Scene – Inside the Void

A sudden explosion shakes the void. Asely and Kolie flinch, visibly worried and shocked.

Asely: "Calm down, everything’s fine!"
Kolie: "You sure?!"
Asely: "Hmm… That blast means a powerful spirit has just entered Kirito’s body… or so I believe."

Suddenly, a white blur of light bursts from the void and vanishes instantly.

Kolie: "What was that?!"
Asely: "Look up, Kolie!"
Kolie: "K-Kirito?!"

Above them, Kirito is floating, but then, without warning, his body jerks and he begins falling. Asely quickly catches him in her arms.

Kolie: "Is he okay?!"
Asely: "Yes, just unconscious. The spirit needs time to settle into his body, and Kirito also needs time to accept it. Everything’s fine."

Kolie: "Alright then… let’s go home."
Asely: "Mm-hmm."

Scene – 3 Years Later: Odela Kingdom, Palace Garden

Kirito, now 6 years old, is training hard in the palace garden. Kolie stands beside him, guiding his moves.

Kolie: "Okay Kirito, your punches are much better now."

Kolie's thoughts: “Even after gaining a spirit, he hasn’t become overwhelmingly strong. Maybe only experience and real battles can awaken his true power…”

Kirito: "I’m doing my best, Papa."
Asely: "He’s stronger than before, but he still only has basic-level skills—nothing special or ultimate."
Kolie: "Alright, that’s enough for today."
Kirito: "Hmm."

They both walk over and sit next to Asely.

Kolie: "You’re still weak, Kirito… but you have five years left before you're eligible to enter the academy."
Kirito: "Hmm…"
Asely: "Only five years. Tell me, Kolie, he only learned basic skills in the last three years. Do you really think he’ll be able to do more in the next five?"
Kolie: "I don’t think so… but anything can happen. Who knows what the future holds?"
Asely: "Hmm, you’re right."

Kirito’s thoughts:
“Papa trains me hard every day… and Mama supports me too… but I still can’t do anything. Why?! Why can’t I?! I’ll train even harder—beyond hard! _”

Scene – Same Day, Palace Underground

Kirito, just six years old, is punching an iron pillar in the palace’s underground training room. His hands are bleeding, yet he continues.

Kirito: "Hah… hah… just a little longer! Just a few more punches!"

He keeps hitting, faster than before—then, a loud crack is heard.

Kirito: "AAAAAAGHHH!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! T_T T_T T_T!!"

His bones have shattered from both hands—his body collapses from the pain.

Kirito: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA… AMSSSIIIIIIILLLLLL……! T_T _ No… not yet… just a few more punches… just a few more!"

He stands up again and keeps punching.

Kirito: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA……!"
Kirito: "AAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH……! T_T"
Kirito: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…!!!! T__T"

His hands are destroyed. Bones, nerves, skin—all dead. Blood drips onto the floor.

Kirito: "AAAAAAAHHHHHH… HAAAAHHHHH…! HAAAAAAAAAHHHH…! T_T"

Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoes in his ears.

Voice: "I can help you. I can give you power."
Kirito: "?! Wh-Who… are you?! Aaaagh…!"
Voice: "I’m the spirit that entered your body three years ago… the one that saved you."
Kirito: "Three… three years ago?! I don’t remember! Aaaauuuugh…!"
Voice: "You were too young then. Of course, you wouldn’t remember."
Kirito: "What do you want?! Aaaagh…!"
Voice: "You’re small, but clever. I like that. (:"
Kirito: "How can you help me?! Aaaaiiiggggh… how?!"
Voice: "I haven’t fully merged with your body yet. Once I do, you’ll be able to use my full power."
Kirito: "And… aaaaagh… and what do I have to do for that?"
Voice: "Just give me permission. That’s all."
Kirito: "That’s it?! Huff…"
Voice: "The pain’s getting worse. Hurry!"
Kirito: "Alright!! Fine!! You have my permission!!"

Scene – Everything Goes Silent

Kirito: "The pain… the pain is gone!"

Suddenly, Kirito collapses and loses consciousness.

Kirito: "Huh…? Where am I now?! Who… who are you?!"

He finds himself in a strange space filled with swirling black, white, and purple light. Everything around him glows in those three colors.

Voice: "I’m the same voice from earlier. This is the Mind World I created."

Kirito: "?"
Voice: "My name is Yama."
Kirito: "Yama…"
Yama: "From today, you’ll be able to use my full spirit power and willpower as long as I’m inside you."
Kirito: "!"
Yama: "This isn’t our last conversation… but after this, we won’t be able to talk again for a long time."
Kirito: "So… is there something you want to say?"
Yama: "Nothing much. Just this—use your power for good. Use it to protect others."
Kirito: "...That’s all?-_-"
Yama: "Yes."
Kirito: "Hmm. Got it."

[End of Chapter 2]