The next day
The morning sun bathed the forest in a warm, golden glow as the sound of rushing water filled the air. A wide waterfall cascaded down moss-covered rocks, creating a mist that sparkled in the sunlight. Near the water's edge, Kibo stood guard, his back turned to the waterfall. He could hear splashing and laughter as Lily and Syl swam in the clear water, their carefree voices contrasting with the tension from the previous day.
Kibo remained fully clothed, arms crossed, his katana resting at his side. He didn't dare glance back—mostly because of Syl's glare whenever he so much as twitched. He sighed and focused on the treeline instead.
You're stiff as a board, brat. Afraid of seeing something you're not supposed to? Ignis mocked, his voice low and rough.
"It's not like that. You wouldn't understand," Kibo muttered, keeping his voice low.
Wouldn't understand? Don't make me laugh. You're acting like some helpless little boy. It's just skin. You've seen it before. What's the problem now?
Kibo's eye twitched. "It's different, okay? Just... awkward," he mumbled.
Awkward? You're uncomfortable over something so trivial? Pathetic. You can fight monsters twice your size without blinking, but a little bare skin makes you lose your nerve? You really are a joke.
"It's not the same," Kibo shot back. "And besides, it's a completely different thing."
Oh, right. Back when you were still shitting your pants. Real impressive. Ignis sneered. And now look at you—still acting like a scared little brat. Thought you'd have grown out of that by now.
Kibo sighed, too tired to argue. "Whatever. It's just... I'm not used to it, alright?"
Not used to it? Seriously? You act like you've never been around girls before. You're hopeless. Even when they're practically throwing themselves at you, you're too much of a coward to do anything.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Kibo muttered.
Figure it out, idiot. Not my job to teach you how to deal with women. Ignis snorted. But enough of your miserable life. There's something more important than your awkward teenage crisis.
Kibo frowned. "What do you mean?"
The girl. She's got something interesting going on in her.
"Wait... Syl?"
Who else, genius? You're slower than I thought. Check her mana.
"Her mana?" Kibo glanced over his shoulder but quickly looked away. "What's wrong with it?"
You really are dense, aren't you? Just do it. Try not to make it obvious, though. Not that you're capable of being subtle.
With a sigh, Kibo took a peek, still looking carefully, feeling at Syl's mana. It was faint, barely a flicker, but it glowed with a soft, bright light green—like young leaves in spring.
"KIBBBBBO... you perv!" Syl shouted as she dipped herself into the water, her face flushed with embarrassment. Lily looked confused while Kibo immediately snapped his head back.
Didn't think you'd be stupid enough to actually check it right now, Ignis sneered, laughing in Kibo's mind.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to!" Kibo shouted after Syl and Lily, his voice carrying a hint of panic.
Syl, now glaring daggers at him, whipped a stone straight at his head. Kibo ducked just in time, the rock skimming past his ear.
"If you turn around again, I'll poke your eyes out!" Syl threatened, her face beet red.
Lily, floating on her back without a care, gave Syl a perplexed look. "Why? It's just Kibo. We've seen each other naked plenty of times."
"Whhhhaaat?!" Syl froze, eyes widening in horror.
"When we were little! It's not like it's anything new," Lily said, shrugging, completely unbothered.
"As Lily said... that was a long time ago, and we were like children then, but... it's different now," Kibo coughed awkwardly, feeling even more embarrassed.
"You idiot! That's not the point... you must have taken advantage of her!" Syl shouted, her face burning even brighter as she splashed water at Lily in frustration.
Lily just giggled, seemingly oblivious to Syl's embarrassment. Kibo sighed, scratching the back of his head as he turned his attention back to the trees.
Now that was really manly of you, brat. I didn't know you had it in you, Ignis sneered in Kibo's mind. Did you like what you saw?
"What do you mean?" Kibo frowned, glancing to the side as if it would somehow make Ignis's presence feel less intrusive.
What else, brat... what color of mana did you see? Ignis grumbled, sounding frustrated.
Kibo let out a sigh. "I just saw a bright light green mana around her... barely noticeable."
Ignis let out a low, thoughtful hum. Bright light green... so it really is the same. Hah. Didn't think I'd see that again.
Kibo's curiosity piqued, and he glanced sideways. "Same as what?"
Nothing that concerns you, brat, Ignis growled. You wouldn't get it. I'm not about to reminisce about the past just because you're curious.
Kibo hesitated.
"But... it's from a partner of mine," Ignis added after a pause, his tone unusually calm—almost too calm, as if forcing himself to remain indifferent.
"You had a partner? What kind?" Kibo asked, genuinely surprised.
There was a long, uncomfortable silence before Ignis grunted. A mate.
"You? I didn't think..."
Don't act like you know me, runt. Ignis cut him off sharply. You don't know a damn thing about my past—or what I've lost. And I sure as hell don't plan on sharing it with you. Focus on the girl instead.
Kibo hesitated, unsure whether to press further. "What's with Syl's mana, then?"
That girl is a rare phenomenon, Ignis began, his tone shifting to one of grudging respect. A member of a select group who can harmonize with nature, bending its forces to their whim. Individuals like her are scarce, possessing an uncanny connection to the world around them. The presence of mana serves as testament to this symbiosis.
He paused, his voice dipping lower. That girl shouldn't be alive now, but fate intervened, and her dormant abilities emerged—instinctively compelling her to command the creature's power to ensure her survival. What transpired was an anomaly: a freak awakening that defied the odds. Her mana is said to hold immense power, capable of subjugating beasts or manipulating the very fabric of nature. Yet, hers is a flickering ember, teetering on the brink of extinction. It seems she's oblivious to her true potential, untrained in the art of wielding her mana. Her sole redeeming quality lies in her combat prowess, but even that may prove insufficient to safeguard her against the challenges looming ahead.
Kibo furrowed his brow. "How can she awaken her ability?"
How the hell would I know? Ignis snapped, irritated. She's probably not even aware of it. Just keep an eye on her, idiot. Could save your life one day—or end it.
Ignis chuckled darkly. In fact, that would be a fitting outcome. But first, you need to inform her about her abilities. That would be... advantageous for me.
Kibo frowned, letting the information sink in. He opened his mouth to ask more, but his stomach let out a loud, growling protest.
Before he could react, something flew at him—a freshly caught fish smacked him right in the face. He staggered back, wiping fish slime off his cheek as he heard laughter echo from the waterfall. Turning around, he saw Lily giggling uncontrollably while Syl tried—and failed—to hide her smirk.
"Who did that?" Kibo asked, holding up the fish, his expression deadpan.
Syl and Lily's heads barely peeked out from the water, and Lily giggled, pointing at Syl. "She did."
"Lily, that's a lie!" Syl shot back, her face crimson.
"You're gonna pay for that, Syl," Kibo said, sighing as he shook his head.
Syl's eyes widened, and before Kibo could take a step, she grabbed another stone and launched it at him. He dodged easily, but the glare she shot him was fierce.
"If you come any closer, I swear I'll drown you!" Syl shouted, cheeks burning with both embarrassment and defiance.
"All right, all right. I get it," Kibo said, raising his hands as he turned back around. He heard another splash behind him as Lily's laughter filled the air, followed by Syl's half-hearted grumbling.
Listening to their playful banter as he wiped his face clean, Ignis gave a low, sarcastic laugh. You really are hopeless, brat.
Kibo just sighed, brushing off the lingering awkwardness while his stomach growled once more.