In this fleeting moment, Shana felt as if she had returned to the past.
Back then, in Tendoukyuu, her goal was to become a Flame Haze, and one of her daily training sessions was the Fire Manipulation training with Alastor.
The training involved stepping into Alastor's flames, sensing the concentrated aura, power, and the flow of will within the flames. Gradually, she developed the sensitivity to the flow of power, concentrating her consciousness deep within the flames where the power gathered. She danced and swirled within the vortex of power, becoming familiar with Alastor's flames.
At that time, Shana's favorite training was precisely this.
Because it provided her with a connection to the root of existence, giving her an indescribable sense of pleasure and contentment.
Now, Shana felt like she was back in those days.
However, this time, Shana didn't immerse herself in the flames; instead, she directed her consciousness into her body.
In other words, Shana herself was the flame, not needing to step into an external fire as before.
In this situation, Shana could feel that her body was indeed burning with a flame.
A flame of Red Lotus.
It was fierce and powerful, as if it could burn everything in the world to ashes, a flame that could even incinerate gods.
(Is this the power sleeping within my body?)
Shana couldn't help but be captivated.
(So, my body possesses such a powerful power...)
With this fascination, Shana instinctively extended her hand towards the intense Red Lotus Karmic Fire.
However, at that moment, a voice entered Shana's ears.
"What are you yearning for?"
With the sound, a brilliance like stardust enveloped Shana.
Shana's hand stopped.
The voice spoke again.
"What do you truly desire?"
The words sounded like both a question and a reproach, clearing Shana's mind.
Immediately, without hesitation, Shana answered.
"Of course, I desire power!"
Hearing this, the voice spoke again.
"What kind of power?"
Shana was slightly taken aback, then answered again.
"Of course, the power of being a Flame Haze!"
Hearing this, the voice continued.
"Which Flame Haze's power?"
Shana couldn't help but become furious, loudly answering.
"Of course, my power as a Flame Haze!"
Hearing this, the voice took on a hint of severity as it continued.
"Since it's your own power, why do you need to yearn for it?"
Hearing these words, Shana couldn't help but freeze.
Indeed.
If it's her own power, why does she need to yearn for it?
Isn't it already her own power?
"So, you don't need to yearn for power at all."
The voice, mixed within the dazzling brilliance of stardust-like fragments, directly reached Shana's ears.
"That was already your power; there's no need to yearn for it. You are only reclaiming what originally belonged to you. Don't get it wrong."
With just one sentence, Shana couldn't help but feel a sudden enlightenment.
Yes.
She was only reclaiming what originally belonged to her, and there was no need to yearn for it.
So, it's not about her needing to seize it.
"It's about you coming to it."
Simultaneously with Shana's words, the slowly burning Red Lotus Karmic Fire in front of her suddenly expanded.
In an instant, it filled Shana's entire body.
...
"Boom!"
On the banks of Mana River, the couple embraced tightly, their bodies pressed together like lovers. The surrounding air suddenly exploded with a muffled sound.
Fang Li's body, surrounded by fragments of stardust-like light, continued to hover.
As for Shana, snuggled in Fang Li's embrace, a burst of flames suddenly appeared. Shana's waist-length jet-black hair instantly ignited, transforming into a glorious Flame-Haired appearance.
Shana opened her eyes.
Her pair of eyes had transformed into burning Burning Eyes.
Immediately, the flames of the Red Lotus ignited from Shana's body, covering her entire being.
(Was she really successful in bringing out my power?)
In Shana's pendant in front of her, Alastor couldn't help but look surprised.
But at this stage, there was no room for Alastor to intervene.
Fang Li's body continued to be surrounded by fragments of stardust, his eyes still closed. As he circled around Shana's body, the hand holding Nietono no Shana tightened slightly, and he calmly spoke.
"Next, slowly control the power surging from your body. Just like before, follow my power and attempt to control it."
Saying this, Fang Li's Prana began to flow towards Nietono no Shana.
If other Genestellars were to witness this scene, they would undoubtedly be astonished. While Prana had a strengthening effect, it was generally only used to enhance defensive power. Those who could use Prana to strengthen other aspects of their abilities were considered experts among Genestellars.
For a Genestellar expert, after some training, they could completely use Prana to enhance their attack power. However, this was typically only possible when fighting barehanded. Injecting Prana into a regular weapon wouldn't have a significant effect unless the weapon itself had a Mana energy source, a Lux. Only in that case could it resonate with Prana, causing an overflow of Mana and strengthening the weapon's power.
However, injecting Prana into Lux and enhancing Lux's power already belonged to a special skill, known as the meteor martial technique in the military academy.
At this moment, Fang Li was attempting to use his Prana, without Mana providing resonance, to enhance Nietono no Shana's power. Naturally, this was destined to be unsuccessful.
However, Fang Li didn't need success; he only needed to guide Shana towards success.
"Follow your power..."
Almost instinctively, Shana obeyed, controlling the Red Lotus flames burning in her body. Following Fang Li's Prana, it gradually flowed towards Nietono no Shana.
This time, it wasn't Nietono no Shana drawing out Shana's power, but Shana, using Nietono no Shana as a guide, expressing her own power.
As a result, the scorching Red Lotus Karmic Fire burned on the sturdy Ōdachi, resembling magma gathering together, gradually covering Nietono no Shana and forming a massive flame blade.
"Hiss..."
In front of them, on the surface of the Mana River, close to the flame blade, a boiling sound emerged. Under the intense heat, steam began to rise.
"Good."
Only now did Fang Li speak again.
"Now, let it flow in this direction."
Fang Li began to manipulate the flow of Prana.
"Mm."
Shana nodded, manipulating the flames and, following Fang Li's guidance, allowed the flames to continue circulating.
...