"It's not magic," Riveria murmured thoughtfully, "and yet… it's strikingly similar."
She finally grasped the essence of this mysterious power—Alicia had been right. It was a form of magic, just expressed differently.
"A fascinating ability indeed," she continued. "In some ways, it seems even easier to release than traditional magic. I noticed you didn't chant a single incantation earlier. So… this power can be freely controlled by will alone?"
Tsunayoshi nodded. "Exactly."
As he raised his hand, seven different flames danced above his palm—each varying in hue and texture, flowing freely like living entities. Their shapes twisted, merged, and reformed without structure or restriction. No spell circles. No verbal focus. Only pure intent.
"The only obstacle," Tsunayoshi said quietly, "lies within one's heart. To awaken this flame requires an unshakable resolve. The moment that conviction fades, the flame itself begins to change—sometimes violently."
"So unless one's strength—or heart—is truly prepared, this power won't respond."
Riveria nodded slowly. "I understand. For something this potent, such a limitation is natural."
It made perfect sense.
The power's worth demanded both skill and maturity. If one lacked the mental strength to control it, the very flame would turn unstable.
"As you said," she mused, "either a seasoned adventurer with experience… or one with the heart to face anything. Those are the ones who can use it."
Tsunayoshi smiled faintly. "Exactly. One can compensate for the other. Weak resolve can be offset by overwhelming power, and lack of power can be overcome by unwavering resolve—but at least one must be there."
He paused, then continued, "The Dying Will Flame is efficient—simple to use once mastered. But it has its drawbacks."
He opened his palm again. A faint shimmer of light glinted—and thirteen rings appeared in his grasp, each one gleaming faintly with a different core color.
"These," he explained, "are catalysts. The purest forms are called Vongola Rings. The more ornate ones—Mare Rings. They act as mediums to draw out deeper flame purity."
He gestured to the rings, setting a few on the table.
"When you wear them, the flame reacts to your resolve—igniting the attribute that matches your heart."
"After you've formed your own skill, the rings aren't necessary anymore," he added. "But if you want your flames to reach their highest concentration and strength—it's best to keep one on."
He folded his arms, glancing at the group. "That should cover the theoretical part."
As he spoke, he noticed Ais staring blankly, her eyes glazed over with heroic confusion.
He sighed inwardly. She didn't absorb a single word, did she?
Alicia, sitting nearby, looked no better.
Two geniuses, he thought dryly, and both with the same expression of enlightened stupidity.
Clearly, a simple lecture wouldn't do.
"Riveria," he said suddenly, "would you like to experience each attribute directly?"
Her emerald eyes brightened. "Can I?"
"Of course."
Practical understanding was far better than theory.
"Then please, extend your hand."
Riveria complied, offering her right palm.
Tsunayoshi's fingertip glowed faintly crimson as he touched her skin. A small spark sizzled, leaving a shallow cut across her palm.
"This is Storm—the flame of disintegration."
Before she could even react, a faint violet fire spread over the blood that had seeped from the wound.
The droplet swelled unnaturally, expanding rapidly until it splashed across her entire hand and began dripping toward the floor.
"This is Cloud—propagation."
Then, a wave of soft blue enveloped the spreading droplets. The motion slowed to a crawl. The falling blood hung midair, as if frozen in time.
"And this is Rain—tranquility."
Next, faint green lightning danced through the hovering blood, solidifying it into a small crimson blade. Tiny arcs of electricity crackled along its edge, reflecting metallic luster beneath the lamplight.
"This is Thunder—hardening."
Riveria was just about to admire it when—
Tch!
Tsunayoshi suddenly swung the blade down toward her arm.
"Wait—!"
A flash of red.
Her hand hit the floor.
For a split second, her body froze, eyes wide in shock as a fountain of blood erupted from her wrist.
"R-Riveria!"
Ais's shriek tore through the room as she bolted to her side. Alicia and Kaguya were so stunned they didn't even move.
But then—
"Deception of the senses… this is Mist."
Tsunayoshi's calm voice reverberated softly.
In an instant, everyone shuddered—snapping awake as though waking from a nightmare.
Riveria blinked, then looked down at her hand. It was perfectly fine—no blood, no wound, just the faint sting of the earlier scratch.
"...What?"
Ais stared in utter confusion. Didn't I already rush to her? Yet here she was, still seated, unmoving.
"An illusion," Kaguya muttered, piecing it together. "He tricked all our senses at once."
It dawned on them: somewhere in that sequence, Tsunayoshi had already ensnared them within a perfectly woven illusion.
Riveria took a deep breath, steadying herself. "So that was Mist. Truly remarkable."
She could only marvel. Each attribute held its own nature—each offering entirely new methods of battle.
"The Mist attribute is extraordinary," she said aloud. "Though clearly, its offensive strength is lower than the others."
Tsunayoshi nodded. "Precisely. Its ceiling is high, but its floor is low. It can be the strongest tool—or the weakest liability—depending on the wielder."
He raised one last flame—a warm, golden one—and pressed it gently against the faint cut on her palm.
"And finally… Sun—activation."
The wound closed instantly, the pain vanishing as her skin regenerated smoother than before.
Riveria gazed at her healed hand in awe.
Seven colors. Seven worlds. Seven ways to fight.
Every single one unique—every single one terrifying.
(End of Chapter)
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