Returning to the present moment, the two sat across from one another. Silence lingered between them, Yukie's gaze steady and serious.
Makoto exhaled softly.
"This is… not a particularly pleasant explanation, should you really wish to hear it," he said, fatigue evident in his expression.
At his words, Yukie raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly, waiting.
"…Alright. Let's go over this once more," Makoto continued, closing his eyes briefly, resigned yet composed as he accepted the discussion.
Kiss X Reaper
Chapter 11: Artistic Depth
"First," Makoto said calmly,
"Natural and Dark Energy can't be perceived by those who haven't awakened to Natural Energy, nor by people who aren't natural bearers of it. Everyone has a spiritual essence, of course, but non-bearers simply can't interact with these forces."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"That's why large-scale disturbances usually go unnoticed by civilians. The chances of accidental casualties are far lower- especially compared to the risk of harming a Hunter who knows these Energies well."
"I understand…" Yukie replied softly.
"So that explains it, she thought. No one reacting. No reports about the tremors last night." Her gaze lowered slightly.
"Only now do I realize…
I myself am almost entirely composed of what they call Natural Energy- so much of it flowing within and around me back then."
She reflected quietly.
"I simply never knew it had a name."
"Oh, right. You did mention that you can still manifest Natural Energy- both internally and externally," Makoto said, gesturing lightly.
"Would you mind allowing me to feel it? I would like to understand how much you truly contain."
"That is possible?" Yukie replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "How, exactly, would we proceed?"
"Well," Makoto answered as he extended his right arm, opening his hand and holding it upright, "by placing your palm against mine and allowing your Energy to flow naturally. I should be able to sense the surge within your spiritual essence, its depth, and its core."
Yukie fell silent for a brief moment. Then, slowly, she raised her hand and reached forward, opening her palm as well. Their hands met, palm to palm.
Makoto closed his eyes. In response, Yukie steadied her breathing, the tension in her chest easing.
Silence followed.
A faint blue-white glow surfaced around Yukie's form- not intense, not violent, but undeniably present. A bead of sweat formed along the side of Makoto's temple.
His eyes snapped open.
"Incredible…"
"Even if sealed-the Natural Energy surging within her is vast, so overwhelming that it could reduce this entire city to dust."
His expression hardened as he slowly withdrew his hand. The sweat was gone, replaced by pure seriousness.
"…You possess an insane amount," Makoto said evenly. "Far above what could be considered normal."
"Hm…" Yukie murmured softly, her gaze lowering in quiet thought.
Makoto raised his cane, gripping it at the center and lifting it close to his face.
"This cane can transform into a unique katana," he said evenly. "Watch."
His hand closed around the handle. He pulled, the cane sliding through his grip like a sheath. As it moved, a soft pink glow spread along its length. The light intensified, then began to peel away, like burned paper flaking into the air-until it vanished completely.
What remained was Makoto's katana.
The handle was white, wrapped in bandages that left deliberate gaps between each layer. At its end hung a thin long string, a pink marble attached at the middle of the string, swaying gently. The guard was shaped like a metal flower petal, clean and elegant, through which the blade passed.
The blade itself was jet black and slightly curved, thick and heavy in form, swallowing light rather than reflecting it. Along one side of the blade ran a jagged outer layer of vivid pink metal, uneven and chipped, as though it had been fused onto the black steel rather than polished into it. The pink layer began near the guard, rough and fractured in shape, then gradually thinned as it stretched toward the tip, its edges irregular and broken, giving the impression of a hardened blade wearing a violent, unstable veneer.
Seeing the weapon, Yukie's expression shifted, only slightly, but enough to be noticed. The faint glow of the blade reflected in her eyes.
"Fascinating…" she whispered.
Makoto inclined the katana just enough for the light to catch along its jagged pink edge.
"This is the Ruiner Blade," he said evenly.
"As I mentioned before, cherished personal objects may be transformed into an Armament of the Retribution Class. When one coexists with a spirit-or forms a contract-an Art of the Vitality Class may instead emerge."
He lowered the blade, his grip steady.
"The Armament Arts are not singular techniques. They are systems, evolving frameworks. One does not possess a single move, but layers. Paths. Forms shaped according to the wielder's will." His gaze flicked briefly to Yukie. "Yet all Arts share one constant."
"They are shaped by spiritual essence. The weapon's design. Its techniques. Even the spirit's magic that you will utilize. All of it reflects the user. That is why the Petal Dance series I employ exists as it does unique, and bound to me alone."
As his words settled, the katana began to lose its solidity. A pale glow traced its surface before the form slowly peeled away into the air, fragment by fragment, until nothing remained but the cane resting in his hand once more.
Yukie watched the transformation in silence.
"Perhaps there is more to this than weapons and coexistence alone," she said at last.
She lifted her arms and rested them upon the table, forearms upright, fingers interlacing calmly before her.
Her posture was relaxed, deliberate-eyes steady, expression casual yet attentive.
"Tell me more."
Makoto wore a faint look of surprise, but he soon let out a small, composed smile.
"Very well," he said.
"Beyond the origins and fundamentals of Armament Arts, there exist special four techniques-foundational casts that any bearer may perform."
An image formed: a flame surging upward, shifting in color as it waxed and waned.
"Spiritual Awakening," Makoto continued, "is the release of one's spiritual essence. It is a declaration-an assertion of presence and dominance, allowing the world to recognize the strength of the one standing before it."
The image shifted to a tree, its trunk firm as branches spread outward, leaves blooming while birds settled upon them.
"Next is Exorcism. A restorative technique. It allows the healing of oneself or other Energy bearers by stabilizing and replenishing their spiritual essence. It can heal anything from wounds, limbs, to even resurrecting beings. But just be sure to anchor your spiritual essence in this properly- or you risk accidentally draining yourself entirely,"
The vision darkened. Red vein-like lines crept along an arm, blackening as they spread, slowly enveloping a bird.
"Then there is Engulf,"
he said, his tone growing heavier.
"A counter technique- and the most dangerous among them. Engulf allows one to absorb an incoming attack or technique and convert its energy into their own. However, if the opposing force exceeds your spiritual essence, the cast will fail. In such cases, the backlash may shatter the spirit entirely, permanently severing one's ability to manifest Energy."
He paused.
"Lastly--""
The darkness cleared. A single hand rose into view and opened its palm. It was Makoto's.
"The Requiem Rite. The highest form of release. It is the complete unification of internal and external Energy, anchored by one's spiritual essence and will, condensed into a single, absolute manifestation."
His gaze sharpened.
"A Requiem Rite may take any form of
offense, defense, creation, or even alteration of reality itself-so long as the caster's will and essence remain perfectly aligned."
He lowered his hand and reached for his latte, taking a slow sip.
"Ah-there's one more," he said afterward. "It isn't a true fundamental, but rather a general principle. Even ancient deities such as yourself are familiar with it. Still, it remains an established part of the system." He continued, his tone remained professional.
An image followed-a single golden thread stretching through darkness. A hand grasped it and slowly bent it, the wrist rotating as the thread shifted in hue, no longer only gold, but layered with countless colors.
"Divine Spells," Makoto continued, "are not meant for direct combat. They exist as support systems. They are governed by three fundamental properties: defense, such as barriers; blink, for instantaneous movement; and enchantment, which reinforces protection."
"Each category contains a wide array of techniques," he added, "but all Divine Spells remain bound to these three principles."
He set the cup down, pausing for a moment.
"However," Makoto continued, "no matter how powerful these techniques are, they amount to nothing if Soul Refinement and Energy Manipulation are neglected. These two are the very heart of the Armament Art."
"A weak spiritual essence leads only to defeat or suicide. That is why Soul Refinement exists. It is a technique personal to each individual, yet accessible to all. Through it, one refines their spiritual essence beyond its natural limits-or suppresses it deliberately for strategic use."
"Soul Refinement can be performed even in the midst of combat, allowing stronger techniques to be anchored. It is not static; it evolves. A refinement may amplify one's essence fivefold, twelvefold, fifteenfold, and beyond. However, refinement can only proceed within the current limits of one's will. That limit may be expanded through experience-but never forced."
Makoto shifted his grip on the cane.
"Then there is Energy Manipulation. The ability to regulate Natural or Dark Energy with precision. Think of it as a wheel-force it to spin too fast and it destabilizes; disrupt it and it slows; mishandle it, and it stops entirely."
"If Soul Refinement determines how much power you can anchor, Energy Manipulation determines how long you can endure-and whether you can outmaneuver stronger opponents through control rather than brute force."
"These two form the foundation of the four specials. For example, using Engulf with weak Soul Refinement but high Energy Manipulation may allow absorption of residual energy, yet the core impact will still break through. Likewise, releasing a Requiem Rite without sufficient refinement and control will result in self-destruction."
He concluded calmly,
"That is how vital these two principles are to sustaining the entire Armament Art system."
The same barista from earlier soon returned, setting their cakes down before them. She gave a brief bow, then quietly took her leave.
Makoto picked up his fork and took a bite, placing it neatly into his mouth.
"Oh-one more thing," Makoto added, while the fork was still in his mouth and he lifted his index finger.
"Requiem Rites can only be attained by those who possess a Spiritual Bloom."
He paused briefly, choosing his words.
"A Spiritual Bloom is a second spiritual essence-one that exists as a core. Think of it as the vessel that bears the Requiem Rite itself. Such a bloom can only form after one survives the destruction of their original spiritual essence."
"It is, in essence, a reward for surviving death. A second chance granted by the system."
"If that bloom is broken, the Requiem Rite can never be used again. That is why it must never be mishandled. A poorly anchored Requiem Rite can turn inward-and yes," he added calmly, "it can kill its own bearer."
Makoto lowered his hand.
"So caution is not optional. Recklessness here leads only to self-destruction."
After his lengthy explanation, the view shifted to Yukie, her gaze fixed on the wide glass window beside them. She remained silent for a moment. Then, she turned toward him.
"I find myself curious to test these concepts," she said, lifting her index finger before letting a faint, almost playful smile form. "Shall we have a... Sparring match?"
"Hm…" Makoto murmured, glancing at her, the same fork still resting between his lips