Zu threw himself into his studies with unmatched fervor. He was getting close, he knew. So close he could feel it just beyond the boundaries of his soul. Soon, he promised Smoke of Progression. Soon we will be reunited.

And then… Zu could prove himself to Master Elvanis.

The memory of that thread of power flowing through him properly, the way it was meant to, sparked giddy elation even now. He could learn. It wasn't impossible. Maybe on his home world it could not be done, but here, Master Elvanis could do the impossible.

And Zu could do the impossible too. He'd proven it time and again, hadn't he? He wasn't going to stop now just because he'd been unable to retrieve his sword when asked.

He'd find a way, and he'd prove himself.

And it started with learning everything about dimensionalism.

Nira was pleased with his dedication, providing him much personal training. They spent most of one afternoon together on the second balcony, the one she'd used in her personal test the one time, and practiced passing a tiny ball back and forth with portals. She was much better at it, naturally, but Zu could hold his own by the end of the session. She could create them faster and more accurately, but Zu was only a step behind her.

Once they started trying with things larger than a pebble, though....

Zu stumbled over the person in front of him, but recovered quickly. The sudden rush of adrenaline invoked twinned emotions; fear, anticipation. Would Master Elvanis make an appearance this time? Would he choose Zu, or take someone else?

Zu wasn't ready. He'd blown himself up just trying to move a fork, probably taking half the tower with him. He wondered absently if Nira had survived. Probably not. She'd been right beside him.

Good thing the loop always reset. He smiled across at Nira, and she gave a confused smile of her own. She peered at him, as though trying to place him. He wondered what it must be like, having no memory of a person, but having your soul recognize them intimately. She knew she knew him, even if she couldn't remember why.

He waited out the speeches, their hushed conversation, Nira's trip to Master Elvanis to ask him to come down, their uncertainty when he said he wouldn't be coming.

This time, he waited until they separated, until Menya was out of the way, then approached Nira much as he had the first time. Again, the four sisters followed his lead, and Nira accepted them all.

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"I have experience with exercises up to the size of a pebble," Zu explained. "I haven't made much progress past there."

"A very talented dimensionalist indeed, at your age." Nira raised her eyebrows. She was easily twice Zu's age, though she still looked hale and youthful enough as was the way with those of great power. She'd not begin to physically decay for another century, in all likelihood, despite her relatively weak power. Master Elvanis would probably look like a youth for another twenty years, before looking like a handsome young master for most of the next millennium.

"I've had a good teacher," Zu said. "You remind me of her."

Nira smiled, accepting the compliment. She handed him the last three volumes of the study series he'd been working his way through the past several loops, and went over the lessons with him.

This time, with the addition of the four sisters as fellow students, Zu didn't receive quite as much personal training time. Nira split her attention between overseeing the group as a whole, working with the sisters, and helping Zu. But he did get the majority of her time, as was appropriate for one of his natural ability.

Every night before he slept, he searched the depths of his soul for any trace of the power flow. He strained, trying to replicate the easy thread of flowing energy that Master Elvanis had provided.

But either it was fueled by his emotional revelation, or that incredibly fancy reverse-flowing water pool actually helped. He doubted he’d have another dramatic emotional breakthrough any time soon; realizing and accepting he harbored suppressed destructive thoughts towards the family who’d mistreated him so unforgivably his entire childhood wasn’t the sort of thing he could just casually do again.

His thoughts returned again to Ozyri Tori. The poor fool had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He hoped Alahira wasn’t too cruel to him, and had ended her sadistic games by giving him a merciful death by now.

The memory of Alahira made him pause, then smile. He remembered being so afraid of her, but now that seemed silly. There were monstrously strong people out in the world who truly should be feared. Alahira Inferna was harmless and sweet, even if she did have somewhat disturbing proclivities.

Perhaps she would like to join him when he returned home in vengeance and flame.

The thought made him consider how far he’d come. And how far he had yet to go. Right now, as he was, he would still struggle to face Viha Cougar if not for the protection of the Protagonist Fragment. He had learned much in the past weeks, but not enough. He kept randomly blowing himself up with even simple things like moving silverware, and his increasing impatience did nothing to improve his control.

He had so many questions he wanted to ask Fire Twilight Death. He’d argued with his sword the whole time they’d been together, but it felt wrong without him. Zu hadn’t realized before now how much his sword and his familiars anchored him and let him ignore the voices of weakness and fear in his mind.

It was easier to be defiant and strong when there was something to defy, someone to argue against.

This place… he knew he was losing himself to it. Being alone was not good. He understood why Serena had called him here, but it angered him that she’d seen fit to tear him away from his companions. They were his, and he needed them! She had no right to separate them.

He resolved that next time they met he would resist her deific awe, not allow himself to be so easily impressed, and give her a stern talking to.

…distracted, the spell he’d been working on blew up in his face, killing him instantly and taking half the tower with him.

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