As the sky darkened, students packed up and left the training hall. Lumiel remained, alone under the dim magic lights of the chamber, eyes fixed on the silent practice dummy. He tightened the grip on his sword.
Earlier that day, while everyone was still in the training hall, Lumiel approached Ms. Viera with an unusual request.
"Ms. Viera," he asked, "is it possible for me to stay the night here and train?"
She didn't even hesitate. "Go on," she said. "I'd be a bad teacher if I didn't let you use that potential."
Now, under the quiet hum of silence, Lumiel stood, practicing his Heaven and Earth Sword Style.
---
> [SYSTEM UPDATE: New System Functions Unlocked]
Skill Menu — Unlocked
You may now view categorized abilities and techniques.
Combat Skills registered:
▸ Heaven and Earth Sword Style
↳ Heavenly Slash: A technique of intent. Cuts only what the user desires.
↳ Earth Rend: A technique of destruction. Raw, overwhelming force.
Classifying related abilities... Categorization complete.
▸ Heavenly Abilities: Authority. Control. Restraint.
▸ Earthen Abilities: Strength. Destruction. Power.
---
Lumiel read the descriptions carefully.
> "So it's not just light versus dark… It's intent versus impulse."
He realized it for the first time. The Heavenly Abilities weren't just gentler. They were precise. Controlled. They didn't destroy everything—only what needed to be destroyed. Violence wasn't the foundation—they were acts of will.
So he took that will and shaped it. A technique. One that didn't kill, but restricted. Not a blade for war, but a sword of judgment.
> "Holy Dawn."
A divine technique from the heavens. Summons a giant holy sword to restrain all within its field. It destroys only what the user desires to destroy. A manifestation of divine will.
Lumiel stood in the center of the hall, blade raised. Light surged—not from his mana, but from his will.
> His will surged upward — radiant gold and grounded brown swirling behind him like dawn and dusk clashing.
"Holy Dawn."
The sword fell—not to destroy, but to stop destruction.
---
Suddenly, clapping echoed through the training hall. Lumiel turned and saw Ms. Viera, leaning calmly against the doorway.
"I am truly impressed by your power," she said, smiling. "That attack was completely different from before."
"The one you used last time was... ominous. Intimidating. Terrifying. But this?" She pointed toward the shimmering remnants of the technique in the air. "This showed authority, discipline, and hope."
Lumiel blinked. "How long have you been there?"
"The whole time you were focused on that ability," she replied. "It says in the school records that your Gift is the Heaven and Earth Sword Style, right?"
Lumiel nodded silently.
"So tell me—give me the full detail about it."
And so, Lumiel explained. For three whole minutes, he talked about the Heaven and Earth split. Heaven, for restraint. Earth, for destruction. He explained the meaning behind the sword, and why he was trying to create Holy Dawn.
When he finished, Ms. Viera folded her arms.
"So you're saying," she summarized, "your Gift consists of two affinities:
— Heaven, which shows authority, control, and restraint.
— Earth, which symbolizes destruction, power, and raw strength.
And that attack you just used falls under the Heaven category because it's not meant to destroy, right?"
Lumiel nodded again, eyes serious. "Yes."
Ms. Viera's tone shifted. The air thickened—like a sudden pressure blanketing the room.
"Then let me ask you this, Lumiel."
Her eyes locked onto his.
> "What's the purpose of destruction?"
"Why do you run away from its power?"
"Power doesn't always mean destruction. It's only destructive if misused."
The words hit him. They didn't just question him—they stirred something. A memory. A fear. A belief he'd long buried, shaped by a voice that told him to fear his strength.
Ms. Viera's words weren't just a lecture. They were a key. A new angle. A way to see the part of him he'd avoided.
"I'll be heading home now," she said as she turned. "You should rest soon, too."
"Ms. Viera," Lumiel called before she stepped out. She paused.
"Thank you."
She smiled.
> "What're you thanking me for? I did nothing. You're the one who learned."
She left.
And Lumiel, now filled with clarity, remained.
> "Earth isn't just destruction."
"It can protect too."
He looked down at his blade. The Heaven and Earth Sword. Two halves of himself. One forged by restraint, the other by force. And in balance, they made him whole.
Lumiel lifted his sword and began again.