Kayne looked completely calm. He stared at us with boundless superiority, a mocking smile on his lips.
"So, are we doing this one by one, or all at once?" asked Juan, clenching his fists.
"All at once, obviously. Without your friends' help, you wouldn't even have time to activate your power," Kayne sneered.
Juan was seething with anger at his words.
"Can we at least make a plan before we attack you?" I asked.
"Of course... if you have the TIME! HAHAHA!" he mocked.
Ugh! He's so annoying! I thought, gritting my teeth.
"Come on, I have an idea to catch him off guard."
Komi, Katia, and Juan rushed toward me.
"Hurry, we don't have much time!" Komi whispered.
"Okay, so I think we should—"
"Oh? That sounds interesting," interrupted Kayne... whispering in my ear.
I didn't even have time to react before a violent blow struck my back. My vision blurred instantly. In the few seconds I remained conscious, I saw Juan, Komi, and Katia collapse at the same time as me.
So the power of time is really that strong...?
When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by an endless dark void.
"Well, well... Humans these days are really weak," said a familiar voice with a sneer.
I saw him step out of the shadows, walking slowly, just like last time.
"You again?! Seriously, you're getting a little too cocky for your own good," I said, exasperated.
"Relax," he replied with a sly smile. "I wasn't trying to insult you, just pointing out that if you had to face the other Spirit in your current state... you wouldn't even be able to move under his aura."
"Big words. But what makes you think you're really as strong as you claim?" I asked, turning my back on him.
He stepped closer.
"This."
The moment he said the word, I was launched high into the air. I barely had time to process what had happened. How did he hit me that fast from so far away? Is this some kind of speed power? I wondered as I hung in the air for about ten seconds.
Thanks to this body's agility, I managed to land on my feet—but staying upright was a different story.
"I'm surprised you're still standing... Maybe because you have my body and my skills... except my power," he said, studying me curiously.
I didn't respond. He knew his own body's weaknesses better than anyone. No need to give him more information.
"I propose a fight," I said, straightening up.
"With the little strength you have left? Bold... I like that kind of attitude," he smiled.
Twenty meters separated us. A good enough distance to see him coming—and maybe figure out his ability.
But I didn't even have time to move. In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of me, his hand clamped tightly around my throat.
Damn it... he's going to kill me if I don't do something! If I die here, what's stopping him from taking over my body?! I tried to use my power.
"It won't help," he murmured.
I flinched. How did he know what I was about to do?!
"Because I can read your thoughts," he replied, as if he'd heard the question straight from my mind.
Despite his warning, I kept trying. I tried to summon my power, but nothing happened. Eventually, he let me go and took a step back.
"It's true I haven't fought seriously in over a thousand years, but I'm not about to lose to some lowlife like you," he said with a carnivorous grin.
"A thousand years?! How is that even possible?!" I asked, stunned.
"Some Spirits can't die until they've inhabited their host. But you and me... it's different. When your powers awakened, something went wrong. Instead of you controlling your body, I took over. That's probably why you look like me and have my abilities... minus my power," he explained. "But hey, at least I still have my body, and I didn't end up with yours... A pathetic body that collapses after running for three minutes."
"Hey, don't insult me!" I growled.
"Calm down, I'm just joking," he said, flashing a genuine smile.
Then he gave me a mischievous look.
"I'd like to test something."
"What kind of test?" I asked suspiciously.
"Just tell me if you feel anything."
"Okay..."
He raised his hand and... slapped himself.
"OW! WHAT THE HELL?!" I yelled as pain shot through me.
He smiled, satisfied.
"Just as I thought... If I hit myself, you feel the pain. That means that no matter what happens in the real world, your physical appearance won't change. Sure, you'll get hurt—but you won't feel it... unless I feel it through you," he concluded.
"That's incredible!" I exclaimed, thrilled by the discovery.
"Not really. Because if I decide to stop training and eat all day, you're the one who'll get fat," he warned.
I winced, and he burst out laughing.
"Lucky for you, I have no intention of turning into a fat slob who can't even jog," he snickered.
I clenched my fists.
"Don't start with that again!" I snapped.
He waved as he walked away.
"I've got nothing else to say. I'm leaving."
"Wait!" I shouted.
He stopped and turned, his gaze piercing through me.
"What do you want now?" he said as if every second mattered.
His aura was so overwhelming that even looking him in the eyes was unbearable.
"I... want to know your power!"
He smiled.
"Try using yours... and you'll understand."
I tried to summon Seth's sword, but nothing happened. A strange resistance blocked me, like an external force sealing off my ability. Was it his aura? Or something deeper? Doubt crept in, making the moment even more unbearable.
Then it all became clear.
"Your power... is to cancel the abilities of your opponents, isn't it?"
"Exactly. No power can affect me."
As he said those words, everything went black. Then massive waves crashed down on me, swallowing me whole in a violent surge.
When I opened my eyes, Kayne was leaning over me, worried...
"Marvens, you scared me. Your marks almost completely vanished!" said Kayne.
"Don't worry. That happens when I pass out," I replied.
"Not like this! Last time, only a quarter of your marks disappeared. But just now, it was nearly three-quarters," said Komi.
Was that why Marvens had been so desperate to leave? What'll happen the day my marks vanish completely?
"Don't worry, I'm fine," I told them.
"So? Did you have a revelation while you were out?" Kayne joked.
"Well, yeah. I think I've learned a bit more about my body," I replied.
A deep unease began to grow inside me. What I'd learned about the Spirit living inside me was only a piece of the puzzle. There was still so much I didn't know. And one question haunted me more than any other: just how far does his influence on me go?
"Perfect timing, because now it's time for physical conditioning!" said Kayne with a big smile.
"What? We're still not done?!" we all cried in unison.
"Of course not—it's only eleven in the morning!" he replied.
The others looked completely drained, but I was still bursting with energy.
If I'm not tired, that must mean Marvens told me the truth. Even if I run forever, as long as he isn't tired, I won't be either. And that applies to everything else too.
"All right, let's go! I want a half marathon done before two o'clock!" he said with an evil grin.