Fifteen days passed.
Gabriel now stood in the testing chamber created by Morgan—a vacant area in Rinkai, filled with wild mana swirling slowly like a thin mist.
This place existed for a single purpose: to test something that should never be unleashed in the normal world.
In his right hand, Gabriel held a katana.
Its blade was pure white, reflecting light like an immaculate mirror.
The tsuba was pitch black, contrasting sharply with the handle wrapped in black-and-white cord.
Near the tsuba, a symbol of a mechanical eye was engraved—a mark that the Shikai was active.
Mugen Kyōen
(Illusory Mirror Performance)
An evolution of Kamigami no Gigan, born from the Hollow power Gabriel obtained after fusing with the Hōgyoku.
That power was not left unchecked; it was diluted, stabilized, and then reshaped into a Zanpakutō.
Yūmei no Enshō
(Demonstration of the Nether Truth)
This ability does not create illusions.
It conceals the truth, then replaces it with a version of reality that the target's brain and nervous system accept as absolute fact.
Reality is not falsified.
It is not destroyed.
It is merely shifted by a fraction of a degree—enough to make what is perceived the only truth the senses can process.
For example: if Gabriel stands behind an opponent, the target's nervous system, spatial perception, bodily balance, and all five senses register that position as objective reality.
To the victim, it is not deception—it is legitimate reality.
The most terrifying part: No one ever realizes when they have been trapped within Yūmei no Enshō.
Because the activation condition is simple: Gabriel must have seen the target's existential Aura.
And for a Gigan wielder… that has almost always already happened.
Secondly, Tengankyō
(Heavenly Optical System)
This ability acts as an overlock stabilizer for the Gigan's visual powers.
In the past, Gigan's absolute processing would burn his brain whenever it was pushed too far.
Now, through Tengankyō, that strain is redirected, filtered, and synchronized with the spiritual structure of the Zanpakutō.
Technically, Gabriel had already overcome that weakness even before acquiring the Zanpakutō.
But now?
Gigan is no longer a burden. It has become a divine observation device, running in perfect harmony with his existence.
The white blade rests silently in his hand.
Gabriel studies its reflection for a few moments.
The corner of his lips rises slightly.
Not a smile of satisfaction.
More like someone who realizes… he has just created something that ought not to exist within the laws of the world.
Before him, Melusine stands, her blue spear formed from her own dragon scales.
She yawns lightly, rubbing her eyes.
"Master," she says lazily, "are you ready? I'm going to attack. Don't worry—I won't hurt you too badly."
Gabriel lifted his gaze.
"I'm ready," he said calmly. "And don't let your guard down. Yūmei no Enshō hides the truth, then replaces it with a version the brain accepts as absolute fact."
The mana mist around them trembled slightly.
The testing chamber seemed to hold its breath.
The trial battle began.
Melusine's eyes suddenly turned serious, flipping through focus as fast as pages in a book.
In the next instant, the distance between them shrank.
Gabriel was now directly in front of Melusine, his left hand moving swiftly to deliver a light karate chop to the top of her head.
"Because of that, I can do this," he said evenly. "What do you think?"
Melusine didn't strike back immediately.
She froze for a fraction of a second.
Not out of surprise.
But because her dragon instincts were analyzing.
"…Hoh. I'm not very smart about things like this… but interesting."
Without hesitation, Melusine swung her spear, slashing at Gabriel.
SHRRAAK—!!
Gabriel's hand moved fast, blocking the attack with Mugen, producing a sharp clang that echoed across the empty test chamber.
Melusine paused for a moment, observing.
"Is this… real?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.
Gabriel gave a faint smile.
"Not exactly," he replied casually.
In an instant, his figure vanished again, like a thin mist blown by the wind.
A hand gently landed on top of Melusine's head, stroking it carefully.
Melusine remained still, letting the touch linger. She closed her eyes, as if sensing a strange but pleasant delight.
"Nn…" she murmured softly.
"I can also create genuine sensations within the fake," Gabriel explained. "Making the target's mind and nerves fully believe it."
Melusine opened her eyes, tilting her head slightly to look at Gabriel.
"So… this is fake?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.
"No," Gabriel answered briefly. "This time… it's real."
A moment later, Gabriel seemed to realize something. He withdrew his hand immediately and stared silently at his palm.
His mind spun rapidly.
"Did I just stroke Melusine? And during the test two days ago, I also touched Bargest."
Gabriel tilted his head slightly, analyzing. He suspected it had something to do with their Ki sensations, which reminded him of Delta.
After all, Gabriel often did things like this when praising Delta's work—whether during hunts or magic tests, where Delta was his opponent.
"By the way, how are the others doing?" Gabriel murmured. "It's been a while since I last saw Shadow Garden."
He fell into thought, tracing back memories from when he was in the world of Kage no Jitsuryokusha.
Meanwhile, Melusine tilted her head slightly, watching her master quietly.
"Is something wrong, Master?" she asked softly.
Her voice pulled Gabriel out of his reverie. He shifted his gaze to Melusine.
"It's nothing," Gabriel replied calmly. "Just remembering something. By the way, the 30th Zanpakutou test is complete. Only the field execution remains."
Unconsciously, Gabriel gently stroked Melusine's head again.
Realizing his hand had moved again out of habit, he let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.
"Seems like…" he murmured, "old instincts… are hard to shake."
After that, instead of leaving the test field in the empty zone, Gabriel and Melusine chose to simply spar.
They took a distance of ten paces.
In the next instant, Melusine moved swiftly. She leapt, thrusting her spear toward Gabriel.
Suddenly, time seemed to slow.
Every motion, through Gigan's perception, broke down frame by frame—the effect of its enhanced output.
Sensing the attack was dangerous enough, Gabriel leapt aside. Melusine's spear struck the ground hard, sending dust and mana mist swirling around them.
Amid the surrounding dust and mist, Melusine's perception of the world slowed. Sounds stretched, dust and mist seemed to hang frozen in the air.
She stared at Gabriel before darting out of the cloud. As soon as she emerged, Melusine swung her spear again, aiming to strike him.
In an instant, pale white mana enveloped Gabriel's body, accompanied by the activation of 30 Unit Compression Energy, boosting his physical strength, movement speed, and motor reflexes.
Their spar officially began.
***
Night had claimed the sky over Tengu City, like black ink spilled across a white canvas.
"Two months have passed since Ash appeared…"
In the kitchen of the Itsuka residence, Shido stood in front of the countertop, cracking an egg into a bowl while murmuring to himself.
As he reached for the next egg, his hand froze.
His thoughts drifted back to the events of a few days ago.
A lot had happened recently—including his encounter with the twin Spirits in Tengu City, who seemed to be searching for someone.
But that wasn't what troubled him the most.
Even taking them on a date to seal their Reiryoku wasn't the issue.
What was strange was… the moment they met, Shido barely even touched them—and their powers were immediately sealed.
No date, no kiss.
No usual process.
Shido didn't particularly mind, but the twin Spirits were clearly frustrated. They had only asked something… and suddenly a portion of their power vanished.
Now, as for "supposedly" being responsible, the twin Spirits were living in the Spirit dormitory, right next to his house.
Shido let out a soft sigh.
"I wonder… how am I supposed to apologize to them?" he murmured.
His gaze fell on the back of his hand.
There was a mark etched there—like a glowing red tattoo shaped like three pairs of angel wings. At its center was a square pattern, with a five-leaf clover as the core.
The symbol had appeared the moment the twin Spirits' powers were sealed.
According to Reine, since then invisible pathways had formed between them—bonds similar to those created when Spirits are sealed through a kiss.
"Shido!"
The voice pulled him back from his thoughts. He turned from the kitchen to the dining area.
There, Tohka Yatogami sat in a chair with a dramatic pose, her body slumped against the table as if her soul were about to leave her. Both hands clutched her stomach.
Emergency-level hunger.
Her long, dark purple hair was tied into a massive ponytail that nearly brushed the floor. Her clear purple eyes stared at Shido, filled with an expression of pure suffering.
Shido gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Tohka. Almost done."
Tohka immediately straightened up slightly, her cheeks puffed out in irritation.
"It's already night…" she murmured dramatically. "My stomach's been empty since the afternoon. This is torture…"
She gently rested her forehead on the table. "If I pass out, it's your fault, Shido…"
Just then, the door opened.
Kotori stepped in first, casually slipping off her shoes, her black ribbon perfectly in place. Yoshino followed behind, clutching Yoshinon tightly.
Kotori glanced toward the kitchen.
"Dinner's not ready yet?" she asked flatly. "Are you making it, or conducting a long, scientific research process?"
Yoshino bowed shyly. "Shido-san… if you're tired, I can help…"
Yoshinon immediately chimed in.
"Yes! Before Tohka turns into a restless spirit from starvation!"
Tohka suddenly shot up. "I'm not dead yet!!"
The house instantly became lively, warm, and noisy as usual—the simple night of the Itsuka family had begun.
__
Author's Note:
How? Do you like testing Gabriel's Zanpakutou? Ehehe~ I modeled it after Kyoka Suigetsu 😌
Ah, yes... One more thing; Don't forget to keep supporting me!