The battle had left the once beautiful garden in shambles, but Kazuki stood amidst the ruin, a sense of quiet determination radiating from him. His daggers were sheathed at his side, and his gaze swept over the destruction that had been wrought by the fierce duel. The air was thick with the aftermath, the earth cracked and scattered, trees uprooted, and the once lush grass trampled into the dirt.

  Kazuki took a slow, deliberate breath. He stood tall, not a trace of exhaustion in his stance. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the sensation of the ground beneath his feet, the pulse of the earth beneath him.

  With a simple gesture of his hand, the earth around him began to shift. Rocks lifted from the ground, dirt reformed itself, and trees straightened as if the garden was healing before his eyes. Kazuki’s connection to earth magic allowed him to repair the damage swiftly, restoring the garden to its original state. He felt the weight of the task lighten with each motion.

  Once the garden was restored, Kazuki turned his attention to his fallen comrades. One by one, he knelt beside each of them, placing his hands lightly on their bodies. His mana surged, and a gentle glow surrounded them as he channeled his healing abilities. The injuries they had sustained from the brutal duel slowly faded, their bruises and scratches vanishing under the power of his recovery spell.

  Kazuki sat back on his heels, the healing complete. He thought to himself, his eyes distant as he surveyed the peaceful garden once more.

  The battle wasn’t a waste, Kazuki mused. In fact, it gave me something invaluable: a memory, a theory that I had forgotten... the theory of fearless and calm composure.

  His mind replayed the theory he had created long ago—a technique that allowed complete concentration on battle, a state of mind where panic couldn’t reach him. He had practiced this theory in the past, but it was only now, in the heat of battle, that he realized how vital it was. By allowing himself to remain calm, fearless, and focused, he could turn the tide in any fight, no matter how terrifying the odds. It wasn’t about overpowering his enemies with sheer force, but about anticipating their movements, reacting in perfect harmony with the flow of the battle.

  Kazuki felt a shift in himself, as though the theory had finally become more than just an idea—it had become a part of him. His thoughts seemed clearer, his senses sharper. Every muscle in his body was ready for action, every instinct aligned. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing the feeling to settle within him.

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  Focus... concentration... no distractions.

  He took a deep breath, his eyes glowing briefly with an ethereal light. As he exhaled, the world around him seemed to slow, his awareness expanding. Every detail was more vivid, and he could feel his body’s reflexes speeding up. The weight of uncertainty vanished, and in its place was clarity.

  A status screen appeared before him, confirming his achievement:

  Skill Unlocked: Total Concentration. Description: A mental state achieved through perfect calmness and focus, allowing the user to react and think faster in combat. Boosts reaction time, precision, and concentration in life-threatening situations.

  Kazuki’s eyes glowed with quiet satisfaction. This was a skill he had always yearned for but could never quite grasp. Now, with Total Concentration unlocked, he felt more in control than ever before.

  ---

  The Duke’s Call

  As Kazuki stood in the garden, contemplating his new skill, a voice broke through his thoughts. It was the Duke’s personal attendant, appearing at the edge of the garden.

  “Kazuki, the Duke requests your presence. He has important information to share with you.”

  Kazuki nodded silently, his expression unreadable as always. He turned to the group, now recovering from their bruising duel, and gave them a brief glance. “Rest. We’ll talk later.”

  With that, Kazuki walked away, following the attendant through the halls of the Duke’s estate. He didn’t ask questions—he knew whatever was coming would be significant. The tension in the air only grew stronger as they neared the Duke’s office.

  When Kazuki entered, he found the Duke seated behind his desk, his expression serious. The room was dimly lit, the weight of the moment hanging in the air.

  “Ah, Kazuki,” the Duke said, his voice steady but with an edge of urgency. “I have gathered what information I could, but there are things I believe you need to know.”

  Kazuki stood silently, waiting for the Duke to continue. The Duke motioned to a chair in front of his desk, gesturing for Kazuki to sit. Kazuki obeyed, his posture calm, his face a mask of neutrality.

  “First, I must apologize for keeping you in the dark,” the Duke began, his tone grave. “But what I’ve uncovered regarding the events surrounding R.I.S.K. and the Shattered Veil is troubling. It’s not just the goblins or the attacks on the capital. There’s something far more dangerous at play here. Something older...”

  Kazuki’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but he said nothing. He was already piecing together the fragments of information he had gathered in his travels.

  The Duke leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Kazuki, I believe you are being watched. Not just by the R.I.S.K. organization, but by someone much more... ancient.”

  Kazuki’s mind raced. Ancient. That word rang through his mind. Could it be the Seer? Or something even darker? The pieces were still scattered, but the puzzle was becoming clearer.

  “The Shattered Veil,” the Duke continued, “is not just a myth. It’s an ancient relic, tied to something we have not yet fully understood. Whoever controls it controls immense power. And I fear that you may be at the center of it all.”

  Kazuki’s gaze darkened. He had suspected as much, but hearing it from the Duke made it all the more real. The pieces of his past life, the flashes of memory, the growing sense that something terrible was coming—everything was beginning to align.

  The Duke’s expression softened as he added, “I’ll do what I can to protect you, Kazuki. But there are forces at work that I cannot control. And I believe it’s only a matter of time before they make their move.”

  Kazuki nodded, standing up. “Thank you, Duke. I will act accordingly.”

  With that, he left the Duke’s office, the weight of the new information settling heavily on his shoulders. Whatever was coming, Kazuki would be ready.