As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the castle grounds, Haruko and the prince engaged in conversation that stretched on for hours.
As the conversation drew to a close, Haruko rose to his feet with a smile, his gaze meeting the prince's with a sense of camaraderie. "I hope that is okay with you," he remarked, his tone sincere as he extended an unspoken invitation for further collaboration.
The prince returned Haruko's smile with a warmth that belied his royal stature, a genuine expression of camaraderie that spoke volumes of the bond that had formed between them. "As long as you keep your word, I'm with you," he replied, his voice carrying a note of determination as he affirmed his commitment to their newfound alliance.
With a nod of agreement, Haruko bid the prince farewell, his heart brimming with anticipation for the journey that lay ahead. "I'll come back tomorrow," he promised, his words carrying a sense of purpose as he turned and began to walk away, the echoes of their conversation lingering in the air like a promise of things to come.
As Haruko vanished from sight using the 'Law of Light', his body blending seamlessly with the surroundings, he swiftly made his way atop the castle roof. Running with agile grace along the rooftop, his movements light and nimble, he headed towards the outer walls of the castle, his mind replaying snippets of his conversation with the prince.
"I'll train you and help you be the King. In return, you accompany me on my journey," Haruko's voice echoed in his mind, the seriousness of his offer lingering in the air like a tangible presence.
The prince's incredulous response resounded in his thoughts, his disdain evident in his expression as he questioned Haruko's motives. "King? Who said I want to be King? And why would I be trained by my peer?" the prince had retorted, his skepticism palpable.
Haruko couldn't help but smirk at the memory, a subtle glint of determination flickering in his eyes as he recalled Lucifero's teachings. Channeling his mentor's resolve, he pressed on, unfazed by the prince's initial reluctance.
"Do you not?" Haruko had challenged, his voice tinged with a hint of provocation as he stared at the prince with unwavering intensity.
The prince's response had been hesitant, his words catching in his throat as he grappled with the weight of Haruko's question. In that moment, the unspoken truth hung heavy between them, a silent acknowledgement of the prince's hidden aspirations and the untapped potential that lay dormant within him.
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Boom
The desert landscape stretched endlessly around them, the golden sands shimmering under the scorching sun as two figures clashed in midair with a resounding boom. The clash of their bodies echoed across the vast expanse, the force of their collision sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
With a swift and decisive maneuver, one of the figures swiftly overpowered the other, slamming them forcefully into the sand below with a resounding thud. As the figure pulled back, a smirk played at their lips, their gaze locking onto their opponent with a mixture of satisfaction and admiration.
"You are improving, Sanemi," the victorious figure remarked, their voice carrying a note of genuine praise as they acknowledged the seventh prince's progress. The figure was none other than Haruko, his presence exuding an aura of confidence and skill as he stood tall amidst the desert landscape.
Sanemi, the seventh prince of the Lustmore Kingdom, slowly rose to his feet, his body bruised and battered from their intense training session. Despite the physical toll, a spark of determination gleamed in his eyes as he met Haruko's gaze head-on, his resolve unyielding in the face of adversity.
Haruko continued to regard Sanemi with a knowing smirk, his expression a mixture of amusement and camaraderie as he addressed his sparring partner. "You said I must not hold back," he reminded Sanemi, his tone teasing yet laced with genuine respect for the prince's dedication to their training.
Sanemi's grudgeful stare bore into Haruko's amused expression, his frustration palpable as he struggled to regain his composure in the sweltering heat of the desert. "I said do not hold back. Not destroy me," he asserted, his voice tinged with resentment as he sought to convey the intensity of their training session.
Taking a deep breath, Sanemi attempted to quell the searing heat radiating from his body, the physical toll of their rigorous training evident in the sweat that dripped from his brow. "You are a real cheat," he accused Haruko, his tone laced with a mixture of admiration and exasperation at his opponent's formidable skills.
Haruko's laughter rang out across the desert landscape, a hearty sound that echoed amidst the shifting sands. "You are quite strong yourself, seventh prince," he conceded, his tone genuine as he acknowledged Sanemi's impressive progress. "It's only been a few weeks since we began training, but you're already showing results."
Sanemi gritted his teeth, his pride stinging at Haruko's praise as he turned away, his expression a mixture of defiance and begrudging acceptance. "Is that a surprise..." he muttered under his breath, a seemingly cocky statement that belied the true extent of his gratitude towards Haruko's guidance.
"It's not a surprise!" Sanemi continued, his tone firm as he acknowledged the undeniable impact of their training regimen on his growth as a swordsman. "Do you know just how much you pushed me?! This training of a few weeks had far exceeded the training I did the whole past year."
As Sanemi sighed out his frustrations, he reminded himself of his own aspirations for strength and resilience, determined to rise to the challenge no matter the cost. All Haruko could do in response was offer a small grin, a silent acknowledgment of the prince's unwavering determination to surpass his limits and emerge stronger than ever before.
Under the relentless heat of the scorching sun, Haruko approached the seventh prince with a cold bottle of water in hand, its refreshing contents a stark contrast to the sweltering desert air. Without a word, Sanemi accepted the offering, his parched throat grateful for the respite as he quenched his thirst, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond that had formed between them amidst their intense training.
With the sun beating down upon them, the two companions made their way towards a beautiful cottage nestled amidst the desert landscape, its serene presence offering a welcome reprieve from the harshness of their surroundings. Settling down beneath the shade of a nearby tree, Sanemi turned to Haruko with a look of genuine curiosity, his eyes reflecting a mingling of awe and disbelief as he broached the subject of Haruko's legendary abilities.
"I understand that you have the sixth Supreme Core in the world. Which I still can't believe," Sanemi began, his voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and incredulity as he sought to unravel the mystery behind Haruko's formidable powers. "But what is your Core ability? I've seen you using numerous different abilities since the beginning of training."
Haruko's laughter rang out across the tranquil surroundings, a melodic sound that echoed amidst the rustling of leaves and the gentle rustle of the breeze. "I still can't use this ability really well," he admitted with a sheepish grin, his humility shining through despite his unparalleled strength.
Rising to his feet with a sense of purpose, Haruko clenched his fist, his gaze fixed upon the vast expanse of the sky above as he prepared to unveil the true extent of his power. "My Supreme Core ability," he declared, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity as he uttered the words that held the key to his extraordinary abilities. "I call it Law Manipulation."
Haruko's footsteps echoed softly against the desert sands as he ventured a bit further away from the cottage, his demeanor shifting into one of solemn concentration. With a sense of purpose, he murmured the incantation under his breath, "Law Of Gravity: Equator," invoking the power of his Supreme Core ability with a profound sense of focus.
In an instant, a powerful gravitational field materialized around Haruko, its force emanating from his very being and extending outward in all directions. The surrounding sand was immediately drawn towards him, swirling and coalescing as it formed a circular pit around his feet, unable to breach the barrier of his gravitational influence.
With a steady gaze fixed upon the swirling sands, Haruko remained steadfast amidst the tumultuous display of his abilities, the raw power of his Law Manipulation ability on full display as he demonstrated the extent of his mastery over gravity itself.
"This is one of the abilities I have," he declared with a quiet resolve, his voice carrying a note of pride as he showcased the sheer magnitude of his Supreme Core prowess.
Sanemi's expression transformed into one of genuine awe and amazement as he witnessed the incredible display of Haruko's abilities. With a sense of wonder, he rose to his feet and approached Haruko, his steps guided by an inexplicable pull towards the source of the gravitational field.
As he drew nearer to Haruko, Sanemi couldn't help but marvel at the sheer magnitude of the power at play, his senses tingling with the unmistakable sensation of gravitational force exerting its influence upon him. "How can you fight with this?" he inquired, his voice filled with curiosity as he attempted to comprehend the intricacies of Haruko's abilities. "I don't think it has a strong force."
Haruko's laughter echoed across the desert landscape, a hearty sound that resonated with a sense of camaraderie as he regarded Sanemi with amusement. "Am I that weak to you?" he teased, a playful glint dancing in his eyes as he sought to dispel any doubts about his strength. "This isn't even half of its power."
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That's it for chapter 24