Nathaniel left the ruined school behind him, the pearl secured safely within his enchanted bag. The night had stretched its vast, dark veil across the sky, stars beginning to prick the heavens like scattered shards of glass. Shadows lengthened across the streets, weaving in strange patterns as the streetlights flickered on, their golden glow painting the city in a surreal, almost dreamlike palette. Though his original plan had been to rush to the bank and complete his errand, the lateness of the hour tugged insistently at his mind. For a long moment, he lingered at the crossroads, taking in the city's quiet beauty, the distant hum of life and the occasional echo of stray cars. Then, with a decisive nod, he turned, heading homeward.
His pace was swift, a blur against the night. Each dash was a burst of exhilaration, his body twisting and turning through the air like a ribbon of scarlet energy. He vaulted over walls, spiraled midair to avoid obstacles, and felt the rush of raw life pounding through his veins, every heartbeat a drumbeat of vitality. The wind lashed against his face, cool and sharp, but it only encouraged him to push harder. This was not merely a journey home; it was a celebration of his existence itself, every movement a testament to the power he had earned, every leap a reminder of the limits he had already shattered.
When he finally reached the quiet door of his house, Nathaniel slowed, letting his body settle from the kinetic storm he had just become. His heart still raced, adrenaline still tingling in his fingertips, but he allowed a moment of quiet reflection. Inside, warm light spilled from the living room, revealing Eddy seated casually, his expression calm, composed, as always. Nathaniel smiled faintly, a mixture of triumph and relief crossing his features as he stepped inside.
"I'm back," he announced, his voice carrying a subtle weight of unspoken victory.
Eddy's gaze lifted, steady and perceptive. "I can tell," he replied, his tone calm yet laced with quiet acknowledgment.
Without hesitation, Nathaniel began recounting the day's events—the bandits, the pearl, the ferocity of the battle. His words came fast, urgent, yet precise, colored with excitement and the thrill of victory. His eyes sparkled as he described every detail, the chaos of the fight, the strategy that had allowed him to overcome such overwhelming odds. Finally, with a mischievous grin, he reached for his backpack and produced something utterly unexpected: the shark.
The creature, though lifeless, radiated a faint aura of danger, a reminder of the raw, untamed forces of nature that Nathaniel could now command. Eddy's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his normally composed features.
"You kept that in your bag?" he asked, disbelief clear in his voice.
Nathaniel chuckled softly. "Of course. Where else?"
Eddy's gaze softened, tinged with pride, though he remained composed. The bag itself did not shock him; after all, he had given it to Nathaniel, imbued with enchantments and the ability to hold objects far beyond ordinary capacity. But the shark—that was a new level. Deep within, Eddy felt a flicker of pride. Nathaniel's growth was remarkable, his progression faster than anyone could have predicted.
Before Nathaniel could continue his tale, Thorn's voice rang within his mind, subtle but firm, like a shadow brushing against his consciousness.
"All readings secure… danger minimal… potential future interactions calibrated."
Nathaniel nodded almost imperceptibly, careful to conceal Thorn's presence from Eddy. He had learned the importance of discretion; not everyone needed to witness the inner workings of the bag's consciousness.
Later that evening, Eddy decided to attempt cooking part of the shark. The task proved anything but simple. The creature's skin was incredibly tough, saturated with concentrated Xenos energy. Every scrape of the knife against the hide met with resistance, the steel refusing to cut cleanly. Eddy's brow furrowed, sweat forming at his temples, but he persisted. With repeated effort, precise strikes, and unwavering focus, he finally pierced the surface, carving sections of flesh. As he dropped the cuts into the pan, the aroma of sizzling shark filled the kitchen—rich, savory, and infused with a faint, otherworldly essence that spoke of the creature's unique energy.
Nathaniel sat at the table, anticipation painted across his youthful features. Each bite was a sensory revelation, both foreign and familiar, a taste that carried whispers of the ocean's depths and the raw power within nature. Between bites, Nathaniel reached into his pocket and placed the pearl on the table, its surface shimmering faintly under the warm glow of the overhead light.
Eddy paused, fork halfway to his mouth, eyes locked on the gem. "Where did you…?" he began, curiosity and mild concern threading through his tone.
"I told you," Nathaniel said simply, eyes gleaming with confidence. "From the bandits."
Eddy leaned back, crossing his arms thoughtfully. For a long moment, he studied the pearl, its faint radiance reflecting in his keen eyes. Then he smiled faintly, a mixture of approval and quiet calculation. "Good. With this, everything changes."
Nathaniel tilted his head, curiosity brimming.
"We'll convert it into Zenkai," Eddy explained. "It will be enough to cover your registration into the Deathburst Academy. Tuition, uniforms, materials… everything. Not just for a year, but the entire five-year initial training. With this pearl, you can become a Burst without the worry of fees or limitations."
Nathaniel's eyes widened. Relief and disbelief washed over him, the tension of uncertainty unraveling in his chest. For months, he had worried about costs, about opportunities slipping just out of reach. Now, the future seemed to open before him, solid and attainable.
"That means…" Nathaniel whispered, a grin spreading across his face, "I don't have to worry anymore?"
"Exactly," Eddy replied, voice steady, reassuring.
Nathaniel laughed openly, the sound carrying the joy of unburdened youth. "Finally!"
Eddy, watching him, allowed a rare moment of pride to surface. "You've grown, Nathaniel. Your strength… it's extraordinary. In such a short time, your evolution has surpassed what anyone could have anticipated."
Nathaniel leaned back, a spark of arrogance igniting in his smile. "At this rate, I'll surpass you soon."
Eddy didn't flinch. His smirk held a quiet amusement. "Of course you will. But don't fool yourself—you still have a long road ahead."
Their laughter mingled, a quiet, unspoken bond of mentorship, friendship, and mutual respect.
After dinner, Nathaniel slipped outside. The night sky stretched infinitely above, an ocean of stars scattered like jewels across the darkness. He stood silently, staring upward, chest heavy with emotions he rarely let surface. The cool breeze carried scents of damp earth and distant rain, wrapping around him as if the world itself leaned in to listen.
His thoughts drifted to his mother. A memory stirred faintly—fragmented and haunting—her face, her voice, the blood that stained his past. His hand clenched into a fist, his heart burning with the promise of vengeance, an unyielding flame fueled by love and loss.
As if acknowledging his vow, a shooting star streaked across the heavens. Nathaniel's eyes followed its trail. He whispered into the quiet of the night, voice barely audible: "I swear… I'll avenge you. With everything I have."
The night deepened, stars gleaming like silent witnesses to his oath. Eventually, exhaustion tugged at his limbs, and Nathaniel returned to his room. He lay down, the blanket heavy against his body, and closed his eyes. Sleep came quickly, but what awaited him was no ordinary rest.
In his dream, he found himself standing in a vast emptiness. There was no ground, no sky—only a void stretching infinitely in all directions. Slowly, darkness above condensed into two immense, swirling eyes, deeper and more terrifying than any ocean trench, peering down at him with quiet judgment. A voice, heavy and chilling, echoed through the void.
"So… it is you."
Nathaniel froze, fear clawing at his chest. He forced his expression into neutral composure, refusing to show the tremor of uncertainty he felt deep within. His knees threatened to buckle under the weight of the gaze, yet he remained, outwardly calm, inwardly alert.
Before he could respond, the void split with a burst of radiant light. An entity of pure luminescence emerged, its aura indescribable, beyond comprehension. The brilliance tore through the darkness, shattering the false sky of eyes. Shadows screamed silently as the radiant being dismantled them, erasing every trace of their existence. The intensity of the light pressed against Nathaniel's mind, testing his very resolve.
Then, as suddenly as it had arrived, the being vanished. Nathaniel stood alone once more, the void empty but echoing with silent power. He gasped awake, drenched in sweat, breaths coming in ragged bursts. The memory of the dream clung to him, vivid and terrifying. He sat upright, clutching his chest, unable to shake the image of the swirling eyes or the blinding savior that had destroyed them.
"What… was that?" he whispered to himself, voice trembling only slightly.
The silence of his room offered no answers. And so the night ended, leaving Nathaniel with more questions than he had started with—and a resolve that burned brighter than ever.