Geniuses (
Summary[]
Several days before the Rakuzaichi, Shiba and Chihiro discuss sorcery with Hakuri. Shiba explains to become a sorcerer, one must first train to circulate spirit energy throughout their body, before unleashing that spirit energy externally as sorcery. After learning to use sorcery, a sorcerer would increase their understanding over time. Shiba surmises that given Hakuri's lineage, it was likely his sorcery was also Isou, noting Hakuri was already capable of circulating spirit energy; once Hakuri learned to unleash it, he could grasp the feeling of using sorcery and realise the extent of his power.
In the present, Hakuri rolls slightly over, focusing intently on the extent of his sorcery within him. On the stairs, a confused Soya begins seeing more tools appear out of black bubbles, tools that he had used on Hakuri and lost. On the ground, Hakuri discovers that there is a second sorcery technique within him, before the image of a floating island in space appears before him, tools dotting the landscape. Simultaneously, Hakuri and Soya both realise Hakuri can use both Isou and the Storehouse.
In a state of astonishment, Soya recalls Kyora telling him he would inherit the Storehouse, and that Soya would no longer be able to use Isou as a result. As a fundamental rule, sorcerers could only use one technique innate to them, plus basic movement and barrier techniques. One of the incredibly few exceptions was the first head of the Sazanami Clan, a 'genius' with both shockwave manipulation and space-manipulation capable of creating the Storehouse at his command. As the sorcery used to create the Storehouse was considered 'heretical', it was passed down through the clan using a ceremony.
Soya reasons the clan head can't be Tenri in that case and Kyora agrees, considering Soya's intellectual capabilities more fitting for leadership compared to Tenri's combat skill, much of which would be lost if Tenri lost Isou. Kyora then reminds Soya that he should focus on his duty rather than Hakuri.
Hakuri unlocks his Storehouse
In the present, Hakuri struggles to his feet, recalling Shiba's statement that he would be a sorcerer once he learned to control his powers freely. The signature mask of the Storehouse lies resplendent over his left eye. Soya immediately slams Hakuri against the wall, shouting it was impossible for someone he perceived to be a failure to turn out as a genius. Soya's sudden movement proves detrimental as Soya coughs blood, Hakuri weakly stating Soya was also on the verge of defeat.
Soya slams Hakuri into the wall again as Hakuri reflects on his time with the icy-skinned woman, thinking even if all she had said was lies, it had helped him tremendously. He believes if he had shown her there was hope outside, she wouldn't have chosen death and he apologises in his mind; all the while Soya continually batters him against the wall, shouting that Hakuri would never have worth.
As Soya pauses momentarily, Hakuri falls but catches himself in a manner resembling Chihiro the first time Hakuri had seen him. As Soya shouts why Hakuri would never go down, Hakuri cites it was because Soya 'had always loved him'; in effect, Soya's abuse had led to Hakuri subconsciously manipulating spirit energy, leading to his manifestation of sorcery.
The reason Hakuri had not been able to use Isou was because much of his spirit energy had been unconsciously dedicated to the Storehouse; but having realised that drain, Hakuri was free to redirect the entirety of his spirit energy into Isou, successfully blasting into Soya point blank and defeating him.
Tenri dies
Downstairs, Tenri darts around Chihiro, the latter realising activating Mei: Shred would be his only option. Black lightning materialises around Chihiro and he and Tenri zoom around each other, a nearby defeated Enji unable to keep up with their speed. Tenri rears in for a blast but Chihiro speeds around it and lacerates both of Tenri's arms. As Chihiro rears in for the finishing blow, Tenri calls out for his father and Chihiro hesitates just long enough for Tenri's body to violently explode.
A horrified Chihiro can only gaze at the soon-to-be-dead body of Tenri on the floor, still calling out and apologising to his father. Hakuri then walks downstairs, resolutely stating they will get past the door and end the auction together.
Quick References[]
- Hakuri recalls a lesson he received from Shiba and realises he possesses both Isou and his own Storehouse; two sorcery techniques.
- Soya flashes back to his father's statement that transferring the Storehouse would override Isou, and only rare geniuses like the first Sazanami clan head had the ability to wield two innate sorcery techniques.
- Soya attacks Hakuri several times and Hakuri retaliates with a stronger Isou, having redirected the spirit energy previously unconsciously maintaining the Storehouse to his shockwave.
- Soya is defeated.
- Chihiro activates Mei: Shred to battle Tenri but Tenri explodes before Chihiro can kill him.
- Hakuri arrives downstairs.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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