"I hope for it, Kael," Victor said.
He let the words settle before continuing.
"Now listen carefully. I will now tell you about a that fight."
"Okay, Grandpa," Kael answered.
[Past]
The training ground was warm with afternoon light.
Victor and Liora stood facing each other, with wooden swords in their hands. A friendly match. Nothing more.
Jake watched from a short distance, arms folded, already smiling in anticipation.
Victor moved first.
His step was sharp, blade cutting forward in a fast, direct strike.
Liora shifted.
The wooden sword slid past her shoulder. In the same motion, she turned and tapped Victor's shoulder with her own blade.
A clean hit.
Victor stepped back.
Heat crept up his neck.
She's stronger.
The thought landed heavier than the strike.
His grip tightened.
Accepting someone stronger… that's the first mistake in a fight.
Wake up.
"What?" Liora said lightly. "Getting scared?"
Victor didn't answer.
Something in his posture changed.
The careless ease drained from his stance. His shoulders settled. His breathing slowed, then deepened. The air around him felt… tight.
Jake frowned.
Even Dominus, watching from the edge of the yard, straightened slightly.
Liora glanced at him.
Dominus gave a small nod.
She exhaled.
Soul force rose from her like mist, pale light coating her arms and blade. The wooden sword hummed faintly in her grip.
Victor barely seemed to notice.
His thoughts were no longer clear. Anger pressed in from every side, heavy and suffocating.
Then it broke.
"Power Mode… Level One."
The air shuddered.
A pressure rolled outward from Victor, dust lifting in a slow ring. Jake felt it in his chest. Liora's breath caught.
"Uncle…" Jake said quietly, eyes wide. "Should you stop them?"
Dominus didn't look away.
"He feels danger," he said. "If it worsens, I'll step in."
Victor moved.
His sword carved forward, and the pressure around him surged like a wave.
Liora braced and cut through it. The impact rattled her arms.
Victor was already behind her.
Their blades met.
The shock traveled straight into her shoulders. The weight behind his strike was wrong. Too heavy. Too much.
Victor stepped back.
Liora inhaled sharply.
"Soul Art… Blade of the Fallen."
The ground answered.
Fragments of pale blades rose around her, shaped from lingering will. They hovered overhead, trembling.
With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward.
Victor ran straight into them.
Left.
Right.
A low slide beneath another.
His movements were sharp, unnatural in speed. Silent.
Liora felt it then.
Fear.
Not of the fight. Of him.
Victor leapt.
"Aran Style… World Blessing Sword."
Energy gathered along his blade, air tightening around the arc.
Liora sent every remaining blade at once. Her own sword flared as she stepped into the strike.
Wood met wood.
The collision cracked like thunder.
Her sword splintered first.
Victor's shattered a heartbeat later.
He didn't stop.
His fist drove into her face.
Jake flinched.
Liora hit the ground hard. Before she could breathe, another strike came. Then another.
Dominus moved.
His hand caught Victor's arm mid-swing.
"Enough," he said. "The fight is over."
Victor's aura surged violently. The ground beneath his feet groaned. Even Dominus slid back half a step.
"Jia," he called calmly. "Now."
A woman was already crossing the yard.
Jia knelt beside Liora, hands glowing warm gold as they hovered over bruised skin.
"Well," she murmured lightly, "I suppose the Aran clan still enjoys terrifying girls their age."
Jake let out a shaky breath.
Victor turned on Dominus.
He attacked without hesitation.
Dominus didn't counter. He moved just enough to redirect, guiding Victor step by step, drawing him inward.
Waiting.
Victor lunged again.
Dominus stepped in.
His palm struck Victor's chest. Four fingers spread. Thumb tucked.
"Four-Finger Sealing."
The aura snapped inward.
Victor staggered.
Silence rushed back into the yard.
His shoulders slumped. Breath came ragged. Awareness returned slowly to his eyes.
Behind them, Liora stirred.
"Are you alright?" Jake asked quickly.
"I… think so," she said. Her voice was small. "I don't know what that was."
Dominus exhaled.
"That is Power Mode," he said. "When fear feeds it, it crushes the opponent's will. Victor lost control. He'll learn."
Victor stood unsteady, hearing the words as if from far away.
Anger… Power Mode… Jake thought.
"I've never seen him like that," Liora whispered.
"You'll be fine in a few minutes," Jia said gently. "Try not to make a habit of being his training target."
"Jia," Dominus warned.
She smiled. "I didn't say anything."
The dust slowly settled.
And the yard grew quiet again.
[Soul World]
"So, Kael," Victor said gently, "this is how I lost control myself. You are not the only one."
Kael laughed softly.
"Then someday," he said, "I'd like to hear about my father too."
Victor smiled. "Of course."
He paused, then asked, "Kael, do I need to explain Power Mode to you?"
Kael shook his head.
"No, Grandpa. I think I've already used it. Unconsciously."
Victor listened.
"The punch I used on Reiro," Kael continued, voice steady, "it was too strong. Strong enough to defeat him, even when he lowered his guard. I think it was Power Mode layered into the attack. That's why his injury reached the soul, and why it's taking time for him to recover."
There was a brief silence.
"Yes," Victor said at last. "That was Power Mode."
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Now," Victor continued, his tone shifting, "I will tell you Garrick's story."
Kael straightened.
He took a deep breath.
"I'm ready, Grandpa."
Victor's voice grew calm and distant.
"Then listen carefully."