The medical center hummed softly under the residual Ni flows from the previous day. Kaen lay on a bed, still dizzy from his recent awakening. Astou stayed by his side, silent, watching over him.
Suddenly, the door nearly exploded under the impact of a Chutan-grade Senshi. His arm was bandaged, his aura trembling with anger and pain.
"You'll pay for this!" he shouted. "You massacred my comrades. I'm the only survivor."
He advanced toward Kaen, fists clenched. "I'm going to crush you."
Ishikawa leapt forward, placing himself between Kaen and the Chutan. "It's my fault. The Goldo inside me killed them."
Kaen, panting, shook his head. "It's true… you weren't yourself. The Senshi could sanction you. You've become a walking danger."
The Chutan attacked, but a sharp voice cut the air before contact.
Jōtan, calm and authoritative, appeared at the entrance. "Enough. This isn't the fault of these young ones. If they're still alive, it's thanks to them. Your friends are wounded but alive. You need to leave this room and get treated. That's an order."
The injured Senshi hesitated, his aura dissipating. He left the room without a word, leaving a silent resentment in his eyes.
Ishikawa exhaled in relief. "Finally…"
Kaen remained lying down, half-closed eyes. Sensors analyzed his Ni, pulsing gently around him.
"I felt it… this energy," he murmured. "It wanted to come out. But I don't know if it was really me."
Astou placed a hand on his shoulder. "It was you. But a part of you you don't know yet. It's normal… you've just awakened."
Later, the group gathered in a small restaurant suspended above Kuzari. The platforms offered a panoramic view of the illuminated arches, and the simple dishes—spiritual noodles, resonance herb rice, stabilization tea—smelled of recovery.
Floch sipped his tea, a smirk on his face. "Kaen survived his first trial. Not bad for a guy with no training."
Kaen smiled, tired but clear-headed. "I'm still here. Even if I almost got cut to pieces."
Akiriho nodded. "You defended yourself well. But you need to learn to channel your Ni. Otherwise, it'll consume you."
Takumi added, serious: "Ni is like a frequency. For it to obey, you must first listen to it."
The next day, in the medical center's courtyard, Takumi led a resonance session. No combat, just breathing, visualization, and Ni stabilization.
Kaen closed his eyes. His aura pulsed gently. No white flame—just a stable vibration.
Floch, watching, murmured: "First time your energy hasn't tried to escape. You're starting to tame it."
Kaen replied calmly: "I don't want this power to dominate me. I want to understand it… and master it."
In the evening, Kaen and Ishikawa found themselves alone on a suspended terrace. The city stretched below, bathed in bluish light.
"Do you think we can really become Senshi… even without training?" Kaen asked.
Ishikawa shrugged. "We're still Shonen. But sometimes, it's the fight that shapes the warriors."
The next day, on another elevated terrace, the group shared a moment of teasing.
Floch, smiling and provocative, asked: "So Kaen… when are you joining the Sanuya? Don't you want to become a Senshi too?"
Kaen looked up at the sky, relaxed. "I don't know yet… But if I have to fight, I'd rather do it for something bigger than myself."
Astou smiled. "You speak like an old master… But you still struggle to stand."
Akiriho added, amused: "He already has the attitude. All he's missing is the rank."
Ishikawa, sincere, concluded: "You already are there."
To be continued