After figuring out from the woman that the boy's condition was Renshical sickness, the healer explained how she had rushed off to find help. Yet when she returned, expecting to see the boy unconscious and fading, she found him sitting upright, dazed but awake—his only complaint was a splitting headache.
The tall scarred man's brows furrowed as he towered over her. His voice was deep, carrying weight like steel dragging against stone.
"You confirmed it was Renshical sickness before leaving, didn't you?"
"Of course," the healer answered quickly, her tone firm though her hands trembled against her apron. "His pulse was unstable, his body was burning and his veins flickered with black Renshi corruption. I've treated such cases before. There was no mistake. And yet… when I returned, the corruption had vanished. His body forced itself back into balance."
The man went silent, his sharp eyes narrowing. His scar twitched slightly as though it deepened with his frown. He turned without another word. A faint glyph spun beneath his boots, lines of energy forming an invisible teleportation circle. The air cracked like glass—and his massive figure dissolved.
---
He reappeared inside the inner sanctum of the Special Darkside Knight's castle.
The castle itself was colossal, its inner halls designed not merely for living but for intimidation. The walkway stretched long, lined with reflective floors that gleamed like silver under the glow of thousands of embedded light-crystals. The walls displayed portraits of every Special Darkside Knight who came before, each painted in immaculate detail, their eyes sharp and unyielding, staring as though they could see into the souls of the living. Arcs of electricity hummed faintly through silver pipes, feeding life to the castle's many structures.
Vintacura, the scarred giant, strode forward with heavy, deliberate steps. He pushed open the doors of the training chamber—a vast hall, where the clashing of wooden swords echoed.
Inside, the current Special Darkside Knight trained with his two sons(HIDARI AND GIRI) The Special Darkside knight was dressed in a white dōgi, his black belt tied neatly at the waist. He moved with a calm precision, but each strike against his sons carried a controlled intensity, as if testing not their strength but their spirit.
The moment Vintacura entered, he dropped to one knee, his towering frame bowing low.
"Forgive my intrusion, but I bring urgent news."
The Special Darkside Knight paused, turning. His presence was suffocating despite the lack of any Renshi flare. His voice was calm yet absolute.
"Raise your head, Vintacura."
At once, the two sons stopped sparring, turning to bow.
"Greetings, Pro Darkside Knight Vintacura!" they chorused in unison.
Vintacura allowed himself a faint smile. "You grow sharper every day. The flow of your Renshi already carries weight." the Special Darkside knight dismissed them with a glance, then walked toward Vintacura. The two men sat across from each other on polished benches set near a glass table, a pot of steaming coffee resting atop it.
"Speak," the Special Darkside knight said. "What did you discover in the land of mysteries this time?"
---
Vintacura inhaled, gathering his thoughts.
"A group of Shinras just entered Ashura. Four of them. Two are children, but they carried themselves like veterans. They passed Protector Lucas' Renshical pressure—without faltering ,one of them struggled once."
At the mention of Lucas, the Special Darkside knight's gaze sharpened.
"But the most dangerous one," Vintacura went on, "was the woman. With only two steps, she defeated me. She carried herself like someone who'd seen countless battlefields. She didn't simply endure Lucas' pressure—she oppressed him with hers ,suffocated him with it. For her, the third trial was meaningless. And then… there was another man with them. His Renshi feels twisted, unnatural. I haven't felt its like in decades."
The Special Darkside Knight's eyes lowered, his voice almost a whisper.
"Mysterious Shinras again… the clock really is turning backward. History is trying to repeat itself."
Vintacura leaned forward, lowering his tone. "That is not the strangest part. During combat, this man threw his Renshical sword to both children. One collapsed instantly, poisoned by the Renshi. But the other… he held on. Not only that, he endured until the weapon itself faded. That should be impossible for a child. And then the impossible…"
The Special Darkside knight said nothing, watching him closely.
"The boy was taken in unconscious. The healer confirmed he as Renshical sickness. She went to find aid, but when she returned, he was awake—alive, alert. Only a headache remained. My lord… did he forced himself back from Renshical collapse."
The Special Darkside Knight was silent for a long moment, sipping the coffee his son Hidari had poured. Finally, he set the cup down with a soft click.
"Another generation of elites cloaked in mystery," he said at last. His gaze was calm, but his tone was edged. "On my command, no one is to interfere with them. Let them enjoy their stay here in Ashura."
Vintacura's eyes widened. His scar twitched again as he clenched his fists.
"That is reckless! These trials exist to expose anomalies like them. If we let this go, it could cost us!"
The Special Darkside knight stood, turning his back. His broad frame radiated quiet dominance as he took a towel from the rack and wiped his face.
"You misunderstand. I do not plan to ignore this. I will watch them myself. But I will not allow the other Pro Darkside Knights to meddle. Their politics will only poison what I must see with my own eyes." He looked over his shoulder, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Do you understand me, Vintacura?"
The man lowered his head. "…I understand. I will keep this matter to myself."
"Good." The Special Darkside knight's voice softened slightly as he glanced at his sons. "Besides… they have heard your words. That is motivation enough for them."
Both Hidari and Giri, who had been silent, exchanged looks of determination. Their young eyes burned with fire.
The Specia Darkside l Knight stepped into the training floor, clasping his hands calmly behind his back.
"Both of you. Come at me together."
The boys hesitated, Hidari speaking first. "But Father, you don't even have your sword—"
Before he could finish, the Special Darkside knight vanished. In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Hidari and struck him with the edge of his palm. Thud! Hidari hit the floor hard, gasping.