——————
Incursion Zone
Core Region
——————
Silence remained.
Not the suffocating kind from before. Not the oppressive stillness that hunted and waited.
This silence was… different.
Calm.
Like a storm that had already passed, leaving only its aftermath behind.
Ishmael lay where he had fallen, his body stretched across the fractured ground of the Core Region.
Faint traces of silver light still clung to him—like dying embers refusing to fade completely.
His breathing was slow.
Steady.
For the first time since entering the Incursion Zone…
He rested.
Not out of exhaustion.
Not because he had no strength left.
But because—
There was nothing left to fight.
Time passed.
How long… even he didn't know.
Then—
His eyes opened.
Silver.
Clear.
Awake.
He exhaled softly and pushed himself into a seated position.
The world felt… different.
Sharper.
Every fragment of Spirit Energy in the air brushed against his awareness. Not seen—but felt. Instinctive. Natural.
Like it had always been there.
Like it had always been his.
"…Let's see what's changed."
A pause.
"Status."
[Ding…]
A translucent panel unfolded before him—stable, clear, no longer flickering like before.
Name: Ishmael Qamar Bane
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Race: Ancient Breed — Gregorian
Titles: Genius Heir of Bane Dukedom, Incursion Slayer, Loved by Moon
Class: Moonlight Swordsman
——————
Spirit Core Ascension: Third Ascension
Spirit Core Rank: Peak
Spirit Bond: Lunaris
——————
Affinity: Fire, Moon [Moonlight, Space, Gravity]
Skills: Appraisal, Combat Specialist, Expert Duelist, Stealth, Spirit Energy Control, Spirit Energy Reinforcement, Weapon Control, Intuition, Spirit Perception, Spirit Manifestation
Unique Skills: Argent Flames, Child of the Moon
——————
[System Advisory: Grow Stronger.]
Ishmael's gaze lingered on the panel.
"Third Ascension…"
A quiet breath left him.
"So that was the cost."
Before the thought could settle
Something stirred.
Not around him.
Not outside.
Within.
"Decent."
The voice was clear this time. Close.
"…Though you were quite slow."
Ishmael didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
Only his eyes shifted slightly.
"You're the one who interfered."
A soft scoff echoed through his mind.
"Interfered? If I hadn't, you'd be nothing but food by now."
A brief pause.
"…Fair."
Silence lingered.
Then—
"…Who are you?"
"Your Spirit Bond."
A faint pressure brushed against his consciousness.
Not hostile.
Not overwhelming.
Just… present.
Ancient.
Watching.
"You may call me—Lunaris."
Ishmael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That name doesn't sound modern."
"It isn't."
No pride. No explanation.
Just fact.
He leaned back slightly, resting an arm over his knee.
"You've been there the whole time?"
"Yes."
"…Watching?"
"Yes."
"…And you chose now to speak?"
A brief pause.
Then
"You were finally worth speaking to."
Ishmael didn't react.
Not offended.
Not surprised.
Just… thinking.
"Besides," Lunaris continued, almost lazily, "you couldn't hear me before reaching the Third Ascension."
Ishmael's gaze sharpened.
"…Then explain it."
A quiet exhale echoed in his mind.
"Haa… fine. Listen carefully."
"The first two Ascensions?"
"Introduction."
"To Spirit Energy. To your affinity. To the idea of power."
A faint shift in the air occurred around Ishmael as Lunaris continued.
"But the Third Ascension…"
A pause.
"That is where power becomes yours."
Ishmael frowned slightly.
"…Meaning?"
"Your affinities awaken fully. Your connection stabilizes. Your instincts align."
A beat.
"And if you possess the potential, your unique abilities surface."
Ishmael's gaze flickered.
"Not everyone has those?"
"Far from it."
A trace of something entered Lunaris' voice.
Interest.
"Unique Skills are rare. Even among the strong."
Ishmael spoke calmly.
"I have two."
Silence.
"…What?"
"I have two," Ishmael repeated.
The air stilled.
Then
"Show me."
This time, there was no laziness.
Only sharp focus.
Ishmael complied without hesitation.
The panel flickered, shared.
Silence followed.
Longer this time.
Heavier.
Then
Laughter.
Low at first.
Then rising.
Unrestrained.
"So that's how it is…" Lunaris muttered between faint echoes of amusement.
"An Ancient Breed Gregorian… and a Bane…"
"…That explains the absurdity."
Ishmael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You know about my family, my race?."
"You don't?"
"…No."
A pause.
Then
"Hm."
Lunaris' tone shifted, faintly thoughtful.
"…Then ask your family when you return."
"It's not my place to speak on what they chose to hide."
Ishmael held the silence for a moment… then let it go.
"Fine."
"…Continue."
"Right."
"The Third Ascension also marks something else, for certain races."
Ishmael listened.
Fully attentive now.
"Manifestation."
"…Spirit Manifestation?"
"Yes."
A faint ripple passed through the air in front of him.
"Your bond—me—can now take form."
"Not completely…"
"…but enough."
The space before Ishmael distorted slightly
Then settled.
A small figure appeared.
Palm-sized.
A wolf.
Blue fur, streaked with faint silver markings that shimmered like moonlight.
Its eyes, sharp. Intelligent.
Silver.
"…And you may borrow aspects of that form," Lunaris added.
Ishmael observed him quietly.
"…You're smaller than I expected."
"…You're weaker than I expected."
A pause.
"…Fair enough."
The corner of Ishmael's lips lifted slightly.
"This is simply more practical," Lunaris continued. "Your current state can't sustain my full manifestation."
Ishmael nodded once.
Processing.
Adapting.
Then he stood.
Fully this time.
His body still bore the remnants of battle, but the pain had dulled into something distant.
Manageable.
"…Let's leave."
"Leave?" Lunaris echoed.
There was a hint of disbelief now.
"You just ascended… and you want to walk away from the perfect training ground?, this place teeming with Spirit Energy?"
Ishmael paused.
"…You're right."
"Of course I am."
A faint pulse of energy spread outward from Ishmael, subtle, controlled.
Different from before.
"Then we stay."
Lunaris' voice lowered slightly.
Sharper now.
Focused.
"Good."
"Because you barely understand what you've gained."
Ishmael's gaze lifted
Calm.
Steady.
Resolute.
"…Then teach me."
A brief silence followed.
Then,
"As long as it takes."
"…That's not a real answer."
"It's the only one that matters."
Silence.
Then,
Ishmael exhaled.
"…Fine."
His grip tightened slightly.
Energy stirred faintly around him, silver, subtle, alive.
"We train."
The Core Region, once a place of chaos and death
Had become something else entirely.
A proving ground.
And this time
Ishmael was ready.