Outside the guild, sunlight flooded the busy streets.
Merchants called out from their stalls.
Adventurers passed by carrying swords, axes, and bows.
Renji stretched his arms.
"Well… that was intense."
Mizuki floated beside him.
"What now?" he asked.
"I know a suitable training location."
Renji grinned.
"Perfect."
They walked beyond the city gates.
Gradually the noise of the city faded.
Stone roads turned into dirt paths.
Then eventually—
Endless grasslands opened before them.
The field stretched across the horizon, covered in soft green grass that swayed gently with the wind. The sky above was wide and clear, with only a few distant clouds drifting lazily.
Mizuki stopped walking.
"This place will work."
Renji looked around.
"…Yeah."
"Definitely peaceful."
He sat down on the grass.
"Alright."
Mizuki spoke calmly.
"Focus on the mana inside your body."
Renji closed his eyes.
Silence surrounded him.
The wind brushed softly through the grass.
Minutes passed.
Then slowly—
Warmth returned.
A faint current flowed through his chest.
Then spread into his arms.
The air around him shimmered slightly.
A soft blue aura began to form around his body.
Mizuki's voice echoed inside his mind.
"Good."
"Now gather the mana into your hand."
Renji slowly raised his right hand.
Then focused on his right hand, trying to gather mana in his fist.
The blue aura condensed.
Forming a small glowing flame like shape covering his fist.
Renji gasped.
"…Whoa."
It felt powerful.
Like holding a living spark.
He stood up slowly.
"…Let's test this."
Mizuki sensed his intention immediately.
"Renji—"
Too late.
He clenched his fist.
Then slammed it into the ground.
BOOM.
The earth exploded outward.
Dirt and stones blasted into the air.
A small crater formed beneath his fist.
Renji coughed from the dust.
"Okay… that was stronger than I expected."
Before he could step forward—
Mizuki teleported him several meters away.
He blinked in confusion.
"…Why did you move me?"
Mizuki stared at the crater.
Her expression carried clear concern.
"That strike…"
"It normally takes months of training to perform safely."
Renji shrugged slightly.
"My father trained me in martial arts, remember?"
Mizuki looked back at him.
"…I see."
For a moment, she remained silent.
Then nodded faintly.
"That explains your control."
The afternoon sun slowly drifted across the sky as Renji continued training.
Again.
And again.
Each attempt produced stronger sparks of mana.
The blue aura surrounding him pulsed softly.
Like a heartbeat.
And deep inside his body—
The power of a future hero had begun to awaken.