A New Beginning

The moment Mimi spoke, the entire chamber shifted.

The black sphere trembled, its surface losing the abyss-like depth that had once made it seem infinite. Cracks of radiant white light spread across it, brighter and brighter, until—

BOOM!

A pulse of pure energy exploded outward, forcing Roy to shield his eyes. The prison chains rattled violently before they shattered into dust, their power completely erased.

The darkness was gone.

And at the center of it all—

A figure emerged.

Mimi.

But not as she was before.

Her body—once a small floating wisp of light—was now something entirely different.

She looked alive.

No longer just an animated, digital-like projection, Mimi stood in the flesh. Soft skin, silken silver hair, and bright golden eyes filled with wonder. Her clothes, once a simple glowing dress, now had real texture, moving naturally with her every motion.

She took a small step forward.

Then another.

Then—

She ran.

Straight toward Roy.

"User!!"

Roy barely had time to react before Mimi threw herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug.

His eyes widened.

She was warm.

Soft.

Real.

Mimi buried her face against his chest, her voice muffled but filled with joy.

"I can touch now! I can feel things!" She pulled back slightly, her eyes shining as she gripped the fabric of his jacket. "It's… it's so nice!"

Roy let out a breath, stunned.

"Mimi…" He looked her over again, almost unable to believe it. "You… you have a real body now?"

Mimi nodded vigorously.

"I do! I really do!" She raised her hands in front of her, turning them over as if fascinated by the simple movement. Then she touched her cheeks, giggling when she felt her own skin. "Hehe, it's so soft!"

Roy blinked, still processing.

Mimi wasn't just data anymore. She wasn't just a glowing entity floating in the air.

She was alive.

Mimi pulled him into another hug, squeezing him tightly before rubbing her cheek against his chest like an excited kitten.

"I can hug now! I can feel warmth! Ahhh, this is amazing!"

Roy chuckled, finally relaxing as he patted her head. "Yeah. I guess I'll have to get used to you clinging to me now."

Mimi looked up, pouting. "You like it, don't lie."

Roy smirked. "Maybe."

She grinned, then suddenly froze, her golden eyes widening.

"Wait—does this mean I can eat real food now?!"

Roy blinked. Then he laughed. "I guess so?"

Mimi gasped dramatically.

"Pi Pi, I can eat now!" She spun around to face Ignis Fang, her excitement barely contained. "I can taste things! I can chew! I can swallow! I can—"

Ignis Fang chuckled. "Yes, yes. It seems you have truly become one with the Hive Mind's body."

Mimi bounced in place, practically vibrating with excitement. "I wanna eat something right now!"

Roy snorted. "We just fought a life-and-death battle, and the first thing you think about is food?"

Mimi nodded seriously. "Of course! This is a historic moment! The first meal of the great and mighty Mimi must be legendary!"

Roy ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright. We'll get you something to eat soon."

Mimi beamed, then took a deep breath, stretching her arms.

"Aaaahhh~ It feels so good to move!" She bent her knees, jumping lightly, then twirled in a spin. "Walking is so fun! Running is fun! Everything is fun!"

Roy smiled. He had never seen Mimi so… alive before.

She was always cheerful, but now?

Now, she was experiencing the world in a way she never could before.

He watched as she ran around, testing her movement. She laughed, kicking the air, waving her arms, even spinning in circles until she got dizzy and fell onto her back, giggling breathlessly.

Ignis Fang folded his arms, amused. "I must admit, I did not expect such childish excitement from you, little one."

Mimi sat up, pouting. "Hmph! You don't understand! You've always had a body! I had to wait forever for this!"

She stood up, hands on her hips. "I was nothing but floating light before! No arms! No legs! I couldn't even scratch my own head!"

Roy and Ignis Fang both chuckled at that.

"Fine, fine," Roy said, raising his hands in surrender. "Enjoy yourself."

Mimi smirked.

"Oh, I will!"

She took off running again, her silver hair flowing behind her. She jumped, rolled, kicked, and even tried a cartwheel (which ended in a clumsy fall). But she just laughed it off, enjoying the pure sensation of movement.

After several minutes of pure celebration, she finally collapsed beside Roy, breathing hard.

"Okay… I think I'm done for now," she said between breaths, grinning from ear to ear.

Roy shook his head, smirking. "You're like a kid who just got a new toy."

Mimi giggled. "Of course! This is the best gift ever!"

She turned to Roy, her expression softening.

"And it's thanks to you."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Mimi nodded. "You helped me. You believed in me. And you fought to make sure I had a chance."

Her golden eyes glowed with warmth.

"I won't forget that, Roy."

A quiet moment passed.

Then—

Mimi suddenly pounced, wrapping herself around his arm.

"Now let's go get some food!"

Roy groaned. "You're really stuck on that, huh?"

"Yes! Come on, let's go!"

She tugged his sleeve excitedly, grinning like a child who just won the biggest prize in the world.

Roy sighed, but his smile didn't fade.

"Alright. Let's eat."

After leaving the ring, the cool night breeze greeted them. The air was fresh, filled with the natural scents of the wild, carrying the distant echoes of rustling leaves and the occasional cry of unseen beasts.

Mimi stretched her arms, still marveling at her new body. "Ahhh, it feels so good to breathe real air!" She took a deep breath, her golden eyes shining. "It smells different out here!"

Roy chuckled as he sharpened his blade, glancing at her. "Of course, it does. You're actually alive now."

Mimi grinned. "I know! And I'm hungry!"

Roy rolled his eyes but smirked. "Alright, let's get you that legendary first meal."

Without another word, he vanished into the forest, his movements swift and precise. The surrounding foliage barely rustled as he moved like a shadow, his senses tuned to the sounds of the wild.

Within minutes—

A loud thud echoed through the forest.

Moments later, Roy emerged from the shadows, dragging a freshly hunted silver-furred beast behind him. Its size was impressive, but its most striking feature was the elemental core embedded in its chest, which still pulsed with residual energy.

Mimi's eyes widened. "Ooooh, that looks delicious!"

Roy smirked. "You don't even know what it tastes like yet."

"I just know," Mimi said, licking her lips.

Ignis Fang, who had been silent, finally spoke. "You hunt well, boy. Efficient and clean. But let's see if you can cook just as well."

Roy set up a small fire, expertly skinning and preparing the meat before roasting it over the flames. The fat sizzled, releasing a mouthwatering aroma that filled the night air.

Mimi sat nearby, watching with fascination.

"So this is how food is made?!"

Roy chuckled. "Pretty much. Well, real food, anyway."

After a while, he handed Mimi a piece, fresh off the fire. "Here. Try it."

Mimi hesitated for just a second before taking a bite—

And then her eyes widened in pure bliss.

"MMMMPHHH!!" She clutched her cheeks, wiggling excitedly. "It's SO GOOD!"

She devoured it with the enthusiasm of someone who had waited an entire lifetime for this moment. Every bite was savored, every chew was an experience.

Ignis Fang chuckled. "I haven't seen anyone enjoy food that much in ages."

Mimi ignored him, reaching for another piece. "More! More!"

Roy handed her another one, amused. "You're going to eat everything at this rate."

Mimi paused, then blinked. "Wait… do I need to go to the bathroom now?"

Roy choked on his food. "What—?"

Mimi tilted her head seriously. "I mean, my body is real now, right? So that means—"

"STOP." Roy raised a hand. "Let's not talk about this while eating."

Mimi pouted but continued eating happily.

After they had eaten their fill, Ignis Fang leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. His expression turned serious.

"You two have potential, but you've only scratched the surface of what cultivation truly is."

Roy glanced at him, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Ignis Fang's gaze turned toward the sky. "This planet is… crude. The cultivation system here is primitive at best."

Roy frowned. "But people here cultivate elemental cores, and the strongest reach the ninth evolution."

Ignis Fang let out a deep chuckle. "That's just it. No one here has ever surpassed the ninth level. They assume it's the limit. But outside this world?" He smirked. "Cultivation is far greater than that."

Ignis Fang's eyes gleamed. "This world believes those without elemental power cannot cultivate. That's not true. In the wider universe, even the powerless have paths to strength. There are martial techniques, body refinement methods, and even spiritual paths beyond your understanding."

Roy's hands clenched slightly. "So you're saying… everything we know about cultivation is just the beginning?"

Ignis Fang nodded. "And I will teach you. Both of you."

Mimi shot up immediately, her excitement returning. "You mean I can get even stronger too?!"

Ignis Fang chuckled. "Of course. Your path will be unique, but you have untapped potential."

Roy exchanged a glance with Mimi.

A new path had opened before them.

And they were ready to take it.