Chapter 57: The Song That Calms the Storm

In a realm beyond time—
a place known only as The Void—
two Dark Elves knelt before a throne of shadows.

Both had long white hair, their golden eyes glowing faintly in the endless darkness.
Before them sat Caine, his body half-shrouded in mist. Though his strength had returned, the curse still gnawed at him slowly, devouring him from within.

The elder Dark Elf with flowing hair bowed.
“Lord Caine, I bring good news.”

Caine’s cold gaze flickered with interest.
“Good news, my child? Do tell.”

“The humans have found the Fountain of Eternity,” she said.
“I believe the Great War will soon begin over that island. It may also be our chance to reach it first—and find the cure for you, my lord.”

Caine smirked faintly. “How delightful. A clever plan indeed.”

The younger Dark Elf frowned.
“But something feels… wrong.”

“What is it?”

“There are two identical energies coming from the one they call Kanata.”

Caine raised a brow. “Two Kanatas? Perhaps you’re overanalyzing.”

“No, my lord. I’m certain of it. And the strange part—he’s accompanied by an elf. Her mana feels ancient… the same as our ancestors.”

Caine leaned back, intrigued.
“Fascinating. Then I shall await this meeting eagerly.”

Far above, in the mortal world, the students of Tokyo Magic Academy had boarded a massive cruise ship bound for the island.
The sun glittered on calm blue waves, laughter echoing across the deck.

Near the pool, Nagisa and Aine sat together, sipping iced lemon tea beneath the sun umbrellas.

“Nagisa, are you sure Kanata’s coming with us?” asked Aine, lowering her sunglasses.

“He is. But only as a shadow supervisor for the Black Dragon team. He’ll also investigate the ancient ruins once we arrive.”

“You’re really letting him go alone? And are you sure he’s mastered that new cyborg arm yet?”

Nagisa smiled confidently. “Don’t worry. I trained him myself.”

They clinked their glasses and continued to relax, while not far away, Itsuha and Celestine sat in silence, missing Kanata’s presence.
Still, their hearts lifted at the thought that he’d be there—even if only as a watcher.

On a quiet hill field surrounded by trees, Kanata faced Nagisa, who unsheathed her katana.
Her expression was calm yet sharp.

“I want you to focus on the resonance inside you,” she said firmly.
“Channel the Black Dragon’s magic into your right arm—just like you used to with your original hand.”

Kanata nodded, closing his eyes.
He took a deep breath, and the air around him vibrated faintly.

With a low hum, the circuits across his cybernetic arm began to glow. The metal veins lit red, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Nagisa grinned. “You’ve done it. Now—attack me as if I were your enemy!”

Without hesitation, Kanata lunged.

<<Overdrive Ignition>>
The energy reactor inside the cyborg arm flared red, magic circuits glowing across the limb.
His physical strength skyrocketed—each punch burning the air itself.
Effect: Boosts close-range attack power. The dragon’s remaining mana is condensed as a kinetic core.

<<Impact Burst>>
Kanata’s punch detonated a surge of orange energy, the air exploding outward like a cannon blast.
Effect: High-pressure shockwave that pierces armor and magic shields. Perfect for breaking heavy defenses.

Nagisa barely dodged the first blow, her eyes widening.
“You’re mastering it faster than I thought… but you forgot one thing.”

She spun, parrying the next strike. Kanata gritted his teeth and activated the next sequence.

<<Plasma Fist>>
The palm heated until it glowed white-hot, releasing a spiral burst of plasma.
Effect: Focused single-point damage—melts metal and protective magic alike. Ideal for duels against dragon-class foes.

<<Mach Strike>>
The arm vibrated violently, compressing the surrounding air before releasing it in a supersonic punch.
The resulting sonic boom split the ground behind Nagisa.
Effect: Ultra-fast strike using compressed air and mechanical force.

From the hilltop, Aine watched in awe. “Wow… Kanata-kun’s really getting strong.”

Then she smiled mischievously.
“In that case, I’ll join the training too!”

Nagisa’s face paled. “Wait—Aine, don’t—”

Too late. It became a 2-on-1 match, and Kanata had no choice but to fight both of them.

<<Pulse Breaker>>
Blue sparks erupted from his arm as he unleashed an electromagnetic pulse.
Effect: Disrupts enemy mana and disables energy-based spells or weapons for a brief period. Perfect against mages.

<<Dragmetal Cannon>>
The arm unfolded, transforming into a glowing energy cannon.
Kanata inhaled sharply and fired—a massive silver-blue beam roared across the field.
Effect: Long-range destructive blast using dragon energy. Limited shots before overheating.

Nagisa and Aine dodged at full speed, wind magic trailing behind them.
One stray shot scorched the ground beside Nagisa, nearly hitting her.

“Careful! You almost roasted me alive!”
Kanata only grinned. “Sorry! Guess it’s working too well!”

He charged one final mode.

<<Zero Recoil>>
The internal systems stabilized every explosion within the arm, allowing continuous combat without cooldown.
Effect: Sustained fighting mode, but risks mechanical joint damage under prolonged stress.

BOOOOOM!

A thunderous explosion tore through the forest. From the nearby village, people turned toward the mountain, believing a bomb had gone off.

Nagisa sheathed her sword and sighed. “That’s enough for today. We’ve caused enough attention.”

Kanata exhaled hard, deactivating the arm.
He was drenched in sweat but smiling.

Then, a whisper stirred in his mind.

“Try this next, boy…”

Kanata’s eyes widened. “Wait—what are you—”

A violent gust of wind erupted around him.
Nagisa and Aine stepped back immediately.

“Kanata, stop!”
“It’s not me!”

<<Iron Soul>> (Ultimate Passive)
The remaining dragon energy fused completely with the mechanical core.
When the user’s emotions spike, the cyborg arm glows crimson, syncing with the rhythm of a dragon’s heart.
Each strike leaves molten scars on the ground and echoes with a metallic roar.

The ground trembled. For a moment, it was as if the dragon within him breathed again.

But Kanata regained control just in time, panting heavily.
Nagisa exhaled in relief and pulled him into a hug. “You nearly gave me a heart attack, you idiot.”

A week later, the cruise ship sailed under a clear sky.
Students partied and laughed on deck, the sea glittering like a field of stars.

But as the island drew near, the mood shifted.

Dozens of warships surrounded the destination—massive steel silhouettes looming over the horizon.

“That’s… a military blockade!”
“Why are there so many battleships?”
“Maybe they’re doing some kind of training exercise?”

Whispers spread. Unease crept in.

Then, from the upper deck, Asuna stepped forward, microphone in hand.
A hush fell across the crowd as her voice rose—a soft, angelic melody drifting into the sea breeze.

Her song flowed through the ship like sunlight through clouds, calming every trembling heart.
Even the soldiers aboard the warships lowered their weapons, enchanted by the purity of her voice.

Aine smiled faintly. “She’s singing again… that same song.”

Nagisa leaned against the railing, eyes closed, letting the notes wash over her.
“Peace through sound… typical of the Silver Priestess.”

But Kanata, standing apart near the bow, remained unaffected.
He looked toward the distant island, his cybernetic hand clenched tight.

Inside him, the dragon stirred.

“So… she’s finally playing that song again.”

Kanata said nothing.
Only the waves answered, rising gently under the glow of the moon.