Ren never truly left him.
Even in stillness, even in silence, Ethan could feel it—his aura resting beneath his skin, contained through Ten without effort. It no longer felt foreign. It no longer felt forced.
It felt natural.
Like breathing.
The lock clicked.
Ethan was already standing when the door opened.
The man entered without hesitation, his presence unchanged. Calm. Controlled. Absolute.
In his hand, he carried a glass.
Clear.
Filled with water.
He placed it on the desk beside Ethan's bed.
"Sit," he said.
Ethan obeyed.
The glass remained perfectly still between them, its surface smooth and undisturbed.
The man reached into his pocket and removed a small leaf, placing it gently on the water. It floated without resistance.
"This is a test," the man said.
"It will reveal your nature."
Ethan listened.
He didn't ask questions.
He didn't need to.
"Use Ren."
Ethan focused.
He allowed his aura to expand outward from his body. Slowly. Controlled. Intentional.
The moment his aura reached the glass—
The water reacted.
The surface trembled slightly.
Then the leaf moved.
Not randomly.
Not violently.
It slid across the surface, drawn in a precise direction, guided by something unseen.
The man watched carefully.
Not surprised.
Confirming.
"Manipulator," he said.
The word settled into the room.
"Your aura influences what exists beyond your body. Not through force."
He paused.
"Through control."
Ethan looked at the glass.
He hadn't touched it.
But it had obeyed him.
"This is your natural affinity," the man continued. "The form your aura follows most easily."
He picked up the glass and turned slightly.
"But Nen is not limited to a single path."
Ethan listened closely.
"You may learn other disciplines," the man said. "You may strengthen your body. You may release your aura. You may shape it."
He met Ethan's eyes.
"But they will never be as natural."
He placed the glass back on the desk.
"Control is your foundation."
Not suggestion.
Truth.
The man turned toward the door.
"Hatsu comes next."
Not now.
Soon.
He paused briefly.
"Now that you know your nature… you may begin to discover your power."
Then he left.
The door closed.
The lock engaged.
Silence returned.
Ethan remained seated, his eyes resting on the glass of water.
Manipulator.
The word did not feel foreign.
It felt correct.
He looked at his hand.
His aura rested there, quiet and obedient beneath his skin.
Waiting.
For the first time since awakening Nen—
He knew where his path began.