Kayon lay still, his breathing slow as the night wrapped around them. Carai slipped quietly beside him, the warmth between them a fragile comfort. She hesitated, her fingers brushing his arm.
"Kayon," she whispered, "when I thought I was going to die... I only regretted one thing." He turned toward her, and she added, her voice barely audible, "Not having the chance to be close to you." In that moment, something softened between them, like the first spark before a storm.
Kayon's face flushed red instantly, heat rising to his ears as her words sank in. For a moment he couldn't move, couldn't even breathe properly. His heartbeat thundered in his chest, loud and uneven. She was so close.
He swallowed, his usual composure slipping away. Instead of resisting, instead of making a joke, he let himself fall back onto the bed, eyes still locked on hers. There was hesitation in him, but also trust.
Slowly, quietly, he reached up and rested a hand at her waist, surrendering not out of weakness, but because he wanted to.
The morning light hit Kayon's face. Slowly he opened his eyes and found Carai beside him. He stayed like that, looking at her as if gazing at an angel. Slowly she opened her eyes and found him staring.
"What? Why are you looking at me?"
"Nothing. Just regretting something." She furrowed her eyebrows.
"And that is?"
He pinched her nose and got up. "It's nothing of great issue. Let's get up." He left her in the bed.
'I don't believe I slept with him yesterday,' Carai thought to herself. Her face turned red.
"Kyaaa!" She kicked her feet against the mattress.
'Mian, you're sure you healed her right?' Kayon asked, standing just outside the room.
'Yes, I did... why do you ask, Master?'
'Oh, nothing.' He went back in.
She was up now, putting on her clothes. "When did you get back?" She posed, trying to hide herself.
"I never left to begin with." He set the food down.
She flinched.
"Anyway, so what's the plan for now?" She continued dressing.
"We can't stay here any longer," he said, moving to the window.
"Why?"
"The Forlorn have been flocking to this place." He turned around and caught a look at Carai's behind as she continued to dress.
"Oh, alright. That makes sense. So when do we leave?"
Kayon moved behind her as she bent down to pick up the makeshift bed they had slept on, and slapped her behind. In a rage she kicked him hard enough to break through the wall and into the next building.
"Mm... was I this strong? What did he do to me?" She looked at her body.
Kayon came back, cracking his back.
"I only spanked your butt why kick me through a wall?"
"Hey, what did you do to me?" Carai asked, clenching her fists and bouncing on her heels.
"What do you mean?" He moved in and sat down.
"I mean my body. It feels lighter and stronger. I feel like I evolved into a two-star."
"Really now. How strong is that?"
"Very strong. I believe we had two knights who were two-stars in Dolkan."
"Wait." Kayon laughed.
"What's so funny?" She moved toward him. "You want another kick?"
"No, no I just remembered something." He cleared his throat. "So you evolved from a one-star, right?"
"Yes. And what of it?"
"I just want to know what is the difference between a one-star and a two-star?"
"Mm... let me see. If I had to say, it should be the ability to store energy."
"What do you mean?"
"Look a one-star is physically stronger than a human, but a two-star is able to absorb a type of energy into their body. This enhances their senses and greatly improves their physical form."
"Oh, I get it now. So we only have one and two stars, right?" She paced around the room.
"Mm, no. We actually have five stars."
"Wait five stars? How do you even differentiate them?"
"Calm down. Okay, from what I remember, a three-star is able to freely circulate that stored energy, which gives them greater strength."
"Well, I don't see the difference between two and three." She sighed.
"There is a big difference. Oh and a three-star can sense the energy in their environment."
"Huh? Like people?"
"No anything that has this energy." He rubbed his head. "I don't get it."
"Listen, this energy is found everywhere. It's the energy that drives everything, from life to the very sun that burns."
'Note: the energy she is referring to is the energy between two molecules, known as intermolecular interaction energy. This consists of potential energy resulting from attraction and repulsion forces, including electrostatic, polarization, and dispersion forces. This in turn determines whether molecules bind a low energy state or repel a high energy state.'
'Ahh, I see. Now can you say that in plain language?'
'It is the energy that exists between two very small particles called molecules.'
"Hey, are you listening?" she asked. He didn't respond. She hit his head. "I said, are you listening?"
"That hurt. Yes, I was I mean, I am."
"So that's the difference."
"What is? sorry. Okay, you've told me about one through three. What about four and five?"
"You see, four-stars are different. They can use this energy in different ways."
"Okay, like what ways?"
"First, their energy becomes elemental energy it changes and gains attributes." She grabbed a stick and wrote in the dirt: fire, water, earth, air.
"So what determines one's attribute?"
"It's attribute, not attributes you can only gain one. And four-stars are able to use their attribute to envelope their bodies or weapons, and can even discharge attacks with it."
"Now that seems useful."
"Yes. Actually, I have only ever seen one person who is a four-star the ruler of Rockheart. He's an earth user."
"Nice. So how strong is he?"
"Strong enough to wipe out a flock of Forlorn by himself, and can kill fifty two-star warriors with ease." Kayon exclaimed in shock.
"Wait isn't that basically saying he can take out a small city alone?"
"Now that's a normal reaction. And yes, he can." Kayon broke into a sweat.
And I was casually doing business with him. I'm lucky I didn't offend him.
"Wait Carai."
"Mm?"
"So if a four-star is that strong, then what about a five-star?"
"I have never met one, and all I know is they can use a different kind of energy called magic."
"Magic?"
"Yes, magic. And there are rumors of higher ranks beyond five."
'Master, this concept of magic she is referring to is the ability to freely manipulate that potential energy, resulting in supernatural phenomena.'
'So can you do it?'
'Using the sister system, I can freely reorganise your cells to use any of the elements.'
"Wait what!"
Kayon shot to his feet.
Carai flinched.
"What is your problem?" she snapped. "You scared me."
"Oh no, it's nothing." He moved quickly out of the room.
'Yes now let's do it now.'
'That won't be possible, as you do not have enough energy to do so.'
'And how long would it take?"
'You would have to absorb the energy. I can develop a method by which you absorb it at a very fast pace.'
He grinned and went back inside.
"Hey, Carai you're a two-star, right?" She shrugged.
"I'm not sure. I'd have to go to a guild that can assess my energy."
'Mian, can you check what star she is?'
'Based on the current data she has provided, and using data from the Mian system, I can determine her level.'
'Okay, check it now.'
'She is a two-star, but if she properly assimilates her energy she can easily become a three-star, and has the potential to reach four-star.'
'How? And when did she gain that type of energy?'
'During her regeneration she absorbed your cells and most of your energy. Shall I create a method for easy assimilation?'
'Is that right... go ahead.'
"Hey, Carai want to be a three-star? I can teach you." She looked at him and stepped in front of him.
"How?" she asked.
"It's a method I came up with."
"Mm." She sounded doubtful.
"Look, do you want to or not?"
"Yes, I want to!" she exclaimed.
'He just now learned about ranks and he's already teaching me. Wait until I learn this I have a lot of questions for you.' She smiled.
'Why do I feel like I just did something wrong?' Kayon thought.
They headed to the lower floors and lit a fire.
'Hey Mian, is the method ready?'
'Yes. Relay information.'
Kayon rubbed his hands and grinned. "Yes!" He caught himself. 'I mean yes.'
Carai looked at him and tilted her head slightly.
"Should I be worried?" she asked.
"Worry about what?"
"You look like a fly." Kayon stood straight and coughed.
"Right. As you said, the ability to ascend to a two-star is the capacity to absorb energy, correct?"
"Yes, I just told you that."
"Then your body already has energy you just need to control it. You took it when I healed you." Carai held her chin.
"Right, right... how in the hell did I even do that?"
"Just shut up and listen. Teacher is talking." He stepped in front of her and held her head. "I'll show you the energy you already have. Here's how it's going to work I'll give your body a pathway, and you follow it."
"Alright, let me try."
He pulled his energy through her and let it flow from her head through the rest of her body.
"I can feel it," she exclaimed.
"Good. That's the second star. Now try to control that energy don't force it. Move it throughout your body and use your head, heart, and lower stomach as focus points." He stepped back and sat down, closing his eyes.
Right. Let's begin with mine as well.
'Starting absorption process.'
They sat in silence for days.
Carai collapsed.
Kayon was on his feet in an instant, catching her and carrying her back to camp.
'She has collapsed due to starvation. But she has achieved three-star.'
He carried her to a different building and made camp. Carai slowly woke.
"Ahh... my head." She looked around. "Where are we?"
"Kayon!" She scrambled to her feet and called out.
"I'm here I was just out getting food."
She ran and hugged him, holding him tightly. He paused, the tears at the edge of her eyes.
'I see. So she's been pretending to be strong this whole time.'
He patted her head. "I won't be going anywhere," he said, his voice soft and quiet.
She wiped her face. "I wasn't scared." She punched his stomach and walked away.
"I sometimes wonder if you are a woman or a man."
"What... did... you say!"
He flinched and turned away. "I said man am hungry."
Something feels different about her.
He studied her fod a moment.
'Ah her body. She was a bit muscular before, but now she looks small. Refined. But that body doesn't match that personality. What a waste.'
Carai rolled her fist.
"That's I just got the edge to punch you for some reason."
"What why." kayon stepped back.
"Anyway, you need to get accustomed to your power. We'll stay here and use that space to train."
"Oh yeah, this is a new place." She looked around. "Okay, that works. Let's go right now." She tugged on his arm.
He grabbed her head. "You need to eat something first, lady."
She sat down angry, ate her food, then turned to Kayon.
"Hey, hey I ate. Let's go. Now." She tugged on his hand.
"Okay, okay fine. Let's go." They got ready and headed to the training area.
"Good. Now show me what you can do. Feel free to go all out."
"Are you really okay with me going all out? I'm stronger now."
Kayon got into his stance. "Yes, I know." He signalled her to attack. "Come on."
"It's your funeral." She moved in with a punch. Kayon blocked it with one hand and drove her into a wall.
She got up and circled him fast.
"Clever girl." He was behind her before she could react,.
"But you're not fast enough." He smacked her head.
He looked at her rubbing her head.
'Mian, can you prepare a fighting style best suited for her?'
'Possible... creating it now.'
He nodded.
"Just what are you?" She got up, readying her stance.
"I am awesome."
'Style is ready.'
"Wait! the way you fight is rough. I have a better style for you."
"Okay, now that's strange. Where are you getting this from?"
"Don't ask questions. Just learn. This art is a combination of two styles judo and Krav Maga."
She stared him down. "Judo and krav-what now?"
"Let's just begin."
They trained for weeks, dividing their time between sparring through the day and meditation at night. A full month passed.
During one of their sessions, Kayon spoke mid-fight.
"Okay you've gotten the basics. This technique is the best option right now because you can fight with or without a weapon."
"I get it..." Carai lay on the ground panting, sweat pooling beneath her. "It's quite deadly. Almost like it was built for killing."
"Yes it is. You use a blade as your main weapon, right?" She nodded.
"Yes."
"Then fuse this martial art with your blade. I'm going to meditate for now don't disturb me."
"Sure thing."
"Oh before that. Show me your aura." She got up and released it: translucent, cold.
"Good girl. You should find yourself a four-star air user by the time I'm done."
"You think I'm a monster like you? What rank are you?"
He raised his arms and conjured four elements at once fire, water, earth, wind.
She stared.
"How is that possible? Magic you can already use magic?"
"Yes, little one. And so you shall call me master."
"Forget that. I'm not calling you that. I'm two years older than you you should be the one calling me master."
"Like hell I will." He turned back toward camp and dropped into his meditation.
'Hey Mian, create the space.'
'Creating virtual reality... successful.
Accelerating time... successful. Time ratio: one hour here to twenty minutes outside.'
'Good. Let's begin.'