Axiom leaned back slightly, arms resting on the bench. Then he turned his head toward her.
"…Alright."
Beth raised an eyebrow.
"…Alright what?"
Axiom smirked.
"You've been asking a lot about me."
She blinked.
"…And?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…Now it's my turn."
Beth froze for half a second.
"…What?"
Axiom looked at her directly.
"Tell me." A small pause. "…What makes Beth tick?"
Silence. Wind brushed past them.
Beth stared at him like he had just asked her something illegal.
"…You can't just say that."
Axiom shrugged.
"I just did."
She turned away slightly.
"…That's not fair."
"Why not?"
"Because…" She struggled for a second. "…you asked it like it was simple."
Axiom leaned forward a bit.
"…Isn't it?"
Beth scoffed lightly.
"…No."
Then she crossed her arms again, looking ahead.
"…People aren't simple."
Axiom nodded.
"…Good."
Beth glanced at him.
"…Good?"
"Yeah." "…Makes it interesting."
That caught her off guard.
"…You're weird."
Axiom smiled.
"…You noticed."
Beth sighed softly. Then—
"…Fine." She adjusted slightly on the bench. "…But don't interrupt."
Axiom raised his hands slightly.
"…I won't."
She looked forward. Thinking.
"…I like quiet." "…Not silence." "…Just… calm."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I like places where I can think. Libraries. Late nights. Rain."
Axiom listened. Carefully.
She continued:
"I like figuring things out." "…How things work." "…Why people act the way they do."
A small smile appeared.
"…That's why I like animation too."
Axiom tilted his head slightly.
"…Animation?"
She nodded.
"…Yeah. You can create anything. Stories. Worlds. People."
Her voice softened.
"…And you can make them feel real."
Axiom watched her.
"…You really like it."
Beth smiled faintly.
"…Yeah."
Then she added, quieter:
"…I want to make something one day." "…Something people feel."
Axiom's expression softened.
"…You will."
Beth blinked.
"…You say that like it's guaranteed."
He shrugged.
"…It is."
She looked at him for a second. Then looked away quickly.
"…You're really confident now."
Axiom smirked.
"…Only when I'm right."
She huffed.
"…Idiot."
She shifted slightly.
"…I don't like fake people." "…Or people who just follow others."
Her eyes narrowed a little.
"…That captain guy earlier?" "…Hate that type."
Axiom chuckled.
"…Same."
She nodded.
"…Figures."
Then— She hesitated. Just a little.
"…And…"
She glanced at him.
"…I like people who are… genuine."
Axiom didn't interrupt. Didn't tease. Just listened.
Beth looked down at her hands briefly.
"…People who don't pretend." "…Even if they're awkward."
Axiom smiled slightly.
"…Sounds familiar."
She immediately turned.
"…Don't get ahead of yourself."
Axiom laughed.
"…Too late."
She nudged him again lightly.
"…Seriously." "…Don't make it weird."
Axiom leaned back.
"…I won't."
A small silence followed. But this one— Was different. Closer. More personal.
Beth glanced at him again.
"…So?"
Axiom looked at her.
"…So?"
She rolled her eyes.
"…What did you learn?"
Axiom thought for a second. Then—
"You like quiet. You like creating. You hate fake people. And…"
He smirked slightly.
"…you're nicer than you pretend to be."
Beth froze. Then—
"…I am not—"
She stopped. Because she realized— He was right.
She looked away.
"…Shut up."
Axiom laughed softly.
"…Got it."
The sun dipped lower. The field stretched out in front of them.
And now— It wasn't just a conversation anymore. It was understanding. Two people… Actually starting to see each other.
They sat there a little longer. Not rushing. Not forcing conversation. Just… existing in the same space.
Axiom glanced at Beth from the corner of his eye. She was looking out at the field. Calm. Focused. Thoughtful. Different from Callie. Different from Cammy. But… There was something there. Something quiet. Something sharp.
If she awakened Dama… His eyes narrowed slightly. …she wouldn't be flashy. She wouldn't overpower people. She'd read them. Understand them. Break them down without them realizing it. A strategist. A creator. Someone who shapes things behind the scenes.
Axiom leaned back slightly.
…A team. The thought came naturally. Not forced. Not planned.
When I become an Ascendant… Callie. Cammy. Beth. Different strengths. Different styles. But together…
He exhaled quietly.
"…That could be something."
Beth stood up slowly.
"…What time is it?"
Axiom checked his phone.
"…4:30."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Oh."
She grabbed her bag quickly.
"I have to go."
Axiom looked up.
"…That serious?"
She nodded.
"…Yeah. If I'm late…" "…my grandma's gonna worry."
Axiom stood up too.
"…You live with your grandma?"
She paused. Then nodded.
"…Yeah."
Then added casually—
"…Well, grandparents."
Axiom tilted his head.
"…Both?"
She shook her head slightly.
"My grandpa's overseas right now." "…Business trip."
Axiom raised an eyebrow.
"…What kind of business?"
She smiled faintly.
"…Animation."
That made him pause.
"…Seriously?"
She nodded.
"…Yeah."
Then added, a little softer:
"So right now it's just me and my grandma."
A small pause.
"…No parents."
She said it casually. But— There was something under it.
Axiom noticed. But didn't push.
"…Got it."
There was a small moment where neither of them moved. Then—
Axiom stepped forward. And hugged her.
Beth froze— Just for a second. Then slowly— She hugged him back. Not rushed. Not awkward. Just… Warm.
They stayed like that for a few seconds. Quiet. Comfortable.
Then she pulled back slightly.
"…I'll see you tomorrow?"
Axiom nodded.
"…Yeah."
She smiled.
"…Good."
Then— She started walking away. A few steps. Then turned back. And waved.
Axiom raised his hand. Waved back.
She turned again— And kept walking. Until she disappeared past the edge of the field.
Silence returned. The field stretched out in front of him. The day slowly fading.
Axiom stood there for a moment longer. Then exhaled.
"…Yeah."
Things were changing. Fast. Power. People. Opportunities.
And for the first time— He wasn't just reacting. He was starting to build something. Something bigger than himself.
And somewhere in the distance— The future was already watching.
The field had emptied.
Voices gone.
Only wind remained.
Axiom sat back down on the bench.
The book still in his hand.
He looked at it for a moment.
Simple.
Dark cover.
No title.
"…Everything he knows…"
He opened it.
First Page
Clean handwriting.
Precise.
Disciplined.
DAMA
The manifestation of will, intent, and existence itself.
Not energy alone.
Not power alone.
But the expression of the self.
Axiom's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Yeah."
That matched what he felt.
The Basics
He kept reading.
All beings possess Dama.
Most never awaken it.
Some touch it unconsciously.
Few awaken it.
Fewer master it.
Awakening Methods:
Emotional Shock Near Death Experience Natural Awakening (Rare)
Axiom paused.
"…Natural."
Callie.
Cammy.
Jamal.
…And me.
The Six Types
The next page.
Dama Types
Forge TypeStrengthens the body.Enhances physical attributes.Foundation of all combat. Flow TypeControls the movement of Dama.Allows shaping, redirection, and precision. Sense TypePerception.Awareness of others, intent, and energy. Pulse TypeExternal release.Pressure, force, and aura projection. Focus TypeConcentration of Dama into a single point.Maximum output in minimal space. Origin Type(Extremely Rare)Allows creation of unique abilities.System-type, reality-type, or conceptual powers.
Axiom's fingers paused on the page.
"…Origin…"
Leo's words echoed.
I still believe you are one.
The Stages
He flipped the page.
Dama Stages
Stage 1 — VeilBasic coating of Dama around the body.Increases defense and stability.
Stage 2 — FlowControl of movement.Allows shaping and redirection.
Stage 3 — ForgeEnhancement of the body.Strength, speed, durability.
Stage 4 — ForcePrecise control of output.Allows distribution of power across the body or into specific points.
Stage 5 — Domain(Theoretical for most)Expansion of influence.Control beyond the self.
Stage 6 — Origin(Mythical)Creation.Reality influence.Personal law.
Axiom leaned back slightly.
"…Force stage…"
He looked at his hands.
"…Peak."
He had already crossed it.
Not slowly.
Not step by step.
But in one moment.
Notes from Leo
At the bottom of the page—
A handwritten note.
Mastery is not reaching a stage.
It is becoming natural within it.
You did not force the Force stage.
You became it.
Axiom smirked slightly.
"…Sounds like him."
Final Thought on the Page
If you are reading this…
You are no longer my student.
You are your own path.
Axiom closed the book halfway.
Silent.
Then looked up at the field.
Empty.
Wide.
Endless.
"…My own path…"
Not a copy.
Not a system.
Not just stages.
Something more.
Something… his.
He stood up slowly.
The book still in his hand.
And for the first time—
The stages didn't feel like a ladder.
They felt like…
A starting point.