A door was flung open, leading to a white and emplty roof that overlooked the white desert. Jinro, dressed in a white shirt, blue jeans and a brown vest on his shoulders. He could see someone at the edge of the roof, with their arms crossed.
"Finally you're here," The figure turned around, facing Jinro. It was a man seemingly in his mid forties. He had lustrous golden hair with a few red strands, reminiscent of a mane and a well maintened beard. His eyes were a fierce gold that radiated indomitable. He wore a lavish black and gold suit with a lion insigna on his chest.
"Old man," Jinro raised his left hand, greeting the man. "May I inquire why you came here? I thought you'd be staying at the estate."
"Hmph, I just couldn't stay still after witnessing your performance. Granted the Ruinbringer was weakened for obvious reasons, you did far better than expected, especially at Level 1." The man grinned proudly as he spoke. "Congratulations are in order."
"You already said in your letter," Jinro remarked, bringing the letter out of gia vest.
"I know, it's not the only reason why I'm here. You see, I will bringing you to your second Épreuve. That girl from the Uryuo and you, Jinro Cranes, are going on a different path than others."
Jinro raised an eyebrow, "A different path? For Joséline, I understand. She's a Level 5 Talent, something practically unseen but me? I know Level 3 Talent is above average but there's far better, like Lola with her Level 4 Talent."
The man chuckled, he vanished from his spot, reappearing at the boy's side, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. "As analytic and humble as ever. Glad to see that small victory didn't get to your head." With a serious face, he continued. "But to answer your question, it's not only because of your Talent. You have a Seconde Nature and it just happen that the only person who can tell more has arrived."
A Seconde Nature was not something Jinro heard before. The man explained that it was a genetic inheritance, something so rare that only a select few knew about. Like Bloodlines, they awaken dormant prowesses in one's body, but unlike Bloodlines, a Seconde Nature is not modifiable and rejects all other than it doesn't see fit.
"Genetic inheritance?" Jinro questioned. "The only person who can tell me more... Wouldn't that be like an ancestor or something like that? And why are you bringing it up now? Isn't that something that can only be spoke about in the Second Realm?"
"Not in your case. The reason why I'm bringing it up is because, and in her own words mind, 'I refuse to deal with the hidden factor bullshit. If I can smash the wall down now, then I'll do it.'"
Jinro blinked in surprise, "Whoever that person is, she is very..."
"... Straightforward, I know. She's been like for as long as I can remember." The man looked in the distance, as if reminiscing about a previous lifetime. "Anyway, we're going now. It'll take about a month to reach the place, use that time to consolidate your Foundations of your primary and second Paths. The Goliath's core will be more than enough for that."
"What about Joséline? Without her, I wouldn't be here."
"Such a good-hearted you are," The man smirked, "is she the one that makes your heart roar?" He added, teasingly. Jinro just turned his face away. "Do not worry, it was actually her who decided to have the core handed to you but knowing what you'd say... I had an equivalent arranged for her."
Jinro breathed in relief, "Good. Let's get going then."
***
"My lady. We are ready to go."
"I'll be here in a minute." Joséline replied to the butler. She was packing up some essentials when she stumbled upon a four-branched golden star.
"Here, you can have this. Wherever you go, a piece of me will always be with you, so you won't to be scared of anything!"
Ever since she fired that attack alongside Jinro, that star appeared out of her Crest. She kept hearing these words whenever she closed her eyes or when she got lost in thoughts. "... Jinro, huh. Just who are you?"
She shook her head, brushing the words. She stuck the pendant to her Crest as it melded effortlessly back into it. "It doesn't matter. I have to become stronger."