After their encounter with Tenma, Ikku and his friends resumed their walk, hearts a little lighter. It was time to return to their good old habits — beginning, of course, with their favorite restaurant, and this time, Zeno accompanied them as always.
As soon as they stepped inside, familiar aromas of grilled dishes and savory spices welcomed them. They sat at their usual table and ordered the meals they knew by heart.
"Ahhh, I missed this so much!" Kenny exclaimed, practically drooling.
"I can't lie… just the smell makes me happy," Carla admitted, eager to eat.
"Enjoy yourselves, children," Zeno said. "You've earned it."
"Master Zeno," Ikku began, leaning forward. "We learned new ways to use our prana."
"It's true!" Yumé added. "I had no idea it could be applied in so many ways."
"As I've always told you," Zeno replied, "experience is the greatest teacher. I look forward to seeing your progress, Ikku — especially in your match against Tenma. But do not become overconfident. Tenma is a prodigy. He has grown as well."
"Good," Ikku said with a confident smile. "That makes me want to fight him even more. Right, everyone?"
"The last fight ended too quickly," Yumé grumbled.
" Ikku learned from that," Carla said warmly.
"I'm more curious about how strong Tenma is now," Kenny added.
"What do you think, Master Zeno—"
Ikku stopped mid-sentence.
Zeno's plate was already empty.
None of them had seen him eat.
"MASTEEER ZENOOOO!!" they all yelled, smashing their faces close to his.
"This is IMPOSSIBLE!!" Carla cried.
"No. No. I REFUSE to believe this!" Ikku shouted.
"He definitely teleported the plate," Kenny concluded, completely serious.
Yumé burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
"Hahaha! Master Zeno hasn't changed at all!"
"Calm down, calm down," Zeno said gently. "Eat before your food gets cold."
Laughter filled the table — warm, loud, familiar.
Yes… everything had finally returned to normal.
Once dinner was over, they returned to their apartment.
"It feels good to be home," Kenny sighed.
"I missed my bed…" Yumé said, stretching. "Ikku, I assume you're sleeping with Carla?"
"I—uh—well—" Ikku stammered, face red.
"We'll rotate," Carla said simply. "One week with me, one week with them. But tonight, he's mine."
"I support Carla," Kenny declared, dead serious.
"What do we do tomorrow?" Yumé asked.
"We still know nothing about the Sonka," Ikku said. "And I want to understand more about this jewel."
"Let's go see Professor Hypsen!" Carla suggested.
Ikku's eyes widened. "Hypsen… Yes! Why didn't I think of him sooner?"
"Who's Hypsen?" Kenny asked.
"A brilliant scientist," Ikku explained. "When we couldn't awaken our prana, Master Zeno sent us to him."
"Very well," Kenny nodded. "Tomorrow, we go."
That night, they finally slept in real beds — something they hadn't done in months.
But for Ikku and Carla, sharing the same bed for the first time brought a quiet warmth neither had ever known. It felt like safety. Like home.
The Next Day
They arrived at Professor Hypsen's laboratory. Humanoid robots busied themselves among machines and monitors.
"Hello, children," Hypsen greeted them. "It has been a while. You've grown. And changed. I can feel it."
"That's thanks to you, Professor," Carla said. "We're truly grateful."
"Professor," Ikku said, stepping forward. "Can you help us? Can you analyze this?"
He handed Hypsen the ring.
Hypsen placed it on a circular platform; a glass cylinder sealed around it. The ring floated gently in mid-air.
"Let's see…"
He began typing, eyes sharp.
"Fascinating… This object is composed of a completely unknown material. Yet… it produces its own prana. And the prana it emits is identical to yours, Ikku. Your energies are synchronized. Where did you find this?"
"In an underground kingdom," Ikku replied.
"I'd like to run a test. Ikku, wear the ring and step into the glass capsule. Then Carla will do the same."
Ikku obeyed. The capsule glowed, then dimmed.
Hypsen observed silently.
Carla went next — capsule, light, scan.
Then Hypsen spoke:
"I see. When Carla wears the ring, it behaves like a normal object. But when you wear it, Ikku… it releases a strange and powerful energy. This artifact is unique. I'll need more time to examine it."
Ikku retrieved the ring.
"We'll come back. But first — do you know anything about the Sonka?"
"The Sun Warriors?" Hypsen replied. "Yes. What do you want to know?"
"We'd like to meet them," Ikku said.
"There are none here on Kul-Elna," Hypsen said, then turned his eyes to Yumé. "Except this young man."
Yumé froze. "H-how did you—?"
"Do not underestimate me," Hypsen said with a small smile.
"However, most clans hide their abilities. But in the country of Danaca, you will find many."
"Thank you, Professor," Ikku said.
They began to leave — until Hypsen's voice stopped Carla.
"You have changed a lot. Especially you, Carla."
She turned, surprised.
"Really? You think so?"
"Of course. And more than you realize."
"…What do you mean?"
Hypsen held her gaze — calm, certain, almost knowing.
"You will understand on your own."
"Carlaaa, you coming?" Ikku called from the hall.
"Yes, I'm coming!" she replied quickly, giving Hypsen a small wave, though her heart felt strangely heavy.
Later
"So, what now?" Yumé asked outside.
"Tomorrow, I fight Tenma," Ikku said. "I can't take him lightly. I'll rest today. I need to be at my best."
"Smart choice," Kenny said.
They spent the day relaxing — and time passed far too quickly.
The Arena — The Next Morning
Ikku walked onto the arena grounds, friends at his side.
Fenrir and Nina were already there.
"Hey! How are you?" Nina asked, bright as ever.
"So good! It's been too long!" Carla said, hugging her.
Kenny approached Fenrir.
"Yo. Still shy as usual?"
"G-good morning… I'm glad to see you all again," Fenrir answered softly.
"Come sit," Yumé said. "This fight is going to be interesting."
Fenrir's expression sharpened — confidence replacing shyness — his eyes fixed on Tenma.
"Interesting or not," he said, "the result will be the same. Tenma will not lose."
Kenny smirked.
"We'll see about that."
In the arena's center, Ikku and Tenma faced each other.
This time, Tenma drew his two swords.
"Something tells me that if I want to have even a chance of beating you, Ikku… I have to go all out."
"You're right," Ikku replied — and unleashed his spiritual energy all at once.
The atmosphere trembled.
Tenma's eyes widened.
"Incredible… What kind of training did he go through to reach this level?"
Zeno stepped between them, raising his hand.
Silence fell.
"Let the battle… BEGIN!!"