Night had fallen over the coastal town. The small restaurant by the beach buzzed with a cheerful atmosphere: hanging lanterns, laughter, the smell of grilled seafood, and local music.
Around a large wooden table sat Kaen, Tobias, Sasha, Astou, Samto, Panto, and Harald. Despite the ridiculous fight that had just ended, the mood had lightened.
— I admit, you guys aren't bad, Samto said, biting into a skewer of fish.
— Not bad?! Kaen shouted. I had you on your knees in three hits!
— Tss, that was luck! Panto replied, laughing.
Everyone burst into laughter, except Tobias, who remained impassive, staring at his plate without a word. Astou, sitting right next to him, watched sideways, fascinated by his mysterious calm.
Suddenly, Harald rested his elbows on the table and said in a serious tone:
— You two… you're not just ordinary Shotan.
Silence fell over the table.
Kaen raised an eyebrow.
— What are you talking about?
— Your movements, your reflexes… and especially what I saw when your weapons appeared.
Harald took a small talisman from his pocket, an old piece of worn parchment adorned with runic symbols.
— True Senshi materialize their ñinkû using a talisman. That's the basic rule. But you…
He fixed Tobias and then Kaen with a piercing gaze.
— You materialized it directly into the void, without any support.
Sasha's eyes widened.
— Wait… that's impossible. Even the Chutan need a talisman.
— Exactly, Harald said, frowning. What I saw goes beyond everything they teach in training.
Kaen, a little embarrassed, shrugged.
— Well… it just happened. I didn't think about it.
— Hmpf… typical of you, Tobias muttered.
Astou couldn't take her eyes off Tobias. He can materialize his ñinkû without a talisman… that means his connection to his weapon is even deeper than anyone else's. Who is he really?
Samto broke the silence with a loud laugh.
— Who cares! As long as you're cool, right?!
— Yeah! added Panto. And Kaen, wow, you can drink! You're faster than me!
Kaen burst into laughter, Tobias gave a faint smile, and the atmosphere brightened once more.
But deep down, Sasha, Astou, and especially Harald knew this evening was no ordinary night.
Two extraordinary Senshi had just revealed—without even realizing it—that their destinies would be anything but peaceful.
The ñinkû materialized without a talisman, highlighting Kaen and Tobias's uniqueness.
Harald observes keenly, realizing something unusual.
Tobias remains mysterious; Astou becomes increasingly fascinated.