After leaving the food stall, Kaito walked quietly through the winding paths of the village. He passed stone buildings and tall breezeways, took a few familiar turns, and finally arrived at his destination:
The Wind Clan Library.
It stood like a fortress of knowledge — tall, imposing, and wide enough to stretch across half the plaza. Smooth gray stone formed its outer walls, with high arched windows that shimmered under the soft light of day. Its entrance was marked by a massive carved emblem of the Wind Clan — a spiral of air etched into granite.
Kaito stepped inside.
Immediately, the hum of quiet voices, footsteps, and rustling notes filled the air. Shelves towered around the central lobby, dividing into multiple wings — one for common knowledge, another for Vital Pulse theory, and one entirely dedicated to Assertions.
Masters in clan outfit moved silently between the aisles. A few older kids — twelve, fifteen, even seventeen — sat at reading tables, focused on books much thicker than Kaito could imagine lifting.
As he passed the reception desk, a man and a woman looked up from behind the counter.
"Oh Good day, Lord Kaito," the man greeted.
"Welcome back," added the woman.
Kaito gave a small nod. "Hello."
He made his way to the far-right wing, where the shelves buzzed faintly with embedded Vital Pulse. He scanned the aisle labeled Techniques and reached up for two books.
"Mastering How to Control Vital Pulse"
"Wind Assertions "
He took them both and sat at a reading table tucked into a quiet corner.
First, he opened the Vital Pulse book. Diagrams of internal core channels, focusing exercises, and breathing rhythms filled the pages. He read each section slowly, taking mental notes. After finishing, he closed it and pulled the second book closer.
This one was more exciting.
Clone Assertion, vortex spirals, wind-form blades, and aerial movement theories. He flipped through each section with growing curiosity.
After flipping through the pages.
Kaito sat back.
"Hmmm…"
He closed the book and rested his head on the table, arms folded under his chin.
His mind wandered again. Hina… Ren…
"Why am I so weak?"
A voice answered gently.
"You're not weak."
Kaito's eyes widened. He looked up to see a tall teen stands with quiet confidence, dressed in a striking all-white ensemble that blends elegance with a hint of danger. His fitted jacket hangs open at the chest, revealing a sculpted torso beneath, while a high, layered collar and soft white scarf frame his neck, adding a refined touch. Draped over his shoulders is a plush, fur-like trim that gives him an air of status and power, as if he belongs to a higher rank or elite order.
His sleeves are rolled up casually to his forearms, where white gloves complete the look—clean, precise, and ready for action. Around his waist rests a utility belt lined with pouches and straps, suggesting he is no stranger to combat or missions that require preparation. The matching white pants continue the seamless aesthetic, sharp and tailored, reinforcing his composed and controlled presence.
"Yo, Kaito," the teen said.
"…Oh—Genkei."
The 17-year-old took the seat across from him, dropping one elbow on the table and casually flipping through one of Kaito's scrolls. "What's up with you?"
Kaito hesitated. "Noth—" He paused.
Genkei raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Kaito looked down at his hands. "Hey… Genkei. When did you become a Master?"
Genkei leaned back. "Huh? Weird question. But… I became a Master at eight just like most people."
"…Oh. I see."
His tone fell quiet, shoulders slightly slumped. Genkei noticed immediately. He closed the scroll and set it aside.
"Kaito," he said gently. "Something on your mind?"
Kaito sighed. "I… I don't understand what's going on with me."
Genkei tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Kaito looked down, voice soft. "I thought I was getting stronger. I thought I was on track to protect my family. To protect Hina... but—"
Genkei leaned in. "But?"
"But I'm not even strong enough to protect myself," Kaito said, his voice cracking just slightly. "So how can I protect Hina… who's already as strong as me? She's even a bigger prodigy than I…."
There was silence for a second.
Then Genkei reached across the table and rested a hand on Kaito's head, ruffling his hair gently.
"I see."
He smiled.
"You know, I've met a lot of prodigies, Kaito. Some rise fast, some burn out. But I've never seen one who works harder than you."
Kaito blinked.
"You think strength is about being ahead? Nah. Strength is about not stopping. You're not just a prodigy. You're a grinder. A builder. And that's the kind of person who ends up unshakable."
He tapped the side of Kaito's head. "You don't get to choose how you start. But you do get to decide how far you go."
Kaito's lips parted. He let the words sink in.
Genkei leaned back in his chair, still resting a hand gently on Kaito's head. His tone was calm, older-brother-like — steady but kind.
"Yeah… I get it," he said. "When someone close to you starts shining, it's easy to feel like your light's going out."
Kaito was quiet.
Genkei continued, now more serious. "You're not weak, Kaito. You're just walking a different path. You're not running on fire like Hina. You're growing like a mountain. Slow… but unshakable."
Kaito raised his head slightly.
"You think protecting someone means being stronger than them?" Genkei smirked. "It doesn't. It means being the one who refuses to give up — even when they're scared, even when you're scared."
He leaned closer, voice soft but firm.
"One day, she'll need you. Not because you're stronger… but because you never stopped believing in her. Or in yourself."
Kaito's lips parted slightly. His chest felt tight — but lighter.
Kaito sat quietly… then nodded.
"Thanks, Genkei."
Kaito smiled faintly. For the first time in days… he didn't feel so alone.
Just then, two figures approached. A girl, draped around her shoulders is a flowing white cloak trimmed with soft fur, adding both warmth and a touch of luxury as it falls loosely around her frame.
Beneath it, she wears a fitted white crop top with a lace-up front, subtly revealing her midriff and emphasizing a balance between style and mobility. Her lower half is dressed in short white bottoms, tailored and minimal, allowing freedom of movement. Straps wrap around her thighs—decorative yet functional—fastened with small buckles that add a tactical edge.
Her hands are covered in white gloves, hinting at readiness for combat.
She hugged Genkei from behind.
"Hey~"
It was Mai, age 16 — playful and full of energy. Alongside her was Reiji, age 17, wearing a modernized Wind Clan robe mixed with sleek martial fashion. His vibe was cold — distant.
"Yo, Reiji. Mai," Genkei greeted.
"Good afternoon Lord Kaito," Mai said cheerfully.
"Afternoon Mai," Kaito replied. In his mind, as he looked at her, he thought,
"Wow… she's pretty."
Then he turned to Reiji — his cousin. Something felt different. The Reiji he remembered was warm. This one? Cold. Detached. Reiji didn't even say hi to him. He only turned to Genkei.
"Genkei," Reiji said. "They need you at the Tempest Hall."
Tempest Hall - a place where masters,Elite Masters and the rest gather for missions and briefings.
"So that's why you two came," Genkei nodded. "Alright, I better get going."
Mai let go of him and stepped aside, placing one hand on her hip. Genkei stood up and turned to Kaito.
"Kaito, I'll be taking my leave."
"Sure. Later."
"If you ever need anything, you know where to find me, okay?"
"Yeah. Thank you for today, Genkei."
"No problem."
He smiled and turned away. Mai waved as she followed.
"Byeeeee~"
Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor as the three of them walked through the quiet aisles of the library.
The hum of turning pages and low voices filled the space around them.
Mai walked just behind Genkei, arms loosely crossed, her expression shifting slightly as they moved further from Kaito's table.
Then—
she leaned forward a bit and spoke in a low voice.
"…Hey."
Genkei glanced sideways.
"What?"
Mai frowned slightly.
"You really just called him Kaito like that?"
Genkei raised an eyebrow.
"…Yeah?"
Mai looked around quickly, making sure no one was paying too much attention, then leaned in closer.
"He's Lord Kaito, Genkei. You can't just drop the title like that—especially in here."
Genkei shrugged casually, hands in his pockets.
"I've known him since he was this tall," he said, lowering his hand slightly to gesture. "I'm not about to start acting formal now."
Mai clicked her tongue.
"That's not the point. It's about respect."
Genkei smirked a little.
"I do respect him."
Mai narrowed her eyes.
"Then act like it."
For a brief moment, Genkei said nothing.
Then his smirk softened—just slightly.
"…I think he prefers it this way."
Mai blinked.
"…Huh?"
Genkei glanced back for a split second—toward where Kaito was sitting, small against the massive shelves.
"…Being 'Lord Kaito' all the time…"
He looked forward again.
"…gets heavy."
Silence followed that.
Mai's expression eased just a little.
"…Still," she muttered, though softer now, "at least pretend when people are watching."
Genkei let out a quiet chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah."
Ahead of them, Reiji continued walking without a word.
And behind them—
the quiet of the library returned, as if the moment had never happened.
Kaito waved back, his eyes lingering on the three of them. As they walked away, he noticed something: they all had True Being Marks.
Mai's tattoo was visible on her side, where her top left her stomach exposed.
Genkei's was on his chest — his shirt unbuttoned enough to reveal it.
Reiji's was on his left arm, bold and clear.
Watching their backs as they left, Kaito couldn't help but whisper to himself:
"They're so cool…"
Kaito smiled faintly but then his mind drifted to his cousin, Reiji. He was different from the rest... distant. Kaito shook his head and muttered,
"Whatever, I better get going."