Chereads / The Heart of Zero / Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: The Girls’ Perseverance

Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: The Girls’ Perseverance

In the training room, the air seemed to grow dense with the determination of Riyugi and Myouka. Riyugi gripped her hexagonal crystal pendant tightly, her expression resolute and unwavering. Beads of sweat trailed down her cheeks, soaking into the collar of her clothes. Her hands trembled slightly from the prolonged effort, yet she clenched her teeth, refusing to let go.

Despite repeated failures, there was no trace of retreat in her eyes—only an unshakable belief. However, the crystal remained silent, void of any flow of energy, like an ordinary trinket.

On the other side, Myouka was immersed in archery training. Each arrow struck dead center, hitting the bullseye with pinpoint accuracy, as if declaring her mastery. But the cluster of arrows on the target failed to bring her any sense of accomplishment. She had long realized that against empowered Watchers, these arrows were meaningless—unable to pierce even their outermost defenses.

Her sweat-soaked clothes clung to her skin, slightly hindering her movements. Yet, she pressed on. With every draw of the bowstring, she tried to tap into the power buried deep within her soul, to channel it into her arrows. But no matter how hard she tried, the emptiness in her mind and the silence within her chest only heightened her frustration. Droplets of sweat slid down her face, falling to the ground, disrupting her rhythm and thoughts.

Despite the unchanging results, her determination remained unbroken. Her sharp gaze cut through the training room's stillness like an arrow in flight.

Yame stood to the side, observing the two with a calm yet subtly softened expression. Her eyes never wavered, carefully noting their every move and expression. Witnessing their perseverance stirred complex emotions within her. Though not adept at showing emotions, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of admiration for their sheer resolve.

After a while, Yame finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. "You two aren't born ability users. The energy you're trying to wield—alien soul energy—was shared with you by Shingin. Essentially, your souls have undergone a mutation because of it."

Riyugi froze, lifting her head to meet Yame's gaze, confusion flashing across her face. "Soul mutation… So our power comes from our souls?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Yame nodded. "Precisely. And that's the problem. Unlike the body, the soul is intangible—neither visible nor touchable. It's even harder to sense or control. No one truly knows how to train the soul, nor do we fully understand its nature."

Setting down her bow, Myouka leaned against the wall, her voice heavy with weariness. "So, no one knows how to train it? Then how are we supposed to unlock this power?"

Yame thought for a moment before answering, her tone growing more serious. "If anyone truly understands the power of alien souls, it's Shingin. After all, this energy originates from him, split off from his own essence."

Riyugi froze again, her mind flashing to Shingin's face—the reluctance in his eyes whenever she got too close to danger. He had always avoided involving her in conflicts, choosing instead to keep her away from harm. If they needed Shingin to teach them, she could already imagine how he would avoid it at all costs.

"So," Riyugi muttered to herself, "we need Shingin to train us? But he'd never agree…"

After a brief silence, she looked up, determination lighting up her gaze. "No matter. We'll figure it out ourselves. We don't need to rely on him." She tightened her grip on the crystal pendant, as if sealing a promise to herself.

Myouka glanced at Riyugi. Though skeptical about their ability to learn on their own, she didn't want to dampen the mood. Nodding, she said, "Fine. Let's try. We'll see if we can uncover this soul power ourselves." Picking up her bow again, she resumed her practice, adjusting her mindset.

Yame approached them, her voice calm but tinged with authority. "Don't push yourselves too hard. The soul's power can't be forced. Try to relax and feel the deepest vibrations within you."

She turned to Myouka, her gaze steady as she continued, "Your archery is precise, but you're too focused on technique. Let your soul guide your arrows. Make them an extension of your inner power, not just a physical weapon."

Myouka paused, considering Yame's words. After a moment, she nodded, adjusting her breathing and drawing her bow again.

Yame's eyes swept over the two girls once more. She knew that mastering soul energy wasn't something that could happen overnight. Whether their efforts would bear fruit anytime soon was uncertain, but she respected their determination. She believed that this persistence would one day become their strength.

In the training room, only the sound of arrows slicing through the air and the girls' heavy breathing remained. Beads of sweat dripped from their brows and arms, pooling on the floor—silent witnesses to their relentless effort.