(Kazu Xios POV)

“… I see… “

I spoke amidst the silence that had taken hold of this Mana Art that shattered like a billion shards of glass falling to my feet. I wondered if the feeling I felt was clarity. But I still stood, completely unphased by what I had just seen and done.

I let out a deep sigh, as if I had been holding my breath for the past few minutes.

It had taken me some time to put what I had done into words and honestly, it didn’t matter if I understood it or not. It didn't make a difference, I brought forth an amount of power so chaotic that it shook this place to its core. But it was simply instinct.

My Esoteric Restrictions developed a new form of will, A gate, an inventory of sorts. that opened a power I seemed to once possess, although the concept wasn't available for me to conjure at will. But this gate allowed me to reach the pinnacle of my sealed powers to resurface without breaking my seal.

But I knew it shuddered throughout Mythral with my Aura, the essence that was my true power, my true nature. The truth behind my existence, unknown to me.

My understanding of how to exit a Mana Art like this may have influenced the way it had developed, destroying the Mana Art with sheer power like Indrath had done before caused my Esoteric Restrictions to unleash a similar strength to do the same.

I simply knew, this Mana Art was weaker than the one I witnessed with Indrath, and it was unoccupied by its caster, hence the mindless attacks of some creatures fueled with magical energy from the Mana Art itself.

Regardless I knew my sudden release of power would leave Theitus and Altear worried, even anxious as to what had happened, but I simply stood in place. In the silence taking it all in.

When my gaze shifted to Isabelle, I noticed Altear was already beside her.

Isabelle’s eyes were locked on me as if she was still in awe. And yet I couldn't help but to notice a small hint of fear in them. While Altear's own were filled with concern, I could sense her worry for Isabelle.

I knew it was directed at me, but I wondered why even she was afraid of me.

“… I’m sorry, Altear. I seemed to have caused some trouble for you. But we did get the herbs for the sweet teas for the golden lantern rite,” I said flatly but genuinely, hoping I didn’t cause them too much trouble.

Altear’s silence seemed to last forever before she broke the tension, with a slight giggle, like she couldn't contain the relief that washed over her. "W-Well I didn't expect you to take down half the mountainside, Kazu. But it's nice to see you're still you. And that both of you are safe,” she said happily.

I let out a soft sigh knowing I had worried her, but her smile was still bright.

She then looked over at Isabelle in her arms, who had reached her limits prior to arriving, "She finally fell asleep. Seems like she exhausted herself, it’ll take awhile for her to recover. I’m glad you were here for her, Kazu.” Altear said cradling Isabelle in her arms as she stood. “How about we get back to the palace, Theitus would like to know that you both are safe as well," she said with a giggle leading me back home at her side.

And yet a question still lingered on my mind, as we continued "…By the way, where did those creatures come from?" I asked and she let out a light sigh, shaking her head at me.

"… A greedy, self centered fool, who wanted you to fall into his Mana Art…” she grumbled not entirely giving me a proper answer which left my curiosity unanswered.

Regardless, it didn't bother me much, I simply found myself following Altear back to the Palace. Almost glad that this night was over with. And the people I cared about were waiting for me.

***

A couple of days passed since my encounter with another Mana Art. Theitus and Altear did their best to explain everything that happened after I returned but never did say who exactly was behind it.

It didn’t really matter in the end, I simply found myself too tired to ask more questions, Isabelle was safe, and everyone was okay, so I figured that was enough for me.

But despite all that, Theitus gave me the past few days off to myself while him and Altear increasingly got busier in his office, whether that was because of the approaching festival or something entirely different, I couldn't quite tell.

Regardless, the past few days weren’t interesting at all, I only found myself lingering around Isabelle’s room waiting for her to wake up, after all she did go through absolute zero and required rest.

But honestly, I couldn't find myself wanting to do anything else but wait for her to fully recover, in my own silent thoughts.

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The sound of boots echoing in the hallway pulled me from thought, and his laughter filled my ears, “… still waiting, huh, Kazu? She’ll be out for another day, but I still find it amazing you haven't left her side.” Theitus said approaching me as I sat leaning against the wall, by Isabelle's door.

I simply let out a sigh, not wanting to move. “… yeah well, I don’t mind waiting for her to wake up…” I said as I shifted my gaze towards him now standing in front of me with his chest puffed out and hands on his hips, all while his signature grin grew wider.

"If Altear was here, she’d be having a blast teasing you right now,” he laughed and I couldn't help but feel a bit of humor well in my throat, but it never quite came out.

“She was here earlier, doing her usual checkup on Isabelle. And already gave me an earful of her typical teasing, she's even more ruthless these days," I remarked causing Theitus to laugh for the both of us before he finally caught a hold of his laughter.

"… Altear certainly shows her affections in interesting ways. honestly, I actually came to ask you if you have a moment?” he asked as if he needed to, but I simply nodded.

“I do… but, are you sure you do? I mean you have been rather busy," I said causing him to wave my words off with his hand.

"Well yes, but a lot of those matters concern you, so I’d like to discuss them with you directly," he said with a grin, waving me to follow along. To which I did, after glancing to Isabelle’s door as if I wondered if she’d be fine without me for a moment.

ultimately, I followed Theitus down the hallway to his office. Once there, I sat in the chair he offered.

While he sat across from me in the only chair that would fit his structure, with his massive arms folded on the top of his desk, of documents and books scattered across it.

"The thing is, Kazu, you’ve grown so much since you’ve arrived in Mythral," he said with a light chuckle before continuing. "I know so far I’ve left unanswered questions, but I’ve come to realize that maybe you should be the one to find the answers," he said with a light grin before taking a deep breath. "I’m aware how you must feel living here, you’re stuck between feeling at home and yet still feel like you’re missing something, and I’m going to tell you something to explain that certain feeling” he said genuinely and managed to take me by surprise.

I didn’t expect us to take a seat and talk about feelings like this, but I couldn't find myself to say anything only wanting to hear what he had to say.

"The Xiao together, held a bond amidst their comrades, one so strong that their bonds were like chains that never broke, they had faith in their comrades, trust and a sense of duty. You see Kazu, even though you feel at home, comfortable. You lack the bonds you had in another life and Isabelle became a part of that missing piece, to explain, that feeling you have around her is simply the effect of that bond that once existed.” Theitus explained, and for a moment it was as if he was reading the thoughts that lingered in the back of my mind, like a book that told all my secrets.

"… Theitus, what brought this up?" I mused, but the smile he had on his face grew.

"Because, in order to make those bonds, like the one you’ve made with Isabelle, you need to step outside of Mythral, that certain bond you have with her cannot be so easily created, in fact if you weren’t so unique you couldn’t create them," he said, causing me to feel a slight pain well in my core for a moment, as if a huge weight had pressed against it.

But I didn't know why I felt such a way, perhaps it was because for some reason I had to leave Mythral.

“To explain that further is she has no communion with the Tian Sovereign, no bond with any of the other gods or Deities. And in truth a minuscule connection to clan Kamori and Ezumi now. Because you gave her that bond and thus a communion with you is formed. But the thing is, a bond like that one requires a being of power, that possesses a large amount of magical energy. And the other requirement is that a relationship must exist between the two of you, a trust, an understanding. Something that is shared between the two parties before a communion can occur," he explained, of course I made some sense of it, but it also made me recall that time I had first helped out Isabelle with her cultivation, when I held her in the palm of my hand, within my own state of cultivation.

Despite this sudden conversation, I couldn't help myself from further wondering what brought it up, “Theitus you’re really getting ahead of yourself, maybe it is true I have some desire to feel that bond again with those I once knew. but that doesn't mean I want to leave here, this is my home. I actually really like living here.” I remarked honestly, I was content with how things had become in my life, this was a place where I could relax and feel freedom.

I wanted to stay here with Isabelle, and everyone, but Theitus only chuckled shaking his head at me.

"… I’d like that too and it's not my place to tell you what you can or can't do. But I’ve gave it some thought myself, I think you should leave Mythral and explore the world you abruptly left behind.” Theitus stated as if he had thought about this for some time before our conversation. He continued laying out his thoughts before me. "In Truth, Mythral no longer need Xios to guard our safe harbour, if anything we are more self sufficient than we once were. And you are free from your obligation to serve Mythral and the Tian Sovereign. Not only that but it won’t be long before I have nothing left to teach you, it’s honestly like some kind of cruel irony," he said with his loud laughter ringing in the air.

I didn't know how to feel about this, but my usual demeanour never left my face, while he went on.

"Of course, like you said I may be getting ahead of myself, but I wanted to make everything clear to you. And if you do make the decision to leave Mythral, I would like you to know that this is your home, and I’m certainly not just sending you back out there with no guidance. You're free to choose what you want but we both know the decision that you’ll inevitably make."

I let out a soft sigh, knowing that this was most likely true. "… hmm, you really are full of surprises, Theitus. I hope this isn’t some sudden shift like last time, I practically woke up to a whole new world," I said with my terrible attempt at humor, even if it did make Theitus laugh, but anything could make him laugh.

"... Of course not, you’re free to leave on your own time, if you want, I can explain the details of everything I devised for your departure," he said pulling out quite a few documents from the pile on his desk.

“You really thought about this didn't you?" I mused at the documents building a small tower on his desk, but Theitus’s hearty laugh only filled the air.

“Of course, I did, if you didn’t know Kazu, you're rather important to me.” He added before diving into his grand plan for my departure.