**Narrator:**
The morning came quietly, the dim light of dawn filtering through the heavy curtains of Sai's room. He awoke with a strange feeling—a subtle difference in the air around him, something he couldn't quite place. His body felt lighter, his senses sharper, yet he dismissed it with a silent shrug, pushing the thought away as quickly as it had come. **There were more pressing matters at hand, and Sai was not one to linger on the inexplicable.**
Sai dressed with his usual cold precision, his every movement calculated and efficient. **Each piece of clothing felt familiar, a second skin that shielded him from the world.** As his fingers briefly brushed over the spot on his chest where the heartstone had formed the night before, he felt its faint, rhythmic pulse beneath his skin. A reminder of the immense power now lying dormant within him. **But power was a double-edged sword—one he had learned to wield with caution.** But Sai, as ever, paid it no mind. His path was clear, and there was no room for distractions.
After donning his dark attire, he stepped out of his chambers. The mansion, old and broken in places, stood in quiet disrepair. **Its halls whispered tales of a forgotten past, shadows clinging to the corners like uninvited guests.** As Sai descended the stairs, he glanced around, but Hana was nowhere to be seen. His eyes narrowed slightly in thought, a flicker of concern crossing his mind—**was she training too hard?**
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**Sai:** (with calm authority)
"Where is Hana?"
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**Narrator:**
A maid, diligently scrubbing the stone wall nearby, looked up quickly. Her hands trembled slightly as she stood, bowing her head.
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**Maid:** (respectfully)
"My lord, she's in the training room."
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**Sai:** (with mild interest)
"Training room, huh? Where is it? Show me the way."
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**Maid:**
"Of course, my lord. This way."
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**Narrator:**
The maid led him through the winding halls of the mansion, past faded tapestries and cracked walls. **The scent of aged wood and lingering dust filled the air, creating a somber atmosphere.** Upon reaching the training room, Sai nodded in thanks and dismissed her. As he stepped inside, he noticed the floor was cracked and uneven, likely from years of wear—and perhaps from recent exertions. A collection of weapons lined the walls, but what caught his attention most was Hana. She was in the middle of her training, a display of remarkable skill as she controlled not one, but two elements—water and air.
**Her movements were fluid, a dance of precision and power that spoke to countless hours of practice.** Sai's eyes narrowed in intrigue. People of this world were said to control only one element.
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**Sai:** (his voice calm, though curiosity flickered in his tone)
"Hana, I was under the impression you people could only control one element."
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**Narrator:**
Hana stopped mid-movement, turning to face him with a composed expression. Her breathing was steady, though beads of sweat glistened on her brow, a testament to her efforts.
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**Hana:** (respectfully, with a slight bow)
"My lord, that is true for Humans. Our mana is pure, allowing us to control two elements. **It's rare, but most humans can manage two elements if they harness their potential.**"
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**Sai:** (thoughtfully)
"And what about the dwarves?"
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**Hana:**
"Like humans, they usually master only one element—earth, in their case. But if a dwarf learns to control their mana with precision, they can also tap into fire."
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**Narrator:**
Sai's gaze lingered on Hana for a moment longer, intrigued by the knowledge. **A flicker of admiration crossed his mind, though he quickly buried it beneath layers of stoicism.** He folded his arms, thinking carefully.
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**Sai:**
"If you've learned to control two elements, does that mean you can combine them?"
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**Hana:** (nodding)
"Yes, my lord. For instance, I can control both air and water. If I reach the Ninth Circle, I'll be able to merge them."
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**Sai:** (a slight smirk touching his lips)
"And with that, you could create ice, correct?"
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**Hana:**
"That's right, my lord. It's a complex skill, but possible. What about you? What element do you wield?"
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**Sai:** (coolly, with a hint of detachment)
"I'm not sure yet. For now, I can control darkness, though not fully. **It's a struggle that requires more training, a battle against my own limitations. But I've mastered every weapon.**"
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**Hana:** (with admiration)
"That's impressive, my lord."
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**Sai:** (calmly)
"You can continue training. I'll take a look around."
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**Narrator:**
Hana opened her mouth, prepared to offer her company, but Sai raised a hand, his decision clear. She hesitated for only a moment, then nodded respectfully. Sai's gaze lingered on her for a brief second before turning away, the air between them silent but charged with understanding.
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**Hana:** (concerned, but obedient)
"As you wish, my lord."
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**Narrator:**
Without another word, Sai left the training room, his footsteps echoing through the empty halls of the mansion. The building, old and weathered by time, held a familiar kind of weight—its walls carrying the echoes of past burdens and the shadows of unspoken histories. Yet Sai moved through it without pause, his expression unreadable, his mind already elsewhere.
**He made his way to his office, where the faint scent of parchment and aged wood greeted him. The room was dimly lit, the morning light barely filtering through the heavy curtains. As he stepped behind his desk, leaning slightly against it, he gestured for the butler to enter.**
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**Sai:** (with his usual cold precision)
"Bring me some healing potions and sleeping pills."
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**Narrator:**
The butler, an elderly man with a careful demeanor, blinked in surprise. His brows furrowed as he studied Sai, curiosity flickering behind his eyes.
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**Butler:** (hesitant)
"May I ask, my lord, why you require such items?"
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**Narrator:**
For a brief moment, Sai's eyes darkened, but he offered no explanation. His gaze remained sharp, and though his expression remained neutral, there was a subtle shift in his demeanor—a hint of something the butler could not place. **The weight of expectation hung between them, a silent challenge in the air.**
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**Sai:** (coolly, with finality)
"Just get them."
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**Narrator:**
The butler, realizing there would be no further answers, bowed his head slightly in understanding.
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**Butler:**
"At once, my lord."
---
**Narrator:**
As the butler left to fulfill the request, Sai remained still, his eyes drifting toward the window. The day was just beginning, but his mind was already lost in thought—calculating, planning, and preparing for the battle that lay ahead. **The weight of the heartstone pulsed faintly in his chest, reminding him that his transformation was far from complete. There would be much to do, and little time to waste.**