After acquiring a sufficient amount of cosmic fragments, Toru planned to craft a “Kolothist” module. This advanced piece of technology, when supplied with a significant amount of energy, could connect to the “mind towers.” These towers were crucial as they harnessed vast amounts of psychic energy, which was vital for powering the nation’s extensive energy needs. The potential of such a module was enormous.

Toru’s aspirations were not without limitations. As someone not from one of the prominent families with elite access to science or cognitive prowess, his resources and opportunities were constrained. Despite this, he was determined to realize a schematic he had been developing for years—a revolutionary cannon designed to never miss its target. This was his chance to prove the efficacy of his design and potentially make a significant impact.

He held the Materia Identifier in his hand, which projected a circular map. The map displayed two concentric perimeters: one was a constant baseline, while the other fluctuated in size depending on the proximity of the cosmic fragments. The smaller the diameter of the expanding circle, the closer the fragments were to his location. A blinking dot in the center of the display indicated a rich concentration of fragments in the area. The presence of this dot suggested that the fragments were abundant, making the area ripe for harvesting.

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Toru glanced at the device and then muttered to himself, “I hope they’re alright...” His concern for his team was genuine, though he had seen each of them demonstrate remarkable capabilities. He tried to push aside any anxiety about their safety, particularly since they had managed to secure the area and deal with numerous threats.

In the back of his mind, he worried specifically about Hitomi. Her strengths lay in her psychic abilities rather than physical combat, which might put her at a disadvantage in a direct confrontation. Yet, Toru was also wary of the high families and those close to them. He often found that individuals from these circles placed excessive importance on appearances and status, neglecting the practical and grounded aspects of their roles. This had been his observation through various interactions and experiences.

As Toru navigated through the dimly lit hallways, the lingering scent of burning from the combusted mechanical hounds and fallen CPU fighters filled the air. The dust had settled, and the pungent odor had become a familiar backdrop to his current task. Toru swiped the device methodically across the different corridors, scanning for cosmic fragments. His focus remained sharp, driven by the hope of finding something that would validate his efforts and potentially give his team an edge in their ongoing mission.