"It's okay, Jin. We all have secrets," she reassured him.

Jin managed a grateful smile, appreciating Makoto's understanding. 

"Thanks for being so understanding, Makoto. Your honesty and purity mean a lot."

Just as the atmosphere seemed to lighten, a scornful voice cut through. 

"Back off, flame brain. Remember, you're not here to act all high and mighty." 

The group turned to see a purple-haired figure with a scar on his forehead, wearing the unmistakable cloak of the Mana Vanguard 

"Kigai."

The words escaped Mamoru's lips, confusion etched on his face.

Kigai responded with an evil smile, 

"It's been a long time, isn't it, Mamoru?"

A shiver ran down Mamoru's spine as he felt an uneasy presence. 

Kigai walked past him, whispering in his ear, 

"I'm gonna kill you." 

Frustration overcame Mamoru, and without realizing it, Mana surged, prompting a sinister laugh from Kigai.

The elders interrupted, announcing this year's tournament and guiding the participants to their lodgings in the treehouses. 

They were granted permission to relax in the hot springs before the upcoming challenges.

An elder approached Mamoru, guiding him to a room filled with artifacts and weapons. 

Once again, Mamoru connected with Kurogane, seeking guidance in this unfamiliar territory.

Mamoru stood in the dimly lit room, his clenched fists revealing the storm of anger within him. Kurogane's spirit with a calm demeanor approached him.

"Mamoru, I sense a fire burning within you, but it's not the kind that will lead you to victory. Your anger may become your greatest adversary."

Mamoru, puzzled, looked at Kurogane. 

"What do you mean? Anger has fueled me in battles before."

"There is a depth to your anger, a darkness that threatens to consume you. 

It may provide strength in the short term, but in the long run, it will be your downfall."

Kurogane replied calmly.

Mamoru, furrowing his brows.

"What can I do then? I can't just let go of my anger; it's what has kept me alive."

Mamoru didn't understand why he was feeling this way. Why this anger? Why was he so consumed by it?

Kurogane, with a knowing gaze.

"There is another path, Mamoru. 

Follow me."

Leading Mamoru through secret passages, Kurogane brought him to an underground chamber with an ancient-looking circle inscribed on the floor.

"Sit here, Mamoru. Close your eyes and concentrate. 

Let go of the anger, but don't suppress it. Understand its source and find a way to channel it differently."

Kurogane told Mamoru that, little by little, he started to fade.

Mamoru, cautiously taking a seat

"This feels strange. How will this help me?"

Kurogane, as he was fading more and more, told him as he vanished completely 

"This circle has absorbed the energy of countless warriors who face similar struggles. 

By connecting with it, you'll gain clarity. Anger can be transformed into focused determination, a power that doesn't blind but sharpens your senses."

Mamoru closed his eyes, attempting to follow Kurogane's guidance. As he concentrated, he felt a subtle shift in the energy around him. The anger seemed to dissipate.

A voice softly started talking.

"Victory is not just about defeating your enemies, Mamoru. It's also about conquering the demons within. 

Only then can you truly become a master of your own destiny."

Mamoru opened his eyes with a sense of realization that he wasn't in Alasta anymore he found himself at the threshold of the Spirit World, a realm cloaked in an ethereal darkness 

As he stepped into this mystical plane, a thick fog enveloped him, shrouding the surroundings in an enigmatic haze. 

The air was heavy with an otherworldly energy, and a subtle hum echoed through the mist.

Through the dense fog, Mamoru discerned spectral figures drifting gracefully in the air. 

Translucent wisps of energy, these spirits moved with an eerie elegance, their forms reminiscent of ethereal dancers. 

Some emitted a soft, soothing glow, while others seemed to shimmer with a haunting luminescence.

As Mamoru ventured deeper, he encountered mythical creatures from the fabric of fantasy. 

Majestic dragons soared overhead, their scales gleaming with a mesmerizing blend of dark hues. Their roars echoed through the spectral expanse, adding to the surreal ambiance.

Amidst the fog, tiny, luminescent fairies flitted about like living stars. Their delicate wings created a mesmerizing display as they darted between the shadows, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake. The fairies' melodious laughter resonated through the air, creating an enchanting symphony that intertwined with the mystical hum of the spirit realm.

The ground beneath Mamoru's feet felt like a shifting tapestry of dreams, with luminescent flowers blooming and closing in rhythmic harmony. 

Strange, otherworldly trees with bioluminescent leaves cast an eerie glow, creating pockets of surreal illumination within the perpetual mist.

In this fantasy spirit world, time seemed to lose its grip, and the boundary between reality and dreams blurred. 

Mamoru, both awestruck and wary, continued his journey through this hauntingly beautiful realm, where the dark fog veiled the secrets of ancient spirits and mythical creatures alike.

Mamoru, guided by the ethereal voice, pressed on through the mist until he reached the base of a mystical mountain. The voice resonated once more, encouraging him with a subtle warmth, 

"You have courage, follow my voice."

Ascending the otherworldly slopes, he eventually arrived at a plateau where a solitary shack stood against the backdrop of swirling fog. 

The voice became clearer, guiding him towards the entrance.

As Mamoru entered the shack, he encountered a presence that transcended the boundaries of the living and the spectral. 

In the dimly lit space, the legendary demon Murasaki materialized, a figure draped in shades of violet and shadows that seemed to dance in response to the spirit's aura.

Murasaki's voice echoed with a mixture of wisdom and ancient power,

"You have ventured far, Mamoru. Your courage led you to me."

Mamoru, feeling confused, bowed respectfully.

"Who are you, spirit of the legendary demon Murasaki?"

Murasaki, a spectral glow emanating from its form.

"That's right, I am Murasaki.

Your journey has not been in vain. The courage within you has stirred the dormant energies of this realm."

The air around Mamoru seemed to shimmer with a surreal energy as he listened to Murasaki's words.

Murasaki continued, 

"In your heart, you carry the power of darkness. 

Embrace it, but don't let it consume you, for it's the thread that weaves the tapestry of your destiny. 

Seek balance, young one, for it is the key to unlocking your true potential."

As Murasaki spoke, wisps of energy and mystical symbols surrounded Mamoru, marking the beginning of a profound connection with the legendary spirit. The shack became a haven of ancient wisdom, a place where the boundaries between mortal and spirit blurred, opening a path for Mamoru to delve into the depths of his own soul.

Back to the mortal realm.

Kigai sat in his secluded treehouse, and a tranquil air surrounded him while he enjoyed his solitary meal. 

The atmosphere shifted abruptly when the leader of the Flaming Dojo barged in, his presence demanding attention.

The Flaming Dojo leader, a flame-wielding warrior with a reputation for impulsiveness, confronted Kigai about his interference with Mamoru's fate.

Kigai, calmly sipping his drink, met the leader's gaze with an unyielding coldness. 

"You truly are a flame brain. 

If you had killed Mamoru there, you would have angered the universe with your idiotic decisions."

The Flaming Dojo leader, accustomed to authority, retorted with disapproval.

"I don't care if you don't take orders from me. Even if you are the son of the Supreme Commander."

Kigai, his eyes narrowing, seized the moment. In a swift motion, he gripped the leader by the throat, his strength overpowering the arrogant flame-wielder.

"I can end you whenever I want. 

Just remember that."

Kigai uttered, his voice carrying a menacing undertone that echoed through the confines of the treehouse.

The leader of the Flaming Dojo, now in the firm grasp of Kigai, realized the gravity of the situation. 

The menace in Kigai's demeanor hinted at a power beyond the flames, a force that demanded respect and instilled fear.