The Eternal Sketch

The sun had barely risen when Ryo arrived at the training hall. The vast chamber was empty except for Callus, who stood before a wall lined with scrolls, each inscribed with symbols Ryo had never seen before.

"You're early," Callus remarked, not looking away from the scrolls.

Ryo nodded. "I want to master Inscription as soon as possible."

Callus finally turned to face him, studying his expression. "You seek to create something beyond mere replication. Ambitious." He gestured for Ryo to follow. "Let's begin."

They walked to the center of the chamber, where Callus unrolled a parchment and placed an inkstone beside it. "Ink creatures require two things: essence and stability. Without essence, they are hollow. Without stability, they collapse." He tapped the parchment. "Inscriptions provide both."

Ryo watched as Callus moved his brush with precise control, forming a complex set of runes. As soon as the last mark was completed, the ink shimmered, and a small, winged serpent slithered from the page, its body coiling midair before settling onto Callus's arm.

Ryo's eyes widened. "It's… perfect."

Callus smirked. "Because the Inscription is perfect. Without it, even the strongest willpower fails."

Ryo picked up his brush, excitement tingling in his fingers. He could feel that he was on the edge of something significant. If he could integrate these runes into his drawings, then maybe—just maybe—he could bring Hayate Kurogane to life.

He dipped his brush into the ink and began copying the symbols Callus had drawn. At first, his strokes were unsteady, the symbols slightly misshapen. The ink wavered but did not respond.

Callus observed silently, then spoke. "Again."

Ryo tried again. And again. Each time, his hand grew steadier, his lines sharper. Hours passed in tireless repetition. Finally, on his twentieth attempt, the ink shimmered faintly. It was weak—fragile—but it was a step forward.

Callus nodded approvingly. "You are learning. But you are still only scratching the surface."

Exhausted but determined, Ryo exhaled. He glanced at the incomplete sketch of Hayate resting on the table beside him. Soon, he would make it real.

Elara entered the hall just as Callus dismissed him. She looked at the parchment and smirked. "Still chasing your impossible dream?"

Ryo grinned. "It won't be impossible for long."

Elara chuckled, patting his shoulder as she walked past. "Then keep at it. We'll see just how far you can go."

With newfound resolve, Ryo returned to his parchment. The road ahead was long, but he was ready. He dipped his brush once more, and the ink flowed, shaping his future one stroke at a time.