NOVA
Type: Absolute Energy Compression / Destructive Manifestation
Origin: Conceptual manifestation of Arata's imagination-based circuit, materialized through John Merciless' identity.
"NOVA" is the ultimate expression of accumulated destruction — energy compressed into a point so dense it folds the very concept of matter upon itself. Arata imagined it after recalling the stellar phenomenon of a star collapsing and then detonating — a supernova — and asked himself, "If a star can collapse under its own mass, can I imagine destruction so dense it becomes its own fuel?"
When John Merciless channels NOVA, his left eye (Koketsu) synchronizes with his soul circuit. It draws upon every particle of stored kinetic, thermal, and magical energy he has absorbed or observed, compressing it into a singularity of radiant annihilation.
Once unleashed, NOVA expands outward in pure white light — not burning, but erasing — reducing everything to absolute zero energy.
The light of NOVA is so bright that shadows vanish. Sound dies first, then the world goes silent. What follows is a single, deafening rupture — the scream of matter tearing apart.
A perfect circular crater remains. The ground is scorched into glass or disintegrated entirely. The area becomes void of mana for hours, sometimes days, as the world "recovers" from the absence.
Symbolism:
NOVA represents John Merciless' belief in erasure through logic — destruction as a result of perfect calculation, not rage.
Where others use power to dominate, John uses understanding to end.
♾️
ZERO-SUM
Type: Paradox Reality Manipulation / Absolute Concept Reversal
Origin: Soul Circuit technique, theorized and constructed through Arata's full logical mastery.
"ZERO-SUM" is the evolution of Arata's imagination — not to destroy, but to balance existence. He created it after understanding that every action, power, and existence in the world must follow a law of equivalent exchange.
"If everything that exists must have value… then what happens if I make the value zero?"
Thus, ZERO-SUM is not energy-based like NOVA; it's conceptual. It rewrites the fundamental equation of reality around a chosen target — whether that target is matter, energy, or even laws themselves.
When used, Arata envisions the target's total existence as a mathematical function. Through his soul circuit's logical structuring, he assigns all its values to zero, effectively removing it from all systems of reality — not destroyed, but uncounted.
It requires absolute focus and logical precision. The circuit enters a cold, silent state. Within a radius (depending on his focus), all cause and effect cease to function properly.
When ZERO-SUM activates, time doesn't stop — it simply doesn't matter.
The world loses its sound and hue, turning into a gradient of black and silver. The target becomes motionless, not because of paralysis but because existence has no data to process it anymore. Arata's eyes turn into dual fractal rings of white and black, the symbol of perfect equilibrium.
Unlike NOVA's destruction, ZERO-SUM leaves no trace, no crater, no heat.
Only emptiness — a spot in the world that should exist, but doesn't.
Symbolism:
Where NOVA represents annihilation — the brilliance of death —
ZERO-SUM represents understanding — the stillness of nothingness.
NOVA is John Merciless' "sword."
ZERO-SUM is Arata Kurogane's "truth."