Toru began to walk away, his job seemingly done. But as he moved, a spike in mana caught his attention. He paused, turning back toward the source. Ouiji stood, barely conscious, mumbling incoherently to himself. His voice sounded like the rambling of a dying man, but within his mind, a complex web of thoughts unraveled.
What is my mana, really? Ouiji pondered internally, trying to make sense of the strange power he had wielded for so long. When I look through my Argus Eyes, I see these tiny particles of light... when we use them, they expand and surround us in the color we convert them into. Mine's always purple. But why? Why do others with abilities like mine shine blue?
The realization hit him like a tidal wave. Maybe I've been thinking about this all wrong. It's not magnetism—it's gravity.
As this epiphany dawned on him, Ouiji's mana began to surge uncontrollably, his energy flaring violently. Purple lightning crackled in the air, spreading in all directions, tearing through the ground and buildings around them.
Toru, sensing the danger, tried to approach, but it was too late. A colossal burst of purple energy exploded outward, sending Toru flying. His body crashed against the landscape, creating a deep trench as he skidded across the ground.
Ouiji floated into the air, his body healing rapidly as he levitated, a wide grin spreading across his face. He hovered just above Toru, eyes glowing with newfound power. "I've finally learned it," he said, his voice steady and filled with excitement. "The only thing that's been limiting me was my own understanding."
With a smirk, he continued, "Thanks to mana resonance, I was able to work out the kinks. I even figured out MCC, the trick those gods were so proud of—the ability to heal themselves so they could never die. Now with my gravity, I can do this too."
The aura around Ouiji began to compress, condensing into a massive, pulsating sphere of pure, compressed mana. The sheer pressure of it warped the air around them, shaking the earth beneath their feet.
Toru slowly rose from the ground, wiping the dirt from his face as he locked eyes with Ouiji. "So you've ascended, huh?" Toru's voice was still casual, but there was an edge of tension to it. "Looks like this isn't over."
Ouiji floated above him, radiating power, his aura growing denser and more dangerous by the second. "I guess not," Ouiji replied with a grin. "Round two it is."
Chapter Rewind: Fin's Point of View
Fin sat under the shade of a tree, eyes half-lidded, bored with the world around him. It was the same routine every day—nothing ever felt new or exciting. His mind drifted as he absentmindedly watched his classmates move about. That was until a sudden voice broke through the monotony.
"I'm gonna be the Star King!" a boy's excited shout rang out, snapping Fin out of his thoughts.
His eyes drifted to the source. There, standing on top of one of the tables, was a boy, brimming with energy and determination. Something about that confidence, that spark, caught Fin's attention in a way that nothing had in a long time. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt a flicker of interest.
Who is this guy? Fin wondered, a small smile creeping across his face.
Suddenly, a girl with horns leaped over the table, landing beside the boy. She whispered something in his ear, and the boy laughed in response.
What's going on between them? Fin thought, curiosity stirring within him.
Later, he saw the two standing side by side in line, as if they shared some unspoken bond. Fin's eyes narrowed slightly. There's definitely something between them, he mused.
Out in the forest, Fin found himself fighting against some random student, trying to keep his focus. But his mind was elsewhere. Just as he was about to land a finishing blow, a bright light illuminated the area, catching him off guard. He turned, spotting a boy covered in a blinding yellow aura. Panic welled up inside him as memories he had tried to bury came rushing back.
I can't let people die again. Not like last time.
A flashback hit him hard—a painful memory he wished he could forget. A younger version of himself, bruised and battered, cornered by an imposing figure bathed in the same yellow light.
"Are you Fin Jinsei?" the man had asked coldly, his eyes scanning the crowd of terrified kids.
Fin had tried to hide, trembling in the corner, tears streaming down his face. But before he could answer, a small voice interrupted.
"I'm Fin Jinsei," a little girl with aqua blue hair had said, stepping forward bravely.
The man had walked away from Fin, his back turned as he took the girl's hand. "You're coming with me, little girl."
And just like that, she was gone.
Back in the present, Fin's heart raced as the familiar yellow light shone brighter. He leaped from the trees, wind swirling around him as he knocked his opponent into the air with a gust of power. His mind raced with the weight of his past failures.
I got wind strong enough to blow away a god, but what good is it? he thought bitterly.
He glanced at the boy in the yellow light, trembling in fear, barely able to stand.
Pathetic, Fin thought. I thought maybe this kid could do something...
The realization settled in. But he's just like the others. I guess it's over. Maybe I can join her soon...
The image of the little girl with aqua blue hair flashed in his mind. He could still see her eyes, full of hope and courage—everything he lacked.
But just then, something unexpected happened. The trembling boy began to shine with an intense, bright orange glow, his energy exploding outward like a supernova. The light surged through the forest, obliterating the vines that had been wrapping around him.
The boy, now standing tall and confident, launched himself at the figure in yellow, defeating him with a single, powerful blow. Fin's heart skipped a beat as he watched in awe.
The boy turned, looking at Fin with a grin that lit up his face. "By the way, my name is Keiko Kuriguri, and I'm gonna be the future Star King."
Fin stared in disbelief, his pulse quickening as hope rekindled in his chest. Maybe... just maybe, this guy really could do it.