The evening sun bathed the streets of Arkion in a warm amber glow as the six heroes departed from Hoshigawa. Their figures gradually disappeared into the distance, each carrying a newfound confidence born from completing their Circuit Mark trials. The road ahead of them remained uncertain, but they now possessed the resolve and strength to walk it together.
Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere became quiet once more.
Arata stood near one of the windows, watching until the heroes were completely out of sight. Only after they had disappeared beyond the streets did he finally turn away.
His gaze shifted toward the kitchen.
"Mitsuki."
The young girl immediately looked over.
"Prepare a cup of tea."
Mitsuki smiled warmly before nodding.
"Okay, big bro."
She disappeared into the kitchen, and before long the gentle aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the restaurant.
While waiting, Arata's crimson eyes wandered toward the others.
Asar continued wiping the tables with practiced efficiency.
Nax carefully stacked dishes before carrying them into the kitchen.
Rei happily swept the entrance while humming to herself.
For a brief moment…A faint smile appeared on Arata's face.
"They've grown well in a few years."
He quietly took a seat beside the window.
Moments later, Mitsuki returned carrying a porcelain cup resting upon a small tray.
She carefully placed it before him.
"Here you go, big bro."
Arata gave a small nod.
"Thanks."
He lifted the cup and slowly took a sip. The warm tea settled comfortably within him. His eyes drifted outside once more. Before the rest of them arrive…I guess I'll have to prepare.
At that moment, a small weight landed upon his shoulder.
Veydra. The tiny black dragon folded its wings before staring silently toward the endless sky outside the restaurant.
A low growl escaped its throat.
It was subtle…But filled with unease.
Arata gently reached up and stroked the dragon's head.
"I know you can feel it."
Veydra looked toward him.
"But don't worry too much."
Arata smiled faintly.
"I'm always thinking of a plan."
Far away…On Planet Zerathis.
The towering tree stood silently in the middle of the forest, its enormous roots spreading through the earth like veins nourishing the world itself.
John rested one hand against the ancient trunk, quietly observing the flow of energy within it.
After several moments, he finally spoke.
"I see…So this seed changed the nature of the world."
Kaelven stepped closer, curiosity written across his face.
"What do you mean?"
John removed his hand from the tree before turning toward everyone gathered nearby.
"The world you grew up in thrived through constant killing. The more beings were slain, the stronger someone became. That was how your Double Count—your DC—continued to evolve."
He glanced toward the gigantic tree.
"But the seed he left behind…It changed the planet's nature."
John folded his arms.
"You no longer have to kill in order to raise your Double Count, You can train, You can meditate , You can become stronger through your own effort."
He paused briefly.
"That doesn't mean killing can no longer evolve your strength. It simply became a choice."
Kaelven slowly nodded.
"I see."
Silence settled over the group before Tessandra stepped beside him.
"So, Kaelven…Do you have anyone left in this world?"
Kaelven became quiet.
His eyes wandered toward the horizon.
After several moments, he answered.
"Unfortunately…No. My clan was wiped out years ago."
His expression remained calm, yet every word carried memories that had long since scarred his heart.
"It was a place of endless war. Clans fought monsters, Clans fought other clans, Humans fought humans….It wasn't any different."
He lowered his gaze.
"I was only three years old when my entire clan died at the hands of a monster."
A gentle breeze moved through the forest.
"Luckily…An elder found me. He took me in, He taught me swordsmanship, He taught me martial arts. He treated me like I was his own grandson."
A faint smile appeared before disappearing again.
"I guess death has a thing for good-hearted people. He passed away a couple years later, I was thirteen. He died of natural causes."
Alzwalt rubbed the back of his neck before sighing.
"Sorry we didn't meet sooner, bro. I would've came through."
Tessandra stepped beside Kaelven and gently placed a hand upon his shoulder.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Kaelven. But now…You have friends you can come to."
Kaelven smiled quietly.
Before anyone else could continue John looked directly at him.
"You won't get any sympathy from me."
Kaelven immediately straightened.
John's expression remained unchanged.
"Just make sure you visit for your training every month…or I'll come find you personally."
Without another word, John turned away.
Kaelven stared blankly.
Tessandra leaned closer before whispering.
"Don't worry. That's his way of saying…Sorry.'"
Kaelven's face immediately turned pale.
Britanya couldn't help smiling.
"Stand up. You are the heir of your family. Now…You represent them."
Kaelven slowly stood upright.
His smile returned.
"Thanks, guys."
Everyone smiled. Then Alzwalt casually walked over toward John.
"Bro…Heal this for me."
He raised his left hand, revealing the conceptual burn left behind by Ifrit's black fire.
John glanced at it.
"A conceptual burn."
He looked directly at Alzwalt.
"You can heal it, you know."
Alzwalt scratched his head.
"Yeah…But not currently."
John shrugged.
"Find out now then."
Without another word, a portal opened before him.
John stepped through first.
Tessandra immediately followed. Kaelven laughed before suddenly slapping Alzwalt across the back.
Alzwalt's eyebrow twitched.
Without hesitation He kicked Kaelven straight through the portal.
Britanya burst into laughter.
"Such an angry man."
Alzwalt folded his arms.
"Humph…He was asking for it."
Still chuckling, Britanya followed them through the portal.
Alzwalt stepped inside last.
The gateway quietly closed behind them.
They had returned…To Planet Kael'Ar.
Far beyond the kingdoms of men…Within the sacred Dragon Ancestral Land.
An immense throne hall stood beneath pillars carved from ancient white stone.
At the very end of the hall sat Zenith.
His short white hair rested neatly upon his shoulders.
Golden slit pupils observed the empty chamber with calm dignity.
Two majestic dragon horns extended from either side of his head.
As the descendant of the Dragon God, his presence alone commanded reverence.
Then…Footsteps echoed through the hall.
The enormous doors slowly opened.
Zenith smiled before closing his eyes.
"It's a surprise to see you here."
A familiar voice answered with an annoyed sigh.
"It's annoying to intervene…but the situation calls for it."
The figure stepped into the light.
It was Arata. His short black hair framed calm crimson eyes.
Standing six feet tall with a slim, athletic build, he carried himself with effortless confidence, both hands resting inside his pockets.
As he approached, a chair quietly formed behind him.
Arata sat down.
"They're coming here soon."
Zenith slowly nodded.
"Yes, I can feel them. It's probably the twelve of them."
A small smile appeared on Arata's face.
"I'm curious…I want to know who will stand beside me…and who will present me with war."
Zenith smiled knowingly.
"History states that a few won't become your enemies."
He opened his golden eyes.
"But the majority will."
His gaze settled upon Arata.
"After all…They are the users of the Circuits of the First Circuit Being Era."
The throne hall fell silent.
Somewhere beyond the boundaries of countless worlds…
Twelve ancient existences had begun to move.