At dawn, the group set off once more.
The sun slowly rose behind the hills, bathing the landscape in a golden glow.
After several hours of walking, a massive urban silhouette finally appeared on the horizon.
"Finally… we made it," Enji sighed.
Yuma narrowed his eyes.
"We're really far from the Sanctuary now…"
The city was alive.
Loud.
Vibrant.
Neon signs shimmered at every corner. Convoys transported crates sealed with mana. Hunters moved back and forth, some equipped with impressive gear.
Yuma looked around in awe.
"There are shops everywhere… especially forges and stores specializing in mana artifacts."
"Exactly," Enji replied calmly. "It's a commercial city. Most major hunter-related companies settle here."
They walked forward until they stopped in front of a massive building made of black stone and polished steel.
Glowing engravings ran across the walls like veins of energy.
"We're here. My father works here."
Yuma looked up.
The sign gleamed above the large double doors.
The Ætheria Workshop.
"I like the name," Yuma admitted.
"Me too."
They pushed the doors open and stepped inside the main hall.
It was even more impressive inside.
A towering ceiling.
Suspended crystals emitting pure white light.
High-ranking hunters discussing business around reinforced display cases.
They approached the reception desk.
"Good morning. Would my father happen to be here today?" Enji asked politely.
The receptionist barely looked up.
"And how am I supposed to know that?"
Enji blinked in surprise.
Before he could respond, Yuma stepped forward.
"There's no need to answer like that. If you don't know, just say so."
The receptionist lifted his head, annoyed.
"Do you even know where you are? This is one of the largest forges in the country. We supply the best guilds. If you want to make noise, go play somewhere else."
Yuma's eyes darkened.
"Say that again."
He stepped forward.
Enji immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"Yuma, let it go."
But two security guards were already approaching.
"Gentlemen, please leave."
They grabbed Yuma by the arms.
"Hey! Is he serious? Why are you lifting me like that?!" Yuma protested.
"Sorry… we'll leave," Enji said quickly.
Suddenly—
"What's going on here?"
A calm. Composed. Authoritative voice.
The guards froze.
A man with slightly messy hair, dressed in dark work clothes, approached.
"Nothing important, sir. Just some kids who—"
He didn't finish.
In a movement almost too fast to see, Yuma twisted his body. A sharp surge of force exploded from his arms.
The two guards were sent crashing to the floor.
"Let go of me," Yuma protested.
The man observed Enji carefully.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"…Enji?"
Silence.
Enji stared at him for a moment.
Then his face lit up.
"Haruki!"
He rushed forward and hugged him.
"It's been a while!"
Haruki laughed.
"You can say that again."
The guards stood up, ready to intervene, but Haruki simply raised a hand.
"It's fine. Go back to your posts. I know them."
His gaze shifted to Yuma.
"And believe me… if you fought him, you might lose."
The guards froze.
Then stepped back.
The receptionist, pale, quickly stood up.
"Sh-Should I prepare guest badges for them, sir?"
"Yes. Immediately."
Moments later, the inner doors opened.
They followed Haruki down a long metallic corridor.
Then he stopped.
He turned around.
"Before anything else… let me introduce myself to your friend."
He placed a hand on his chest.
"I am Haruki Hyōga. Enji's older brother."
Yuma froze.
"Seriously…? You don't look alike at all…"
Haruki stared at him.
An invisible pressure filled the air.
Enji panicked.
"H-Haruki, he didn't mean—"
"Sorry!" Yuma blurted out.
Silence.
Then Haruki burst into laughter.
"Don't worry. I hear that all the time."
He looked at his younger brother again, his smile softening.
"So? Tell me how you met."
They told him everything.
The bandits.
The dominant beast.
The Supra-Awakening.
The Total Awakening.
Reishin's proposed training.
Silence followed.
Haruki looked at them, perplexed.
"So… you went through all that… in one week?"
"Yes," they answered in unison.
His expression shifted.
No mockery.
No disbelief.
Just… subtle concern.
"What's with that look?" Enji asked.
"I told you he had a weird look," Yuma added.
Haruki looked away.
"No… it's nothing."
He straightened up.
"You wanted to see Father, right? He's in his office. End of the corridor."
Then, almost too quickly:
"We'll talk later."
And he left.
Yuma watched him go.
"Your brother's something else."
Enji sighed.
"I won't argue with that."
He took a deep breath.
"Alright… let's go see my father."
The large office doors stood before them.
And something in the air had changed.
The door creaked open slowly.
Yuma expected a normal office.
A calm space.
Shelves, books, maybe a large window.
Instead—
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
A metallic crash tore through the air.
Heat struck his face.
An enormous forge filled the room.
Crimson flames danced within a colossal furnace.
Sparks burst like falling stars.
At the center—
A massive man brought his hammer down on a glowing blade.
CLANG!
The floor trembled with every strike.
Yuma blinked.
"…This is really an office?"
Enji chuckled softly.
"My father calls it his 'office.' This is where he thinks… and where he forges weapons for adventurers."
The hammer fell several more times.
The man seemed completely absorbed in his work.
"Father!" Enji called.
No response.
"Father!"
Still nothing.
Yuma watched the man's muscles tense beneath the heat.
His gaze was focused. Precise. Almost artistic.
Finally—
The hammer stopped.
Silence replaced the deafening blows.
The man lifted his head.
His eyes landed on Enji.
His face lit up.
"Enji."
He set the hammer down.
"You've come home."
He approached with steady steps, placing a large hand on Enji's shoulder.
Then his gaze shifted to Yuma.
"And who is your companion?"
Enji straightened proudly.
"Father, this is Yuma. He's… my traveling companion. He saved me several times."
Yuma bowed slightly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
The man nodded.
"Welcome to the Forge."
He studied Yuma for a few seconds, gauging his aura.
Then a faint smile curved his lips.
"You have a good gaze."
He clapped his hands.
"Come. Let's talk over a meal."
They crossed into the forge's canteen.
A large wooden table stood at the center.
Soon, a steaming dish was placed in front of Yuma.
A local specialty:
Forge-braised beef stew, slow-cooked with spiced roots, served with crusty bread baked directly on heated stone.
The smell was rich. Warm. Comforting.
Yuma took a bite.
His eyes widened.
"This is… incredible."
Enji laughed.
"Told you."
Yuma took another spoonful.
Then another.
"Can I have more?"
Enji's father let out a deep laugh.
"Help yourself."
The atmosphere relaxed.
Then the blacksmith's expression grew serious.
"So… tell me why you're here."
Silence fell.
Enji set his spoon down.
And he explained everything.
The blacksmith listened without interruption.
Pride flickered in his eyes with every detail.
When Enji finished, the room was quiet.
"I see."
He looked at Yuma.
"If you need a place to stay, you can remain here."
Yuma blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes. It'll allow you to wait for Reishin."
Then he turned to Enji.
"And your old training hall… I renovated it."
Enji's eyes lit up.
"Seriously?"
"If you want to test your new powers… it's ready."
Silence.
Then Enji nearly jumped out of his seat.
"Father, is it okay if Yuma and I go now?!"
"Not at all. My break is over anyway. We'll talk later."
Enji turned to Yuma.
"Let's go test our powers."
Yuma grinned.
"Obviously."
They stood.
"Thank you, Father."
The blacksmith nodded.
"Don't break the walls."
The two boys burst into laughter.
They left the canteen, hearts light.
Heading toward—
The training hall.
The place where their new powers would truly take shape.
End of Chapter.