As everyone took their turn testing for a talent, it was Yuki's turn.
Yuki focused all her mana into a single point in her body, hoping to awaken a talent.
Suddenly—something happened:
The air surrounding Yuki transformed into nuclear energy.
Everything in her hand began to vanish, absorbed. Then, the nearby chairs and even the walls started to crumble, drawn into the same void.
A Guild Representative shouted,"Hey, stop! You'll destroy the whole building if you keep using your talent!"
Yuki looked confused, unsure of what was happening.
"I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone…"she said.
Yet everyone had just witnessed the terrifying potential of her talent.
Captain Hoshigami approached Yuki.
"I saw everything,"he said. "Your talent is to absorb anything and convert it into any type of energy, isn't it? Would you like to join us? The Rokurokubi Guild?"
Yuki's eyes widened, not expecting the offer. "Sir, I really appreciate it, but I think I'll be fine with my friends for now."
Hyoei, overhearing her response, was stunned. Why the fuck? he thought. She had an incredible talent and had been chosen by the Rokurokubi Guild—why would she refuse?
After her reply, Yuki walked over to Hyoei, smiling. Hyoei couldn't understand her. Why would she turn down a place in such a powerful guild? He was jealous, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
[Meanwhile]
General Reiva'an sat in his chair, relaxing aboard the Star Conqueror spaceship.
Suddenly, a familiar soldier entered."Hey, Rin—"he began.
The General shot upright, his composure shattered. That name dragged him back to a past he had tried to forget.
[34 Years Ago, Southern Universe, Low-Class Planet]
Rin walked through the streets of Lenkfvag, the capital city of a low-class planet.
He encountered a local gang—one he usually had trouble with.
The Gang Leader stepped forward, smirking."Hey, Rin. Ready to get your ass kicked again?"He cracked his knuckles.
Rin glared, annoyed."You're just here to bully people because you're rich. What's the point of you even living?"
The Leader swung a punch at Rin's face, but Rin caught his fist. With a swift kick to the abdomen, he sent the Leader stumbling back several meters.
Rin rushed forward, only to be surrounded by the gang members.
"Oh, you'll pay for that, you son of a bitch!"one of them snarled.
All five attacked at once—punches, kicks, even a knife—but Rin slipped free, countering each strike with brutal efficiency. One by one, he took them down.
Finally, he stood over the Gang Leader.
"How does it feel to be humiliated in front of a crowd, huh?!"Rin grabbed him by the shirt and drove a punch into his face.
As his fingers clenched the fabric, something strange surged within him—something awakened, engraved into his very soul.
Rin stumbled back, shocked and confused
He ignored the groaning gang members and walked away, trying to shake off the unsettling sensation.
Later, he entered a store. As usual, he stole a bottle of water and a bag of beans—just enough to keep himself hydrated and fed.By the time he headed home, it was past 11 PM. He knew what awaited him.
His father sat on the couch, furious."Where the hell have you been, you useless oaf?!"
Rin ignored him, locking himself in his room.
He opened his journal and wrote:
"Day 738. Something strange happened today. I don't know what it was. I felt a powerful light, a power suddenly engraved within me."
He sat on his bed, replaying the day's events in his mind.
After a few minutes, exhaustion pulled him under.
In his dream, he faced something horrifying.
A humanoid figure cloaked in long, flowing yellow robes—symbolizing decay and corruption masked by regal splendor. The robes seemed alive, merging with the environment. The being's face was hidden in shadow, a dark void emphasizing its unknowable nature.
The entity spoke:"You have been deemed worthy to wield my power. Use it well, human mortal…"
The figure faded, and Rin jolted awake, heart pounding.
"What the fuck was that?!"he gasped, still trembling.
After a while, his mind began to clear. He thought about the being's words:"Wield my power… Did it mean mana? Maybe I should ask some familiars."
He recalled the strange sensation from earlier—the power awakening within him.
"Could it be that moment? Is that when I acquired it?"
Rin went to the bathroom to splash water on his face. As he stared into the mirror, the glow in his eyes faded.
But for a brief moment, the being from his dream appeared behind him in the reflection.