WebNovels

Chapter 25 - The Mirror and the Stone

The massive gates didn't open with a creak or a rumble. As Taro and Kazuishi approached, the seemingly solid, haze-shrouded surface simply dissolved, flowing away like mist to reveal the landscape beyond. The shift was instantaneous, jarring, the air rippling as if the Nexus itself exhaled.

The constant, low hum of the Nexus vanished, replaced by a profound, almost deafening silence that pressed against Taro's ears. They stood at the edge of a vast, tranquil grove, the ground soft and mossy underfoot, cushioning each step with a damp squish. Ancient, gnarled trees with silver-barked trunks stretched toward a sky shimmering with perpetual twilight, their leaves rustling faintly despite the stillness. The air felt thicker, heavier, humming with a latent energy that was neither aggressive nor welcoming just a quiet, unyielding presence that tingled against Taro's skin.

"Whoa," Taro breathed, his voice unnaturally loud in the hush, echoing slightly before fading. "This place is… quiet."

"Don't be fooled by the silence," Kazuishi warned, her tone hushed, her glasses catching the twilight glow. "This is one of the most demanding training grounds in the Nexus. The Drenor here, Reina, doesn't train the body first. She trains the spirit."

Taro's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise breaking his usual grin. "The spirit?"

"Yes, she should be here—oh, I spotted the secondary assistant," Kazuishi said, pointing with a steady finger toward a figure in the grove.

As they walked, Taro's gaze landed on a female Dremapol meditating, her eyes closed, her short, cute dark hair swaying slightly with a breeze he hadn't noticed. A delicate butterfly attachment perched on her head, adding a touch of whimsy to her calm, serene face. She was a bit short, her posture relaxed yet poised on the mossy ground.

Kazuishi adjusted her glasses with a faint clink. "Hello, Tamako."

"Kazuishi?" Tamako's eyes fluttered open, revealing a warm brown hue as she rose gracefully. "I haven't seen you in forever—what brings you here today?"

"Your captain,is she here?" Kazuishi asked, her voice firm. "I came looking for her. I've got a newbie Dremapol with issues deciding on a squad."

"Ah, I see," Tamako said, brushing moss from her knees as she stood. "I'm sorry, my captain, along with the other assistants and some squad members, are on a mission… but if you don't mind, I'd be happy to tell you all about this squad."

"Hmmm… Well, I guess there's no real problem with that," Kazuishi replied, nodding slightly.

"Come along then," Tamako said, her voice light as she began walking, her steps soft against the moss. Taro and Kazuishi followed, the grove's silence wrapping around them like a cloak.

"I'm sure you must be wondering why this squad ground is so different and a bit bigger than usual squads," Tamako began, gesturing to the sprawling trees. "There's one simple reason: it's because not only do we do spiritual training, we also specialize in healing. We get lots and lots of injured Dremapols here, so the council decided we needed extra space as a squad."

"Oh, that makes more sense," Taro said, nodding as he took it in. "So you guys are like normal Dremapols but train your spirits instead of your body and stuff—and you heal, too. That about it?"

Tamako giggled, a soft sound that cut through the stillness. "Why, yes, you're a quick learner, aren't you?"

Taro scratched his head, a sheepish smile creeping up. "Hehe, I guess I am."

"Aha, here's one of the most interesting parts of this place," Tamako said, her voice brightening as she hurried to the center of the grove. She stopped beside a simple, flat stone sitting in a small clearing, its surface smooth but weathered, almost glowing under the twilight.

"What the?" Taro muttered, eyeing it with a raised brow. "You sure have a unique idea of the word 'interesting.'"

"Don't be deceived, friend," Tamako said, her smile widening. "This isn't a regular stone. If you observed properly, while some Dremapols were meditating on the grass, a few were on these."

Taro's mind flashed back, the memory clicking. "Oh yeah, I guess there were one or two Dremapols that looked like they were on higher ground than the rest. I thought they were just slightly levitating or something—in a trance or whatever."

Tamako chuckled again, the sound warm. "You sure do have some interesting thoughts." She resumed, her tone turning serious. "But no—to sit upon it in perfect stillness is to face the chaos of your emotions without running. Most recruits can't endure it for too long." She smiled again, tilting her head. "So, what do you think… Do you want to try sitting?"

Taro glanced at the ring on his finger, his mind racing. "I see—that's why Kazuishi said this place would be so interesting. Because of the inner conflict I have with myself and this new ring, this challenge would be just perfect right now,"he thought, his resolve hardening.

"Yeah, I do," Taro said, his gaze sharpening, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

"I sense your determination," Tamako said, her smile encouraging. "Let's see how you fare."

He sat down, crossing his legs on the stone, the cool surface grounding him. For the first ten seconds, it was fine just boring, the mossy scent filling his nose. Then, a low thrum of energy pulsed from the stone into his body, vibrating up his spine. His thoughts, usually a background buzz, roared to the forefront, a chaotic storm in his skull.

"You're nothing more than a pawn to be used by them. They all want to use you,every single person—the Nertis, Satomi, Kazuishi, even Mexus. Hahahaha! You think you have friends now? That's laughable. You're still just the lonely kid you were before. Nothing, nothing at all has changed. That hatred you feel? It's the only real thing about you that still is. Embrace it. It makes you strong."

The voices of his insecurities and anger echoed, amplified a hundredfold, clawing at his mind. A flicker of green energy sparked around his fist, fueled by frustration, and the ring on his finger flared with a cold, black light. A sharp, draining sensation hit him, like the energy was being sucked out, leaving his arm trembling.

"Do not let the voices take over you, my friend," Tamako's voice cut through the mental noise, calm and clear like a lifeline. "For they are not real. Emphasize control,control over yourself. One cannot master their spirit if they can't even control their own emotions and thoughts. Persevere, friend, and win."

Taro gritted his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut, trying to shove the thoughts away. But fighting them only made them louder, a deafening chorus. Images flashed,Fistman's victory over him, the Nertis' cold stares—his breathing grew ragged. The green aura flared again, wild and unstable, and the ring pulsed once more, draining it, hollowing him out with exhaustion.

With a gasp, he stumbled off the stone, collapsing to his knees on the soft moss, sweat dripping from his brow and soaking into the earth. "I lost," he muttered to himself, the words bitter. He hadn't even lasted a minute.

He looked up, expecting disappointment on Tamako's face or a smirk on Kazuishi's. Instead, he saw a gentle smile on Tamako's lips, her eyes warm.

"Why the hell are you smiling? I lost… in less than a minute at that," Taro said, using his arm to shield his face, especially his eyes, the sting of failure burning.

"Oh, friend, nobody has ever won that thing on their first try," Tamako said, her voice soothing. "You should know failing doesn't make you a failure, just as winning doesn't always make you the true winner. You can always try again later—I can help you, teach you how to control your emotions and win, my friend."

Taro stared at his hands, the lingering drain from the ring a stark reminder of his stumble. For the first time, he faced an enemy he couldn't punch, blast, or outsmart. He glanced from the calm, peaceful Tamako to the silent, watching Kazuishi, and a new kind of determination sparked within him as her words echoed: "Failing doesn't make you a failure."

"Is that so? Hehe, this isn't just another squad,it's like a battle Tokkun sent me here directly to fight," Taro thought to himself, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Okay," Taro said, his voice quiet but firm as he pushed himself back to his feet, brushing moss from his knees. "What's the next step?"

More Chapters