In William's room, the atmosphere was as cold as an ice cellar. Yuko leaned against the window, arms crossed, her face brimming with impatience. William glanced up, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Yuko, have you seen Shingin?"
Yuko furrowed her brows. Despite her reluctance, she nodded. For a moment, William caught something in her eyes. Sitting up straighter, he pressed further, "What's going on with him? Where is he now?"
Yuko scoffed coldly, her voice dripping with disdain. "What else? I gave him a good scolding and left him to his own devices."
William massaged his temple, as if trying to soothe his frustration. "Yuko, do you really think a child, just five or six years old at the time, could have done anything? Do you honestly believe he could have saved your sister back then?"
"Of course I know he couldn't have done anything back then!" Yuko spun around, her blazing eyes betraying her composure. "But he's thirteen now! He should at least show some understanding!"
Her voice reverberated in the room. At the same time, Rayl, who had been silently observing, shifted his gaze, as if piecing together fragments of a puzzle.
William sighed, his tone heavy. "But don't forget, the rules are still bound to him... He's blue."
At these words, Rayl's attention sharpened, clearly intrigued by the implications. Yuko, on the other hand, looked puzzled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Turning to the window, William's gaze grew distant. "I didn't intend to tell you all this. It's too dangerous, too complicated."
Yuko's stance softened slightly, her arms uncrossing. Though still dissatisfied, her voice carried a tinge of curiosity. "Leader, if you don't explain, how can I be at ease?"
William turned back to face her, speaking deliberately. "I've read the ancient texts left by our ancestors. They describe the consciousness behind each color.
Red signifies carnage and danger.Orange embodies supreme confidence and leadership.Yellow radiates brilliance but can become obsessively captivating.Green symbolizes vitality and harmony.Blue represents peace and freedom, embodying the world's breadth and tolerance.Purple cloaks itself in shadows, cunning and treacherous.White stands for purity and innocence.Black gathers the world's deepest evils, a vortex of negativity.Gray balances between black and white, the scale of equilibrium."
Yuko's frown deepened, the pieces starting to come together in her mind.
William paused before continuing, noting her unresolved expression. "Shingin is not only blue; his soul essence is water—a reflection of the natural world's core. According to the ancient texts, blue is the closest connection to nature's essence, symbolizing an all-encompassing presence. However, his water has undergone a mutation—it has become ice."
Rayl finally broke his silence, his voice calm and measured. "And what does that signify?"
Yuko's expression flickered, though her tone retained its sharpness. "Exactly. What's so special about that? He's still just another ability user, isn't he?"
"He is a mutation of the alien soul. It's not about multi-attribute abilities but about his soul breaking free from conventional constraints." William's tone grew solemn, each word heavy with meaning. "The existence of ice may indicate he is forming a deeper resonance with nature itself. His heightened perception at times may very well be the natural world conveying its message to him—something he might not even realize himself."
Rayl's brows arched slightly, intrigued by this revelation. "A soul transcending conventional rules… This sounds like a higher level of existence. Is this the true reason for his ascension to the position of the eighth leader?"
Yuko's demeanor remained defiant. "So, what? Are you saying we should just let him continue like this? What does he understand? All he does is rely on us more and more!"
"Precisely why I want him to go out and discover these things on his own." William's gaze met hers, earnest and unwavering. "Yuko, he must find meaning for himself. If we provide all the answers now, he may forever remain dependent, incapable of true growth. Rules are assigned, but how one bears the weight of those rules is for them to decide."
Yuko bit her lip, suppressing her retort. Her eyes betrayed the storm of emotions within. Rayl observed the exchange silently, before moving to the door. His tone was neutral but carried an underlying gravity. "Rules may bind, but they don't dictate all choices. I understand what you're saying."
The door creaked shut behind him. William exhaled deeply, his gaze returning to the treetops swaying gently in the wind outside the window. His expression was a mix of contemplation and worry.
Yuko stood rooted in place, as if debating whether to argue further. In the end, she remained silent.
Rayl, outside the room, mulled over their conversation. Though he understood William's intentions, an unshakable weight settled in his chest. Was this price of growth too heavy to bear?