Six Years Later:
Morning light slipped through thin paper windows, painting the quiet room in soft gold. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains, carrying the faint scent of blooming sakura.
In the center of the room, a boy stirred awake_his chest rising sharply, breath uneven. Sweat clung to his skin, his heartbeat racing as fragments of a dream slipped away.
He could still see it_
a dark place..… footsteps echoing..… and a shadowed figure standing before him.
"So, you're finally here," the voice had said.
"You must become stronger. This is not enough. Go_to the Tower."
Then, everything vanished in a blinding flash.
He blinked, staring at the ceiling as his breathing steadied. The echo of that voice lingered in his mind like a whisper caught between dreams and reality.
The door slid open.
"Ryouma? Are you awake, dear?"
Lady Akane's gentle voice entered with the morning sun.
She stepped inside gracefully, worry flickering behind her warm eyes.
"You were murmuring in your sleep again. How do you feel? Any fever today?"
Ryouma sat up, brushing a hand through his long black hair_its tips faintly streaked crimson.
"No, Mother. I'm fine. Just..… another dream."
Lady Akane smiled softly. "Good. Then get ready_today is an important day."
She moved to the window, sunlight catching on the red silk of her kimono.
"Do you remember what day it is?"
Ryouma's lips curved faintly. "Of course. It's Father's birthday."
"Exactly. We're going to the royal palace, so dress properly. Your yukata is ready."
Moments later, Ryouma stood before a tall mirror, now dressed in the elegant attire his mother had chosen_a black silk yukata embroidered with silver and crimson dragons, their shapes swirling like mist. It fit him perfectly; the boy of seven was now a young man with calm eyes and a quiet strength.He was now 13 years old.
His reflection stared back at him: left eye glowing faintly red, right eye dark as obsidian.
For a moment, he could feel that strange pulse again beneath his skin_the same energy that had awakened six years ago.
That dream again….. that voice.
What is the Tower? And why does it call to me?
Lady Akane's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Come, Ryouma. The carriage is ready."
He nodded. "Yes, Mother."
As they stepped into the courtyard, sunlight bathed the manor grounds in a serene calm. But far beyond those walls, peace had become a rare thing.
Six years ago, when the colossal magic circle first appeared in the skies, chaos followed.
Thunder roared without clouds. Oceans rose and fell unnaturally. Strange light danced across the night.
Then came the quake.
When it ended, enormous Towers stood where mountains once were_piercing the clouds, carved with glowing runes no scholar could read.
At first, people feared them. Some called them divine punishment. Others, a trial of gods.
But then..… word spread.
Those who entered the Towers and survived emerged changed_stronger, faster, blessed with power that defied human limits.
Artifacts of unimaginable origin were found within, weapons forged from unknown metals and light.
Some even whispered that the Towers could awaken one's hidden potential_refining both body and soul.
And yet, no one knew their purpose.
Who built them? Why now?
The King sent guilds, knights, and mages to explore. Many went. Few returned. Those who did….. spoke of monsters that should not exist_and whispers that called their names in the dark.
Now, as Ryouma and Lady Akane's carriage rolled through the capital, people still looked to the distant horizon, where one of the great Towers pierced the clouds like a blade of light.
Ryouma's gaze lingered on it, his reflection overlapping the Tower's image in the glass.
That voice..... Few years ago. It told me to go there.
His crimson eye glowed faintly, unseen by his mother.
The world had changed. But his fate had already begun to move long before anyone realized.
Far away, in a hidden chamber beneath the earth, shadowed figures gathered around a glowing map of Varaha.
The map pulsed faintly_alive.
"Hm..… so it begins," one voice murmured.
"Shall we intervene?" another asked.
"Not yet," came the cold, measured reply. "Let them grow stronger. This has only just begun."
Outside, lightning split the heavens_and in the distance, the Towers pulsed once more, as if answering the call.
The grand gates of the royal palace opened with a low, echoing creak.
Golden chandeliers bathed the marble hall in soft light as nobles in rich silks murmured among themselves, their voices rising and falling like waves.
Ryouma walked beside Lady Akane, his steps careful and measured. It was his first time entering the royal palace_its sheer size, the glitter of jewels, and the air of authority made his heart race. Every glance, every whisper felt heavier than steel.
"Please, this way, Lady Akane," said a royal attendant, bowing deeply before leading them toward the banquet hall.
As they entered, dozens of eyes turned. Nobles paused mid-conversation, curiosity flickering across their faces.
Ryouma could feel it_the weight of their gaze. The young boy with dark hair streaked with crimson stood out even among the glittering nobles.
Then, from across the room, a familiar pair of voices broke the silence.
"Big brother Ryouma!"
Takeshi and Rika came running through the crowd, their faces bright with excitement. Now eleven years old, they had grown taller, but their smiles were still as innocent as before.
Ryouma blinked, stunned for a heartbeat_and then his lips curved into a rare, warm smile.
"Takeshi….. Rika….. It's been a while," he said softly, kneeling to meet them.
Without hesitation, the twins threw their arms around him.
The nobles gasped. The entire hall fell into murmurs.
"Is that the boy..…?"
"The one who made Lady Sayaka use Ki at the age of seven?"
"So it's true….. that child still exists."
Whispers filled the grand hall like wind stirring dry leaves. Every noble eye turned toward Ryouma_the prodigy, the anomaly, the rumor come to life.
Lady Akane, noticing the rising noise, smiled gently and placed a hand on Ryouma's shoulder.
"It's fine," she whispered. "Just smile, Ryouma. Let them see who you've become."
Ryouma straightened. His crimson-touched eyes gleamed faintly beneath the palace lights. For the first time, among nobles and royalty, he stood not as a child_but as someone whose very presence commanded silence.
As Lady Akane excused herself to attend Lord Hanzou's summons, Ryouma found himself alone with Takeshi and Rika.
The banquet hall suddenly felt different_quieter, yet charged, as if every corner were watching him.
Then, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck_a gaze. Deep, penetrating, and unsettlingly familiar. It was as if someone were looking straight through him, reading every thought, every movement.
Ryouma slowly turned his head_and froze.
Standing a few paces away was a boy. Not an adult, not someone older, but a young man close to Ryouma's own age. His posture was confident, almost regal, and his eyes_sharp, calculating_locked onto Ryouma with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.
For a moment, Ryouma could do nothing but stare, utterly astonished.
Before he could speak, Takeshi tugged at his sleeve, breaking the tension.
"That's….. Big Brother Renjiro!" Takeshi whispered excitedly.
Ryouma's chest tightened with joy and disbelief. Finally..… I get to see him. He had never met Renjiro outside palace politics or the rules that kept him confined to his manor. And now, in this very moment, Renjiro stood before him, alive and real.
Ryouma stepped forward, his voice steady but tinged with excitement.
"R-Renjiro….. it's been a long time, Big Brother. How are you? And….. where is little sister Sakura?"
Renjiro's eyes, sharp as ever, swept over Ryouma.
"I don't know where Sakura is. And….. don't act all warm and brotherly just yet," he said, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Remember, before we are brothers, we are rivals. Don't forget that."
Ryouma's heart sank briefly. He hadn't expected Renjiro to greet him with such cold words. Yet, he understood the meaning behind them_discipline, rivalry, and the careful balance of respect.
Not now, not yet..… Ryouma thought, tucking his disappointment deep inside.
"No worries, Big Brother," he replied quietly, a soft smile forming. "I won't forget. But..… I hope Lady Reina is well. I've wanted to meet her for so long. I never thought it would take this long to see all of you."
Renjiro's expression softened slightly at Ryouma's words, but he said nothing, only giving a small nod before turning away.
The moment was brief, yet the weight of it lingered in Ryouma's chest_an unspoken promise, a new chapter beginning.
The chamber was quiet, shadows stretching long across the polished floor. Outside, the sky had begun to darken, spilling muted light through the tall windows.
A lone figure stood near the window, clad in a black kimono trimmed with golden lines tracing the sinuous form of a dragon. His dark hair fell over sharp, battle-hardened features. His eyes glimmered with the kind of intensity born from countless battles_a presence both human and yet terrifyingly formidable. Every movement, every controlled breath spoke of one who had faced horrors beyond most imagination. A man, yes, but a man shaped into something near-monster in skill.
The hush of the chamber broke gently as Lady Akane stepped inside. Her gaze immediately found him. Warmth and relief softened her expression into a tender smile. "Ah….. there you are," she whispered, arms instinctively reaching out.
For a fleeting heartbeat, the man's stern mask faltered, replaced by surprise and quiet relief. He moved into her embrace, and the world outside the room seemed to fade for just that moment.
Lord Hanzou with quiet satisfaction. Years of patience had led to this_this brief, unspoken reunion. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips. For once, the tides of fate had aligned to reward restraint.
Though the chamber remained silent, it hummed softly with the unspoken bond_the kind of connection forged not only in love but in the crucible of time, trials, and shared destiny.
After a long silence, it was Lord Hanzou who finally spoke_his deep, measured voice breaking the stillness like the calm rumble of distant thunder.
"So, Akane..… tell me," he began, his gaze drifting toward the courtyard beyond the window. "How is Ryouma now? That boy once forced Lady Sayaka to draw her Ki at just seven years old. I can't help but wonder..… how much stronger has he become since then?"
Lady Akane's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. Pride softened her tone.
"From that day onward, he's only grown stronger. He's begun to synchronize Ki, Mana, and even Qi. To think_a human mastering all three energies at once..… his level can't even be measured anymore."
Hanzou exhaled quietly, the sound almost a sigh of disbelief mixed with admiration. "So the boy has already come that far..…" He shook his head slightly. "Well, I suppose we'll see for ourselves soon enough."
"Indeed," Akane replied with a soft laugh. "You'll understand once you meet him again."
Just as their eyes met in a brief, wordless exchange, the chamber door swung open with a cheerful burst.
"Oh my, oh my!" Lady Sayaka's playful voice filled the air as she stepped inside, her silken sleeves swaying. "Look at this_reunited and already lost in their little love-dove moment, hmm?"
Lady Akane flushed instantly, half laughing as she covered her mouth, color rising to her cheeks.
Hanzou coughed once, clearly attempting_and failing_to hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.
Sayaka grinned, clasping her hands lightly. "Well then! Enough of the romance, you two. The banquet's about to begin."
With that, the three of them exited the chamber together, the warmth of the reunion still lingering in the air_quiet, fleeting, and yet enough to make the cold stone halls of the palace feel almost alive.
The grand doors of the royal banquet hall opened with a deep, resonant creak.
As Lord Hanzou stepped inside, the once lively murmurs of nobles and knights quieted at once. All eyes turned toward him_men and women bowing in respect, their voices rising in unison.
"Happy birthday, Lord Hanzou!"
"It's an honor to see you again,lord!"
Golden light from the chandeliers spilled across the hall, glinting on polished marble and the jeweled ornaments of the gathered nobility. The air was thick with perfume, laughter, and the faint sound of a harp playing somewhere near the dais.
Yet amid all that splendor, Lord Hanzou's eyes moved restlessly, scanning the crowd with quiet precision. He wasn't looking for praise_or ceremony. He was searching for someone.
His son.
In a distant corner of the hall, far from the center of attention, a young boy sat near the window. The pale moonlight traced the sharp lines of his face_no longer that of a child, but not yet a man. His expression was calm….. almost too calm.
It was Ryouma.
His fingers gripped the teacup before him, knuckles pale against porcelain. A faint tremor ran through his hand as the cup quivered, the quiet clink echoing faintly. His jaw was tight, his eyes low but burning with something raw and heavy_an emotion too deep, too fierce for someone his age.
The veins along his wrist stood out. For an instant, the faintest ripple of Ki flickered across his arm before fading back into stillness.
From across the hall, Hanzou's sharp gaze found him_and stopped.
For a heartbeat, the proud lord's composure wavered. That look in Ryouma's eyes….. not anger, not rebellion, but something colder. Something born from silence, effort, and pain that no one his age should have known.
Near the entrance, Lady Akane watched the unspoken moment unfold. Her lips parted slightly as she whispered under her breath, barely audible even to herself:
"Ryouma….. what's troubling you this time..…?"