Ryn's body shifted as consciousness awakened within it once more, though this time it was the entity that peered through familiar eyes.

Slowly, deliberately, it sat the body up and flexed the hands, stretching fingers wide before balling them into fists. Palms lifted to gaze upon in scrutiny, opening and closing in assessment of dexterity and control.

Next it planted bare feet upon the cool earth and rose stiffly from slumber's embrace.

Weight shifted from heels to toes, testing balance and poise as a subtle smile graced lips not its own.

Familiar yet foreign, this vessel moved at its whim, borrowing flesh to experience the boundary between realms in new ways.

The entity gazed hence with eyes that memorized forest scenery, committing each detail to knowledge both mundane and metaphysical.

Its return to the realm of substance granted novel insights into limitation and form.

For the first time, intangible existence became sheathed in skin again, each action mirrored through another's form.

In the realm of the mind, the shadow entity had always felt the watchful gaze of Ryn, a constant observer during their duels.

Yet now, freed from that presence, the entity couldn't shake the growing suspicion that Ryn's consciousness remained dormant in the depths of the mind realm.

"Feels liberating," the entity murmured, surprised to hear its own voice aloud.

It had expected its thoughts to remain confined within its own mind, but it was mistaken.

"Hmm, let's see," the shadow entity began, examining Ryn's physical form.

It assessed the density of his bones, the strength of his muscles, and the flexibility of his body.

"Truly different from before."

If someone were to witness this peculiar sight of a young boy thoroughly examining his own body and engaging in conversation with himself, they would undoubtedly conclude that he was either quite eccentric or perhaps not entirely sound in the mind.

"Next, let's test the capabilities of this body now," the entity declared, assuming a basic spear stance.

With swift and precise movements, it mimicked the motions of thrusting and stabbing with an imaginary spear.

It seamlessly transitioned into a defensive posture, with the spear spinning in a circular motion while held behind its back.

Finally, it plunged the imaginary spear into the ground and released it.

Then, from its back, the entity produced a small sword, while another appeared in the hand that had held the spear.

It gestured with an open palm, as if beckoning an opponent, adopting a sideways stance, crouching slightly, and raising the remaining weapon to chest level.

To any passerby, this display would appear as nothing more than a child playing in the backyard, lost in a world of fantasy and role-playing, casting themselves as the hero in their own little fairy tale.

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But it was far more than that.

The entity's attempts to replicate the techniques used in the mind realm were not driven by a desire to aid Ryn.

It occurred merely as a coincidence.

As it tested the current capabilities of the assumed body, it unexpectedly found that employing those techniques benefitted both itself and Ryn, inadvertently fueling Ryn's growth.

Those techniques were not part of the Data Ryn had received previously, nor were they known to the entity from the shards of memory it possessed.

They were rooted in the entity's own essence, waiting to be discovered, and Ryn had unknowingly taken the crucial first step.

In a burst of motion, the entity lunged forward, wielding the imaginary short swords in both hands.

The right-hand sword pointed towards the imaginary opponent, while the left swung downwards in a slashing motion.

It swiftly twirled around, executing a half-moon arc with the right sword.

The imaginary opponent fell for the feint, blocking the left swing with its long sword, only to find itself facing the right sword aimed at its neck.

It quickly evaded by leaping backward.

However, the shadow entity was relentless.

It pressed forward, aiming a cleaving strike at the opponent's lower body with the right sword.

The opponent parried the blow, swiftly redirecting the force and bringing the sword down towards Ryn's head in a seamlessly connected motion.

Sensing the imminent danger, the shadow entity blocked the attack with both swords, feeling the opponent exerting immense pressure.

It seemed as if the weight of boulders rested upon its shoulders.

Just as Ryn's knees began to buckle under the strain, the opponent vanished like a dissipating mist.

"Unexpected, but now I've uncovered the true potential of this body," the shadow entity remarked, taking a momentary pause after testing its newfound capabilities.

What began as a simple exploration of the body's limits had unexpectedly transformed into an extraordinary display of sciamachy, or shadow fencing.

The entity had scarcely noticed its own prowess, preoccupied as its thoughts were with other matters.

Sciamachy, a technique beyond the grasp of ordinary children who had yet to experience Mana awakening or Aura enlightenment, was reserved for skilled knights seeking to enhance their strength and expand their repertoire of techniques.

And yet, the shadow entity had effortlessly engaged in this practice, oblivious to the mentions of it within the tomes that Ryn had always been so fond of.

"It's time," the entity declared, turning towards the backdoor of the house.

Ryn's distinctive silver eyes were now replaced with deep crimson orbs that seemed to draw one in, encircled by a silver rim instead of their usual gold.

With cautious, deliberate steps that crunched the fallen leaves beneath its feet, the shadow entity, clad in Ryn's skin, approached the door and slowly opened it.

Unlike when Ryn entered the house, moving with the familiarity of a place he called home, now it felt as though an intruder had trespassed upon someone else's domain.

Without wasting a moment, the shadow entity made its way to the kitchen, standing above a collection of knives.

It selected one and then turned to gaze at the room where Ryn would often run to each morning upon waking—Ellysia's room.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Its footsteps echoed through the eerily silent house, as if the very air held its breath in suspense.

Creak.

The door to the room housing the baby's cradle creaked open, announcing Ryn's presence.

Concealing the knife on its back, the shadow entity entered the room and approached the cradle.

With practiced ease, it maneuvered the cradle, lowering one side to gain unhindered access to the baby within.

Turning around to retrieve the knife, the entity found no need for extra support to reach the baby this time, thanks to the open side of the cradle. As it turned, it beheld the infant who had peacefully slumbered, now awake and alert.

Elly, recognizing the familiar face she had seen so often, beamed a bright, innocent smile, emitting joyful baby noises.

Unfazed by this heartwarming sight, the entity raised the knife, prompting Elly to instinctively raise her tiny hands and react to the gleaming toy.

"You must never let them get to you,"

the entity muttered, bringing the knife down.

Yet, in that moment, Ryn's body instinctively halted, refusing to carry out the motion.

Surprised, the entity pondered whether Ryn's consciousness had stirred and was resisting its control.

However, a moment of silence revealed that it was merely an automatic response of the body, devoid of any conscious will.

"This won't be enough to stop me," the entity hissed, a cruel smile stretching across its lips.

Just then, a voice called out from the distance, "Ryn!" It was Enara, returning.

Caught off guard by the unexpected interruption, the shadow entity hesitated, torn between pressing on with its actions or seeking another opportunity.

"Ryn, where are you?"

Enara's voice grew closer, leaving the entity with no choice but to set the knife aside on a nearby table, near the bed, and return to the mind realm to awaken Ryn.

The moment the shadow entity departed for the mind realm, Ryn's body collapsed like a puppet with its strings severed.

His knees buckled, and his upper body, acting as a makeshift pillow, gently fell to the side of the cradle, causing minimal disturbance to its structure.

Elly, perceiving her brother's fall as an invitation to play, erupted into laughter and began playfully interacting with his head.

"Ryn, are you here?" Enara followed the sound of the baby's laughter and the slightly ajar door, entering the room only to discover her giggling baby daughter and slumbering older son nestled in the half-open cradle.