{The Next Morning}
The room was quiet — until a faint knock echoed.
Ryuki stood over Orimo, the first rays of dawn spilling through the window and painting her hair gold.
Ryuki: "Wake up."
No response.
She sighed, shook him by the shoulder.
Orimo (sleepy): "What happened…?"
Ryuki: "Your training."
Orimo: "Oh yeah…"
He turned over and fell asleep instantly.
Ryuki pinched the bridge of her nose.
Ryuki (muttering): "Unbelievable…"
Moments later, she returned — a metal bucket in hand, cold water glinting inside.
She tilted it with a smirk.
Ryuki: "This might work."
SPLASH!
Orimo shot up, coughing.
Orimo: "What the hell!?"
Ryuki (grinning): "I was right."
Orimo (wiping his face): "Alright, alright… I'm up. What do we need to do?"
---
They stepped outside into the courtyard. The morning fog swirled gently around them; the world felt suspended between silence and awakening.
Ryuki turned to him, her expression sharpening.
Ryuki: "I'm going to teach you about Mantra — the power that governs this world. There are three types."
Her tone grew calm, deliberate — each word sinking like a stone in still water.
Ryuki:
"Aegis Mantra — when you channel your energy into your muscles and bones. You become a conduit of kinetic force. It's not just defense… every hit you absorb becomes fuel — waiting to explode back."
She raised her arm and clenched her fist. The air around her rippled faintly, distorting like heat waves.
Ryuki:
"Clairveil Mantra — a state of pure awareness. You don't see attacks… you feel them. You sense the intent before the movement. It's instinct faster than thought."
Her eyes gleamed for a brief second — Orimo swore he saw the space between them pulse.
Ryuki:
"And then there's the King's Mantra. Pure willpower — so strong it bends the air around it. It's not domination. It's transcendence. Those with weak intent collapse before it. Only the chosen few ever touch that realm."
Silence.
The wind rustled through the trees.
Ryuki (softly): "That is Mantra."
She turned toward him again, her gaze firm but warm.
Ryuki: "Personally, I only excel at Aegis Mantra. I'll teach you that first."
Orimo (nodding): "Alright."
The faintest smile curved her lips.
Ryuki: "Then let's begin."