PART 4 :-
WHAT'S WAIT IN THE FUTURE
MC perspective :-
[At the forest.]
"It's not time for your training, is it?"
"I came here to ask you about something."
"Before going to your academy? That's unusual."
"Yeah. Yesterday I saw a man staring at me. I don't feel comfortable around him. It feels like he wants something from me. Is he really after me?"
"What are you going to do if I say they really are after you?"
"I want you to protect the others. I don't want them to get hurt because of me."
"Hurt? You're miscalculating. To get to you, they won't just hurt them. They might kill them."
"And that's why I want you to protect them."
"I'm sorry, but it seems you still don't understand. Do you know why I'm teaching you? First of all, I don't care about anyone besides you. Whether they live or die means nothing to me. And I'm not going to save you either. I only watch. I became your Shisho because you want to protect others, not because you want me to protect you. I'm not your guardian, and they have no business with me. My purpose in your life is simply to make you stronger and make sure you don't walk down the wrong path. Other than that, I don't care."
"So you're not going to step in if they're about to kill me?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Simple. Because I want you to fly. You've already proven to me that you have the potential to fly without me. So fly. I'm only going to teach you how to fly. It doesn't matter how strong the wind is—you have to fly without anyone's help."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"I wish you had a few more brain cells instead of all that power... Now get lost, or you're going to be late."
I left the forest. I didn't understand anything Juha had said. I was simply confused about which path I should take.
...…
Sagurd perspective :-
"I thought you might help him."
"I am helping him."
"He's progressing fast—at least faster than we expected. And you should get some rest. You've been watching over him 24 hours a day."
"What I'm thinking is that they're waiting as well, just like us. It seems they want to... no, they can't possibly go that far."
"They might. After all, their primary goal is to create a distraction. They might be after him because there are figures who are stronger than their leader."
"That leader... he's far stronger than a Z-Ranker. Though I'm not sure whether he's stronger than you."
"Well, maybe I could have defeated him in my prime, but now it seems difficult. Even though you're their main target, I'm not going after him. After all, our time has ended. This is their era now. They have to deal with it themselves."
"I think I have to step in because their leader has shown some mysterious power. His strength keeps growing every second. Bright and the others don't stand a chance against him."
"I've come here to know about..."
"The chances of the ritual succeeding are high, but the risk of failure still exists. We won't know the outcome until it happens. I understand your concern, but there's nothing we can do. It's his choice, after all. However, I can assure you that Bond's loyalty to Bright remains unwavering. I've never seen a future where they turn against each other."
"That's a relief..."
...…
PART 5 :-
THE TRUTH ABOUT WARFARE
Dex perspective :-
[At the academy, Shaman began his class.]
"From the time you've spent here, I presume you all know how to use the major weapons. So now, we'll move on to the true art of warfare.
As we told you before, the idea that you have to choose a weapon... is actually a lie."
"What!? A lie? What are you talking about!?"
"Warfare isn't about you choosing a weapon. It's about a weapon choosing you. We never told you the truth because some people develop misconceptions and refuse to learn how to use different weapons. That can cost them dearly. If you aren't worthy, no weapon will choose you at all—just as no spirit animal will. Those who aren't chosen by either a weapon or a spirit animal cannot become warriors. However, they can still become supporters who assist warriors in battle."
"How can a weapon choose us!? How is that even possible!?"
"You will be chosen by a weapon that shares a deep connection with you. In simple words, it shares the same will as you.
There is a ritual that every one of you must undergo. During that ritual, one or more weapons will appear before you. Some people are chosen by more than one weapon. If they wish, they can wield all of them."
"What kind of ritual?"
"The Rite of Resonance—a ritual in which each of you undergoes a sacred process before being chosen by your weapon."
"What kind of process?"
"Ah... that's difficult to explain, and some of you might misunderstand it. As I said earlier, every weapon shares the will of its wielder. During the ritual, the High Priest will take a drop of your blood, and a weapon that shares your purpose will answer your call.
For example, if your greatest desire is to become famous, a weapon that resonates with that ambition may appear. But remember this well—the weapon that chooses you is bound only to you. No one else can wield it. When you die, it returns to its ancient seal, where it waits for another person who shares the same will."
"What if our will changes? I mean, if I change my purpose in life, will the weapon stay with me or leave?" Bright asked.
"That's a very good question. Although it's extremely rare for someone to truly change their will, it can happen. If it does, the weapon may shatter, or it may simply refuse to be wielded by you anymore.
That's why I want to tell you something important. Anyone who doubts their own will or cannot decide their purpose in life may not be chosen by any weapon at all. So before the ritual... find a purpose worth living for."
Silence filled the classroom as everyone tried to process what they had just heard.
I already knew most of this because of the old man. But...
Is there really a weapon that shares the same will as mine?
What if no weapon chooses me? Then what will happen?
"If everyone understands, then I'll continue and tell you about the different types of weapons."
Weapons have types as well...? I never knew that.
"We decided weapons in three parts. First is—
Mortal Arms :- it's the common weapon, like everyone use. A sword, arrow or axe. They are normal weapon.
Divine Relics :- Rare and mighty weapons of legendary power. Their will is the strongest. Those who are chosen by them have to share the strong relation between them. They are few in number but their power is so high that together they can destroy any planets.
Astras :- We talk about it before. It's the celestialweapons. Can destroy any universes. Achieve it might be impossible. Astras not only depends on your will, it's depends on our physical, mental and your soul power and connection. Only some Z ranker ever achieved it.
Considering your current condition. You people might choose by Mortal Arms. Although if you are capable Devine Relics can chose you as well."
Z-Ranker!? Then... does the old man have an Astra as well!?
"The class is over for today. I will notify all of you when the ritual is going to take place."
Shaman left the classroom, and today's lesson came to an end.
...…
PART 6 :-
WORDS BEFORE THE RITUAL
Bond perspective :-
[In the hostel room.]
"Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow? What are they going to do?" Bright asked nervously.
"Yeah. I heard that even ordinary people are going to watch the ritual. Some powerful figures will be there as well."
"You're not nervous?"
"Why should I be? I've already decided my path. And you already know what you want too, so there's no pressure about that... Although I am worried about Dex. He still has to decide the course of his life."
"He'll be alright..."
What...?
What's going on?
Everything suddenly stopped. It was as if time itself had frozen.
"Oaa, we should talk."
I turned around and saw Chiron—Bright's master.
What's happening?
"Nothing too complicated. I simply stopped time and allowed only you to move freely."
"You can do something like that!?"
"My powers have no limits. I came here because I wanted to speak with you, and I didn't want him to hear our conversation."
"What do you want?"
"You still haven't told Bright about your past."
"What?"
"Relax. I know everything. I also know that you never lost your memory. That's why your desire for revenge burns so fiercely."
"You know everything?"
"I was surprised when you were willing to endure any amount of pain just to make sure all of you won. Fortunately, that moron didn't want to hear your secret back then, so you're safe for now. But when you finally tell him the truth... you already know the consequences."
"Yeah... so what's the matter?"
"You carry two wills within you. One is your desire for revenge. The other is your loyalty to Bright. I came to ask you one question.
Are you certain you want to pursue your revenge?
Because if you do... you may no longer be able to remain loyal to Bright or even stay his friend."
"No matter how hard I try, I can't forget what they did to my parents... or to me. So... yes. I will pursue my revenge."
"Is that your final decision?"
"Yes... But let me ask you one favor.
If I ever stand against Bright... it doesn't matter whether I've completed my revenge or not... whether I've lost myself or not... if I ever become a threat to Bright... kill me."
"Heheheh... You pass.
Very well. I'll remember those words. If things ever go out of control... I'll kill you."
With that, he disappeared.
Dex is far stronger than you think. And don't forget... that old geezer is his master as well...
"Hm? What happened?"
"Nothing..."
...…
Dex perspective :-
"What are you looking at?"
"I thought you didn't want that nameplate there."
"Umm... yeah... It's okay. Whether it stays or not doesn't really matter."
"That name... is it important to you?"
"Yeah. She was the most important person in my life. Although... I lost her."
"Now that I think about it... we really don't know much about you."
"Want to know?"
"Nah. Who wants to listen to an old man's story?"
"The whole land is in a festive mood. Everyone is busy with the preparations. People are rushing around everywhere."
"Yeah. After all, you all are the future warriors... the future Faris."
"Is a weapon really going to choose me? I mean... is there really a weapon that shares the same will as me? A will to find my identity... to find a family... to find people who might finally accept me?"
He placed a hand on my shoulder and looked at the nameplate beside me.
"You want to become a Faris, don't you? I was a Faris once too. I left this land and traveled across the world, meeting countless people. But after seeing the world... I realized something.
There is no place that's wonderful on its own.
The place where we find the people we love becomes the most wonderful place.
Even hell can feel like heaven if the people we cherish are there with us."
"I don't understand."
"Hm... what I'm trying to say is... you've already formed a connection. You may not realize it yet, but there's always something... or someone... protecting us."
Most of the old man's words went over my head, but I understood one thing.
Tomorrow... I might find something that is more than just a shared will.
...…
Minidra perspective :-
"My Lady, you're still awake."
"Hmm... I'm just excited about tomorrow."
"It's a big day. Everyone will be there."
"Do you think I'm worthy of becoming a warrior after being so selfish?"
"Who said you're selfish? Loving someone is never selfish. At first, I wondered why you chose him. He looked like an idiot and wasn't handsome enough for you. But then I realized something. If you feel safe around him, he's a kind man. After watching him during the trial, I'm sure you've chosen well. He'll protect you for the rest of his life."
"We're not lovers!" she said, blushing.
"What!? You two aren't dating?"
"No. I only told him I wanted to stay by his side forever."
"That idiot! It's hard enough for a girl to confess her feelings, and he still didn't understand?"
"It's alright. I'm happy with how things are. Now that I think about it... you accepted him too. You even let him call you 'Aunty,' even though you never liked anyone calling you that."
"Hmm... It's strange. The way he speaks reminds me of my Madam. Sometimes it feels like I'm seeing her again."
"You've never told me about your past. Don't you like talking about it?"
"I'm a failure. I couldn't get the man I loved... and I couldn't protect the woman I considered my sister."
"What was your relationship with Sagurd?"
"We grew up together. Even though his clan ranked higher than mine, he never treated me like a servant. We became best friends and trained under the same master. Before I realized it, I had fallen in love with him.
But he never saw me that way. His dream was to travel the world. One day, he left without saying goodbye.
Decades later, he returned... with a family. Nothing was ever the same.
He never loved me. I remained only his best friend."
"I'm sorry... I can't even imagine Bright with another girl."
"Hahaha... Don't worry. He's a good man. He's not like the others. I'm sure he'll always stand by your side."
...…