Team Z stepped into Mirumania—and immediately felt the difference.
This kingdom wasn't broken.
It wasn't poor.
It was structured.
Clean streets. Tall towers. Order everywhere.
Ryo looked around. "Wait… there are non-damik users here?"
Zain nodded. "Believe it or not, their military is mostly made of non-damik users."
Sulaiman frowned. "Then they must be weak."
Rimazu shook his head. "Don't underestimate them. Anything's possible."
Zain gave him a small nod. "Well said. Let's find a place to stay. I'll explain everything."
As they approached King Ludigas's palace, whispers followed them.
"Light blue eyes… long brown hair tied in a bun… white cloak… twin blades…"
"That's the Devil of Light… Zain Akashi."
Leona smirked. "Devil of Light? That's your nickname?"
Zain sighed. "To be honest, I don't even know why they call me that."
Inside the palace, the king granted them lodging.
Scarlet crossed her arms. "Alright, Captain. Let it out."
Zain exhaled.
"Mirumania is divided. Damik users above. Non-damik users below."
"And what do the non-damik users fight with?" Ryo asked.
"Raiki."
The group blinked.
"Raiki?" Aisha repeated.
Zain rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… I may have forgotten to mention it earlier."
Everyone stared at him.
"Raiki is basically your life force. Your raw life energy. Like damik power, it has stages—but only four."
He continued:
"It grants superhuman abilities. Standing in the sky. Incredible strength. Extreme stamina. Endurance some damik users can't even match."
Ryo slowly raised his hand.
Zain sighed. "Yes, Ryo?"
"Can damik users use Raiki too?"
"Yes. Raiki lives in everyone. It's life energy—you need it to survive. If you combine Raiki with your damik stages, you can delay drawbacks. Maybe even avoid them entirely… if you're smart."
Everyone stared in shock.
Aisha frowned. "Then they must be respected here."
Zain's expression darkened.
"They're not."
Silence.
"They're seen as lower class. People 'never gifted by God.'"
Abraham's jaw tightened. "That's wrong."
Benjamin shook his head. "How can they live like that?"
"That's Mirumania's system," Zain said quietly. "We're here for repairs. Not revolution."
Ryo looked at him sharply.
"So they're treated like dirt… and we're just okay with that?"
"No one's okay with it," Zain replied calmly. "But if we fight their system, we risk another war. More destruction. More deaths."
The tension lingered.
That night—
They descended underground.
And the world changed.
Lantern-lit tunnels.
Crowded streets.
An arena at the center.
"This," Zain said, "is where the non-damik users live."
The arena roared with noise.
"Tonight's match," someone shouted, "the reigning champion—the Hornet—versus a new challenger!"
The challenger stepped forward.
A girl.
About Ryo's age.
Her name: Ruqayya.
The crowd buzzed nervously.
The Hornet was massive. Twice her height.
The bell rang.
He charged.
She dodged.
Again.
Again.
Again.
She never attacked. Just moved.
Like she was dancing.
The Hornet grew frustrated. Slower.
His breathing heavier.
Then—
She struck.
A clean, devastating kick to the jaw.
The Hornet collapsed.
Silence—
Then an explosion of cheers.
"NEW CHAMPION!"
Team Z stared in disbelief.
Abraham muttered, "We could use her."
Zain shook his head. "Don't jump to conclusions. We don't even know her."
Ryo was already walking.
He caught up to Ruqayya as she exited the arena.
"You were amazing out there."
She glanced at him casually. "Thanks. What's a damik user doing down here?"
Ryo blinked. "How could you tell?"
"I can sense it with my Raiki."
He nodded slowly. "That makes sense."
She smirked. "If you're here for the prize money, you'll have to beat me."
"No."
"Then what do you want, bozo?"
Ryo hesitated.
Then looked her straight in the eyes.
"I want you to teach me how to use my Raiki."
Ruqayya froze.
"…What?"