The weekend had finally arrived, and yet it felt like only yesterday that I first joined the Izanas. Time had flowed strangely since then—caught between life-threatening moments, hard-earned lessons, and the occasional thrill of discovery. Now, with the end of the month looming, I stood on the cusp of something greater, something powerful and veiled in mystery: the Secret Art.
Freed and I were back at the training ground—the same one where I first began learning the basics of Spiritual Spells. It was strangely nostalgic, the air thick with the scent of burning incense and ozone from previous sessions. I stood still, deep in thought, when Freed's unmistakable voice cut through the silence.
"What're you thinking so deeply about? You know it's not good for young boys to brood—it makes you look old. Hehehe," he teased, circling me like a hawk.
I answered dryly, "Nothing."
"No fun," he huffed, clearly displeased with my lack of humor. Then a sly smirk tugged at his lips. "So, Secret Art, huh? Looks like it's time for you to level up. But first..." His tone shifted, losing its playful edge. "Deluke, since when did you learn to use the Purple Aura?"
I blinked, caught off-guard. "Purple Aura? Wait—do you mean that attack Shizu nearly used on me during our spar?"
Freed nodded. "Exactly."
I raised my hand instinctively, recalling the memory. "I saw her use it again during that incident, and I got curious. So I tried to figure it out for myself, but... I couldn't fully replicate it." I channeled spiritual energy into my palm. A vivid glow formed—a dense, vibrant force that trembled in the air like a barely-contained storm. "Feels... off. Weak compared to hers."
"Because it is," Freed said, examining the energy with a critical eye. "What you just did was condense your spiritual energy into a single point and stop it from dispersing. Impressive for your level, but still far from the real thing. That—" he pointed to my glowing hand, now fading, "—is materialization. Shizu's Purple Aura is something else entirely. A lower-level Secret Art."
I absorbed his words and finally asked the question burning in my mind. "So, what's the difference between Spiritual Spells and Secret Art?"
Freed sat cross-legged, his arms resting casually. "Listen well. Secret Art is what happens when you refine your spiritual energy. When an Awakening occurs, people start feeling spiritual energy in their body—that makes them F-Rank. As their energy grows and begins to nourish the soul and strengthen the body, they move into FF-Rank territory. Their physicality begins to exceed normal human limits."
He tapped his abdomen. "Once their spiritual energy crosses 1000 in value, they create a Core—an internal reservoir of spiritual energy. That's when they reach FFF-Rank. With the Core formed, you gain control over your energy and start learning Spiritual Spells. These spells help you understand and manipulate your energy."
He paused, studying my reaction before continuing. "Mastering ten spells pushes you into E-Rank. Learn more, and you move into EE-Rank. But to break through that wall and touch Secret Art, you need to reach EEE-Rank. That's where refinement begins."
I nodded slowly, letting it sink in. "So that means... Shizu is EEE-Rank?"
"Mid-stage," Freed confirmed. "And you? Late-stage EE-Rank. Which brings us to the big question: If you and Shizu fought to the death... who do you think would win?"
Caught off-guard, I hesitated. "Honestly? I think... I could win, but only if she let her guard down."
Freed leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "You would win."
That surprised me. "Why?"
"Because sometimes, a lower-ranked fighter can defeat a higher one by sheer spiritual energy value alone. And your energy is significantly higher than hers. That gap gives you the edge in sustained combat, even if her attacks are technically more refined. EEE-Rank means she's just starting to explore Secret Art. Her Rein—the refined energy she uses—is still basic."
He grew more serious. "A careless D-Rank could still fall to an E-Rank if they underestimate their opponent. But once you reach DD-Rank, everything changes. The Rein energy is so potent it can cloak the entire body, acting as armor and weapon in one."
"So, to use Secret Art," I clarified, "I need to refine my spiritual energy into Rein?"
"Exactly. Once you generate Rein, you'll have to choose a path—decide which Secret Art best aligns with your nature. Unfortunately, the ones I'd prefer to teach you... are banned."
"Because this branch of the family was exiled," I said calmly.
Freed glanced up; a bit surprised. "So, you know?"
"Shizu told me. She also mentioned you held a powerful position in the main family."
Freed gave a dry laugh and shook his head. "She talks too much." He exhaled slowly. "But enough about me. We're here for your path. Now, because of the exile, our resources are limited. We only have access to one beginner-level technique: the Purple Enhancement Technique. It amplifies the concept of raw force, whether you're attacking with fists or blades."
I frowned. "Only one? What about higher techniques?"
"We have three of those," he replied, finally reaching into a pouch and laying out four scrolls in front of me. "These are what you'll eventually choose from: Thunderclap Sword Art, Gensen Art, and Inverse Spiritual Energy Art."
I eyed them all with curiosity. "Can't I learn all three?"
"You can... and you can't," Freed said, watching me intently. "Given your grasp of energy, it wouldn't be impossible. But it's not advisable. Most people master two, maybe three techniques at most. Overextending early could stifle your future growth. Best to focus."
"Why do you always leave the important stuff for later?" I grumbled, half-joking.
"Not my problem," Freed shot back with a grin. "Now, Let's get you started on the refinement of your spiritual energy. It's not going to be easy but a genius like you should be able to refine your energy into Rein within two or three weeks. So, let's begin" he let's out a wild smile as i braced myself for what's to come.