With the almost whimsical concept of Self-Resonance in mind, Myriad Dreams immediately plunged into a frenzy of training.
She returned to the training field, and this time, Yaeno Muteki proactively stayed by her side to keep watch and support her.
Myriad Dreams closed her eyes, putting all her effort into recalling the sensation of simulating Yaeno Muteki's Zone and the fiery, persistent, and explosive characteristics of its power.
She carefully mobilized her own Zone energy, attempting to construct another "core" within it: A simulated mark of Muteki's Zone.
"Zone Simulation... Activate!"
With her low cry, an energy fluctuation completely different from the unpredictable nature of her own Zone— one carrying a distinct aggressiveness and a scorching heat— began to slowly condense and take shape beside her!
Gradually, a blurry deep-purple phantom composed of energy, bearing a seventy-to-eighty percent resemblance to Yaeno Muteki, actually appeared next to her!
"!!"
Even Yaeno Muteki herself, standing off to the side, showed a look of shock.
She could clearly feel that the phantom indeed possessed a few hints of her own Zone's essence.
"How incredible... Dreams, you actually... simulated another 'me'?"
She couldn't help but reach out, wanting to touch the energy phantom, but her fingertips passed through without any resistance.
After all, this was merely a simulated energy body, not a physical entity.
Myriad Dreams was currently fully concentrated, fine beads of sweat seeping from her forehead.
Maintaining a simulated Zone while simultaneously supporting her own Zone was a massive test of her mental strength and energy control.
'Now!'
She snapped her eyes open, a blue light flashing within them.
At that exact moment, she activated her Zone and the simulated "Yaeno Muteki" Zone!
The two Zone forces appeared once again!
However, this time the situation differed from the genuine resonance between the two girls earlier.
A simulated Zone was not the original, after all. There were subtle but critical differences in its energy structure and vibration frequency.
Though the two Zone forces existed simultaneously, they were like oil and water.
They merely overlapped around Myriad Dreams's body, acting independently and staying distinctly separate without producing that wonderful fusion and resonance effect.
The energy clashed and drained violently in the overlapping area, lasting for less than three seconds—
And with a soft poof, the simulated Yaeno Muteki phantom was the first to shatter and dissipate like a bubble.
Immediately following, Myriad Dreams's own Zone fluctuated wildly and collapsed, unable to be maintained.
"Hah... hah..." Myriad Dreams knelt on one knee, supporting herself with her hands on the ground, panting heavily.
Sweat dripped down her jawline.
The double overdraft of mental strength and energy left her feeling waves of dizziness.
"Still... not working..." Her voice was filled with frustration and exhaustion.
"As expected... the gap between theory and practice is too large... a simulated Zone ultimately can't fully replace the real thing, it's hard to trigger a perfect resonance..."
Yaeno Muteki stepped forward and knelt down, gently wiping the sweat from the other's forehead with a handkerchief.
Her eyes were full of support and encouragement.
"It's alright, Dreams. This was only the first attempt. Being able to successfully simulate it and maintain two Zones for a few seconds is already an astounding leap of progress."
"Keep working at it, you will definitely find a way."
Just then, a lively voice chimed in:
"My, my~ working so hard? Here, have a reward to replenish your energy!"
Seiun Sky had appeared at the training field at some unknown point.
She walked over with a grin and handed a fresh pack of Myriad Dreams's favorite gum to her.
"Sky? You're here too." Myriad Dreams took the gum, her heart warming.
She unwrapped a piece and popped it into her mouth, the familiar minty coolness gave her spirit a slight boost.
"Of course! Seeing our Myriad Dreams working so hard for the Arc de Triomphe, how could I not come to cheer you on?"
Seiun Sky rested her hands on her hips, her tone firm.
"The Arc de Triomphe... you absolutely have to win!"
Yaeno Muteki also stood up, looking at Myriad Dreams with a hint of pride in her voice.
"Naturally. She can even simulate a phantom of my Zone now."
Although the resonance hadn't succeeded, the ability to simulate was terrifyingly impressive in itself.
Hearing this, Seiun Sky blinked, a mischievous and expectant smile crossing her face.
She leaned in toward Myriad Dreams and nudged her shoulder playfully:
"Oho~ being able to simulate Muteki's Zone is quite impressive~ But Myriad Dreams, sooner or later, you'll be able to simulate my Zone too, right?"
"When that time comes, maybe we can have a 'Zone Resonance' of our own? I'm actually quite looking forward to it!"