The next morning, Elystria Prime shimmered under the rising sun, streets already alive with merchants, citizens, and floating carriages gliding above. Kiyoto wandered near the marketplace, still distracted by thoughts of yesterday's encounter with Mitsui.
He was not expecting to see her again—but there she was, sitting on the edge of a fountain, carefully arranging small vials of glowing liquid.
Kiyoto approached casually, hands in his pockets. "Morning. Busy with… whatever this is?"
Mitsui looked up, slightly startled, but did not hide her work. "Morning. These are healing elixirs. I sell them for a few credits," she said matter-of-factly. "Helps people who can't afford the big clinics."
Kiyoto raised an eyebrow. "You make these yourself?"
Mitsui nodded. "I learned a bit from the old apothecary near my home."
Curiosity flickered in Kiyoto's eyes. He leaned closer, noticing faint traces of energy emanating from the vials—Mana? No… something else. Soulflux, perhaps?
"Wait a second," Kiyoto said, narrowing his eyes. "You're controlling your energy… I can feel it. That's not ordinary for someone your age."
Mitsui's hands froze for a split second. Then, with a calm breath, she replied, "It's… nothing special." But the subtle aura radiating from her told another story entirely.
Kiyoto grinned, a mischievous spark lighting his crimson-gold eyes. "Nothing special, huh? Then let's see how 'nothing special' handles a little challenge."
Before Mitsui could respond, Kiyoto summoned a small floating blade of energy—a harmless test, merely hovering and spinning in front of him.
Mitsui's eyes narrowed, her fingers moving in a subtle gesture. The blade stopped instantly, held in midair by an invisible force.
Kiyoto's grin widened. "Interesting… you can manipulate energy without even touching it."
Mitsui hesitated, then smirked faintly. "You said you like helping, right? Maybe I'll let you learn something from me instead."
For the first time, Kiyoto felt a thrill. Mitsui Tachaina—poor, clever, and seemingly ordinary—was anything but ordinary.
And as the bustling city moved around them, the boy with godly blood and the girl with hidden strength realized that their paths were no longer separate. Something larger, something epic, was beginning.
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