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Renn sat cross-legged in the grassy field, eyeing the blue, translucent Spike Wolf sitting obediently in front of her. Nearby, her silver mana staff, Esperanza, rested on the ground with its hammer core still activated, holding the real Spike Wolf’s motionless body on top of it.
As Renn waved her hand from left to right, the translucent wolf’s head followed, mimicking the motion.
“Huh,” Renn muttered, studying the wolf curiously.
Velle, standing nearby with her scanner, analyzed the creature. “It looks like a physical manifestation,” she said, glancing at the screen before continuing, “but its Mana wave isn’t the same as yours.”
Renn tilted her head up at Velle. “What does that mean?”
Velle hesitated, piecing the information together. “Your Mana might’ve absorbed the wolf’s Mana to mimic its unique wave and replicate the beast.”
Renn’s eyes lit up with excitement. “So… I can make a copy of any monster whose Mana I absorb?”
“It’s possible,” Velle replied. “Try imagining it moving around.”
Nodding, Renn focused her mind, picturing the wolf walking. To her surprise, the translucent beast stood up and began circling her, its eyes still locked on her intently.
“As I thought,” Velle said, adjusting her glasses. “Your Mana is linked to the wolf’s wave—similar to how catalysts work.”
“Whoa, this is awesome!” Renn beamed, watching as the wolf padded around her, maintaining its stoic expression.
“But can you keep control of it while fighting with your weapon?” Velle asked, curious.
“Not sure, but I’ll give it a shot.”
Renn shifted into a combat stance, readying herself for a sparring match with Velle, while the real Spike Wolf lay nearby, too sluggish to move after having its Mana drained.
“Just the enhancement core, right?” Renn confirmed, gripping Esperanza.
“Yeah. I want to see if you can fight like normal while controlling the mana wolf,” Velle replied, positioning herself a short distance away.
Velle unsheathed her twin catalyst-dagger hybrids, Zephyr and Eurus, and tossed them into the air. The blades began to hover around her, swirling in a defensive formation.
“Need a countdown?” Renn asked, readying her stance as the enhancement core pulsed to life.
“Nope. We start now,” Velle replied smoothly.
In an instant, Zephyr and Eurus rocketed toward Renn at blinding speed. She barely managed to deflect them, feeling the daggers’ force before they slowed just enough to let her counter. Velle was holding back—just enough to keep Renn on her toes.
Renn attempted to close the gap between them like she’d done with Charlotte, but Velle’s daggers were faster than the mana arms she’d faced before and far more agile. Their smaller size made them difficult to deflect, and Renn found herself almost fully occupied just blocking their endless strikes.
“Hey,” Velle called out, her feet still planted in place, barely even glancing up. “Your wolf disappeared.”
“What?!” Renn’s eyes darted to where the translucent wolf had been, only to find it gone. A few floating Mana particles were all that remained, drifting slowly back toward her.
Focusing, Renn summoned the wolf again. Velle’s daggers hovered in mid-air, waiting. As the translucent wolf reformed, Renn directed it toward Velle, watching it snarl as it charged.
“Yes!” Renn’s excitement bubbled up, but her celebration was cut short as Zephyr and Eurus resumed their relentless assault.
Back on the defensive, Renn barely kept up, blocking one dagger strike after another while glancing at her wolf’s progress. She expected Velle to be dealing with its attack—but as she glanced over, she saw the wolf simply standing in front of Velle, motionless, its body already disintegrating into small Mana particles.
“What the—?” Renn gasped, distracted. That split-second lapse gave Velle the opening she needed, and her daggers shot forward, stopping just inches from Renn’s face.
With a sigh, Velle retracted the daggers, catching them mid-air and tucking them back into her belt as she approached.
“It’s tough, isn’t it?” Velle said, her tone softer as she observed Renn’s slump in disappointment. “Controlling catalysts takes focus. Normally, catalyst users stay out of direct combat so they can channel all their attention into control.”
“But I’m not the type to sit on the sidelines…” Renn mumbled, shoulders sagging.
“Relax,” Velle encouraged, stepping in front of her. “You’re already way ahead of most people; you’ve felt the Mana link. That’s usually the hardest part.”
Velle adjusted her glasses, her gaze sharp and direct. “The real challenge is learning to split your focus. If you want to control a summoned creature while fighting, you can’t let your attention waver from either. It’s like multitasking, but with your mind stretched across two fronts.”
Renn sighed, her confidence flagging. “How am I supposed to manage that?”
“Ever seen anyone use two catalysts at once like I do?” Velle asked, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
“No?” Renn replied, frowning slightly.
“Exactly,” Velle said, folding her arms. “It’s tough, but if I can do it, so can you—with enough practice.”
Renn let out a quiet groan. “But I’m not a genius like you…”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re Garland’s descendant,” Velle reminded her, a hint of pride in her voice. “Trust me—you’ll get there.”
With Renn’s spirits lifted a bit, the two made their way back to Lumio. After handing over the Spike Wolf for the bounty, they boarded the mana train to Veledot. As they settled in, Velle’s mind wandered to the challenges Renn would soon face.
Despite inheriting Garland’s Mana, Renn still struggled to wield it fully. It might take time for her to master it, and with the uncertainty brewing in Veledot, Velle wasn’t sure how much time they had left. If she did end up on the throne, it would be nearly impossible for her to roam freely across the regions. At the very least, the western heroes’ Mana was no longer at risk.
Velle glanced at Renn, lost in thought. She had made a decision: for now, Renn would stay in the west, where she could hunt the monsters that had started spilling out across the land, unchecked due to Veledot’s recent focus. It would be good training, too—time for Renn to practice using Garland’s powers in real battle.
Meanwhile, Velle and Howl would set out for their ancestors’ graves to secure their Mana before the mysterious hunters got to them. Once that was done, the real journey would begin: tracking down the remaining three descendants of the legendary heroes, rallying them, and forming a team to face the threat together.
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After arriving in Veledot, Velle and Renn headed straight to the alchemist workshop, where they used the telecommunication device to contact Howl and discuss the next steps.
“Whoa! You actually absorbed Garland’s Mana? That’s big news, isn’t it?!” Howl’s voice crackled through the speaker, his image displaying on the small screen.
Renn scratched her head, a sheepish smile breaking across her face. “Ahaha, yeah… still getting used to it.”
Next to her, Velle sat calmly in a chair, looking composed as usual. She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as she spoke. “Once you reach Edgar’s burial site, I’ll have the workshop near there hand you a Mana potion. After that, I’d like you to head to the eastern region, if possible.”
Howl shrugged, folding his arms. “Guess I’ll need to clear it with my dad first, but yeah, I’m in. You want me keeping an eye on the two burial sites there, right?”
“That’s right,” Velle replied. “Meanwhile, I’ll put out the word across the workshops to let them know we’re looking for the remaining three descendants to join us.”
Howl tilted his head thoughtfully. “Think that’ll work? I mean, most of them probably don’t even know they’re descendants. And getting every town scanned sounds like a serious hassle.”
Velle adjusted her glasses, unbothered. “I’ll add a cash reward, which should help bring people in voluntarily. It’ll be a process, and it’s possible we won’t find anyone at all. But our focus will shift to other strategies after we secure our ancestors’ Mana.”
Howl nodded, his image flickering slightly on the screen. “Got it. Well, back to work then! Good luck running things in Veledot, Your Majesty.”
Renn’s cheeks turned a faint pink, and she flailed a little. “C-can you not call me that, please?”
Howl laughed heartily, clearly amused by her reaction. “Sorry, sorry! Couldn’t resist. Good luck, both of you.” With that, his screen went dark as the call ended.
Velle stood up, smoothing out her clothes. “Alright, that’s it. You’ve got some time to take care of your own tasks now.”
“A-alright,” Renn stammered, already turning to head down the stairs. She heard Velle’s faint chuckle as she descended to the first floor.
Downstairs, she found Quin and Yufi seated together at one of the tables, apparently enjoying a rare moment of downtime. As soon as she appeared, Yufi got up and approached her.
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“How was the meeting?” Yufi asked, her head tilted with genuine curiosity.
Renn returned a small smile. “It was quick. I’ll be sticking around here for a bit to help out with hunting down some of the stronger monsters in the region.”
“Then let us help,” Quin said, standing up from his chair. His expression was calm but determined.
Renn’s eyes widened slightly. “Are you sure? I thought you’d be heading back north now that things in Veledot have settled a bit… even if we haven’t caught the illegal mana weapon sellers yet.”
Quin shook his head. “I’d like to stay and support my father. He’s… well, he’s not quite as strong as he used to be.” There was a hint of worry in his gaze, though he quickly masked it.
“And since I’m Quin’s partner, I’m staying, too,” Yufi added with a playful wink.
Their offer made Renn’s smile widen. “Alright, then. Thanks, you two.”
“But about the throne? What are you going to do with it?” Yufi asked, glancing at Renn with a slight frown.
Renn’s expression grew serious, her usual confidence dimming. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it. Honestly, I don’t think I’m ready to be a queen. Not yet, anyway.”
Yufi studied her friend, nodding in understanding. At fifteen, it made sense for Renn to feel overwhelmed by the weight of ruling an entire region.
“Then you’ll need a regent,” Quin suggested, arms crossed as he considered the matter.
Renn tilted her head thoughtfully. “Right... but who? I barely know anyone around here well enough.”
They all fell silent, each lost in thought.
After a pause, Renn broke the silence. “Wait, what does a king or queen even do, exactly?”
“Well…” Yufi hesitated. “Probably stuff like approving requests from other cities? And maybe sending guards to investigate shady business?” She scratched her head, clearly unsure herself.
“Yeah, sounds like that,” Quin added with a slight nod.
Renn went quiet again, deep in thought, before a spark of realization lit up her eyes. “Wait... I have an idea. Hear me out…”
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Outside the palace, which was still undergoing repairs, the trio found someone Renn believed could handle the role of regent.
“Me?!” Willo exclaimed, his eyes widening as he pointed at himself in disbelief.
“Yes! I mean, you’re well-known in the hunter community, right?” Renn explained, gesturing animatedly. “And hunters are everywhere in this region, so it makes sense to have someone they trust leading things.”
Willo spluttered. “But, kid—I mean, Your Highness—no, wait, Your Majesty—”
“Just call me Renn,” she replied, a slight shiver running down her spine. “All those titles feel… weird.”
Willo chuckled, but he still looked uneasy. “Renn, I’m just a monster hunter. I don’t know anything about ruling a region!”
“I already spoke to the alchemists at the workshop,” Renn replied, folding her arms confidently. “They’ll handle the paperwork. You’ll just need to review and sign final approvals.”
Willo looked between them, still dazed. “Are… are you serious? Quin, say something here!”
Quin gave Willo a calm, supportive look. “Honestly, I can’t think of a better person for the job.”
“What?!” Willo looked aghast, but Quin didn’t back down.
“Come on, you know you’re getting older,” Yufi teased, giving him a playful nudge.
Willo sighed heavily, seeing that no one was going to let him off the hook. “Even you, Yufi…”
A couple of nearby hunters had overheard the conversation and chimed in, nodding encouragingly. “Hey, it’s only temporary, so what’s the big deal?” one said.
“Yeah, you’d be great!” another added with a grin.
Willo could see the sense in their reasoning. Renn had few connections here; his familiarity with the hunters in every town was an undeniable asset. Finally, he sighed, the weight of responsibility settling on him. “Alright, alright. I was planning to stay in Veledot anyway. But what about Edward and his arena?”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
The group turned to see Edward approaching, looking as polished as ever in his fancy suit—though this time without his usual mask. He’d been overseeing the palace repairs, and his expression was sincere as he addressed them. “My men have everything under control there. Besides, I’d be happy to assist with governing the region.”
Willo raised an eyebrow, studying Edward. So far, Edward had proven himself trustworthy after the arena incident, and Willo could sense his sincerity.
Renn’s face lit up in relief. “Then it’s settled! I’m not leaving the region, though. Quin, Yufi, and I will be taking on monster-hunting duties around the west, while you two look after Veledot.”
Willo straightened up, trying to sound confident in his new role. “Alright. If that’s what you want, leave the region to me... I-I guess.”
With their plan in place, each of them turned back to their duties, determined to bring Veledot back to its former glory, free from shady dealings and roaming monsters.
After gathering all the information she needed from the Veledot workshop about the recent incidents, Velle was finally ready to head back north to Alma. During her stay, she’d left Willo with a few tips on managing the kingdom’s affairs, giving him enough guidance so he wouldn’t feel completely adrift in his new role.
Now, standing in front of the bustling mana rail station, Renn, Quin, and Yufi were there to see her off.
“Take care, Velle!” Yufi called, waving with a warm smile.
Velle nodded, a hint of a smile flickering across her face. “I will. And you two—make sure to keep an eye on Renn for me.”
Renn frowned a little, crossing her arms. “I’m not a little kid, you know. Actually, aren’t we the same age?”
Velle smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Unless you’d prefer to explore a completely unfamiliar region all on your own?”
“Ugh…” Renn mumbled, defeated, realizing Velle had a point.
With a satisfied nod, Velle turned to board the mana carriage. “Anyway, train hard, Renn. There’s a lot riding on you.”
“Alright, alright, I will,” Renn replied, her expression softening into a smile. “See you around.”
With a final wave, Velle boarded, disappearing into the carriage as it pulled away from the station. As her friend’s train vanished into the horizon, Renn turned back to Quin and Yufi. The three of them exchanged a silent nod of determination before setting off on their journey across the western region, ready to face the challenges of hunting powerful monsters and honing the abilities passed down from Garland Veledot.
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Elsewhere on the Mainland, a young descendant found himself in a windowless room, the lack of natural light making it impossible to know his exact location.
The space around him was filled with a quiet hum of energy, the metallic walls and floor giving off a sleek, high-tech feel. Thick cables ran along the walls, glowing faintly as they pulsed with light, lending the area an almost futuristic atmosphere.
But despite the austere surroundings, he wasn’t a prisoner. He was merely a guest of the residents—mostly scholars, with a few others who stood out, dressed differently from the others in the facility’s standard overcoats.
In his well-lit, comfortably decorated room, Ray sat on the edge of his bed, lost in thought. His memories were hazy, and as he tried to piece them together, he realized he couldn’t recall much of his past—or even his fight with Howl Cladun at Riska, which had taken place only a week ago.
It had only been a few days since Ray had woken up here, in this unfamiliar place, with his own name as his sole memory. Everyone around him treated him with a kindness that was almost familial, chatting easily and guiding him through the metallic hallways. Yet whenever he asked where he was, the residents would always dodge his questions, leaving him with a sense of both welcome and mystery.
Most of the people here were adults, scholars who often discussed topics that sounded like a foreign language to Ray. Despite the warmth they showed him, he sometimes felt out of place. The one exception was a girl, a bit older than him, who visited him often. Her presence was always a bright spot in his day.
Today, like clockwork, she appeared outside his door. After a few soft knocks, her familiar voice drifted through the metal.
“Are you in there? Can I come in?”
Ray’s face lit up as he jumped to his feet. “Y-yeah! Come in!”
With a quiet click, the door slid open, revealing a girl with long, golden hair cascading down her shoulders and striking emerald green eyes that held Ray’s gaze every time they met his. She wore a flowing white sundress that seemed to catch the light, paired with simple sandals that gave her an effortless, summery look.
She grinned as she stepped inside. “You look like you’re ready to explore already! So, shall we head out?”
“Yes!” Ray replied, barely able to keep the excitement out of his voice as he followed her into the hallway.
As they walked, scholars passed by, deep in discussions Ray didn’t understand. The girl skipped a few steps ahead, her lightness contrasting with the rigid steel walls around them.
“So, where to?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder with a playful smile.
Ray’s stomach growled softly, and he laughed sheepishly. “Actually… I’m kinda hungry.”
She laughed. “Good! Me too! Cafeteria it is, then.”
Leading him down another hallway, they finally arrived in a large, open hall filled with tables and chairs. In the center stood a towering tree, surrounded by curving benches, giving the space a touch of warmth despite its industrial setting.
“Go on, grab a seat! I’ll get the food. The usual, right?” she asked, already heading toward the counter where cooks were lining up plates of food.
“Yeah… thanks,” Ray replied, settling into a chair nearby and taking in the scene.
The hall bustled with scholars who chatted and laughed together. A few waved and called out greetings when they noticed him, which he shyly returned with a small nod. Although the place had the confines of a prison, it was all Ray had ever known. In a strange way, this place felt like home, and the girl’s friendly presence made it all the more comfortable.
Moments later, she returned with two plates piled high with food and set them on the table as she sat across from him.
Ray’s eyes widened at the meal—a spread of juicy steaks, hearty stews, and even a fizzy soda on the side. Despite being served on metal plates, the food looked like something out of a luxurious restaurant.
As they ate, Ray’s mind drifted back through his recent memories. He recalled the scholars’ careful questions when he first woke up, their watchful concern as they made sure he was alright, and how they’d given him a cozy bedroom. Then the blonde girl had appeared, visiting him daily and quickly becoming his constant companion.
On the surface, it sounded simple—waking up to good meals and a comfortable bed—but Ray felt something was missing. He had no memory of why he was here in the first place.
“Hey, Ella?” Ray ventured, looking across the table at her.
“Hm?” Ella looked up, mid-bite, a piece of steak still on her fork.
“What is this place, exactly?”
His question seemed to catch her off guard; she froze briefly, fork still in her mouth. After a moment, she swallowed and replied, “Well… it’s a place where people work, I guess?”
“A place to work?” Ray echoed, puzzled. “What kind of work?”
“Mmm… I dunno.” Ella gave a slight shrug, lazily pointing her fork to the side. “I just come here to see you, ‘cause you look so lonely.”
Ray’s expression softened, though he couldn’t hide his disappointment. “Thanks,” he replied with a small sigh. He was grateful for her company, but he still felt adrift.
“Don’t think about it too much!” Ella reassured him, returning to her meal with a bright smile. “What matters is that we’re safe here, right?”
“Right…” Ray muttered, though the hollow feeling lingered.
After their meal, they wandered to the “grassy plain” room—a vast indoor hall with green fields, gentle hills, and scattered trees casting shade beneath the artificial sunlight overhead.
“Whew! Nothing beats laying on grass!” Ella sighed happily as she sprawled under the shade of a tree.
Ray sat nearby, leaning back against the trunk. “It is nice,” he admitted, enjoying the breeze as it tousled his brown hair. With the steel walls out of sight, this could almost pass for an outdoor plain—not that he could remember ever seeing one firsthand.
“I hope they add some animals in here someday. That’d be so fun,” Ella mused dreamily.
“Animals?” Ray repeated, intrigued.
“Yeah, like birds or maybe some puppies.” She raised her hands as if cradling an invisible puppy, grinning to herself.
“Birds… and puppies?”
Ella’s smile faded slightly as she turned to Ray, noticing the confusion on his face. “Wait… you don’t know what those are?”
Ray shook his head slowly, a frown forming.
“Huh, is that so?” Ella murmured, sitting up on the grass, then her eyes lit up with an idea. “I know! Let’s check out the library. I’m not usually into books, but maybe reading about animals would be fun!”
Ray brightened at the thought. “I’d love that!”
Seeing his enthusiasm made Ella smile. But just then, a group of scholars entered the room, interrupting their plans.
“Ray! Sorry to bother you and Ella, but it’s time for the usual test,” one of them called out.
“Aww…” Ella sighed, disappointed.
Ray got to his feet, brushing off bits of grass. “Let’s get this over with, so we can head to the library.”
Ella raised an eyebrow in surprise, unused to seeing him so determined.
They followed the scholars to a separate testing area, where Ray stepped into a large hall with thick glass separating him from the onlookers, including Ella.
“Alright, Ray, are you ready?” the voice of a scholar echoed from a speaker high on the wall.
“Yes,” he replied, eyes fixed on the massive door across from him.
“Here’s today’s opponent.”
The double doors slid open, revealing a hulking, four-legged creature stalking into the room.
Ray shifted into a stance, purple lightning sparking across his body as he narrowed his gaze on the monster. His eyes, charged with a violet glow, locked onto his target, ready for the fight.
In return for the comfort of his room and good meals, he knew his role here—to face whatever creatures they unleashed in this room, day after day.
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