It's the day after her break.
The floors of the Shadow Order HQ echo faintly beneath her steps. The air feels cooler here — metallic, purposeful. People move with direction, their voices blending into a steady hum.
Instead of training, Asim decided to take her to people — in his words, "will help her."
As her eyes drift across the hall, she sees uniforms, files, glowing devices. Everything feels important. Busy. A life she's still trying to fit into.
"Hina,"
Asim turns his head toward her.
"Did you tell anybody about what happened?"
Hina sighs.
"No, I haven't."
Asim nods.
"Why though?"
Hina asks quietly.
The question feels heavier than her tone.
Asim sighs.
"I'll explain later…"
Hina sighs back, annoyed at his laziness.
"I don't think it takes you more than ten words to explain it."
Asim stops, glances around, then looks at her.
"The power you have… it's a power of a prodigy."
Hina's eyes widen slightly. She feels a faint chill run down her arms.
"You obtained powers that are hard to control," Asim says, hesitating.
"You're not ready to take the Eclipsera."
"The… Eclipsera?"
"It is a substance. Once injected, you are… well, powerful. But most aren't able to control it."
"..."
"Like Valen?" Hina asks.
Asim raises an eyebrow.
"How do yo—"
"Aiko told me about it. Before."
"Hm."
He turns away.
"I guess my job's done. Stop asking questions already."
"Tsk."
Hina mutters under her breath.
They reach a door labeled THE LABORATORY.
Asim sighs before entering.
"Look, the girl is quite a handful. Ignore her if she's overwhelming. Alright?"
Hina nods and steps inside.
The doors close behind them with a soft hiss. The air inside is dry, colder. The lights flicker faintly on metallic surfaces. It smells like disinfectant and machine oil.
The place is massive — doors lining the walls, each labeled with strange terms.
"Celina, Jia—"
A door opens. Celina steps out. Her messy hair barely touches her jaw. Her oversized lab coat sleeves hang past her hands, swaying as she moves.
"It's Doctor Celina, you nuisance."
She walks up to Hina, eyes scanning her like a device.
"Is that the girl?"
"Yes, this is the girl."
Celina steps closer, examining her face, posture, even her breathing.
"Hmm."
Hina stands stiff, unsure whether to flinch back or stay still.
"Didn't get tired from goggling her, you freak?" Asim snaps.
Celina groans.
"You came here for my service, didn't you? Watch your tone, dead meat."
Asim sighs.
"Where's Jian?"
Celina's expression shifts.
"God knows. Probably locked up. He's still locked around Veynar's case. Everyone is."
Asim sighs again.
Celina moves away from Hina.
"Alright, the augments."
"Augments…?" Hina asks.
"Because you don't have shadow powers yet, these augments will be useful for you," Asim says.
She places two devices on the table.
"Pick one. You're lucky I'm giving these for free," Celina says, annoyance sharp in her voice.
Asim leans back, letting Hina decide.
Hina looks at the augments. They feel strange — cold, metallic, humming faintly. The lights above reflect off their surfaces, making them look alive.
Celina sighs.
"Look."
She points at the first.
"This is made for using basic shadow powers. Summoning."
Asim adds,
"Like how I summon my sword. Instead of taking your katana, you can freely summon it."
Celina points at the other.
"This allows you to use more ranged powers."
"You suck at explaining," Asim mutters.
"I'm not in the mood," Celina snaps.
Asim continues,
"Mera has the power to shoot beams. Some do it with their hands, some with augmented items. It depends on the person."
Hina thinks quietly. Her fingers hover over the devices.
The air feels still, heavy.
"I'll take the first one," she says.
Celina slides it to her.
Hina picks it up. It's cold. Light. Her hand tingles where it touches the surface.
"Hold it close to your forehead," Celina says.
Hina lifts it.
For a moment, she hesitates — then presses it against her forehead.
A soft shock spreads through her skull.
The device begins dissolving — a strange, crawling sensation slips under her skin, then warmth spreads behind her eyes. She sucks in a breath, steadying herself.
When it's gone, she looks at them.
"Did anything happen…?"
"Try summoning your katana," Asim says.
Hina nods.
She closes her eyes and thinks.
A pressure forms in her palm.
A weight.
Then a shape.
The katana slowly materializes. The forming blade hums with unfamiliar energy. Her eyes widen.
"Woaaahh…"
She swings it carefully, feeling the air shift around it.
Asim chuckles.
"Thanks," he says to Celina.
"No worries. Just… visit often. Jian's been going through a lot," Celina says softly.
Asim nods.
"Thank you, uhmm, doctor—"
"Celina," she corrects.
"Thank you, Doctor Celina."
"No need," she waves.
"Thank big meatball here — he begged for a free augment."
"Begging my ass. You agreed instantly."
Celina shrugs playfully.
They leave the lab.
The hallway feels warmer after the cold lab air.
"Asim," Hina says faintly.
"What?"
"Thanks for going out of your trouble to get me these augments. She didn't like the idea of giving them for free."
Asim chuckles.
"They aren't easy to make. And aren't cheap to make."
He sighs.
"It makes my job easier to train you."
Hina sighs at his laziness but says nothing.
As they walk, Asim almost bumps into someone — but moves aside quickly.
"Watch it… oh," the person chuckles cockily.
"Isn't it Asim…"
Asim doesn't look.
"Leon."
Leon smirks.
"Leon Fernandes. Happily seeing you around. Weak as ever."
Asim stays calm. Too calm.
Hina feels tension coil in the air.
Leon continues,
"All silent, Asim? Good. Respect the higher ranks. After all, I'm stronger than you."
Hina sees Asim's jaw tighten. His eyes darken at the edges. A silent fury.
"C'mon Asim, say one word, or are you scared I'll destroy you like last time, you wea—"
"Watch what you're saying," Hina steps in.
Asim's eyes widen a little.
"You don't look much on yourself to be talking," Hina says, staring up at Leon.
"Who's this mut talk—"
"Watch who you call a mut."
Asim steps between them instantly.
His height overshadows Leon.
Hina feels her heart thump harder, fear creeping up her spine.
Leon smirks.
"Watch it. I don't think Teacher Tenshi would like hearing how aggressive you are with me…"
Asim's expression twitches — anger barely contained.
"How weak of you, Asim," Leon continues.
"You hold such respect for a teacher that isn't even at Gabriel's level. Such a weak teacher with a weak student."
A vein on Asim's forehead pulses.
Asim smirks back.
"Say, you're entering the tournament next week, correct?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Meet you there."
Asim turns and walks away.
"You won't even reach the qualifiers," Leon calls behind him.
As they leave, Hina sees a dangerous smile on Asim's face — sharp, cold, almost inhuman.
She lowers her head.
"Sorry."
"For?"
"I probably made things worse stepping in."
Asim chuckles.
"Never thought you'd step up for me. Looks like your ego's getting higher 'cause you got augments, huh?"
Hina sighs.
"He was too cocky for my liking. And you taking it without doing anything pissed me off. I had to step in."
She pauses.
"You're not the type to take insults. Why did you let him degrade you?"
Asim sighs.
"I never liked Leon. He never liked me. The only reason he acts cockier is because Aiko respects his mentor, Gabriel. So I can't do anything to Leon or Aiko would get mad."
Hina nods slowly.
"So you'll just let him?"
Asim smirks.
"I have a plan. I want to put that egotistical ball in his place."
He chuckles.
Hina watches him walk, that cold smile still on his face.
For the first time, she feels afraid — not for him, but of him.