Chapter 25

Sanemi's annoyance was palpable as he swiftly leaped away from the gravitational field, his features contorted with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. "Broken, a cheat," he muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed upon Haruko with a glare of indignation.

Undeterred by Sanemi's ire, Haruko maintained his calm composure, a serene smile gracing his lips as he addressed the prince with an air of reassurance. "Do not worry," he reassured, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity as he sought to ease Sanemi's concerns. "You possess quite the powerful Unique Core."

Turning to face Sanemi with a gaze of unwavering sincerity, Haruko's expression softened as he acknowledged the prince's innate strength. "All Unique Cores are powerful, of course, like your father's," he remarked, his voice resonating with a note of respect for the royal lineage. "But yours is truly powerful amongst even them."

As Sanemi listened intently, Haruko's words held a weight of significance, each syllable imbued with a profound sense of reverence for the prince's formidable abilities. "Your Animancy is quite the ability," he continued, his voice carrying a sense of admiration for Sanemi's unique talents. "To manipulate the life force of things and to grant life force to non-living objects."

Sanemi's eyes gleamed with determination as he focused his concentration, channeling the essence of his **Animancy** ability into his outstretched palm. A radiant, almost translucent light began to emanate from his hand, casting a gentle glow against the barren landscape.

With a purposeful gesture, Sanemi pressed his palm against the rough bark of the solitary tree standing nearby, its weathered branches stretching towards the azure sky. In an instant, the once desolate tree seemed to wither and wilt under the touch of Sanemi's hand, its leaves turning brittle and brown as its life force was drained away.

As the tree succumbed to the effects of Sanemi's ability, the prince's muscles swelled with newfound vitality, a surge of strength coursing through his veins as his physical prowess multiplied exponentially.

Haruko's gaze flickered with a mix of surprise and concern as he observed the drastic transformation wrought by Sanemi's actions. "You killed the poor tree," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of reproach at the destruction wrought by Sanemi's abilities.

Undeterred by Haruko's admonishment, Sanemi rolled his eyes in exasperation before extending his hand once more towards the lifeless tree. With a gentle touch infused with the essence of his Animancy, a miraculous transformation unfolded before their eyes as the tree's wilted leaves began to stir and rustle with renewed vigor.

As if by magic, the tree's branches stretched towards the heavens once more, vibrant green leaves unfurling in a symphony of life as the rejuvenated tree stood tall and proud once more, a testament to the incredible power wielded by Sanemi's Animancy ability.

The desert sun beat down relentlessly, casting harsh shadows across the barren landscape as Haruko and Sanemi stood amidst the shifting sands. Haruko, his presence marked by a subtle aura of power, materialized beside Sanemi with a faint shimmer as he dispelled the gravitational field surrounding him.

"Should we go back?" Haruko's voice cut through the stillness, a note of uncertainty lacing his words as he glanced at Sanemi.

Sanemi turned to face Haruko, his expression thoughtful as he considered the question. "No," he replied with quiet determination, shaking his head slightly. "Let's begin your journey."

A sense of purpose infused Sanemi's words as he stepped forward, taking the lead with a resolute stride. Haruko followed suit, his gaze fixed on Sanemi's back as they traversed the sandy expanse.

"Anyway, I cannot fight for the throne, yet," Sanemi continued, his voice carrying a hint of frustration as he spoke. "The old man is still alive and kicking."

Haruko nodded in understanding, his features reflecting a mixture of contemplation and resolve. As Sanemi moved ahead, Haruko fell into step beside him, their footsteps leaving faint imprints in the shifting sands.

"You never told me what your journey is," Sanemi remarked, his tone tinged with curiosity as he glanced sideways at Haruko.

Haruko met Sanemi's gaze with a solemn expression, his eyes betraying a depth of emotion as he spoke. "I'm looking for my destiny."

The weight of Haruko's words hung in the air, a palpable silence settling between them as Sanemi absorbed the revelation. A flicker of surprise crossed Sanemi's features, his expression reflecting a mix of astonishment and intrigue.

"Your destiny?" Sanemi echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But you always struck me as someone who would care less about what destiny or anyone had in store for him."

The desert breeze whispered softly through the air, carrying with it a sense of anticipation as Haruko's words hung in the air. Sanemi regarded him with a skeptical expression, a hint of disbelief evident in his features as he listened to Haruko's revelation.

"The one who forged my destiny is a being I still cannot comprehend," Haruko reiterated, his voice tinged with a mixture of reverence and uncertainty.

Sanemi's skepticism deepened at Haruko's words, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I know you have a Supreme Core, but no need to make up a higher 'destiny' for yourself," he remarked skeptically, his tone laced with incredulity.

Haruko's chuckle cut through the tension, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips as he responded. "I guess I haven't told you where I trained my abilities."

Sanemi's skepticism gave way to genuine curiosity as he leaned in, his interest piqued by Haruko's cryptic statement. "Where did you train, then?" he inquired, his tone laced with intrigue.

Haruko's revelation hung heavy in the air, stirring a whirlwind of questions and confusion within Sanemi's mind. His eyes widened in disbelief as he struggled to process the implications of Haruko's words. "The Three Creators?" he echoed incredulously, his voice barely above a whisper, his mind racing to grasp the magnitude of what Haruko had just revealed.

Haruko nodded solemnly, his expression grave as he confirmed Sanemi's suspicions. "Yes, the rulers of the 3 Realms," he affirmed, his tone carrying a weight of reverence and apprehension.

Sanemi's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to comprehend the enormity of Haruko's statement. "What do you mean, Three Creators?" he demanded urgently, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency as he pressed Haruko for clarification.

Haruko took a step back, his features reflecting a mixture of solemnity and caution as he met Sanemi's gaze. "Yes, and don't call them Creators. They despise that," he cautioned, his words carrying a note of respect and caution.

Sanemi's mind reeled at the revelation, his thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of disbelief and awe. "Why do they hate that—No! Most importantly, you trained with them?!" he exclaimed, his voice betraying a mixture of confusion and incredulity. Despite his initial skepticism, Sanemi couldn't deny the sincerity in Haruko's words, especially considering the visible bruises and scars that adorned Haruko's body, testaments to the rigorous training he had undergone.

Haruko's smile held a hint of nostalgia as he reminisced about his time with his enigmatic teachers. "Actually, the day I met you was also the day I parted with them," he revealed, his voice tinged with a sense of solemnity and reverence.

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That's it for chapter 25

Sorry for the short chapter.