(Realization)
Jinso rewrapped the bandages on his hand exactly as they were before.
{Knock! Knock!}
The knocking at the door continued. When Jinso went and opened it, it was Nobaya. Nobaya's eyes darted toward Jinso and then quickly swept across the room.
Nobaya stepped inside. Even now, a faint scent of burning lingered in the air, along with a slight, unusual warmth.
"I thought you were resting," Nobaya said, looking around the room.
"Yes, I was resting. I just got up when you arrived, Nobaya," Jinso said, stammering slightly.
"Then why is your breath racing like a runner's?" Nobaya asked.
"That... well, that's because..." Jinso stood there, fumbling for words. Without saying another word, Nobaya walked further into the room and looked out the window. He saw Haru and Sai standing there, returning from the distance.
"Jinso... these weapons... they don't choose us for no reason. But if your excitement pushes you beyond your limits, what you have now will turn you into ash. I told you not to take up the sword until your wound healed for your own good."
"But... Nobaya, I didn't do anything..."
Before he could finish, Nobaya swept his hand through the air and held it out toward him. There was ash on his palm. Seeing this, Jinso fell silent and lowered his head.
"Show me your hand."
Though scared, Jinso slowly showed his hand to Nobaya. He carefully unwrapped the bandages. The wound that had been bleeding profusely before was now just a faint scar. Seeing this, Nobaya's expression hardened.
"How is this possible..! This wound, so suddenly..."
Nobaya looked into Jinso's eyes. That's when he saw it too the power flickering within them. Nobaya quickly turned and looked at the paper lying on the bed.
"Ember Call," he said to himself in shock.
"Did you... awaken it?" Nobaya asked, stunned.
Jinso couldn't find any words to say because he couldn't bring himself to lie to Nobaya or to anyone else for that matter.
"Jinso...!!" Nobaya called out again.
Jinso slowly nodded his head.
"I... I couldn't just sit here exhausted, Nobaya. I felt as if my sword was talking to me. While everyone else with me is getting stronger, I'm just here like this... I can't do that, Nobaya."
Nobaya remained silent for a moment. Then, with a gentle smile, he placed his hand on Jinso's head.
"You are a strange one indeed. Not just you, but all four of you. What others achieve in months, you all attain in hours. That is exactly what you have done here too."
Jinso listened intently to Nobaya.
"But... this dark fire didn't heal your wound for nothing. It grew by feeding on your pain. If the pain vanishes, you might become more cruel. That is what you must control."
"But... was I chosen by this power just to be made cruel?" Jinso asked, looking down at his hands.
"No. Morikara is neither good nor evil. Its nature is determined by the decisions and character of its owner. If your decisions are good, then this power will remain that way too."
Just then, they heard the sound of someone approaching from outside. Both of them looked toward the door at the same time....