Ryan rose from the rock, his movements fluid and graceful.
The energy around him no longer crackled chaotically but flowed like a living cloak, responding to his slightest thought.
"What did you have in mind?" He asked, a hint of excitement creeping into his usually nonchalant tone.
Migi's eyes glinted with mischief. "Well, darling, now that you've got a handle on your aura, perhaps it's time to put it to use.
After all, we have a little Wraith problem to deal with, don't we?"
Ryan nodded, his crimson eyes scanning the garden. "True. But I doubt Chung and his lackeys will be impressed by some fancy light shows. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely strong, but I doubt I've accessed that much of my power".
"Oh, it's not about impressing them," Migi purred, circling Ryan.
Her tails brushed against him, sending small sparks of energy dancing between them. "It's about letting them know the Spirit king is not to be messed with."
Ryan gave a nervous chuckle, "I understand what you're saying, but you gotta understand, I was a failed contractor before my reawakened, spirit King or not, magic now doesn't have the same system as magic then".
With a graceful gesture, Migi pointed to a large boulder at the far end of the garden. "See that rock? I want you to lift it. But not with your hands. With your aura."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Telekinesis? That's not exactly-"
"Not telekinesis, darling," Migi interrupted. "Spirit energy manipulation. Everything has a spirit energy, even rocks. As the Spirit King, you can communicate with them, influence them. Command them, if you will."
Ryan turned his attention to the boulder.
He extended his awareness, feeling the subtle energy within the stone.
It was different from the vibrant life force of plants or the complex spirits of sentient beings, but it was there - a slow, ancient presence.
Concentrating, Ryan reached out with his aura.
He could feel the stone's resistance, its stubborn desire to remain unmoved. But as he pushed further, something clicked.
The boulder's spirit recognized him, acknowledged his authority.
Slowly, the massive rock began to shift. It didn't levitate dramatically into the air, but rather seemed to lose its connection to the earth.
It moved as if it had suddenly found itself in water, drifting gently upwards at Ryan's command.
"Impressive," Migi murmured, her tails swishing in excitement. "But can you maintain it?".
As if in response to her challenge, Ryan's control wavered.
The boulder shuddered in the air, threatening to crash back down.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fought to maintain his connection with the stone's spirit.
"Remember, darling," Migi's voice was soft but firm. "You're not forcing it. You're guiding it. Let it choose to follow you."
Ryan took a deep breath, releasing the tension in his body.
He stopped trying to dominate the boulder's spirit and instead offered it a choice.
To his surprise, he felt the stone's spirit respond positively, almost eagerly.
The boulder stabilized, now floating serenely a few feet off the ground.
"Well done," Migi applauded softly. "Now, let's see what else the Spirit King can do. After all, Chung and his Wraiths won't know what hit them."
As Ryan gently lowered the boulder back to its resting place, a sly smile spread across his face.
"You know, my dear Migi, I think I'm starting to enjoy this Spirit King business."
Migi's laugh echoed through the garden.
"Oh, darling, we're just getting started. The underground city won't know what hit it when we're through."
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the garden, Ryan and Migi continued their training.
With each passing moment, the Spirit King grew more comfortable with his powers, and the air b with the potential of things to come.
********
As twilight descended upon the underground city, a lithe figure slipped through the shadows surrounding Riei's opulent residence.
Jun, a skilled operative of the Obsidian Wraith, moved with practiced stealth.
Her dark attire blended seamlessly with the encroaching darkness, while her ability to control insects gave her an unparalleled advantage in espionage.
With a subtle gesture, Jun commanded a swarm of tiny beetles to scout ahead.
Through their compound eyes, she observed the patterns of the guards, noting the gaps in their patrol routes.
Patience was her ally as she waited for the perfect moment to make her move.
When the opportunity presented itself, Jun darted across the moonlit garden.
Her footsteps were silent on the meticulously maintained grass.
As she approached the main building, she summoned a group of agile spiders, using them to scale the ornate facade.
Once inside, Jun paused, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interior.
The opulence of Riei's home was evident even in the shadows - silk tapestries adorned the walls, and the faint scent of exotic incense lingered in the air.
Cautiously, she made her way through the corridors, placing her insect spies at strategic locations.
Microscopic cameras attached to the bugs would provide the Wraith with invaluable intelligence on Riei's operations.
As Jun rounded a corner, she nearly collided with a servant.
Thinking quickly, she adopted a demure posture.
"Forgive me," Jun murmured, lowering her gaze. "I'm new here and seem to have lost my way."
The servant, a young fox spirit, tilted her head curiously. "I don't recall any new hires. Who assigned you?"
Jun's heart raced, but her voice remained steady. "Lady Riei herself. She mentioned needing extra help with... preparations for an upcoming event."
Doubt flickered across the servant's features, but then she shrugged. "Well, if Lady Riei said so. The kitchens are down that way if you're looking to help with the preparations."
Jun bowed gratefully, hiding her relief. "Thank you for your kindness."
As the servant continued on her way, Jun released a silent breath. She'd have to be more careful.
Resuming her mission, Jun methodically worked her way through the residence, planting her insect spies in every crucial location.
She was nearing completion when she heard voices approaching - one masculine and unfamiliar, the other unmistakably Riei's silken tones.
Panicking slightly, Jun ducked into an alcove, pressing herself against the wall.
She commanded a nearby moth to perch near the approaching figures, using its vision to observe.
What she saw took her breath away.
Walking beside Riei was the most captivating man Jun had ever laid eyes on.
Tall and confident, he moved with an easy grace that spoke of immense power held in check.
But it was his eyes that truly captured her - crimson orbs that seemed to glow with an inner fire.
"You've made remarkable progress, Ryan," Riei was saying, her tone both impressed and slightly wary.
The man - Ryan - chuckled, a sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Jun's spine. "Don't sound so surprised, Riei. I am the Spirit King, after all."
Jun's eyes widened. The Spirit King? Here? Her mission had suddenly become far more complicated - and far more interesting.
As Ryan passed by her hiding spot, Jun felt a strange pull.
It was as if his very presence was calling to her, igniting something deep within her soul.
For a moment, she forgot about her mission, about the Wraith, about everything except the overwhelming desire to step out and introduce herself to this magnificent being.
But years of training reasserted themselves.
With a monumental effort, Jun remained hidden, watching as Ryan and Riei disappeared down the corridor.
Once they were gone, Jun slumped against the wall, her heart pounding.
What was this feeling? She had a mission to complete, vital intelligence to gather for the Wraith. And yet...
Shaking her head to clear it, Jun steeled herself.
She had a job to finish.
But as she slipped out of the alcove and made her way towards her exit point, she couldn't shake the image of those burning red eyes from her mind.
As Jun finally escaped into the night, blending once more with the shadows, she knew with certainty that her life had irrevocably changed.
She had come seeking information but had found something far more dangerous - desire.
The implications of her feelings for the Spirit King would have to wait.
For now, she had to report back to Chung and the Wraith.
But Jun knew, with a certainty that both thrilled and terrified her, that she would be seeing Ryan again.
And next time, she wouldn't hide in the shadows.