The Serium Realm had never felt so alive. Light shimmered across crystalline towers, aura flows pulsed steadily through streets and gardens, and the remnants of past chaos now lay peacefully sealed. Shinjiru walked among the citizens—both Himen and humans who were unaware of the hidden guardian who had saved them all.
Though his memories of the battles, sacrifices, and losses had been wiped, his body remembered every lesson. His reflexes, his control of hybrid essence, and his tactical brilliance were instinctive. Shinjiru had become more than a prodigy; he was a symbol.
Recognition by the Elite 8
Tensei Raidon stood atop the Core Citadel's central balcony, golden lightning aura crackling faintly. The Elite 8 had convened for the first time since the Succession Games, a formal recognition of Shinjiru as the first 9th Elite Himen.
"Arakami Shinjiru," Tensei's voice boomed, reverberating through the plaza below. "Your mastery of instinct, power, and moral judgment has redefined what it means to lead. Today, you are no longer merely a participant in our world—you are its protector, its bridge between human and Himen."
Shinjiru's violet-silver aura flared briefly, a subtle echo of his past. Though he did not remember Orochi, the Chaos Arc, or his father's sacrifice, the essence within him pulsed with recognition, affirming the responsibility he now bore.
Ryuzen Kurohane stepped forward, jet-black aura flickering. "Your instincts are unparalleled. But remember, leadership is not only about strength. It is about guidance, restraint, and ensuring the future of all under your protection."
Kaoru Myojin bowed slightly, white-gold aura calm and steady. "You are ready. Ready to uphold the balance that has been maintained for centuries. Ready to build a legacy that even the Elite 8 could not foresee."
Shinjiru's First Official Decree
The plaza fell silent as Shinjiru stepped forward, chains lightly coiling around him. For the first time, he addressed the assembled Himen and citizens, his voice firm and resolute:
"The Serium Realm has endured chaos, loss, and corruption," he began. "But today, we move forward—not as divided factions, not as rule-bound soldiers, but as protectors of essence, balance, and life itself. I will ensure the harmony between our world and the human realm. And I will guide all who stand beside me with fairness, wisdom, and courage."
The crowd responded with a mixture of awe and hope. Whispers of the 9th Elite Himen spread quickly, and even humans who could not see his aura felt the calm energy radiating from him.
A Walk Among the Citizens
Later, Shinjiru wandered through the Essence Grove, trees softly glowing with the residue of purified energy. He watched young Himen practice their aura manipulation, recalling instinctively how to guide them.
Kaito walked beside him, emerald chains flickering as they moved. "You've changed," Kaito said quietly. "Even without memories, something about you… commands respect. People can feel it."
Shinjiru smiled faintly. "I don't need memories to know what's right," he said. "The lessons I've learned, even if I don't recall them consciously, guide me. That's enough."
A gentle wind rustled the violet leaves, and Shinjiru felt the faint pulse of the shard he carried. It was a reminder—his hybrid essence remained, dormant yet alive, waiting for the day it might awaken fully.
Looking Toward the Future
In the Core Citadel, the Elite 8 held a quiet meeting.
"He's the bridge," Tensei murmured. "The first human-Himen hybrid, the 9th Elite… and yet, he carries no memories of the past. It's a blank slate, but one that could shape the Serium Realm more profoundly than anyone in history."
Akihara Shion added, crimson-thorn aura flickering: "We must guide him carefully. The potential for greatness is unmatched, but so is the danger if he ever misuses it—or if enemies learn of his uniqueness."
Ryuzen Kurohane's eyes narrowed. "Let him grow. Let him lead. His instincts and hybrid nature are already shaping him into someone extraordinary. We have done our part; now it's his turn to forge a legacy."
The Last Whisper of Memory
That evening, Shinjiru returned to the violet shard's resting place. He held it gently, its pulse syncing with his heartbeat. Though his memories were gone, a faint echo stirred within him—a whisper of what he had endured, of battles fought, sacrifices made, and lessons learned.
Somewhere deep in his essence, a tiny flame of recognition remained. A warning. A promise. A hope.
He smiled, looking out over the horizon, where the Serium Realm met the distant human world. "No matter what comes next," he whispered, "I will protect both. And I will become everything I am meant to be."
The violet shard pulsed once, brighter this time, as if affirming the oath. In that moment, the first 9th Elite Himen truly stepped into his role—not as a memory-bound boy, not merely a warrior, but as a symbol of balance, hope, and limitless potential.
And somewhere, beyond the veil of worlds, the whispers of destiny began weaving the threads for future adventures. The story was far from over....