The days of rigorous training bled into one another. In the quiet of the forest, Mooai approached her former master.
"So, Sensei," she began, her voice low. "How is he progressing?"
Takuseki watched Nero from a distance, a faint smile on his weathered face. "As expected of one touched by fate. He learns exceptionally fast. His training with me will be complete in a few more days."
Mooai let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Thank the ancients. Then I can finally confirm his return ticket and send him on his way."
Takuseki fell silent for a moment, his gaze knowing. "Why are you so eager for him to leave?"
"I know he could be a great asset in the coming revolt," Mooai admitted, her expression conflicted. "But a powerhouse of his level... he's a storm that can't be tamed. One mistake, one moment of lost control, and the cost could be catastrophic. He is a creature from another reality, Sensei. He never belonged here in the first place." She placed a hand over her heart. "Do not worry. I will fulfill your wish in his stead."
A light chuckle escaped Takuseki's lips. He said nothing more.
---
A Bittersweet Farewell
A few more days of intense training saw Nero's control over his Dual Gates refine to a razor's edge. His time in the humble village, however, had left a deeper mark than any combat lesson.
The children, once gaunt and quiet, now ran through the streets with smiling faces. The adults moved with a newfound vigor. Unknowingly, Nero's innate divine aura—a side effect of his immense power—had been acting as a healing balm, washing over the entire village and curing ailments, both physical and spiritual.
Mooai approached him one evening, her expression stern. "Boy, your aura. Shrink it. Now. You're disturbing the natural balance. If the wrong people discover this... you'll put every single one of their lives in danger."
Nero frowned, but seeing the genuine concern in her eyes, he reluctantly complied, pulling his radiating energy back within himself until he seemed like any ordinary man.
"So," Mooai said, her tone softening a fraction. "You're leaving now?"
Nero nodded. "Takuseki Sensei said there are other masters in the capital I can learn from. I'll go there, learn what I can, and then I'll leave."
The news of his departure spread quickly. On the day he was set to go, the entire village gathered. The children, especially, surrounded him, their joyful faces now clouded with sadness.
The little girl he had saved with Takuseki ran up and clung to his leg, her eyes pleading. "Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Don't go."
Nero understood. The moment he left, his healing aura would vanish, and the congenital curse plaguing the village would reassert its grim hold. He couldn't let that happen.
Acting swiftly and secretly, he knelt down as if to say goodbye, pressing his palm gently over the girl's head and those of the other children nearby. He left behind tiny, crystalline cores of his own energy, woven from his very energy. These cores would act as conduits, silently drawing a trickle of his power across any distance and dispersing it to the villagers through the children, ensuring they could continue to live happy, healthy lives.
With a final wave and a heavy heart, Nero departed with his companions.
---
The Central Capital
After several days of travel, they arrived at the heart of Anandvana. The Central Capital was a marvel of architecture and energy, making even the beautiful outer city seem plain in comparison.
"Man," Nero whistled, taking in the soaring towers and bustling, vibrant streets. "The beauty standards here are just over the top."
The city was abuzz with excitement. The air crackled with competitive energy.
"Did you hear? All the great masters from every major sect are here!"
"Whoever secures the top spot in the Champion's Arena has a chance to be selected as their personal disciple!"
Eri's eyes lit up with excitement. She turned to Nero, a wide grin on her face. "The timing couldn't be more perfect!"
---
The Champion's Arena
They rushed to the colossal arena, a structure that resembled a massive, ancient colosseum. The roar of the crowd was deafening.
Inside, multiple duels were taking place simultaneously across partitioned sections of the main floor, each a spectacle of power and skill.
Light Sect vs. Golden Buddha Sect: Beams of pure light clashed against golden, impervious shields.
Dark Sect vs. Freezing Ice Sect: Tendrils of shadow fought to smother glaciers of razor-sharp ice.
Dou Zong vs. Immortal Sect: Fists that could shatter mountains met techniques that promised eternal life.
Martial Arts vs. Taichi Sect: A breathtaking dance of aggressive strikes and fluid, defensive redirects.
Ancient Masters vs. The One Who Remained: A battle so advanced, most of the audience could barely comprehend the movements.
The crowd cheered, their enthusiasm a tangible force.
Mooai leaned in, raising her voice over the din to list the legendary figures observing from the honored stands. "There are five Great Masters presiding today:
The Lord of Thunder, disciple of the legendary Lu Sheng.
The Lord of Martial Arts himself.
The Immortal Lord of Flames.
The Great Follower of Lord Buddha, the Shao Ling Lord.
And many more elite masters."
She turned to Nero. "So, which sect calls to you? Which one do you wish to join?"
Nero didn't look at the masters. His eyes were fixed on the battles below. A slow, dangerous grin spread across his face. "Eri, what do you think?"
Eri let out a puff of laughter, already knowing where his mind had gone. "Pffft! You're really going to do something that crazy?"
Mooai's head snapped between them. "What is he about to do? Your brains are connected, right? Tell me, what is he thinking?!"
Eri's smile was a mix of pride and exasperation. "He's thinking... that he'll let the masters come to him. He's going to challenge the arena. Whoever can defeat him... he'll deign to learn from."
Mooai's hand shot out, grabbing Nero by the collar. "You bastard! I bet these masters are far stronger than you! And don't you dare use your Gate transformations here! The energy release would be catastrophic! Most of the people here wouldn't survive it! Are you planning a massacre?!" She pressed the edge of her blade against his neck for emphasis.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait!" Nero said, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm not doing that! I swear! Just my base form, at maximum. No Gate powers. I'll only use the innate energy I was born with—the principles Takuseki taught me."
After a tense moment of locked gazes, Mooai reluctantly agreed, sheathing her blade with a sharp click.
---
A Challenge is Issued
Just then, one of the duels concluded. The winner, a disciple from the Light Sect, stood triumphantly in the center of his arena section.
"Is this all the mighty Buddha Sect has to offer?" he boasted, mocking his defeated opponent. "Your defenses are as full of holes as your philosophy!"
From the sidelines, a calm voice from the Buddha Sect retorted, "Our junior disciple, who has trained for only three moons, managed to hold your senior disciple for ten minutes. And you dare to mock us? It is you who should reflect."
The insult was perfectly aimed. The Light Sect disciple's face flushed with rage. "You! Fine! I challenge anyone here! If anyone can defeat me, they will earn one of the secret fighting techniques of my clan!"
The arena fell into a hush. The reward was immense, but the disciple was clearly powerful.
In that moment of silence, a figure dropped from the stands, landing in the center of the challenger's arena with a soft thud that echoed in the sudden quiet.
It was Nero.
He rose to his full height, and for the first time since shrinking his aura, he let a fraction of it loose. It wasn't the healing, divine warmth from the village. This was a sharp, predatory, and overwhelmingly dense pressure that washed over the entire stadium, sending a collective shiver down the spine of every warrior, master, and spectator present.
The Light Sect disciple took an involuntary step back, his confidence crumbling in an instant.
Nero simply smiled.