3

Maylan was having difficulty catching his breath. His back was throbbing from the impact against the wall, but it was nothing compared to what he had just experienced. He had never felt such force. It was as if Kid had manipulated space itself to project him.

Faced with him, Kid remained motionless, his piercing gaze analyzing every reaction of the bounty hunter.

— The Ether…? repeated Maylan, his voice trembling with incomprehension.

— Yes. The fundamental energy of the universe.

Maylan shook her head. All of this was nonsense. He had always relied on his weapons, his intelligence, and his speed. What Kid had just done was beyond comprehension.

— You want me to believe that you used magical force to send me against that wall?

Kid smiled faintly.

— It's not magic. It's a power that only a few chosen ones can awaken.

Maylan felt his katana vibrate slightly at his belt. As if it were reacting to what Kid was saying.

He looked at Kid's weapon, resting on the table, and compared the two blades. They were identical.

— Why... do my katana and yours look so much alike? he asked suspiciously.

Kid slowly sits back down, crossing his arms.

— Because they come from the same place. Divine Knights.

A shiver ran through Maylan. Still this story.

— Listen, old man, I'm a bounty hunter, not a galactic fairy tale hero. All I want is to survive and make a fortune. These stories of vanished warriors, they don't concern me.

Kid raises an eyebrow, amused.

— And yet, it is your destiny that has brought you to me.

Maylan opened his mouth to retort, but stopped. He didn't believe in fate. He had never believed in anything other than himself.

But then why had this katana irresistibly attracted him? Why did he feel this strange connection with this blade?

He had to understand.

— Very well. Let's assume your story is true. He placed his hand on the hilt of his katana. Why do I have this blade?

Kid shakes his head.

— Because you were chosen.

A silence fell.

— Chosen by whom?

— By the Ether itself.

Maylan frowned.

— Are you serious?

Kid sighed.

— You are like me, Maylan. Your body, your mind... everything about you resonates with this energy. That's why this blade found you.

Maylan crossed her arms, skeptical.

— Let's assume I have a "connection" with this force. What does that change for me?

Kid got up slowly and approached.

— If you remain ignorant, nothing at all. But if you learn to master it... you will become more powerful than anything you can imagine.

These words hit Maylan like a ton of bricks.

Power. That's what he had always sought. Stronger, faster, unstoppable. If Kid was telling the truth... then maybe this power was what he needed to achieve his dream: to dominate the galaxy.

— I am ready. Teach me.

Kid smiles slightly.

— So get ready, because the training starts now.

The Trial of the Void

Kid guided Maylan to the back of the building, into an empty room with metal walls.

— Before teaching you anything, I need to see if your connection with the Ether is truly awakened.

He placed his katana in front of him and crossed his arms.

— Try to feel the energy around you.

Maylan raised an eyebrow.

— Is that all? No epic duel? No intense fight?

— If you don't feel the Ether, you're not ready to fight.

Maylan sighed, but obeyed. He closed his eyes, placing a hand on the hilt of his katana.

At first, nothing. Just silence.

Then, slowly... a strange warmth rose within him. A diffuse sensation, like an invisible breeze caressing his skin.

He opened his eyes, surprised.

— I felt something...

Kid shakes his head.

— It's the Ether.

Maylan tightened his grip on his katana, trying to summon that feeling again.

But nothing.

— Why did it disappear?

— Because your mind is too agitated. The Ether only responds to those who know how to listen to it.

Maylan grits her teeth.

He hated failing.

— Once again.

He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing... and tried again.

This time, the sensation returned, stronger. He felt it circulating around him, almost tangible.

Then a miracle happened.

His katana lifted slightly, without him touching it.

He was levitating.

Maylan abruptly opened his eyes and the katana immediately fell to the ground.

— What the…?!

Kid smiles.

— The Ether has answered you.

Maylan observed his trembling hand. He had managed to move the blade by the sheer force of his mind.

This power really existed. And he had just brushed against it.

— It was... incredible.

Kid placed a hand on his shoulder.

— It's just the beginning.

An imminent threat

As Maylan was about to continue, an alarm rang out in the building.

He turned his head towards Kid, who frowned.

— They found us.

— Who?

A hologram appeared on the wall, projecting a research poster.

Name: Maylan. Prize: 500 million Galax.

Maylan felt a knot forming in her stomach.

— Is this a joke?!

— The Hegemony of Astralis knows you have the katana.

They will hunt you down relentlessly.

The sound of boots echoed in the hallway. Soldiers were already there.

Kid grabbed his katana and assumed a fighting stance.

— You wanted to learn? He drew his blade in a flash of light. So show me what you're worth.

Maylan tightened her grip on her katana. Her heart was racing.

His fate had just been sealed.