Simbad suddenly calls out, "Rune, more L-Stars are coming!"
Rune turns to see a dozen zombies charging toward them. Without hesitation, he leaps into action, cutting them down one by one with graceful precision and style. The teenagers watch in awe, clearly impressed by Rune's skill.
After the last zombie falls, Rune wipes blood from his face and arms. The skinny teen steps forward, extending his hand. "Hey, I'd like my sword back," he says.
Simbad frowns and interjects, "That sword belongs to Rune. It's more than a weapon—it carries the essence of his soul."
The teenagers exchange glances before introducing themselves. The two healthier ones are named Crag and Bell, while the skinny teen introduces himself as Vex.
Bell's eyes light up in recognition. "Wait, I remember you guys! Vex, these were the ones you saved a while back."
"Yeah, I know," Vex replies calmly. "But the deal for healing them was for me to keep the sword. So, hand it over."
Rune steps forward, meeting Vex's gaze. "Thanks for saving us, but the sword stays with me. In exchange, I can teach you how to use one properly."
Vex considers this for a moment before extending his hand. "Deal."
As Rune grasps Vex's hand, a powerful surge of magic flows through him. Rune's eyes narrow as he senses the overwhelming magic energy radiating from Vex.
Simbad steps in to introduce himself and Rune. "By the way, do you have any food?"
Crag shakes his head. "We don't need food or water to survive—thanks to Vex."
Vex approaches Rune and Simbad, placing his hands lightly on their stomachs. Instantly, they feel a wave of powerful magic coursing through them. The hunger and thirst that had plagued them vanishes.
Simbad's jaw drops. "I've never seen magic like this before!"
Rune crosses his arms, his expression thoughtful. "Hmm. You're interesting. Not only did you wield my sword effortlessly, but your magic power is on another level. It's the second highest I've ever sensed."
Simbad nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, totally! You might even have more magic than our friend Adam—and trust me, he's really, really strong."
Vex gives them a faint smile and steps forward with Crag and Bell. "I haven't heard praise like that in a long time... but it reminds me, I should get home before my father gets angry."
Rune and Simbad exchange glances before following the group. With Vex's magic aiding their journey, they move quickly through the landscape.
Moments later, they arrive at an isolated old house. As they approach, the door creaks open, and a corpse steps out onto the porch. Suddenly, its decayed form bursts with magic, reshaping into a radiant human figure made entirely of energy.
Rune and Simbad immediately notice the figure and tense. Vex steps forward, bowing respectfully. "Father, I've returned from my journey from the outside world, and these two are new friends I made along the way."
Vex's father, now fully formed, locks eyes with Rune, his gaze sharp and unyielding. Rune draws his butcher blade and assumes a ready stance. Simbad follows suit, his body coiled for action.
Vex looks between them in confusion. "Wait, do you all know each other?"
Simbad narrows his eyes. "Yeah, definitely. That's Gavin—an ex-Sword Master from Nemura City."
Rune doesn't break eye contact with Gavin. "Gavin, what is this form of yours?"
Gavin smirks, his body surging with even more magical aura. He summons a sleek black blade, the air around it vibrating with raw energy.
"Please, Father," Vex pleads, stepping closer. "Don't hurt them. They're good people."
Gavin ignores his son, his voice laced with disdain. "Ah… the top students of Head Sword Master Ryuga. Hmm. You've changed. Weaker, perhaps? Have all of Ryuga's students gone soft?"
Without warning, Gavin charges forward, his black blade clashing violently with Rune's butcher blade. Sparks fly as the ground trembles beneath their feet.
Rune counters the attack, his blade singing with power. "We may have changed, but you haven't."
The two warriors exchange a flurry of blows, their strikes resonating with such force that the ground beneath them begins to crack and quake.
Simbad summons his magic, causing dozens of small pebbles to rise and whirl through the air. With a wave of his hand, he sends them flying at Gavin. Gavin spins with precision, dodging and deflecting the projectiles with ease.
Suddenly, Gavin thrusts his sword forward, its edge glowing ominously. As it collides with Rune's blade, the black weapon unleashes a pulse of magical energy. The wave strikes Rune square in the stomach, sending him crashing across the ground.
Simbad gasps. "I remember now! Gavin's sword—it's called the Black Vayne. Even after a clash, it creates magical pressure waves that can still hit the opponent."
Suddenly, Gavin grabs Simbad by the head and slams him into the ground with force. "You are unarmed and unworthy to face me," Gavin declares coldly. "Stay down and let me finish my duel."
Rune growls in defiance, his butcher blade pulsing with energy. He unleashes a powerful wave of magic from his sword, but Gavin blocks it with his bare hand, sliding back slightly under the force. Gavin then swings his black blade, cleaving through the energy wave with ease.
They clash again, their swords meeting in a series of ferocious blows. Each clash releases pressure waves that batter Rune's body, causing him to grunt in pain as he begins to cough up blood. Gavin presses his advantage, stabbing Rune in the stomach and pinning him against a nearby tree.
Rune, gritting his teeth, swings his blade and severs Gavin's arm. But to his shock, Gavin's magical energy pulls the severed limb back to his body, reattaching it seamlessly.
With a menacing grin, Gavin channels energy into his sword, unleashing a blast that pierces through Rune and the tree behind him. The tree cracks and groans under the force, and as the magic climbs to the topmost branches, it detonates in a dazzling explosion of magical beams that shoot skyward.
Rune screams in agony as the tree bursts into particles, sending him rolling across the ground. Blood pours from the wound in his stomach as he clutches it tightly, struggling to rise.
Gavin approaches slowly, towering over him. "The way you are now, you're no student of Ryuga—just a shadow of what you once were. Weak. But this is not your fight. My true enemy is Master Ryuga himself and I need you guys witnesses to it."
Vex steps forward, casting a powerful spell. A shimmering wave of magic reduces Gavin's aura significantly, forcing him to pause. With a glance back, Gavin mindlessly walks toward the old house.
Vex and the others rush to Rune's side. Vex kneels and begins casting healing magic over Rune, his hands glowing with a soft, warm light. Rune's wound begins to close, the bleeding gradually stopping.
Simbad shakes his head, groaning as he gets to his feet. "Gavin hasn't changed. His way of saying hello is leaving a scar."
Vex looks down, guilt written across his face. "I should've done more. I shouldn't have let this happen."
Simbad sighs and places a hand on Vex's shoulder. "What has your father become?"
Vex finishes healing Rune, who slowly sits up, still clutching his side. Vex stands and looks toward the house. "Come," he says quietly. "I'll explain everything along the way."
Rune and Simbad exchanges glances before following Vex and the others, the ominous presence of the house looming behind them.
As they step into the old house, the atmosphere feels heavy with unearthly energy. They are greeted by a maid made entirely of shimmering magic, her translucent form containing the remnants of a decayed corpse faintly visible within. The maid bows politely but silently, leading them into the living room.
Inside, they find Gavin's corpse seated on a worn sofa, faint traces of magical aura swirling lazily around him. Across the room, Vex's mother—also composed of pure magic energy with a faint skeletal outline—sits at a grand piano. Her ethereal hands glide over the keys, producing a hauntingly beautiful melody that fills the air.
Vex gestures toward them and says, "My magic is the only thing keeping their souls bound to their bodies."
Simbad frowns. "So… they're already dead?"
Vex nods solemnly.
Rune studies the scene. "The power to anchor a soul to reality… But isn't this draining for you?"
Vex lets out a quiet sigh. "It is. But my father always said I have the most potential among all of humanity because of the immense amount of magic within me and I think the magic within me is limitless. My father was also a great swordsman himself, but instead of teaching me how to wield a sword, he urged me to focus entirely on my magic. So I did."
Simbad looks at Vex curiously. "Did they die during the end of the world?"
Vex hesitates, the question lingering in the air as the piano music continues to echo softly. After a moment, he replies, "I think it's better if I show you rather than try to explain."
With a wave of his hand, Vex casts a spell, and a shimmering screen of magic materializes before them. The screen flickers to life, displaying vivid images of the events that transpired in this very location during the end of the world.
The magic screen shimmers, displaying a younger Vex gazing out of a window. His wide eyes are fixed on the nearby Blueberry Town. The sound of footsteps echoes through the hall as Gavin enters the room.
"Vex," Gavin says firmly, his tone carrying authority. "It's time for training. Get ready."
The scene transitions to the basement, where Vex stands before a massive, reinforced door. He hesitates for a moment before stepping inside the highly secured training room, its fortified walls gleaming with embedded runes designed to contain magical energy. Gavin remains in the adjacent observation room, separated by a thick, transparent window.
Through the speakers, Gavin's voice echoes, steady and commanding. "Focus on your magic. Channel it from within and let it out a good amount of your magic."
Vex closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. Magic begins to seep from his body in shimmering waves, cascading around him like a wild, untamed storm. The aura grows rapidly, swelling in size and intensity until it threatens to engulf the room.
"That's enough!" Gavin's voice booms, sharp with urgency. "Now control the amount of magic you've released!"
Sweat beads on Vex's forehead as he struggles against the chaos of his own power. He inhales deeply, his hands trembling as he slowly reins in the surging energy. The wild magic calms, condensing into a controlled glow around him.
Gavin watches intently, his expression unreadable. "Good. Now, control it further. Shape it. Use it however you want to."
Vex extends his fingers, focusing intently. The magic surrounding him begins to swirl, coalescing into a small, concentrated sphere of energy that hovers above his palm. Gavin's eyes widen slightly, a rare display of surprise.
"Incredible," Gavin mutters to himself. "After only a year of awakening his magic, he's already learned to control this much power."
The screen shifts to Vex lying in bed, exhaustion evident on his young face. The door creaks open as the maid enters, carrying a tray with a single envelope. She hands it to Vex with a gentle nod before leaving.
Vex eagerly tears open the envelope, his expression lighting up as he unfolds a letter from his best friends, Crag and Bell. He reads the handwritten words aloud to himself:
"We hope you can come out soon again. We know you're busy becoming stronger, but don't leave your best friends behind. We'll always be waiting in town."
The magic screen flickers, transitioning to the image of younger Vex, startled by loud noises outside. He rushes to the window, his heart sinking as he sees Blueberry Town engulfed in flames, smoke billowing into the sky. His hands tremble as the chaos intensifies.
Without hesitation, Vex bolts out of the house, where he is greeted by the horrifying sight of Gavin engaged in a fierce battle against a massive horde of zombies. The clanging of his father's sword rings through the air.
"Vex!" a familiar voice calls out. He turns to see Crag and Bell sprinting toward him, their faces pale with fear.
"We came here as fast as we could when the town was attacked!" Crag shouts, panting heavily.
"Son, it's time to use your powers now!" Gavin yells, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Vex swallows hard, steeling his nerves as he raises his hand. A radiant burst of energy erupts from his palm, transforming into countless energy lasers that pierce through the horde, annihilating the oncoming zombies.
Suddenly, Vex's magic aura spirals out of control, unleashing a shockwave that sends Crag and Bell flying. Crag crashes through a window, landing hard in the living room. He groans in pain, blood trickling from his forehead. He looks up to see the maid trembling on the sofa, clutching her arms tightly, while Vex's mother calmly continues playing the piano, her melody unwavering amidst the chaos.
Through the shattered window, Crag's horrified gaze lands on Bell's lifeless body, crumpled against the side of the house.
"No… Bell…" Crag whispers, tears welling in his eyes.
Outside, Gavin grabs Vex, his voice firm but desperate. "Control your powers, Vex! You can still save us all!"
But Vex's emotions spiral into turmoil, the sight of Bell's death shattering his focus. Gavin pulls him back into the house as the relentless zombies swarm closer, pounding against the doors and windows.
"Hold the door!" Gavin commands, his voice sharp. The maid and Crag obey, bracing themselves against the onslaught, their bodies trembling as the force of the zombies' assault threatens to break through.
Gavin positions himself near the broken window, turning to Vex with a determined glare. "Vex, there's no time! We still have so much to do. Use your powers now!"
He leaps into action, his blade flashing as he cuts through the advancing zombies, his movements precise but strained.
Vex stands frozen, overwhelmed by the chaos. His eyes dart to the door, where Crag and the maid are barely holding back the horde, then to his father, struggling against the flood of undead. Finally, his gaze lands on his mother, her serene expression unchanging as she continues to play the piano, the haunting melody bringing an unexpected calm to the turmoil within him.
Vex closes his eyes, inhaling deeply as he summons his magic. A massive surge of energy erupts from his body, enveloping the entire house in a radiant glow.
But the power proves too much. The magic spirals out of control, growing wilder by the second. "No! No!" Vex cries, his voice echoing as the aura intensifies.
The scene erupts in a blinding flash of light as the uncontrolled magic detonates, the explosion consuming everything in its radius. Zombies are incinerated instantly, their screams cut short. The house trembles, splintering apart, as the wave of magical energy engulfs everyone within.