Eckert stood in the arena, his eyes fixed on Angel, who bore the appearance of Monica but was, in truth, a life form unlike anything known to man. "Well, I don't care, let's just practice," he said nonchalantly, brushing off any lingering doubts or fears.
Angel, standing opposite him, looked every bit as human as Monica, but Eckert knew better. She was not human, nor was she any ordinary creature or ghost. She was something entirely different, something ancient and mysterious that had been left behind by the enigmatic Arizona.
"Angel is the life form I found together with this book," Eckert thought to himself, recalling the fateful day he stumbled upon the strange cave where Arizona had hidden his secrets. Inside that cave, he had found not just a book, but Angel as well—a being who had lost all her power with the passage of time.
He had used the time he locked Monica away to make this life form mimic her, creating an aura body for her to spar with. But Angel was not truly Monica, nor was she truly alive in the way humans understood life. She was just a ring—a relic from a bygone era, imbued with knowledge and abilities that defied explanation.
Though she could create a real body for herself, that form would not last more than a month, making it impossible for Eckert to take her as a new maid. That's why he had her transform into Monica, a familiar face to keep up appearances. But in reality, Angel's true nature was far more complex and far more powerful than she let on. Even now, at her diminished state, she possessed the strength of an Aura Master.
As Eckert walked toward the center of the arena, he couldn't help but reflect on the bizarre nature of his situation. "Reduce your power to Aura Apprentice so I can practice," he said, his voice carrying a hint of command.
Angel smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I guess the mad Arizona succeeded since you're here bragging," she retorted, her tone light but laced with a touch of amusement. "Now, pay your aura stone debt before going to another debt."
Eckert slowed his pace, suddenly reminded of the agreement they had made. He had forgotten about the aura stones, those precious blue crystals that served as currency in their unique exchange. "Don't you want to see how you awakened? But that will add another stone," Angel teased, her voice lilting with playful taunting.
Eckert smirked, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a small pouch filled with the shiny blue crystals. He tossed it to Angel, who caught it effortlessly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Thief," he mumbled under his breath, though not without a hint of begrudging admiration.
Angel, unfazed by his grumbling, opened her palm to reveal the stones. As she did, a soft glow emanated from her hand, and a thin veil of aura began to seep out, forming a medium-sized aura screen in the air between them. The screen flickered for a moment before stabilizing, and then it began to display a scene—one that Eckert knew would reveal the moment of his awakening.
He watched intently as the screen came to life, showing him the events that had transpired. The images were both familiar and foreign, a replay of a memory he had lived but not fully understood. He saw himself fighting, pushing his body to the absolute limit as he battled against Angel's relentless attacks. He saw the moments of pain, the agony that had ripped through him as he pushed beyond his breaking point.
The screen showed his collapse, the moment when his consciousness had slipped away, and then—nothing. A void. The images darkened, leaving only a faint outline of his form lying motionless on the ground. Eckert's heart pounded in his chest as he watched, trying to piece together what had happened during those lost moments.
And then, just as suddenly, the screen shifted, showing a burst of light, a flare of aura that exploded from his body, shattering the invisible chains that had bound him. He saw the transformation, the way his body had responded, growing stronger, more powerful with each passing second. The aura pooled around him, a vibrant, swirling mass of energy that seemed almost alive, as if it had a will of its own.
Eckert's breath caught in his throat as he witnessed his own rebirth, the moment when he had broken through to a new level of power. He had done it—he had shattered the shackle that Arizona had written about, unlocking a potential that few could even dream of.
The screen flickered again, and the images began to fade, leaving behind only the residual glow of the aura that had surrounded him. Angel closed her palm, the screen disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. She looked at Eckert with a mixture of pride and expectation, waiting for his reaction.
Eckert, still reeling from what he had seen, finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "So, I did it," he said, his voice soft but filled with a new determination. "I really broke the shackle."
Angel nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, you did. But remember, this is only the beginning. The power you've unlocked is immense, but it comes with responsibilities. You must continue to grow, to push yourself beyond your limits. That is the path Arizona has laid out for you."
Eckert clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power coursing through him, stronger now than it had ever been. He knew Angel was right—this was just the start. There was a long road ahead, filled with challenges and dangers he couldn't yet foresee. But for the first time, he felt truly ready to face it.
He looked at Angel, his eyes filled with resolve. "Let's keep practicing. I'm not stopping here."
Angel smiled, her aura flickering slightly as she prepared for the next round. "Good. Because neither am I."