Kazuki and Selena finally reached their inn room. Kazuki pulled off his mask and sat down heavily on the bed, eyes lost in thought. After a moment of silence, he lay back, staring at the ceiling as if searching for answers in its dim patterns.
Selena soon entered the room, looking around before asking, "So… what now? Are we just going to sit here, waiting for the Carnival of Forgotten Faces to pass by?"
Kazuki didn't respond immediately. Her words echoed in his mind, reminding him of his one driving purpose—revenge. He sat up abruptly, resolve hardening in his gaze. "Let's go outside," he said.
Without another word, Selena nodded and put on her mask, following him out into the open field just beyond the city limits. The night air was thick, and the stars above seemed to watch as they walked into a wide, grassy area where they could train in peace.
"Show me what you can do," Kazuki commanded, his tone firm. "I need to see the extent of your abilities, both with light and wind magic."
Selena took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. "I have both Light and Wind magic, inherited from my parents," she explained. "If I awaken my Light magic, it will evolve into Star Magic. I'll be able to interact with celestial objects… possibly even control aspects of the sun. As for Wind, it would become Storm Magic, granting me control over the weather."
Kazuki nodded, focused. "Show me your current spells."
"Alright," Selena said, raising her hand and forming her fingers into a gun shape. She smiled slightly. "You've seen this one before, but I'll show it again. Light Bullet!"
A sharp beam of light shot from her fingertip, cutting through the air. She followed up by spreading her hand into a wide, open palm. "And this one. Radiant Burst!" A broad beam of light erupted from her hand, illuminating the field with a brief, intense flash.
Kazuki watched each spell closely, nodding in silent approval.
Selena moved on, raising her arm once more, palm open as though summoning something from the air itself. "Light Barrage!" At her command, multiple spears of light appeared, hovering around her. With a sweeping motion, she directed them toward a distant tree, the spears trailing across the field like comets.
"I have a final technique, but it could be dangerous to use here," she admitted, glancing at him hesitantly.
Kazuki nodded, understanding the need for caution. "Then show me what you can do with Wind Magic."
Selena waved her hand, gathering wind around her in a powerful gust that swirled leaves, grass, and petals in her direction. She concentrated, pointing at a nearby tree. "Aerial Fang!" A focused drill of wind shot forward, twisting and cutting through the air, slamming into the tree with a faint roar.
"Wind magic is less refined for me," she admitted, lowering her hand. "But I can use it for support—like flying or revealing hidden enemies."
Kazuki's gaze remained sharp. He was processing everything he'd seen, contemplating something.
"Why are we doing this, Kazuki?" Selena asked suddenly.
He clenched his fist, his expression serious. "I need to learn how to use magic myself. Right now, I can only coat my fists and feet with Dark and Lightning magic, but it's not enough."
Selena's eyes lit up with an idea. "I can teach you, if you're willing."
Kazuki shook his head. "I need a technique I can use without chanting. Something fast, without casting words."
She thought for a moment, then demonstrated by sweeping her hand in his direction, sending a harmless breeze his way. "Some spells don't need words, but they're usually less effective in combat," she admitted. "Chantless spells are good for support, though."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed, an idea forming. He held his palm open, focusing on a single point. Mana surged, condensing into a small, crackling ball of lightning that sparked and pulsed in his hand. He squeezed it, testing its resistance.
"Maybe," he murmured to himself, "there's a way to make it work."
Selena watched him with admiration, sensing the fire in his determination, even as he struggled. The beginnings of a new skill were forming in Kazuki's mind—an idea, untested, but filled with potential.
Kazuki had an idea. Stepping away from Selena, he lifted his hand, focusing his mana into his palm. A swirling mass of black energy pooled there, drawing in the air around him like a vacuum, twisting and pulling as though forming an unseen vortex.
Selena observed, intrigued. "Dark magic was originally wielded by devils during the Great War," she explained. "It's powerful… and one of its strengths is acting like an invisible force."
"An unseen force, huh?" Kazuki muttered. He raised his hand and aimed it at the ground directly beneath Selena's feet. "Alright, just an experiment," he warned, channeling his mana again. Yet, the energy he produced seemed to consume everything around it rather than focusing where he wanted.
"Dark magic is tricky," Kazuki admitted with a frustrated sigh.
Selena tilted her head, offering a hint. "You can control where the magic comes from. For example, you could focus it through your eyes instead of your hands."
Inspired, Kazuki narrowed his gaze, focusing intently on the ground beneath Selena. He pushed mana through his eyes, widening his focus. A force stirred beneath her, and the ground trembled as if bound by an invisible weight.
"Try moving," Kazuki challenged.
Selena attempted to lift her feet but struggled against the unseen force. With each second, the pressure intensified until she was forced to kneel, her movements completely restrained.
After a moment, Kazuki released the spell, letting her stand again. Selena dusted herself off, a grin spreading across her face. "That could be a huge support in battles! A quick way to pin down an opponent."
Kazuki nodded but frowned slightly. "It's useful, but I have to keep looking at my target, which limits my own movements. It won't be easy to attack and use this at the same time."
"Dark magic takes practice," Selena encouraged. "What's next?"
"Lightning magic," Kazuki replied, channeling mana into his palm. A crackling bolt of lightning sprang to life, sizzling in his hand. He toyed with the electricity, weaving it around his fingers like strands of a web. As he condensed the energy, it took the shape of a long, thunderous spear, blazing with fierce energy.
"Interesting," he murmured, hefting the spear in his hand. "I think this could work as both a melee weapon and a projectile."
With a quick throw, he hurled the spear at a nearby target. The ground exploded with a loud crackle and a burst of sparks as it struck, leaving charred earth in its wake. Satisfied, Kazuki summoned another lightning spear, testing its weight as he twirled it like a weapon.
Selena watched, clearly impressed. "You created this technique on your own. What will you call it?"
Kazuki thought for a moment. "A name… This reminds me of Zeus's thunderbolt—one of the gods of lightning in the myths I read. I'll call it Hand of Zeus."
"Hand of Zeus?" Selena repeated, a puzzled look crossing her face. "Who is Zeus?"
Kazuki chuckled. "A legendary figure from books—nothing you need to worry about."
He thought for a moment, realizing she wouldn't recognize Earth's myths. So, this world has no tales of gods or heroes from Earth…
Selena shrugged. "Well, I suppose I've been in that crystal too long. Maybe I missed a lot of stories." She glanced at the darkening sky. "It's getting late. Let's head back."
They returned to the inn, their steps quiet as they navigated the sleepy halls. Once in their room, they each settled into their beds, minds buzzing with new ideas and possibilities.
In the quiet of the night, Kazuki's thoughts turned to what lay ahead. New skills, new techniques, and, perhaps, new paths toward his goal.