POWER (Auxiliary Chapter)

Power Unveiled

The screen fades in to reveal Nodo Sei, Kishimata Lan, and Meito standing on a virtual stage. The background is an abstract, futuristic city skyline—half-lit by neon lights, half-shadowed in darkness.

Meito is, of course, the first to speak, grinning widely as he steps up to the front. "Yo, what's up, everyone? It's ya boy, Meito! So, we figured it'd be a good time to break things down for y'all. You're probably like, 'What's the deal with all these powers?' Well, don't trip, we gotchu covered!"

Nodo Sei, ever the showman, slaps a stack of Uno cards onto his palm with a smirk. "Yeah, listen up, folks. We ain't just swinging fists and tossing around magic willy-nilly. There's structure to this world, and once you get the hang of it, you'll see we've got the most wild power system out there. Let's break it down for ya."

Lan crosses his arms, his expression calm, but there's a faint smirk on his face. "It's important to understand the hierarchy. Power in this world is categorized into different types—each with its own rules. We don't all operate the same way."

Meito nods enthusiastically. "Right, right! So basically, it's not just one kinda power, there's a bunch of different categories. But don't worry, it's not too crazy. Let me kick things off with the basics."

1. Elemental Manipulation

Meito gestures to the glowing hologram of a flame in front of him. "This one's pretty straightforward. You got your fire, water, earth, air—you know, the usual elemental stuff. Some people are born with an affinity to control these elements. But here's the catch—most folks can only control one element, maybe two if they're lucky, but the real pros can combine 'em. Think fire and wind for crazy combustion-type moves."

Nodo jumps in, flipping a card as flames burst from it. "Yeah, elemental dudes? They're flashy, no doubt. But it takes real skill to master 'em. Just having an element doesn't mean you can win a fight."

Lan nods. "Right. But when you do meet a true elemental master, you'll know. The strongest can shape entire landscapes with their abilities."

2. Luck Manipulation

Sei grins as the hologram changes to a dice rolling on screen. "Now, this one's real fun. Luck manipulation. We're talkin' bending fate to your will. Not many can do it, but those who can are dangerous. Ever feel like someone's just 'lucky' all the time? That's probably 'cause they're manipulating probabilities. Wanna hit the jackpot every time? It's possible, but it comes with a price."

Meito raises his eyebrows. "Sounds rigged, right? But hey, life ain't fair. With luck manipulation, someone can make a bad situation go their way every time. It's not always flashy, but it can turn a losing fight into a winning one with just a roll of the dice."

Lan cuts in. "It's subtle, but powerful. Against someone with luck on their side, brute force means nothing."

3. Cursed Techniques

Lan steps forward now, his voice more serious. "Then we have the cursed techniques. These are abilities tied to the user's spirit and life force. They can manifest in many forms—some can manipulate shadows, others can control the dead, or even alter reality. The more dangerous the curse, the stronger the technique. But the catch is that cursed techniques often come with... consequences."

Sei chuckles. "Yeah, you might see someone summon a whole army of spirits, but the next minute, they're wiped out 'cause the curse drained them. It's a high-risk, high-reward kinda deal."

Meito shudders. "Sounds intense. Glad I don't have to mess with any curses... yet."

4. Card-Based Powers

Nodo Sei takes center stage, holding up his deck of Uno cards. "Now, here's where I come in. Card-based powers. These are rare, and not everyone understands 'em. You're looking at someone who can take ordinary objects—in my case, Uno cards—and turn them into real-world weapons. Each card has its own ability. Draw two? I can make my opponent take two hits they can't block. Skip? I can mess with someone's time, skipping their actions. Trust me, once I get my hands on these, no one's safe."

He fans the cards out, their edges glowing. "The power's all about creativity. The more unique the object, the crazier the effects. Some people use cards, some use dice, or even chess pieces. But the key? You gotta know how to play the game."

5. Speed and Martial Arts Mastery

Lan steps forward again, hands resting casually by his sides. "Then there's people like me—those who rely on pure skill. No magic, no cards. Just raw speed and strength. Martial artists who have trained their bodies to surpass human limits. My speed? It's not just fast—it's lightning fast. I move faster than the eye can see, strike before the opponent even realizes what's happening."

Sei rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Speedy, we get it. You're quick."

Lan ignores him, continuing. "But it's not just about speed. Martial arts mastery means controlling your opponent, reading every movement, and turning their strength against them. Some of the most dangerous fighters don't rely on any supernatural powers. They rely on discipline and precision."

Meito looks at Lan, impressed. "Dang, bro, you're like the ultimate human weapon. No wonder people fear you."

Lan shrugs. "It's all about training."

6. Reality Bending and World Affinities

Finally, the hologram shows a shimmering world split into two halves—one bathed in light, the other in darkness.

Meito points to it. "This is where it gets really wild. Some people can manipulate the world around them, bending reality to their will. They can shift entire dimensions or warp space. And then there's something called 'World Affinities.' These are the most rare, but also the most powerful. It's when a person becomes so in tune with the balance of light and dark in the world that they can control both forces at once."

Sei whistles. "Now we're talkin' god-tier stuff. But don't expect to meet many people with this kind of power. They're like legends—barely seen, but their influence is felt everywhere."

Lan adds, "The balance between light and dark is crucial. Too much of one can destroy the other. Those with World Affinities are tasked with maintaining that balance, but if they lose control, entire realities can collapse."

---

The three of them step back, giving a final look to the audience. Meito, as usual, finishes with a grin. "So there you have it! That's the world we live in. Cool, right? But don't forget—just because someone's got powers doesn't mean they're invincible. Everyone's got weaknesses."

Sei flips a card in the air. "And we're here to figure out what those are. You play smart, you win. Simple as that."

Lan glances at Meito. "For now, stay out of trouble. The real fight hasn't even begun."

With that, the screen fades to black, leaving only their silhouettes against the backdrop of the city, a world full of dangerous power waiting to be explored.