The week at the university went by as usual, but the fight in the city was still the main topic of conversation. Every day, more videos and theories leaked online. Even though my identity remained hidden, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything revolved around me.
Friday finally came, and after a quiet day of classes, I decided to take a walk in the park near campus. I wandered aimlessly until I saw Kaori sitting alone on a bench beneath the trees, a book open on her lap.
I approached her and greeted her with a smile.
"Hey, Kaori. How have you been?"
She looked up and gave me a calm expression before answering,
"I'm good. Just reviewing for my exams," she said in her usual serene tone.
I nodded, feeling curious. There was always something about her that drew my attention. Without thinking much about it, I used my technique to sense people's energy.
I closed my eyes for a moment and focused on her presence. But what I discovered shocked me.
Her energy wasn't like that of a normal person. It didn't reach my level, but compared to the average human, it was incredibly strong. My mind went blank for a second. How was that possible? Who was Kaori, really?
I tried not to show my surprise and quickly composed myself. After exchanging a few more words, I said goodbye and turned to leave.
But just as I was about to walk away, I heard her speak in calm but firm Japanese:
"もう気づいたでしょう?"
(Mou kizuita deshou?)
I froze. My Japanese wasn't perfect, but I understood enough to catch the meaning. I didn't reply and simply continued walking, my heart pounding.
I used teleportation to return to my room. The moment I closed the door, I dropped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Her words echoed in my mind as I pieced together what she said.
"You've figured it out, haven't you?"
My eyes widened.
She knew I had sensed her energy.
Who was Kaori, really? What else was she hiding?
Her words kept repeating in my head.
"You've figured it out, haven't you?"
That simple sentence had left me in shock. If she had powers like mine… what did that mean? Was she an ally or someone hiding something more?
I tried not to dwell on it too much and spent the weekend meditating. I needed to control my powers, sharpen my abilities, and most importantly—stay calm. I couldn't let emotions or paranoia cloud my mind.
Saturday and Sunday were spent in deep concentration and energy training. I learned to hide and mask my presence so no one—not even Kaori—could detect me. If she could sense me, the best thing to do was ensure she didn't know I was watching.
Monday came quickly. All day, I tried to act normal at the university, but my mind was focused on one thing: finding Kaori and uncovering the truth.
When the final bell rang, I didn't hesitate. I got up from my seat and rushed out of the classroom.
"Hey!" one of my friends called out as I ran past. "Wanna come hang out with us?"
I paused for just a second. I would've liked to join them, but I had something more important to do.
"I'd love to, but I have something urgent to take care of. Catch you later," I said before hurrying off.
With my energy hidden and my determination clear, I went to look for Kaori. I needed answers.
She was sitting beneath a tree, far from the campus noise. She looked peaceful, eyes closed, as if meditating or simply enjoying the silence.
I concealed my presence entirely and approached her silently. I knelt beside her, careful not to make a sound.
"Who are you waiting for?" I asked firmly.
Kaori's eyes shot open, surprised. Her face turned slightly red as she slowly turned to look at me.
"I-I wasn't waiting for anyone…" she said nervously.
I stood up and faced her directly. My expression remained serious. Without another word, I began to release my energy little by little, letting it flow around me. I knew we couldn't avoid the topic anymore.
Her eyes widened even more, clearly shocked.
"If you have a technique like mine…" I said, "then tell me the truth."
She stood up slowly, took a firm stance, and exhaled deeply.
"Yes," she admitted. "I have abilities like yours."
A strong wind suddenly swept through the area, as if nature itself reacted to her words.
"You're not the only one with these techniques," Kaori continued. "I saw your entire fight with that being. I knew that sooner or later, you and I would have to talk."
Questions swirled through my mind. How much did she really know? Why had she kept her powers hidden? And more importantly… were there others like me? Why hadn't that being told me anything?
I held my ground and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I know I have this energy because I was chosen to carry this power. It couldn't belong to anyone else—it's mine alone."
Kaori shook her head and sighed.
"That power wasn't given to you by chance or coincidence," she said seriously. "It's meant only for those who can maintain balance between the divine and the wicked. Not everyone can do that… It's not just about power, but having a strong mind and a firm spirit."
Her words left me silent for a moment. I didn't fully understand, but I didn't want to show doubt either.
"Then…" I finally said, "what does all of this mean?"
Kaori looked at me intently before answering.
"There are people who can explain this better than I can. If you really want to understand the origin of your power and why you have it, come with me."
I wasn't sure I could trust those people, but something inside told me it was the only way to get answers.
"Alright," I agreed. "Take me to them."
When Kaori told me to take her hand, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. In the blink of an eye, the energy around us began to vibrate intensely, and suddenly, we were in a temple in Japan—specifically in Osaka. The place's grandeur took my breath away. Massive wooden gates, adorned with intricate carvings, stood tall before us, and the fresh air was filled with the scent of incense and flowers.
As I looked around, a feeling of awe washed over me. The temple was sacred, full of history and spirituality. Every step echoed on the stone floor, and the tranquility of the place surrounded me. Despite my nerves, I couldn't help but feel I had stepped into another world, one where time stood still.
Crossing the threshold, my senses sharpened. I immediately noticed an old man sitting in a corner, surrounded by an aura of wisdom and power. Beside him were three girls, each radiating a unique energy, and a boy who watched with interest. As I stepped inside, the intensity of their power was overwhelming. I felt small—but also thrilled.
My hands trembled slightly—not just because of the energy pulsing around me, but because I realized I was in a sacred place, surrounded by people who clearly had knowledge and abilities I was only beginning to grasp.
The old man slowly opened his eyes and looked at me, as if he could see right through me. The three girls and the boy beside him stood firm, like they were used to welcoming visitors of great importance.
Kaori spoke in Japanese, introducing me. I didn't catch everything, but I heard my name and that I was "the one with the special energy."
I didn't want to seem rude, so with the little Japanese I knew, I replied:
"Nice to meet you."
I bowed slightly in respect, imitating Kaori's gesture.
The old man nodded approvingly. With a calm but firm voice, he said something that left me even more confused.
"So, you've finally arrived… We've been waiting for you."
When he spoke to me, I was momentarily stunned. His English was perfect —which completely caught me off guard. In a calm voice, he invited me to sit and said we had time to talk. But the way the girls and the boy looked at me made me uncomfortable. It felt like they were examining every inch of me—and deep down, I sensed a threat, as if they were ready to eliminate me. Being the center of attention like that made me anxious.
Finally, the old man broke the silence, addressing me with undeniable authority.
"Young Leo," he said, his deep voice resonating through the air, "tell us about the power you used against that being. Is that all you've got?"
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, and answered honestly.
"For now, yes. But I'm training, and I've managed to increase my power a bit."
The old man frowned at my words.
"The power you hold goes beyond the limits of what we know," he said with a tone that chilled me to the bone.
His statement left me even more confused. I couldn't help but ask, nervously,
"You all have these powers too?"
With a slow nod, the old man replied,
"Yes, but our abilities are the result of years of training and sacrifice." He then began to explain how each of the girls and the guy beside him had gained their powers. Their stories were filled with challenges and overcoming adversity, making me reflect on my own path and the nature of the energy that had awakened within me.
As I listened, I felt both intrigued and overwhelmed. I understood that I was about to embark on a journey that could change my life forever.
The old man took a deep breath and began his tale:
"We too were chosen to receive these gifts, but not in the same way as you. Each of us gained our power through intense training and a connection with ancient forces. However…" He looked at me intently, "You are different."
The girls and the guy kept serious expressions, but I could feel their gazes piercing through me, as if they were trying to decipher something I didn't yet understand.
"They," the old man continued, "obtained their abilities through sacred rituals and years of discipline, gradually mastering their energy. But in your case, the power awakened naturally, without any prior training. That only happens in very rare beings… or in those destined to face something much greater."
I swallowed hard.
"Greater than the being I faced?"
The old man nodded.
"That was just the beginning. Something much worse is coming. And you…" He leaned slightly toward me, "You will be the key to deciding the fate of this world."
A chill ran down my spine. This was becoming much bigger than I ever imagined.
Then, the old man asked his question.
"And tell me, young Leo, how did you acquire that majestic power?"
Upon hearing his question, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. With a slightly trembling voice, I began, recalling that night that changed my life.
"Well," I started, "it was after doing my homework and meditating for a while. I fell asleep, and in that dreamlike state, a being appeared to me. It wore a white robe adorned with golden threads, but I couldn't see its face. It granted me extraordinary power, as if it was a fragment of God's power, telling me I was the key to something much greater."
As I said those words, I noticed the old man fall silent, his eyes wide. The girls and the guy beside him wore expressions of nervousness, as if the weight of my words had hit them hard. I wondered if I had done the right thing by sharing such an intimate and shocking revelation. As the tension in the room grew, I felt a shiver, as though I was revealing a secret that could have enormous consequences.
"At first, I took it as a strange dream," I continued, "until that accident in the park happened, when the white aura went viral worldwide. That was the first sign that something extraordinary was happening."
Everyone's gazes grew more intense, and I realized my words had stirred something deep within them. The sense of being part of a greater destiny was beginning to take shape, though it made me uneasy.
The old man remained silent for a few seconds, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Then, with a solemn expression, he said:
"So… you were chosen directly."
The girls and the guy still had tense faces, as though the revelation had been too much for them. Kaori, on the other hand, looked at me with a mixture of surprise and… admiration?
"What you've described is no simple dream," the old man continued. "That being with the white robe and golden details... It is an entity from the highest spheres. Not everyone is worthy of receiving such a blessing."
I felt another chill.
"So… does this mean I really am 'God's key'?"
The old man nodded gravely.
"But don't be mistaken. It's not just about having power, it's about how you use it. If you were chosen, then a great trial awaits you."
The girls and the guy exchanged nervous glances, until one of them — the guy, who had remained silent until now — spoke in a serious voice:
"If you really are God's key… that means the enemy we will face is beyond anything we've ever known."
The words hung heavy in the air. I could barely process them. An enemy greater than the being in the beige trench coat? More powerful than any other threat that existed?
The old man slowly stood up and looked at me intently.
"You must prepare yourself, young Leo. If you do not master your power… humanity may not survive what is coming."