Authors note:
Hey everyone, I'm back! I hope you're all doing well.
I have a quick question for you: what do you think of this chapter? This one was fully written by me; I only used AI to help with grammar and sentence flow. I'd really appreciate any feedback you're willing to share, especially constructive criticism, since I want to understand what I can improve and what might not be working as well as it should.
Thanks a lot for reading, and for sticking with the story. Your feedback genuinely helps more than you might think.
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After Jons and Tsubone went inside to talk and drink tea, the garden grew quiet again.
Serik, bored and restless, wandered toward Illumi.
Illumi was training his Ren, seated perfectly still, aura flowing steadily around his body. When Serik stopped two meters away, the pressure vanished instantly.
Zetsu.
Illumi turned his head and stared directly into Serik's eyes.
Serik didn't flinch anymore. The stare no longer unsettled him—only irritated him slightly.
"Yo," Serik said casually. "You've been training pretty hard. How are you feeling?"
Illumi answered without changing his expression.
"I am progressing steadily."
Serik nodded.
Nice of you to ask how I'm doing, he thought.
As if reading his mind, Illumi added,
"I have been observing your progress as well."
Serik straightened instinctively, puffing out his chest.
"Not bad, right?" he said with a grin. "It'll take you a while to catch up, but don't worry. I'll help you."
Illumi tilted his head.
"No," he said. "I do not believe it will take long."
Serik blinked.
"What?"
"You are progressing very slowly."
A vein twitched at Serik's temple.
"What do you mean, slowly?"
Illumi's gaze sharpened—not hostile, just focused.
"You have no desire," he said. "You train as if you are just going through the motions. What are you trying to accomplish?"
Serik frowned.
"I'm training to get stronger," he replied. "So people like you won't be able to hurt me."
Illumi considered that.
"That is strange," he said. "Then why are you not training harder? There are many people far stronger than me."
Serik opened his mouth—
Then closed it.
The question lingered.
Am I not training hard enough?Am I missing something?
No answer came.
While Serik spiraled inward, Illumi had already returned to meditation, aura settling as he recovered efficiently.
Serik paced once.
Then stopped.
"…Hey, Illumi."
No response.
"Illumi."
Still nothing.
"Hey! Are you ignoring me?"
Serik waved his hands in front of Illumi's face. Nothing. He poked his cheek. Rolled him slightly to the side—then carefully put him back.
"…Okay. That's on me."
Serik sat down directly in front of him.
Fine. I'll wait.
Minutes passed.
Boredom crept in.
Then thought.
Hatsu…
Enhancer. Emitter. Transmuter. Conjurer. Manipulator. Specialist.
I hope I'm a Specialist, Serik thought. That would make things easier.
But what if he wasn't?
If I were an Enhancer… maybe a balanced ability. Speed, defense, attack. Trade one for another with limits. A maximum cap so it doesn't spiral out of control.
If I were a Conjurer… objects. Weapons. Armor. Maybe several items, but only two usable at once. A restriction like that could make them stronger.
He smiled, tracing crude shapes into the dirt. A sword. A gauntlet. A cloak.
That would be cool.
What if he were an Emitter?
Serik's eyes lit up.
Ranged attacks. Slashes flying through the air—
He jumped up, swinging his arms dramatically.
"No, wait—what if I make orbs?" he muttered excitedly. "Floating behind me. Each with different effects—"
He burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! I'm going to be the strongest!"
Illumi opened one eye.
"…Have you finally gone insane?" he asked flatly. "That would explain why you are not improving."
Serik froze.
"…You know what," he said slowly, aura flaring. "You're going to be my first test subject."
He released Ren.
Illumi sighed inwardly.
Unavoidable.
He rose smoothly, his own aura responding.
The garden tensed.