Somewhere far away from the Kingdom of Rosengard, in a land of green fields, rivers, lakes, and fertile regions…
The Kingdom of Migonia was founded by Doshia Migonia, a kingdom with soldiers who were Konkai users. It had quickly begun to seize most of the world's green regions. The Konkai power used by Doshia was unknown.
Amidst the green grass and towering, magnificent trees, there was a village protected from the Yajūni. Life in the village went on as usual. Children were running around, the elders were drinking tea and chatting. People were living their lives just as they normally did. They had no evil intentions or great troubles. And those who did have troubles, theirs were not so large. They simply wanted to live in peace.
But one day, loud noises began to echo from outside the village—flapping wings and roars. Then, a shadow appeared over the village. Wings, a gigantic body, veiny yellowish eyes, and a pale, stone-colored skin. A dragon. The children froze. The elders dropped their tea.
Villagers: "Run! It's a Konkai user from the Kingdom of Migonia! Run for your lives!"
The Kingdom of Migonia was forcing the societies of the green lands to kneel. Konkai users were immensely powerful. They easily absorbed all the nearby societies. And now, it was this village's turn.
(Dragon roars)
The dragon lunged forward with tremendous power. It struck the roof of a house with its feet. Then, it gathered flames in its mouth and blew them out. It swung its tail. It killed people, destroyed houses. The Konkai users in the village tried to fight back, but the dragon killed them with ease.
The dragon spoke in a deep and echoing voice:
"Kneel before Doshia Migonia! Miserable ones!"
The people of the village were swallowed by despair. Only a few of the strongest warriors of the village possessed Konkai power. But even their Konkai was far weaker than that of the one attacking the village. The surroundings were filled with villagers sitting helplessly on the ground, staring blankly into their thoughts.
Then suddenly, the sun shone bright, and a man rushed in with his sword. He had long hair that reached his hips, grass-green eyes, a tall and a little muscular body. He swung the sword in his hand with incredible force, shouting in a strong yet graceful voice:
Man: "Hantsuki Reikyō!"
A black semi-circle formed in the sky. It struck the dragon's neck and sliced it clean from head to tail.
This unidentified man's sudden appearance instantly became a beacon of hope for all the villagers. The lifeless faces of the villagers brightened at once. He gave them hope—and did not leave that hope unfulfilled.
He landed on the ground and walked with heavy steps, glancing around. He looked to his right, then to his left. The villagers slowly gathered around him. The man raised his sword to the sky and shouted to all the villagers in a graceful yet powerful voice:
Man: "I am your hope. I am the one who will save you from ignorance and despair. My name is Yōtsuki. The name of the power I hold is Reikyō."
The villagers applauded the man. Yōtsuki explained to them that he was a wanderer. But he said he would stay here. The body of the Konkai user, whose dragon form had reverted back to human, was thrown into the river. The villagers extinguished the flames and slowly began rebuilding their village.
Yōtsuki looked upon the state of the village. He thought the villagers were ignorant about powers and in need of help. Then, an idea came to his mind.
He waited until the village was rebuilt. The villagers gave him a home. Yōtsuki prepared himself. He took his katana and walked through the village. He went to the man in charge of the village and asked where the guardians were. He told him he would bring order to the village and lift them from ignorance. The man believed in Yōtsuki.
Yōtsuki gathered the village's guardians. Only three guardians remained in the village. The three Konkai users that had been there were killed instantly. He first sat on a log.
Yōtsuki: "Come, children. From now on, you are my students. There is much for you to learn from me. First, I will explain everything about this power. I will leave no questions in your minds. Then, I will begin to teach it to you."
The students looked at each other, nodded, and then sat down.
Yōtsuki: "Alright, first, let me have your names."
The one on the far left, with a torn green haori, white hakama reaching from his waist to his ankles, a cheerful look, brown eyes, and a stained katana sheath at his side, spoke first:
Student: "My name is Morizuki. I'm 21 years old. I'm tasked with protecting the village. I'm eager to learn this power from you, sir."
The one in the middle, with a red and clean kimono, green eyes like his teacher's, a katana at his waist, and a stern expression, said:
Student: "I won't be familiar with you since I don't know you yet. But I'll introduce myself. My name is Engetsu. I'm 21. Your power caught my interest."
The one on the far right, wearing a blue kimono with a white haori over it, calm eyes as blue as his kimono, and a katana at his waist, said:
Student: "My name is Hyōgetsu. I'm 21."
Yōtsuki: "That's all?"
Hyōgetsu: "That's all."
Yōtsuki: "Alright then, children, let me tell you about this mysterious power that exists in our world—Reikyō.
There are three types of Reikyō:
Hot Reikyō, Cold Reikyō, and Advanced Reikyō. These are powers born from the transference of spiritual strength into the human body.
First, I'll speak of Hot Reikyō, the echo of pain—a power not everyone possesses.
In events such as trauma or war, the soul and a person's instinct to survive merge and awaken. Humans often activate this power unconsciously. Once awareness comes, the power is controlled. Hot Reikyō is powerful, but its stability is low—it is unbalanced."
Yōtsuki held his hand straight. Power began to flow into his palm. A force appeared, like water streaming into a river, yet burning atop it like oil on fire. He swung his hand, and the power spread out, advancing like fire.
Yōtsuki: "It is called 'Hot' Reikyō because of its instability, like spreading flames."
Engetsu: "So why are you telling us this? We don't have Hot Reikyō. We're curious about how to gain this power. Are you going to traumatize us?"
Yōtsuki: "I suppose you didn't listen carefully. I told you there are three types of Reikyō—not one. The Reikyō you will obtain is the Cold Reikyō, achieved through training.
Most humans use Cold Reikyō because it is consciously activated. It may not be as strong, but it is stable and balanced."
Yōtsuki showed his hand to the three. With a wave, something black appeared in his palm. Unlike before, it had a calm appearance—like water flowing through a hand. He swung his arm as before. This time, the power moved forward like a tranquil, rippleless stream. More stable, more balanced, but weaker than Hot Reikyō.
Morizuki: "Wow! That was amazing! So this is what we'll obtain. But what about the other one with the cool name?"
Yōtsuki: "That is the thing you will dream of—the Advanced Reikyō. Absolute power and balance.
The Advanced Reikyō emerges when a person already using Cold Reikyō somehow awakens Hot Reikyō within themselves. Activating it is far harder than you might think. Those with weak spiritual strength and willpower often die after attaining Advanced Reikyō. But those who can control it, combining the power of Hot Reikyō and the balance of Cold Reikyō, reach the Ultimate Power."
Yōtsuki clenched both hands and showed them to the students. The Advanced Reikyō gave off the image of fire and water working together—and this power existed within humans.
Engetsu: "Then, can we use this power through a sword, like you?"
Yōtsuki: "Yes. It can be transferred into a weapon or tool. However, heavy use quickly drains energy. Hot Reikyō users consume their energy very fast. In short battles, Hot Reikyō wins; in long ones, Cold usually prevails. But not everyone's spiritual strength and will are the same. Thus, between two users of the same Reikyō type, the one with the greater will and spirit power wins."
The trio listened closely to this long explanation.
Morizuki: "So that means I can achieve Ultimate Reikyō now? Hooray!"
Well… some of them listened carefully.
Engetsu: "And what is your goal, Master Yōtsuki?"
Yōtsuki: "My goal? My dream was to protect my tribe, like its leader once did. But my tribe was destroyed three years ago… by a powerful Konkai user."
(Memories resurface.)
A tribal camp stood amidst lush green grass and meadows, filled with colorful flowers and a long, slender river flowing through...