"…Brat." Genzu stepped closer, his shadow stretching over Kaen like a shroud. His voice dropped, sharp as steel.
"Do you even know what it means… to ask me to teach you?"
Kaen blinked, sweat dripping down his temple. "…What?"
"You don't know," Genzu said, tone heavy. "What it means to be my disciple. It can cost you your life."
Kaen's head lifted slowly. His gaze burned like fire refusing to die.
"I won't die."
The monk's eyes narrowed. "…What?"
"If you're worried that I might die," Kaen said, steady despite his trembling body, "no… I won't."
Silence.
Genzu tilted his head, his grin fading into something unreadable. "…What makes you say that, brat?"
Kaen clenched his fists. His voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"I will never die until I achieve what I want."
The monk's breath caught, just slightly. "…And what is it you want to achieve?"
Kaen didn't hesitate. His voice thundered with unshakable resolve.
"To become an Eclipse Vanguard—
