Immortal Mythos: Bound by Void

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Power Comparisons:

After Yuki's display, Nogitsune stepped forward, his expression a mix of pride and assessment. "Well done. Now it's time to show you where you stand compared to the others."

Ren, Haru, and the girls stepped forward, each showcasing their own abilities. Haru's raw physical power was evident, but it lacked the finesse of Yuki's abilities. Ren's mastery over wind and flight was undeniable, but his powers were more focused on offense and defense than versatility. Aiko's aura sensing and spiritual connection were powerful, and Himari's mysterious abilities showed a deep level of control, though they were harder to gauge.

Kai remained mostly in the background, offering encouragement but not participating directly. His cooking skills were unmatched, and he had his own methods of supporting the group, but his combat prowess wasn't his strongest suit.

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As the group looked on, Yuki realized something important: his powers were only a part of who he was. There were still so many things he didn't understand. But as long as he had his friends by his side, he knew he would be able to face whatever came next.

"Alright," Yuki said, grinning. "What's next?"

Nogitsune gave him a slight smile. "You'll find out soon enough. But for now, you're ready."

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The group remained in stunned silence after Yuki's intense display. The air still shimmered faintly from his use of aura and void energy.

Before anyone could speak, Nogitsune stepped forward.

"Not bad," he said casually, glancing at Yuki. "But… let me show you why I'm still the one watching over you all."

Yuki raised a brow, both curious and slightly nervous. "You're going to show off now?"

Nogitsune grinned. "Not showing off. Educating."

Nogitsune's Power Showcase:

Without any grand gesture, the wind around them suddenly halted—unnatural stillness replacing the natural breeze. Even Ren flinched.

"Wait… he stopped the wind?" Ren muttered. "That's… not easy."

Then, Nogitsune vanished—faster than even Yuki could track. He reappeared behind Haru, flicking his forehead before vanishing again and landing beside Aiko.

"Teleportation?!" Kai gasped. "That's cheating!"

"No," Nogitsune replied, smiling, "just speed. Yuki still has some catching up to do."

Then came the illusions. The forest around them warped subtly. A second Yuki stood beside the real one. Then two more. Then five.

"What the—" Haru growled, slamming his fists together.

But one by one, the illusions shattered, harmlessly disappearing as Yuki used his aura to sense the real Nogitsune. "These are illusions... but they feel almost real."

"They're tethered to spiritual pressure," Nogitsune explained. "Layered illusions. Not easy to see through unless you focus."

He raised his hand again, and the very sky turned red for a split second before returning to normal.

"Reality flick. Just a taste of what I can do when I'm serious."

Yuki clenched his fists. "He's on another level…"

Aiko's eyes had been glowing slightly the entire time, quietly observing. She had been trying to watch Yuki's aura earlier, but now she was completely still.

"Yuki," she said softly, "can I… try something?"

He turned to her, curious. "Sure?"

Aiko exhaled, and extended her hand—and to everyone's surprise, a gentle aura pulse radiated from her. It wasn't as strong as Yuki's, but it was focused. Calm. Controlled.

"You picked that up from me?" Yuki asked, amazed.

"Even now, they're all growing. I'm not the only one changing", Yuki thought.

Aiko smiled shyly. "I think watching you helped me understand it… I don't know how, but it felt natural."

Himari blinked in surprise. "She just… mimicked a high-tier ability?" Himari murmured, but her eyes narrowed, as if she'd seen something more.

Nogitsune's expression shifted slightly. He looked at Aiko with a bit more interest. "You… really are special."

Aiko lowered her hand. "I'm not sure how far I can go with it, but I want to help… especially if it means protecting Yuki."

The group exchanged knowing glances. Even Haru smiled.

Ren folded his arms. "Guess we've got more than one rising monster in the group."

Nogitsune nodded. "Indeed. And the next stage of your training will be even more intense."

Yuki now knows his growth is real, but there's still a gap between him and Nogitsune. Aiko is developing into something unexpected. Everyone feels the tension rising again—but for now, they're still together, still learning, still growin

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