Ervin: Now on to the last one which is the PERFECT MANIFESTATION. Now, the PERFECT MANIFESTATION is the ultimate expression of a Shadow's or Clarion's innate technique. It allows the user to use their techniques in ways that it cannot be used before and reach beyond their potential.
Kato: So, it's like those powerups in anime.
Ervin: Well… that's one way to put it. Perfect Manifestations can take any shape or form so it's very hard to predict what it'll actually look like until you awaken it. Now, to use perfect manifestation, you have to have a complete understanding of your technique and how it fully works. You also have to be able to use your energy to connect to the NEXUS and maintain a perfect manifestation for as long as possible. The larger the energy you have, the longer you can maintain the perfect manifestation.
Kato nodded his head while noticing a weird pair of eyes from a shadow monster watching him from afar. Ervin noticed it too and sent his shadow beast to take care of it.
Ervin: You won't know what kind of perfect manifestation you could have until you awaken it. And you have to awaken it through extreme training. Then again it's rare so not everyone can establish a connection to the NEXUS and awaken it.
Kato: So it is that complex.
Ervin: (laughs) Also even if a person has more than one technique, they can only have the perfect manifestation of the technique they are born with and if a Shadow or Clarion is born without a technique, they can't awaken a perfect manifestation. Anomalies are a little different to this though. Take Mira for example. She-
Kato: Anomalies?
Ervin: Wow. There's a lot you don't know huh?
Kato nodded his head and Ervin sighed.
Ervin: So Anomalies are Shadows or Clarions who are born with more than one technique and have a large amount of energy that puts them almost on the same level as the Heirs. Like I was saying before, Mira is an anomaly and when she was born, she had two techniques.
Kato: For real? So it means she's stronger than she looks.
Ervin: (smirks) Don't underestimate my daughter. She's not weak.
Kato: Sorry.
Ervin: Anyways, Anomalies are born with two techniques so the combination of those techniques is what becomes their perfect manifestation. And one more thing, even though a person has a perfect manifestation, you can't just activate it when you want. You need to reach the threshold first.
Kato: Threshold?
Ervin: Yes. A threshold is the condition that everyone has to meet in order to use their perfect manifestation and it involves the technique that is linked to the perfect manifestation.
Kato: How does that work? I don't get it.
Ervin: So to reach the threshold, you have to have used your technique to a specific point in battle before you can use your perfect manifestation.
Kato: But how would you know when you reach that threshold?
Ervin: You'll just know it.
Kato: I'll just know it?
Ervin: Yes. And there's one more thing you need to know.
Kato: There's more?
Ervin: While there's a Perfect Manifestation, there's also an Imperfect Manifestation.
Kato: Imperfect Manifestation? So is that when the power isn't fully perfect or something?
Ervin: No. The power output is the same but what's imperfect about it is the connection to the Nexus energy and the state of mind of the user.
Kato: What do you mean?
Ervin: Perfect Manifestation occurs when you use your technique to a specific threshold and then you connect to the Nexus energy. Imperfect Manifestation is triggered when a person's state of mind is in the state of collapse or is about to die. In that stage, the person's body and energy begins to find a way to survive and as a result, it forces a connection to the Nexus energy to try and get more power to prevent its demise. The only problem with this is that the power completely takes control of the user and if they're not stopped, they could lose themselves forever or even die. And unlike Perfect Manifestation, you don't even need a technique to trigger imperfect manifestation.
Kato: So it's like a chaotic state.
Ervin: Yes. And even if the person is able to come back from that state, there's always going to be lasting consequences.
Kato: So this power is both as dangerous as it is good.
Ervin's face suddenly turned all serious and then he turned to Kato.
Ervin: Kato… If you're ever put in a battle that you know you can't win, run.
Kato: Run?
Ervin: Run… just do everything possible to avoid anything that could make you trigger an imperfect manifestation. It's more disastrous for us heirs if we trigger an imperfect manifestation.
Kato: Oh… Alright. I'll do my best.
Ervin smirked and patted him in his head.
Ervin: Now for my final demonstration.
Kato's face suddenly fell grim.
Kato: Are you going to cut off your hand again?
Ervin: No, not this time. I'm going to show you my own perfect manifestation so look closely.
Kato: Wait, don't you need to have used your technique to the threshold point?
Ervin: Yes. And I've been doing that for a long time now. Why do you think I sent KOU to fight the shadow monsters when we first arrived? Kou is part of my technique and Kou can reach my threshold for me without me actually doing anything.
Kato: That's so cool.
Ervin: (smirking) I know right?
Ervin signalled for KOU and the medium followed the orders of his master and returned to his side. As it did this, all the other shadow monsters followed and began rushing towards the three of them.
Kato: Mr Ervin!! The shadow monsters are approaching!!
However, Ervin remained calm and closed his eyes. Then he put his two hands together and formed the "RIN" hand sign.
Ervin: [PERFECT MANIFESTATION- UNITY]
Suddenly, KOU, the shadow monster summoned by Ervin, shrank down and seamlessly merged into Ervin's body. The distinct tattoo markings of KOU appeared on Ervin's skin, marking their bond. As shadow monsters approached, Ervin extended his hand, concentrating deeply and then a massive orb of shadow energy began to form, growing larger and larger.
Ervin: [BURST]
The massive orb of shadow energy flew at the approaching shadow monsters at speeds Kato couldn't comprehend. In an instant, they were vaporized, leaving nothing behind. The sheer force of the attack also devastated the surrounding landscape, altering the terrain dramatically.
As the shockwave from the explosion knocked Kato off balance, he began to fall, but Ervin quickly caught him, ensuring he stayed upright.
Ervin: (smiles) Are you okay?
Kato: (still amazed) Yeah.
The Rite of the Shadow Beasts is the Hashido Clan's most prized and feared hereditary technique. It allows its wielder to summon a single Shadow Beast, a medium born from their shadow energy, to fight alongside them or act independently. These beasts are extensions of the user's will, capable of immense power, and each one manifests differently depending on the user's soul, personality, and strength.
While most users are limited to one beast throughout their lifetime, exceptionally rare individuals referred to as Ritebearers, can summon and control multiple beasts, an ability that is both dangerous and historically unprecedented. Ervin Hashido was one of such individuals.
Kato watched Ervin in awe, recalling when Mira had once told him that her father was really strong. Witnessing this power firsthand confirmed that statement was no exaggeration.