it. You see the consequences of every action, the lives that depend on you, and the balance that must be maintained. That understanding is what separates a true Elite from those who wield strength without purpose."
Shinjiru nodded slowly, chains coiling instinctively around his wrists. "I… I don't fully understand it yet," he admitted, his voice steady but humble. "I know there's more I need to learn, more I have to face. But I… I will do everything I can to protect the balance, and to honor everyone who sacrificed before me."
Kaoru Myojin's calm voice cut through the tension, soft but firm. "Remember this: power is meaningless without responsibility. You now hold authority that no other Himen has ever possessed. That gift comes with a choice—how you wield it will define the next era of the Serium Realm."
Shinjiru's gaze lifted toward the sky above the arena, a sky that shimmered with hues of violet and gold, reflecting the awakening of his essence. He felt a rush of purpose, a certainty that this was where he belonged. He had faced death, seen the cost of power, and now stood at the threshold of unprecedented responsibility.
Akihara Shion stepped closer, thorns of his aura flickering faintly. "Your judgment today shows maturity beyond your years. Remember, Shinjiru, the rules you will now navigate are not always absolute. Sometimes, the balance requires compromise. Sometimes, it requires courage to defy even the highest authority when the lives of innocents are at stake."
Shinjiru's hands tightened around his chains, the violet-silver glow pulsing like a heartbeat. His hybrid nature, once dormant, now surged in harmony with his human instincts. He understood, instinctively, that his path would not be easy. He would face threats that tested every skill, every ounce of judgment, every shred of morality he possessed. But he was ready. He had to be.
Tensei's golden aura flared one last time. "Shinjiru Arakami, first 9th Elite Himen, your journey begins now—not merely as a participant, but as a symbol, a bridge between human and Himen, and a guardian of balance. May your choices shape a future that honors both worlds."
The arena seemed to hold its breath as Shinjiru lifted his chains. Light flared around him, chains spinning in arcs that reflected the colors of his aura. For the first time, he felt fully aware—not of memories erased or battles past, but of the power and potential he now carried.
A faint memory flickered: a glimpse of Shinu, a flash of Orochi's final roar, a protective embrace around innocents. It was incomplete, yet enough to ignite a sense of destiny. He let out a steady breath, grounding himself.
"I… I will not fail," he whispered.
The other participants watched, a mixture of awe, respect, and cautious envy. Shinjiru's ascent had not been a simple test of power—it had been a trial of the heart, the mind, and the soul. And now, standing as the first 9th Elite Himen, he embodied the culmination of everything the Succession Games sought to measure.
Chains coiled around him, aura flaring, essence humming like a symphony: he was ready. The Serium Realm would never be the same again.
Somewhere beyond the arena, the Elite 8 observed quietly, knowing that the boy who had transcended the limitations of hybrid power and human instinct had emerged—not as a memory of what was lost, but as a force capable of shaping what was to come.
Shinjiru Arakami, first 9th Elite Himen, looked out over the luminous expanse of Serium. The future awaited, and for the first time, he felt fully alive, fully powerful, and fully responsible for the worlds he now vowed to protect.