Ryoshi stirred from his slumber, his consciousness slowly emerging from the depths of sleep. As he blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dimness of the room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu creeping over him.
"Not the FUCK AGAIN!!!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration as he bolted upright in bed.
"I'm getting the oddest sense of déjà vu," he muttered to himself, a puzzled frown creasing his brow.
"God damn, you're loud," a voice retorted from the darkness.
Ryoshi's head whipped around, his eyes scanning the room for the source of the voice. "WHO THE FUCK SAID THAT!?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with irritation.
"No need to swear, nephew," the voice replied, its tone calm and familiar.
"I'm having a very bad day today, okay? Wait, nephew?" Ryoshi exclaimed, his confusion evident in his voice.
"Yeah, about that," the voice continued, and with a snap, the lights flickered on, revealing a figure clad in a blue coat with white hair and blue eyes standing before him.
Ryoshi took in his surroundings—the scattered tables, beer bottles, chairs, and couches—and raised an eyebrow. "Don't mind this place, I'll clean it up later," the figure said, waving a hand dismissively.
"You said something about me being your nephew," Ryoshi prompted, his curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, I'm your uncle, Ketori!" the figure announced proudly.
"That name also gives me the weirdest sense of déjà vu. Wait, so if you're my uncle, what's my mom's name?" Ryoshi inquired, his skepticism evident.
"Heiwa? I feel like you don't trust me," Ketori replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I really do. Where am I anyway?" Ryoshi questioned, his gaze sweeping the room once more.
"This is my house. I live with a few other people," Ketori explained casually.
"Why am I here?" Ryoshi pressed, his tone wary.
"Because I kidnapped you," Ketori admitted bluntly.
"Why?" Ryoshi demanded, disbelief coloring his voice.
"To train ya, stupid! I saw you get clobbered by that damn freak," Ketori replied matter-of-factly.
"I... I have so many questions. First of which, WHY WOULD MY OWN UNCLE KIDNAP ME!?" Ryoshi exclaimed, his frustration evident.
"WHAT KIDNAPPER WOULD KIDNAP YOU AND LIE ABOUT BEING YOUR UNCLE?" Ketori shot back, his tone incredulous.
"BUT... that's a strange but true point... I thought you would be in Negative Point or something," Ryoshi muttered, his confusion deepening.
"My tactics were a little too self-destructive for the likes of Negative Point, so I left because they were holding me back," Ketori explained, a hint of defiance in his voice.
"Well, there goes one of my plans," Ryoshi remarked wryly, shaking his head.
"SO!" Ketori interjected, changing the subject abruptly.
"So...?" Ryoshi echoed, uncertainty coloring his tone.
"I see something in you, not only amazing potential but also sacrificial abilities," Ketori continued, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Oh, that... I haven't used that in a while," Ryoshi admitted, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his features.
"I'm somebody who only has sacrificial abilities, as I was born without mana. Ryoshi, I want to train your sacrificial ability to be almost as good as mine," Ketori proposed, his gaze intense.
"What is your sacrificial ability?" Ryoshi inquired, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Blood ice," Ketori replied simply, a hint of pride in his tone.
"How are you still alive?" Ryoshi questioned, disbelief coloring his voice.
"The more control over blood ice, the less blood you use, basically making blood out of blood magic without knowing blood magic," Ketori explained, his expression serious.
"That sounds sick, but I still have mana left in me," Ryoshi pointed out, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Aaaand, that's where my crew comes in!" Ketori declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"What!?" Ryoshi exclaimed, his confusion mounting.
"After I left Negative Point, I met and befriended fellow users of sacrificial abilities. If you haven't noticed yet, there is a door at the end of this room. Each room contains one of my friends. You will spar with them until you reach the final room—MY ROOM!!! Well, actually—" Ketori explained, his excitement palpable.
"Challenge accepted! If it means that I can get stronger, I'll do it!" Ryoshi interrupted eagerly, determination shining in his eyes.
"Oh, well, that's... good to hear. I'll see you at the end, nephew. Just make sure not to die," Ketori remarked casually before disappearing into thin air.
"Not to what now—" Ryoshi began, but Ketori was already gone, leaving him alone in the dimly lit room, his thoughts racing with anticipation for the challenges that lay ahead.
Ryoshi stood at the threshold of the door, a familiar pang of solitude tugging at his heartstrings. "Alone... Again... Might as well go to that door," he murmured to himself, the resignation evident in his voice.
With measured steps, Ryoshi approached the door, his hand reaching out instinctively to grasp the knob. But just before his fingers made contact, his gaze caught a sign adorning the doorframe.
"Beth's room? That sounds... good?" Ryoshi pondered aloud, his curiosity piqued.
As he pushed the door open, anticipation mounting within him, a sudden interruption halted his advance.
"PAUSE!"
Ryoshi froze, his muscles tensing at the unexpected command. "What the hell?" he exclaimed, bewildered by the intrusion.
A voice, disembodied and enigmatic, echoed through the room. "It seems like you don't know how to sense mana," it stated matter-of-factly.
Ryoshi's brow furrowed in confusion. "How do you know that?" he queried, his mind reeling with uncertainty.
"Because you almost stepped on a magic trap," the voice replied, its tone tinged with amusement.
"Oh, thanks!" Ryoshi responded, his gratitude evident despite the lingering sense of unease.
"I'll teach you here and now, how to sense magic and mana," the voice offered, its presence both comforting and mysterious.
"Okay," Ryoshi agreed, his curiosity overcoming his apprehension.
"Oh yeah, my name is Beth," the voice introduced itself, its identity finally revealed.
"I could tell," Ryoshi remarked wryly, a small smile gracing his lips.
"If you want to learn how to sense magic and mana, follow these steps," Beth instructed, her guidance clear and concise.
"Listening," Ryoshi affirmed, his attention focused entirely on the task at hand.
"Create a field of mana around you," Beth began, her voice resonating within Ryoshi's mind.
"Doesn't mana outside of your body turn into magic?" Ryoshi interjected, his thirst for knowledge driving him to seek clarification.
"You're not using your mana, you're using the world's mana, by inserting your life force into the world," Beth clarified, her explanation shedding light on the intricacies of magic.
"How do I do that?" Ryoshi inquired, his determination evident in his tone.
"Just let the mana in your brain fill, and don't let it go," Beth instructed, her guidance leading Ryoshi down the path of enlightenment.
Ryoshi closed his eyes, his mind focusing on the task at hand. "I... I can see," he exclaimed, the revelation flooding his senses with newfound awareness.
Opening his eyes, Ryoshi beheld a sight unlike any he had seen before. Glowing shapes littered the ground before him, their ethereal aura illuminating the darkness that once shrouded his perception. Among them, a figure in the shape of a human stood out, its radiant presence beckoning to him.
"Good, now come to me!!!" Beth's voice echoed through the chamber, her excitement palpable even from afar.
With newfound clarity and determination, Ryoshi leaped over the trap before him, his movements fluid and purposeful. Dodging each obstacle with ease, he pressed onward, driven by the promise of knowledge and discovery.
Finally, Ryoshi stood face to face with Beth, her pale complexion illuminated by the soft glow of the surrounding mana. Long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her features in an aura of mystery. Clad in a pristine white suit, she exuded an air of authority and wisdom that commanded Ryoshi's respect.
Surveying the room around him, Ryoshi noted the abundance of rocks scattered throughout, their presence adding to the enigmatic atmosphere that enveloped them.
As Ryoshi's gaze met Beth's, a sense of camaraderie and understanding passed between them, forging a bond that transcended mere words.
"Uh... Ok, I'm here!" Ryoshi announced, his voice filled with a mix of determination and uncertainty.
"Amazing, Ryoshi, now, let's do this," Beth exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she prepared to demonstrate her abilities.
"If you say so," Ryoshi replied hesitantly, his nerves tingling with anticipation.
Without warning, Beth began to suck in air, her chest expanding with each breath as she gathered her strength.
"What the-" Ryoshi's protest was cut short as Beth unleashed a powerful gust of wind, sending him hurtling through the air with unrelenting force. He crashed through multiple rocks, his body tumbling and twisting until he hit the ground with a resounding thud, sliding across the rocky surface.
"Ok, I see how it is! Surriku No Ha!" Ryoshi shouted, his voice ringing out with determination as he summoned his weapon.
With a flash of energy, Ryoshi's weapon materialized in his hand, its gleaming blade poised for battle. Rising to his feet, Ryoshi squared his shoulders, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.