Teddy kept his gaze fixed on Vanessa, his eyes as sharp as a spear aiming for the truth. "Arkanist...?" he repeated, his tone filled with interest.
Vanessa nodded slowly, as if understanding that the question wasn't mere curiosity — it was the beginning of something big.
"Yes," she answered softly. "Those who can awaken the Arcana within their bodies... become the new pillars of humanity's defense." She took a deep breath, letting herself sink into a brief moment of memory.
"At first, there were only a handful... One or two individuals in each region. They were unstable, sometimes their powers endangered those around them. But once emergency training began... they turned into real hope."
Teddy leaned back, his arms slowly relaxing over the blanket. He listened intently, absorbing every word. "With the Arkanists, humanity started to fight back," Vanessa continued, her voice now brimming with an excitement she could barely hide.
"Some of them... are incredibly powerful. Some can stop an entire alien assault on their own. Others have built small fortresses, leading small groups of survivors, holding their ground against total destruction."
Teddy could see a flash of pride in Vanessa's eyes. He imagined humanity — once so fragile — now standing tall against the apocalypse.
But that flash quickly faded, replaced by a shadow of anxiety.
"But..." Vanessa clenched her fists on her knees. "Our enemies didn't stay idle. They... mutated." Teddy furrowed his brows. "Mutated?" "Yes," Vanessa nodded. "Those alien creatures... they adapted. What we could once destroy with bullets and rockets... now? They don't even flinch. Their skin has become as hard as steel, their regeneration is faster, their physical strength has multiplied several times over."
She exhaled heavily. "Ordinary weapons... are no longer enough." For a moment, only the faint clinking sounds outside the guard post could be heard. Teddy closed his eyes briefly, trying to picture this new world — where humans could no longer rely on their weapons.
Vanessa continued, her voice now carrying a note of wonder.
"Until finally, they discovered the Arcana Stones." "Arcana... Stones?" Teddy opened his eyes, his interest piqued. "Yes. Mysterious stones that appeared alongside the rise of the Arkanists. These stones... contain pure Arcana energy in massive amounts. Not only can they strengthen humans, but... they can also be harnessed for weapons."
Vanessa's face seemed to glow slightly as she spoke. "In just three months, the scientists managed to develop new technology. Arcana-based weaponry. Swords, bullets, even cannons — all infused with energy from the stones. And with that... humanity once again had a fighting chance."
Teddy let out a small smile. "Humans are such stubborn creatures," he murmured. Vanessa chuckled, her laughter short but genuine. "Stubborn... and full of hope."
She gazed at Teddy, her eyes soft yet filled with determination.
"Now... all we need is time. Time to strengthen our defenses. Time to train more Arkanists. Time... to reclaim this world."
Teddy returned her gaze, feeling the old fire within him slowly reigniting.
The world might be different now... but the spirit of the fight remained the same.
And he knew, sooner or later... he would find himself back on the front lines.