Ikku and his friends stood upright, ready to absorb Zeno’s teachings. Zeno began speaking in a calm yet firm tone:
“You can produce two types of energy: physical energy and spiritual energy. Physical energy is the result of your body’s movements, generated by your muscles. Spiritual energy, however, comes from your mind, and it’s your focus that allows you to control it.”
He paused briefly, letting his students process the information, before continuing:
“Close your eyes and recall the sensations you felt both times I unleashed my energy. Imagine your own energy as a gentle stream flowing within you, something you can guide with your will. You’ve all faced critical moments during trials where intense focus was your only salvation. Dive into those memories and relive that sensation. Try to manifest it.”
Following his instructions, Ikku, Yume, Kenny, and Carla closed their eyes, entering a state of deep concentration. Zeno observed them carefully, studying their reactions. He nodded slightly, satisfied with their effort.
“Not bad for a first attempt,” he muttered to himself.
But suddenly, his expression shifted. He seemed surprised, almost shocked by what he saw. In front of him, spiritual energy was already emanating from Yume’s body, forming a luminous and tangible aura.
Yume opened his eyes, beaming.
“Professor! I think I did it! I feel… completely different!”
Zeno studied him with an impassive expression, though there was visible intrigue in his eyes.
“I really wasn’t expecting this,” he admitted. But as he met Yume’s gaze, understanding dawned.
“Golden eyes… glowing, huh?” Zeno said calmly, his gaze fixed on Yume. “I see now. You’re from the Chams tribe.”
“The tribe of what?” Yume exclaimed, shocked that Zeno seemed to know more about him than he did.
“You don’t know your origins?” Zeno asked, his sharp eyes observing Yume.
The young man lowered his head slightly, his gaze lost in memories.
“No, I’m an orphan,” he replied quietly.
Zeno nodded, his expression growing more serious.
“I see… Well, to put it simply, the Chams tribe, also known as the Sun Warriors, possesses a unique gift. They can absorb the sun’s energy and transform it into their own strength. That’s why they’re renowned for their exceptional endurance and vitality. They’re extraordinary warriors.”
Yume raised his eyebrows slightly, absorbing every word with fascination. Zeno gave a faint smile before continuing:
“Kul-Elna has one of the most advanced information networks in the world. Once you’re in your new residence, you’ll find a computer on your desk, directly connected to the kingdom’s intranet. You can use it to research anything you want to know about your tribe, about yourself.”
Hearing this, Yume couldn’t hold back the surge of emotions overwhelming him. His eyes welled up, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He tried to speak, but his throat tightened.
“I’ll finally… know more about myself,” he murmured with infinite gratitude.
Zeno placed a firm yet comforting hand on his shoulder.
“This is just the beginning of your journey. True, you’ve awakened your spiritual energy, but now you need to learn how to master it. Let’s get back to it.”
The group trained for hours, but despite their efforts, no one else managed to awaken their spiritual energy. Frustration mounted with each failed attempt, evident on their faces etched with exhaustion. Sensing their discouragement, Zeno addressed them with a reassuring tone:
“Don’t worry. It normally takes years to awaken spiritual energy. For Nexus members, however, it will only take a few days. You’ve had an intense week. Go rest in your new lodgings. We’ll resume tomorrow.”
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Ikku, Kenny, and Carla nodded silently, though their disappointment was palpable. To clear their minds, they decided to wander around the city. Each corner revealed new wonders: breathtaking landscapes, fascinating technological inventions, and animal creatures they had never seen before. The vibrant lights of Kul-Elna felt almost unreal, as if every building and tree vibrated with a unique energy.
After some time, they arrived at their new residence, a modest three-story structure surrounded by well-tended gardens and dazzling fountains. The setting sun bathed the area in a golden light, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
Ikku checked his phone, a smirk playing on his lips.
“If I’m not mistaken, we’re all on the third floor. There are four apartments per floor, so… the last floor is entirely ours.” He shot a playful glance at his friends.
They exchanged light laughter, excitement palpable at the thought of exploring their new apartments.
“Let’s meet back in an hour?” Kenny suggested, adjusting his jacket.
“Sounds good,” Ikku agreed.
As they climbed the stairs, anticipation grew. Ikku opened the door to his apartment and froze. He had never imagined such a space. The main room was filled with light, the walls decorated with elegant simplicity.
“It’s… massive…” he thought, nearly stunned. “So much bigger than my parents’ place… nothing like the forest…”
He walked into the living room, where large windows offered a breathtaking view of the city below. Each bedroom had its own bathroom, a luxury that felt almost surreal after months of sleeping under the stars or in makeshift huts.
Suddenly, a noise startled him. Turning around, he saw Yume and Kenny lounging comfortably on the couch, mischievous smiles on their faces.
“What are you doing here?!” he exclaimed, still reeling from the shock.
Yume burst out laughing.
“We figured it’d be more fun if we all shared the same apartment.”
Ikku stood frozen for a moment before smiling himself.
“Fine, why not… Could be fun.”
“But we should really rest,” he added with a sigh. “We’ve got some intense training ahead tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Yume and Kenny replied in unison, the spark of determination still gleaming in their eyes.
----------------------------------------
The days passed, and the training remained relentless. Ikku, Carla, and Kenny struggled, trying desperately to awaken their spiritual energy. Zeno, their instructor, never eased the pressure. Each day brought new methods: blindfolded, they had to dodge precisely thrown projectiles. Then, still blindfolded, they were tasked with locating their partners using only their senses. Meditation followed, with long hours spent sitting in silence, seeking inner peace.
After five grueling days, Kenny finally succeeded in awakening his spiritual energy. A luminous glow enveloped his body, marking his triumph. But for Carla and Ikku, nothing came. Frustration began to take root, each failure deepening their doubts.
The two friends exchanged increasingly worried glances, dreading the thought of being left behind. Observing their distress, Zeno pulled them aside.
“You two,” he said in a calm yet firm voice. “Your abilities are clear, and your potential is immense. But there’s a disturbance within you. That’s what’s holding you back from awakening your spiritual energy.” He studied them intently, as if peering into their souls. “You need to find peace within yourselves to overcome this.”
Carla and Ikku, breathless from the training and the weight of failure, listened silently.
“The scientists’ office isn’t far from here,” Zeno continued. “Go see Professor Hypsen. Explain your situation. He’ll know how to help.”
Without hesitation, Carla and Ikku nodded. Together, they set off, their steps heavy with fatigue and worry.
“What do you think he’s going to make us do?” Ikku asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.
Carla shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
“No idea. Maybe therapy?” she replied with a soft laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
Arriving at the scientists’ office, an imposing modern building, they were greeted by Professor Hypsen, a man with round, dark sunglasses and graying hair.
“Zeno sent us. We’re… let’s say, struggling with our spiritual energy,” Ikku explained, hesitant to admit their failure.
Hypsen regarded them thoughtfully.
“Follow me. I have just the thing for you.”
Carla and Ikku exchanged curious glances, a mix of amusement and apprehension, before following the professor through the sterile, silent corridors of the building.
They entered a completely white room, where two single beds sat side by side. On each bed rested a strange helmet adorned with wires and circuits. The room’s cold lighting heightened its almost surreal ambiance.
“What is this?” Ikku asked, intrigued by the futuristic setup.
“This room is called the ‘Trust,’” Hypsen explained. “You’ll lie down and put on these helmets. They’ll take you deep into your subconscious. There, you’ll confront whatever troubles you, your inner demons. Once you overcome them, you’ll find peace within yourselves.”
Carla raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips.
“Sounds… intense,” she said before lying on one of the beds and donning the helmet without hesitation.
Ikku, slightly more reluctant, followed her lead. He cast one last glance at Hypsen, who nodded encouragingly.
“Good luck, and safe travels to you both,” the professor said with a slight smile. “Close your eyes, and empty your minds.”
Ikku took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm the turmoil bubbling within him. He felt the tension leave his muscles as he closed his eyes. The helmet emitted a faint hum, and soon, he felt his consciousness dive, spinning into a whirlwind of images and sensations.
He knew something awaited him there, an inevitable confrontation with himself, with his fears, his doubts. But for the first time in a long while, he was ready to face whatever lay hidden deep within.