“Zenshiki Enjin”

Cold water crashed down on Kyota's shoulders like a mountain trying to break him. The waterfall didn't stop, and neither did he. It was early morning before the sun had even shown itself. Kyota stood still under the water, crossed his legs, and started meditating. His fists were clenched, his body shaking, but he refused to move. This wasn't magic. This wasn't a dream. This was pure will. He stayed there because he had to. Because he made a promise to himself—to get stronger, no matter the cost.

Behind him, the wizard stood with arms crossed. "Do not move until the sun has vanished behind the western ridge," he said. "Let the cold strip you bare. Only then will nature speak back."

Kyota didn't answer. He just nodded and kept his eyes closed. The water stabbed at his skin like needles, but he listened. He listened to the wind in the trees, the sound of birds in the distance, and the silence inside his soul.

Hours passed. The wizard stayed nearby, watching. A short distance away, Yuki trained alone. Her hands moved slowly, guiding her mana into calm blue shapes. She focused only on her breathing and balance. No big attacks. Just focus and control. She didn't look at Kyota—not even once. The comment from the wizard last night about them being close had stuck with her. She wanted to prove she didn't have feelings for kyota even though it's kind of unnatural for someone of age five. Though it wasn't the wizard's intention, it came off that way, and now she avoided Kyota completely.

But Kyota didn't care. He wasn't doing this for attention. He thought of Yuki's past. The pain. The blood. The burned carriage. The crying baby. It stayed with him. That image pushed him forward.

So he endured. From before sunrise to sunset, Kyota stood under that waterfall. The cold didn't go away, but it became part of him. He stopped fighting it. He accepted it. And something began to change.

His cursed marks turned darker, spreading like black ink across his arms, chest, and abs. His hair—once black—began to fade at the tips, turning pale gray. Heat spread from his chest, slow but steady. It wasn't normal heat. It was a deep energy waking up. The wind changed. Around the rocks near his feet, small flowers bloomed. Winter was coming, but they grew anyway.

Kyota's energy started to flow. Birds landed near him. The waterfall didn't feel as heavy anymore.

Kyota opened his eyes. They glowed deep blue. Blue flames lit up along his fists. They didn't burn. They were cold. Cursed. Alive. The cursed marks on his skin started glowing faintly. Behind him, a ring of energy spun slowly. Its position was like a five-pointed star. Symbols of the five elements glowed in its tips—fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning.

The wizard stepped forward. He wasn't shocked. He was proud.

"You've done it," he said. "You've unlocked something ancient."

Kyota looked at his hands. "What is this?"

The wizard gave a short smile. "Nature's All-Mana. Or if you want a real name… Zenshiki Enjin. The Circle of Total Elemental Harmony."

Kyota stepped out of the waterfall. As soon as his feet touched solid ground, his body changed back. The aura faded. The flames died. His skin looked normal again. His hair remained touched with gray at the tips, but he no longer looked like someone on fire.

"I want to keep going," he said.

"This path doesn't end," the wizard warned. "No rest. No going back."

Kyota nodded. "I'm ready."

Then he stopped. His eyes narrowed. "I hear something."

The wizard tensed. "Where?"

Kyota pointed. "Far. Maybe five hundred steps. One heartbeat." He closed his eyes. Everything slowed. He could feel every gust of wind, every sound in the trees. A bowstring pulled. The whisper of feathers. He raised his hand.

CLANG! An arrow flew toward the wizard—fast as lightning. Kyota caught it in the air. But the friction tore his hand a little. Kyota broke the arrow. Blood started to drip.

Kyota vanished.

It was then she looked at Kyota. Yuki felt sad for Kyota's hand but kept silent. She could see Kyota running, but he was faster than the surroundings. Yuki, too, had unlocked the Zenshiki Enjin.

Kyota jumped through branches to see a man. The figure pulled another arrow aimed at the wizard but hadn't noticed Kyota since he approached from behind. Kyota touched his shoulder and asked, "Hey, you."

The archer was shocked and fell, but the arrow flew. It missed by a breath. Kyota closed the gap. The archer jumped back onto a boulder and fired three more arrows. Kyota waved his hand, wind slicing through the air and knocking them aside. Lightning sparked in his fingers. He raised his hand and threw a bolt. The boulder exploded.

The enemy hit the ground, bleeding from his side. He hissed and pulled a curved dagger. Kyota didn't wait. They clashed. Blade against cursed hands. Metal met fire. Every hit was heavy and loud. The archer was fast—but Kyota was faster. Kyota landed a punch to the ribs—something cracked. Blood sprayed. The archer slashed his arm. Kyota didn't even flinch. He summoned a chunk of earth, blasting it at the attacker. It smashed into his chest, sending him into a tree.

"Who sent you?" Kyota asked.

The man spat blood. "The Black Root will devour you all."

Kyota raised a hand. "Bad answer." He spun his hand. Water and wind circled together into a drill-like spear. It shot forward, piercing the man's hand. The archer screamed and cursed.

Kyota walked back. The wizard looked at the man, then at him. "The Black Root," the wizard muttered. "I thought they were gone."

Kyota asked, "What is black root? What does it have to do with you ?"

Yuki finally walked over. Her eyes were on the man, crying in pain. Kyota didn't say a word. The power in him had settled.

At last, even his hair turned normal. The waterfall kept roaring behind them. But he had changed.

This was only the beginning.