Chapter 10

My fingers grazed the cold surface of the desk. I looked toward Nayla, trying to focus on her explanation rather than the persistent whispers surrounding me.

“You already know that the type of your powers determines the way and style of your attack as well but also…” Nayla continued. ​"this may seem strange to you, but one’s personality plays a pivotal role in the level of control over their power."

​I recalled her saying something similar before.

​"For instance, an Adaptation user with a flexible personality—one who adjusts well to different circumstances—will show a greater capacity for developing their strength."

​Adaptation... Darian’s power. I wondered if his personality truly aligned with his ability.

​"What about Diffusion?" Axel spoke up, asking the question.

​"The same applies. Diffusion is tied to how connected you are to your emotions or your enthusiasm in a given moment." Her explanation made me wonder if I would ever be capable of that. No, I must be.

​"As for Containment, a stable personality, one that seeks to protect others, is the most compatible."

​"And Condensation?" Mirai asked.​"Condensation suits a direct, sharp, and focused personality."

​Nayla continued explaining the psychological link between the soul and power, and as soon as the session ended, she departed.

​"See you, Iris!" I looked up to see Aden with his friends. He smiled at me... he was saying goodbye, wasn't he?

​"...See you."

​I pulled myself up from my desk. I didn't try to look at those around me or engage in conversation. I had to go to training. I wondered if Mirai was already there.

​I took a few steps through the stark white corridor. The training hall wasn't far, and fortunately, we had no scheduled training session today, so everyone had already left.

​The door slid open automatically as I stood before it, as if sensing my presence. I stepped inside and scanned the room. Mirai wasn't there. Perhaps I really shouldn't have interrupted her at that time yesterday.

​Suddenly, a violent sound erupted from outside the hall. What is that? It had a rhythmic, steady beat. It felt like a slow earthquake striking the earth, but with every thud, the sound grew clearer and more distinct.

​What could it be? And was it... coming toward me?

​Thump…

​Thump…

​I could feel its presence—right behind the door.

​A piercing siren wailed through the facility. An alarm? Was the camp in danger?

​The hall shook with a violent impact—the door.

​Something was trying to tear the place down. No—what was this thing? Was it... a monster?

​Another blow rattled everything around me. What should I do? But wasn't the camp supposed to be protected? Did it break through their defenses?

​CRACK.

​The door began to splinter.

​THUD.

​The strikes continued, and the crack in the door widened further and further. At this rate, it would breach the hall at any moment. I took a step back. Aside from the heavy blows, the hall was eerily silent.

​The door shattered.

​Amidst the flying debris and dust, a silhouette forced its way into the training hall. I recoiled, my eyes locking onto it. It was, without a doubt... a monster.

​What is a monster doing here?

​No... don't think. I have to run.

​"Iris... what should we do?!" Fairy’s trembling voice hissed in my ear.

​I looked at the beast. It opened its maw, revealing unnaturally massive fangs, then fixed its predatory gaze on me. A coarse, guttural laugh escaped it as it approached on four legs tipped with gargantuan claws.

​"A prey..." it rasped.

​Only a small distance remained between us. I turned back, but the hall was a dead end—there was nowhere to hide. I tried to retreat.

​My legs... they wouldn't move.

​I saw nothing but its shadow as it lunged to attack. Its dark limb swept through the air before its sharp claws tore into me.

​They sank into my arm, the heat of the strike radiating through the wound. The sheer force of the blow sent my body flying, and I slammed into the floor.

​My head throbbed. I glanced at my arm; a cold sensation washed over it, followed by a searing heat... something red was leaking out.

​I pressed my hand against the grey floor, trying to push myself up. My legs were wobbling. The monster was staring right at me. I felt it... it was going to strike again.

​It charged. Where is it?. 

​Diffusion. Diffusion. I have to use Diffusion!

​A tremor shook my body. A current of air erupted. I had diffused it.

​The monster’s steps slowed. Had I managed to push it back with the wind?

​"Hahaha... Hahahaha! Do you really think this will stop me?"

​It ran with a speed that made it impossible to even blink. My jaw dropped as I watched it move effortlessly through the gale I had unleashed.

​"You must not have expected... that I use Containment."

​Containment. My air current vanished before the beast as if it had never existed. I stared at the monster. Am I... going to die? I clenched my fists.

​I closed my eyes. No. I don’t want to die. Not now. I specifically will not die. Every inch of my being knew that this was not where I would end.

​Its claws were right in front of me. What is this feeling? My hands stopped trembling. A profound coldness began to flow through my veins…

​"What... What is this?! This cursed air current!" the monster screamed, suddenly unable to touch me.

​Was my Diffusion stronger than its Containment? Wasn't I the weaker one? A strange, icy calm settled in my mind, sending chills through my body.

​"Iris!" The hall door burst open. Darian entered, followed by several others.

​"Y-You..." the monster stammered, its voice shaking.

​My head felt heavy with a strange weight. My heart was no longer racing. Was it the weight of the power within me, or something else? Something... more absolute.

​I took a deep breath, seemingly swallowing the air around me. I looked at the beast and reinforced my attack as if I were looking down at an insignificant insect.

​Several "paths" appeared before my eyes—probabilities. In none of them did the monster manage to land a hit.

​The beast shrieked, its body being torn apart by the localized storm of wind. I laughed as I watched it shred under my mercy.

​"You didn't expect this, did you?" One step, two steps—I approached the trembling, mangled creature.

​I kicked the beast, a smile still fixed on my face. Why did I do that? Is my body under my control, or is it the other way around? I was drowning in a sea of chaos.

​Fast footsteps echoed behind me. Two large arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back.

​"Iris, that's enough. It’s already dead."​A sudden, violent urge to kill him surged through me. No—I won't. Doing that now would leave a trace I didn't want.

​My hand shook. What did I just think? No, stop. You aren't me!

​"...Darian." I turned and saw his face. His lips were pressed tightly together... they were trembling. My attack ceased.

​I looked around. My vision was blurry, but I could make out the remains of the mangled monster on the grey floor, the soldiers huddled at the shattered entrance, and... Darian’s warm arms surrounding me like an anchor.

​The strange, heavy sensation stopped. I no longer felt that coldness or the chaos. Instead, my eyelids felt like lead... I’ll just close them for a little while.