On the way back, Eran's mind was consumed with dark thoughts. How can I sneak in? Should I just kill them both? The idea lingered as he approached the house. Without a word, he handed the deer over to Yuki, his expression unreadable.
"Where did you go alone?" Yuki asked, concern lacing her voice.
Eran didn't answer. Without meeting her eyes, he walked past her and stopped in front of Haruki.
"Will you train me from today?" he asked, his voice firm, emotionless.
Haruki studied him for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Alright. But not here. Come with me — to where I train."
He turned to Yuki. "We'll be back later. Take care of things here."
With that, Haruki walked deeper into the forest. Eran followed in silence, each step steady, unwavering.
They soon arrived at the heart of the jungle. Towering Gulbahar trees surrounded them, their crimson blossoms in full bloom. Not a single leaf was in sight — only blood-red petals, painting the grove in haunting beauty.
Ahead, a waterfall thundered into a wide, rushing river. Mist rose like silver smoke, drifting through the sunlight. Stones jutted from the riverbed, breaking the current with smooth, time-worn edges.
Haruki leaped onto one of the river rocks. Eran stepped onto a stone opposite him. The two stood facing each other — haruki and eran— framed by falling petals and roaring water.
Eran stared at Haruki, eyes cold and fixed.
Today... I'll kill him, he thought. A strange energy pulsed through his body. After days of restless grief, he had finally slept. Now, his limbs felt light, his senses sharp, his heart consumed by purpose.
Softly, almost to himself, he whispered, "After that… I'll send everyone to meet you. Kael... Leela."
Across from him, Haruki narrowed his gaze.
Today… I'll find out what's truly inside him.
Suddenly, Eran raised his voice. "Training? I don't need it."
In an instant, he lunged — blade drawn, speed blistering.
Haruki barely evaded the strike, skidding across the slick stone as the sword carved the space where he had just stood.
"What are you doing?!" Haruki shouted, eyes wide. "You're serious?!"
Eran's grip on his sword tightened, his expression unflinching.
Eran shouted, "You think you're strong — but you don't know what I'm capable of!"
In a blur, he vanished and began attacking Haruki from all directions, his movements wild and unpredictable. Haruki, calm but alert, kept dodging with ease. He wasn't trying to hurt Eran — not yet.
But something changed. Eran's eyes burned a deeper crimson, glowing with fury. His speed surged. Haruki's eyes narrowed; the boy was getting faster — too fast to dodge forever.
Forced to respond, Haruki raised a hand. From the air, sharp paper blades formed and launched toward Eran. He dodged them all with inhuman reflexes, except one — it grazed his arm.
Blood splattered, but the wound vanished almost instantly. Haruki frowned. His body heals rapidly... but if I remember right — the closer the injury is to his head, the slower the healing.
Haruki's thoughts grew darker. If I strike his head... he could actually die.
But Haruki hesitated — killing Eran didn't feel right.
Before he could think further, his eyes widened in shock. Eran raised both arms, and from every direction, razor-sharp blood blades shot toward him.
Haruki quickly formed a hand sign. "Lotus parchment shield"
In an instant, a fortress of layered paper walls surrounded him, intercepting the blades mid-air. Inside the tomb, Haruki's mind raced. What kind of technique was that? Blood as a weapon?
Outside, Eran had lost all restraint. He roared and began slashing furiously at the tomb with his sword. With each strike, the enchanted paper began to tear.
Haruki's heart pounded. Impossible... This is the Adamant Tomb — enhanced with spells meant to withstand even diamond-edged weapons. And yet... it's breaking.
Wind howled through the jungle, scattering Gulbahar flowers in every direction. The air was heavy with power.
Haruki emerged from the collapsing tomb, hands moving rapidly. "Paper Art: parchment reversal lock"
From above, sheets of glowing paper rained down and wrapped tightly around Eran, forming a new tomb — one that imprisoned rather than protected.
Inside it, Eran thrashed like a beast, slamming against the walls with his sword. The paper strained.
His transformation had begun. His blade now dripped blood with every swing. His eyes blazed, fully crimson and glowing with raw fury.
Now, Eran stood in his final form. His sword crackled, blood-red sparks dripping from its edge like liquid rage. With a single strike, he shattered the paper tomb.
"See what I can do!" Eran roared.
Haruki's eyes widened as he finally began to perceive Eran's speed — but something was wrong. Eran was no longer in control. His power had overtaken him, and he now moved like a beast possessed.
With a violent swing of his blade, entire trees fell in an instant. Haruki leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding the destruction. He landed on a floating stone, exhaling sharply.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Heh... it's been a long time since I've used the Golden Spear," he muttered. "I never thought I'd have to use it against a child."
Then, with a sharp breath, Haruki shouted, "Golden Spear — First Form!"
His body ignited in radiant gold. Sparks of yellow lightning danced along his blade as power surged around him. Deep down, Haruki didn't want this — didn't want to draw such force against a boy barely old enough to understand his own strength..