Author's Note
Yo guys, a lot of chapters today. That's because I had some free time and really felt like writing. We're at an exciting point in the story—soon there will be a large timeskip, and after that, the real adventures will finally begin.
PS: I still need some feedback. How is the writing now? Is there anything bothering you guys, or something I might have forgotten? Also, I'm thinking about giving Serik a team. Illumi will definitely be a member, but I'm not sure about the others yet. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Hope to hear from you guys.Peace out.
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In the real world, something magical happened—something so bizarre even for this world. Serik, who moments ago had been lying on the ground asleep, was slowly being wrapped in dirt and stone.
At first, it looked as if the earth itself was merely shifting, a natural response to some unseen pressure beneath the surface. Fine grains of soil slid toward Serik's unmoving body, clinging to his clothes, his hands, his hair. Then the ground began to rise.
Stone followed dirt.
Serik did not wake up. His Nen, however, began to seep out of him, bleeding into the ground. The grass around Serik could not be fully seen, but if one had observed it in daylight, they would have noticed that it became greener and taller. Flowers and other seedlings began to grow. At first, it was only around his body, but slowly the radius expanded. This continued throughout the night.
Neither Jons nor Tsubone felt any disturbance. Tsubone slept soundly, while Jons kept watch on the other side of the house. Even though he kept his En close to Serik, he did not notice the change that was happening. It was that subtle.
Morning came.
Both Illumi and Tsubone woke at sunrise. After getting ready, they went downstairs, where they found Jons already prepared with food. Illumi immediately sat down and glanced toward the garden. He felt something, but assumed Serik was developing his Hatsu, so he began eating without comment.
Tsubone helped Jons for a moment before joining them at the table. None of them spoke. Illumi was naturally quiet, but Jons and Tsubone remained silent for a different reason—they were shocked by what they were seeing, or rather, perceiving.
The garden felt alive.
Alive in the same way a Nen user felt alive.
It had a presence of its own.
Jons had noticed it before sunrise, when he went to check on Serik. He had expected to find him sleeping on the ground, not enveloped in dirt and stone.
Jons did not call out immediately.
He stood still at the edge of the garden, his En still spread out, but now it felt different. The sensation was not sharp or alarming—just dense and gentle. Like standing too close to a forest after rain: heavy with life, yet unconcerned with you.
The stone around Serik's body was rough and uneven, shaped naturally rather than formed with intent. Dirt had hardened into layers, wrapping around him like a cocoon, leaving his face exposed. His expression was peaceful, unchanged, as if he were still sleeping.
Jons swallowed. For the first time, his composure broke.
He was a man who had traveled with the greatest lunatic in the known world, who had seen almost every corner of it—yet he was left speechless by what a child, one who had only learned Nen recently, was capable of.
Sigh.
"Ardan… if you were here, how excited would you be? How proud would you be? I bet you would flaunt this to everybody. 'Look how amazing my grandson is.'"
Jons knelt beside Serik and gently stroked his cheek, feeling the warmth beneath the stone. Slowly, his heart settled.
"Take as long as you need, young master. I will guard you for as long as necessary."
Taking one last look at Serik, Jons returned to the house to prepare food.
We return now to the dining table.
After the meal, Tsubone followed Illumi, who had decided to investigate the source of the strange feeling. As he moved closer, the sensation only grew stronger. His curiosity got the better of him.
When he saw the miniature forest, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Tsubone, who caught up moments later, fared no better.
"What in the name of Maha is happening here?"
Jons walked leisurely past them without saying a word, heading straight toward Serik. Only after he passed did they come out of their stupor and follow him. Jons moved as if he already understood the situation.
They soon reached Serik.
Tsubone could no longer hold back. "How did this happen?"
"I do not know," Jons replied without turning around. "It was like this before sunrise. I did not try to wake him, in case something terrible might happen."
Illumi, on the other hand, grabbed Serik's cheek, clearly taking the opportunity for revenge after Serik had once poked his own.
Jons did not scold him. Secretly, he hoped it might wake Serik.
Nothing happened.
Serik's breathing did not change. He did not move a muscle.
Illumi quickly lost interest and walked away to inspect the rest of the garden.
"Jons, what is your plan?" Tsubone asked, regaining her composure.
"I do not know," he answered. "The best course of action is to wait for him to wake up."
He turned to her. "Are you planning on staying? My young master is in no position to train with Illumi."
Tsubone considered it. "We will stay for a while. I will take over the training of my young master. You stay here and take care of him."
Jons nodded. If he were in her place, he would do the same. This phenomenon was far too bizarre—and too beautiful—to ignore.
And so they stayed.
Hours became days. Days became weeks.
During that time, the forest Serik created continued to grow. What had once been the size of an average house now rivaled a true forest. They were fortunate to be in a remote area; the nearest home was two kilometers away. But if the growth continued, it might one day reach it.
The beauty was breathtaking.
The ground was warm beneath bare feet. Grass bent gently when stepped on, rising again without resistance. Wildflowers bloomed in clusters of color that did not compete—purples and whites beside deep blues and pale yellows, as if arranged by a careful hand. Their scent was faint but constant, carried by air that felt clean in a way that could not be explained.
The trees were large, with deep brown trunks and dark green leaves that shone faintly. They swayed gently, as if moving in rhythm with Serik's breath.
After the first week, Serik was fully enclosed. His face could no longer be seen. When they checked on him, they noticed a faint pulse emanating from the cocoon—one that grew stronger with time.
Illumi did not remain idle.
With Serik still asleep, he trained under Tsubone's supervision. They moved far enough from the forest that its presence faded into the background. Training required focus, not distraction.
Illumi focused on what he already possessed.
Needles.
Serik's sudden transformation had unsettled him. He did not understand what was happening, but he knew one thing: when Serik woke up, he would be extremely powerful.
Because of that, Illumi decided to develop his Hatsu.
He tested his Manipulation on animals first—small ones, then larger ones. Each needle was placed with precision, just deep enough to seize control without damaging the body. The animals moved naturally, obeying without resistance. When the needles were removed, they collapsed unconscious, but alive.
Tsubone observed closely.
"Too much force," she noted once.
Illumi adjusted. Less Nen. Thinner needles. Cleaner control.
By the end of the week, he no longer needed spoken commands.
Sparring followed.
Tsubone attacked directly, forcing Illumi to move. Needles flew, restricting space rather than striking vital points. He dodged with minimal motion, countering only when necessary. When openings appeared, he exploited them without hesitation.
They stopped only when both were satisfied.
Illumi cleaned his needles and turned back toward the house.
Serik still slept.
Illumi did not concern himself with it.
His training continued.
And just like that, another week passed.