In the training room, Louis and Takamiya stood face to face. The air was tense, and neither seemed willing to make the first move.
Takamiya stepped forward, taking a deep breath as he raised his sword.
" I have to admit, your performance was amazing... but that changes nothing!"
He dashed forward, even faster than before, and with a fluid motion, aimed a precise slash toward Louis.
"Left..."
The voice echoed in Louis's mind, prompting him to instinctively dodge to the side. Takamiya was stunned for a moment, but quickly redirected his strike.
"Defend, spin, attack."
Guided by that mysterious voice, Louis dodged with precision and counterattacked. Takamiya managed to block just in time but stepped back with wide eyes.
"What the hell...?! How did his reflexes improve so much? No... that wasn't him..."
Louis glanced at the mark on his hand, then at his katana.
"This feeling... it's the same as when I was in Systella. When I held this katana... it was like it was guiding me..."
Before he could fully understand, Takamiya was already in front of him, his blade inches from cutting him.
"Counterattack."
Louis moved again, and in the next instant, their swords clashed, creating a shockwave that threw him backward. Takamiya raised his blade, ready to end the duel.
Erick, watching everything, clenched his fists, concern written all over his face.
"Please, Louis... don't give up..."
With effort, Louis got back on his feet and faced Takamiya. He gripped his katana tightly and raised it.
"I'm not giving up!"
Takamiya smiled.
"That's the spirit!"
In a flash, he rushed forward like a blur, increasing the speed of his strike with a precise spin. Louis's katana began to pulse, a growing aura building around the blade as if it were about to explode.
"Full reaction."
At the very last second, as Takamiya delivered his blow, Louis blocked it and, reflecting the attack with even greater strength, launched a precise slash. His blade grazed Takamiya, leaving a deep cut in the floor that extended to the wall.
Silence filled the room.
Takamiya dropped to his knees, stunned.
"...Incredible... " he murmured, eyes wide.
The mark on Louis's hand slowly began to fade. He fell to his knees, gasping for air.
" I... did it...?"
Erick ran to him, a bright smile on his face.
" You were amazing, Louis! How did you do that?! Is it some new ability?!"
Lilith arrived shortly after and hugged him tightly.
" I was so worried! Your face... are you okay?!"
Louis smiled, exhausted.
" I'm fine... it doesn't hurt that much..."
Rose approached and gently caressed his hair.
" You did well..."
Erick stood still for a moment, then frowned, clearly annoyed.
"Wait... why is she so sweet to Louis and so cruel to me?!"
Takamiya walked up to Louis and offered his hand to help him up.
" You won... just this time. But you truly showed your strength... even if you cheated."
Louis blinked, confused.
" Er... cheated...?"
Takamiya crossed his arms.
" Of course. You barely had any mana or energy emanating from you, but the moment you held that katana, it was like you were overflowing with power. As if something was being unsealed..."
He paused, staring at the weapon, then smiled.
"Nah, can't be that... Either way, the Captain was right. That weapon really is something else."
Everyone turned to Cosmo, and Emily commented:
" You were right, Cosmo. He really does have a lot of potential. "She smiled excitedly, then sighed." Good thing Taka-chan didn't use his full abilities..."
Mei nodded.
" Yes, but if he had won immediately, we wouldn't have seen Louis's true potential."
Wally also turned to Cosmo.
"Captain, he was radiating incredible mana just now! With more training, he'll catch up to Erick in no time!"
Cosmo crossed his arms, a mysterious smile on his face.
" You're right... There's something he still needs to discover..."
Takamiya turned and walked to the door.
"You've shown strength and determination... Be proud of it and keep moving forward."
And with those words, he left, closing the door behind him.
Louis and the others stayed in place for a moment.
" He's actually kind of cool... " Erick mumbled, still holding a bit of a grudge.
***
" I really did it!"
In his room, Louis was bouncing around excitedly, clearly thrilled by his "victory" over Takamiya.
He threw himself onto the bed and touched the spot on his face where he had been injured, though it was now fully healed thanks to Emily.
"Miss Emily's magic really is amazing... but"his expression turned a bit queasy "it's a bit nauseating to watch…"
Louis looked out the window, then closed his eyes—but suddenly, the voice echoed in his mind.
"Louis"
He quickly turned toward the katana resting by the door.
" That voice again…"
With determination, Louis got up and slowly walked toward it, taking it in his hands.
" Uh... Hello...?"
Suddenly, he found himself in a vast space, with a massive gate and chains all around it.
"Where... where am I?"
"Inside your soul..."
Louis quickly turned around, but saw no one.
"W-who's there...?"
A shadowy figure began to form in a dark, mist-covered area. Louis turned toward it, still unsure.
"Are you the one who's been calling me... haunted katana...?"
"Yes... I am..."
Louis widened his eyes, starting to connect the dots.
"Wait... so you could talk all along?!"
"Er... our bond grew strong enough that it gave me the ability to speak... that's all..."
Louis narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. He tried to step closer but was pushed back by a barrier.
"Forget it, this is the boundary between our souls... You can't cross it..."
The figure pointed at Louis's chest, its voice becoming more serious.
"I will need you, boy... You will be the key to my freedom."
"What are you talking about?... Freedom?" Louis asked, his voice hesitant.
" You don't need to know for now... Just think of this as a "gift" from me. I'll grant you power, and in return, you'll feed me..."
It turned, starting to fade away. Louis tried to reach for it, but the barrier kept repelling him.
" Wait! Why such a vague answer!? I can't understand you!"
" You don't need to understand... Just tell me, boy. Do you accept... or not?"
Louis stood still for a moment, then answered.
" I accept..."
And then, the shadow vanished completely. Louis woke up, still in his room, everything back to normal. He was stunned for a moment, then looked at the katana.
" Hello?... Are you still there?..."
But no reply came.
Louis then walked to the door, the offer echoing in his mind. He gave the katana one last determined glance.
"If it's to protect everyone... then I accept."
And with that, he left. The katana began to pulse faintly with an aura.
" That boy will be more useful than I thought... but..."
Its voice turned serious.
" At that moment in Systella... I felt like my powers were being used by him... or by something inside him."
Its laughter echoed through the room. A disturbing laugh.
"I can't wait to devour him and be free... This will be perfect!!