Chapter 2: Awakening Power - Miya's Training
Kaito stood in the middle of a secluded training ground, the earth beneath his feet hard and cracked from the recent battle. His body still buzzed with the unfamiliar power that had surged through him when he made the contract with Miya. Though the monsters were defeated, the sensation of power coursing through his veins hadn't faded, and he could feel something within him waiting to be unlocked.
Miya stood across from him, her posture regal and calm, her crimson eyes fixed on him with a look of gentle but unwavering determination.
"You did well in the battle," Miya began, her voice soft yet filled with authority. "But this is just the beginning, Kaito. The power I've granted you is not something you can control with just raw instinct. You must train, or else it will overwhelm you when you need it most."
Kaito nodded, feeling a weight settle on his shoulders. He had never been a fighter—he had always relied on his wits, his instincts, and the little training he had received from his late parents. But now, he was being entrusted with a power that was far beyond his comprehension. The thought of failing, of not being able to protect Miya or anyone else, weighed heavily on him.
"How do I begin?" he asked, his voice steady but filled with uncertainty.
Miya smiled, the corners of her lips curving upward in a way that made her look even more ethereal. "First, we must unlock your true potential. The power I've shared with you is a part of me, a fragment of my strength. To use it, you must learn to focus, to synchronize your will with mine."
She raised her hand, and a shimmering energy materialized around her fingertips, swirling with gentle light. "This is the power of a Queen," she explained. "It is not simply raw strength—it is the ability to command, to shape the world around you. You must learn to bend this energy to your will."
Kaito watched in awe as Miya's energy took form, a beautiful and overwhelming sight. He could feel its presence, its weight, as if the very air around them was charged with her immense power. But when he reached out with his own hand, he felt... nothing. There was no connection, no energy flowing through him. He felt like an outsider, disconnected from the very thing that had been given to him.
Miya noticed his hesitation and walked toward him, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. "You are not yet in tune with the energy, Kaito. To connect with it, you must first understand your own heart."
She stepped back, her eyes narrowing with focus. "Close your eyes, Kaito. Clear your mind of doubt, of fear. Focus only on your heartbeat. Only on the bond between us."
Kaito did as she instructed, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. The world around him seemed to disappear as he concentrated. For the first time, he felt a deep sense of calm—like a storm inside him had settled, just for a moment. He could hear the rhythmic thrum of his heartbeat, feel the pulse of life within him, and as he did, he felt something else. A faint, distant hum. It was Miya's power, faint but undeniable, like a whisper in his soul.
"I can feel it," Kaito murmured, his voice almost lost in the quiet.
Miya's voice was steady and soft. "Good. Now, channel that feeling. Focus on that connection. Imagine the energy flowing through you, filling every part of you, like a current of light."
Kaito followed her instructions, focusing on the bond they had formed, the contract that tied them together. He imagined the energy flowing from her to him, weaving into his own body. It was as though the very fabric of reality shifted, and for a fleeting moment, Kaito felt a surge of power flow through his hands. It wasn't much, but it was enough to send a shiver down his spine. He opened his eyes, and for the first time, he could see the faint glow around his fingertips.
"I... I did it!" Kaito exclaimed, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.
Miya nodded, her expression serene but proud. "Yes, Kaito. You've taken the first step. But this is just the beginning. You are still far from my level, and the power within you is wild, unrefined. We must train you to focus it, to control it, and to use it strategically."
Kaito clenched his fists, feeling the energy coursing through him. "I won't let you down, Miya. I'll learn. I'll become strong, just like you."
Miya's eyes softened, though there was a hint of something deeper in her gaze. "Good. But remember, Kaito, true strength is not just about power. It is about control. It is about protecting those you care for, and never losing sight of the reasons why you fight."
She raised her hand again, and a new energy field enveloped them both. "Now, we will begin your training in earnest. Prepare yourself, Kaito. This will not be easy."
Kaito squared his shoulders, his resolve firming. He was no longer the uncertain boy he had been before meeting Miya. He had a purpose now, a responsibility. And as the first of his seven queens, Miya had shown him the path he needed to walk.
As the training began in earnest, Kaito could feel the weight of his future ahead of him. He had much to learn, and the road would be long and difficult. But as long as Miya was by his side, he knew he would rise to the challenge.
The first step had been taken. Now, he would fight to unlock the power that lay within him—and the power of his seven queens.