Scene – Inside the Void
A sudden explosion shakes the void. Asely and Kolie flinch, visibly worried and shocked.
Asely: "Calm down, everything's fine!"Kolie: "You sure?!"Asely: "Hmm… That blast means a powerful spirit has just entered Kirito's body… or so I believe."
Suddenly, a white blur of light bursts from the void and vanishes instantly.
Kolie: "What was that?!"Asely: "Look up, Kolie!"Kolie: "K-Kirito?!"
Above them, Kirito is floating, but then, without warning, his body jerks and he begins falling. Asely quickly catches him in her arms.
Kolie: "Is he okay?!"Asely: "Yes, just unconscious. The spirit needs time to settle into his body, and Kirito also needs time to accept it. Everything's fine."
Kolie: "Alright then… let's go home."Asely: "Mm-hmm."
Scene – 3 Years Later: Odela Kingdom, Palace Garden
Kirito, now 6 years old, is training hard in the palace garden. Kolie stands beside him, guiding his moves.
Kolie: "Okay Kirito, your punches are much better now."
Kolie's thoughts: "Even after gaining a spirit, he hasn't become overwhelmingly strong. Maybe only experience and real battles can awaken his true power…"
Kirito: "I'm doing my best, Papa."Asely: "He's stronger than before, but he still only has basic-level skills—nothing special or ultimate."Kolie: "Alright, that's enough for today."Kirito: "Hmm."
They both walk over and sit next to Asely.
Kolie: "You're still weak, Kirito… but you have five years left before you're eligible to enter the academy."Kirito: "Hmm…"Asely: "Only five years. Tell me, Kolie, he only learned basic skills in the last three years. Do you really think he'll be able to do more in the next five?"Kolie: "I don't think so… but anything can happen. Who knows what the future holds?"Asely: "Hmm, you're right."
Kirito's thoughts:"Papa trains me hard every day… and Mama supports me too… but I still can't do anything. Why?! Why can't I?! I'll train even harder—beyond hard! _"
Scene – Same Day, Palace Underground
Kirito, just six years old, is punching an iron pillar in the palace's underground training room. His hands are bleeding, yet he continues.
Kirito: "Hah… hah… just a little longer! Just a few more punches!"
He keeps hitting, faster than before—then, a loud crack is heard.
Kirito: "AAAAAAGHHH!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! T_T T_T T_T!!"
His bones have shattered from both hands—his body collapses from the pain.
Kirito: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA… AMSSSIIIIIIILLLLLL...! T_T _ No… not yet… just a few more punches… just a few more!"
He stands up again and keeps punching.
Kirito: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...!"Kirito: "AAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH...! T_T"Kirito: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…!!!! T__T"
His hands are destroyed. Bones, nerves, skin—all dead. Blood drips onto the floor.
Kirito: "AAAAAAAHHHHHH… HAAAAHHHHH…! HAAAAAAAAAHHHH…! T_T"
Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoes in his ears.
Voice: "I can help you. I can give you power."Kirito: "?! Wh-Who… are you?! Aaaagh…!"Voice: "I'm the spirit that entered your body three years ago… the one that saved you."Kirito: "Three… three years ago?! I don't remember! Aaaauuuugh…!"Voice: "You were too young then. Of course, you wouldn't remember."Kirito: "What do you want?! Aaaagh…!"Voice: "You're small, but clever. I like that. (:"Kirito: "How can you help me?! Aaaaiiiggggh… how?!"Voice: "I haven't fully merged with your body yet. Once I do, you'll be able to use my full power."Kirito: "And… aaaaagh… and what do I have to do for that?"Voice: "Just give me permission. That's all."Kirito: "That's it?! Huff…"Voice: "The pain's getting worse. Hurry!"Kirito: "Alright!! Fine!! You have my permission!!"
Scene – Everything Goes Silent
Kirito: "The pain… the pain is gone!"
Suddenly, Kirito collapses and loses consciousness.
Kirito: "Huh…? Where am I now?! Who… who are you?!"
He finds himself in a strange space filled with swirling black, white, and purple light. Everything around him glows in those three colors.
Voice: "I'm the same voice from earlier. This is the Mind World I created."
Kirito: "?"Voice: "My name is Yama."Kirito: "Yama…"Yama: "From today, you'll be able to use my full spirit power and willpower as long as I'm inside you."Kirito: "!"Yama: "This isn't our last conversation… but after this, we won't be able to talk again for a long time."Kirito: "So… is there something you want to say?"Yama: "Nothing much. Just this—use your power for good. Use it to protect others."Kirito: "...That's all?-_-"Yama: "Yes."Kirito: "Hmm. Got it."
[End of Chapter 2]