Abyssal Chronicles

1/2 "BANG! Thump thump PAH PAH! Piapiapia~~~" In their room, Fanzi and Yela shared an amused smile at the constant noise from next door. "Ah, youth is wonderful," Fanzi mumbled drowsily from his reclined position. "Having so much energy even late at night, still making such a ruckus." His eyes gleamed with undisguised envy for that youthful vigor. "I bet Yumo is really happy to see friends from the Source Star Universe again," Yela mused, peeling off her socks before crawling into bed. She furrowed her brow mid-thought. "But what in the world are those two up to? The noise is incredible. Should we sneak a peek?" "Nah," Fanzi sighed. "They're probably just having a pillow fight. Remember when Little Mina brought her friend home? Same energetic chaos. Let the young ones have their fun - you'll just spoil the mood if you go check." "Fair enough." Yela turned to gaze at the alarm clock wistfully. "It's just... Yumo is really back... I can hardly believe it. I'm almost afraid to sleep... what if I wake up and it was all just a dream?" "Come on now, it's real," Fanzi assured her, patting her head. "No need to overthink it. The kids can be lively, but we old folks need our rest." "Mmm... oh wait, before that..." "What is it?" "We need to tell Kenzou and Mina that Yumo is back! We were so caught up playing with them all day, I almost forgot!" Yela eagerly grabbed her phone. "Especially Mina - that child adored her brother growing up. She'll be overjoyed! Though she's probably asleep now... I'll send a message. Wonder if she'll jump for joy when she sees it tomorrow?" However, as Yela typed excitedly, their rebellious daughter wasn't sleeping soundly in her dorm at all. Her bed in Skina City lay empty, window conspicuously open. …. At a clearing in the Visizer Mountains... "Bzzzzt! BOOM!!" Under the moonlight, lightning wolves howled as they chased a figure wielding Shadow Power, constantly snapping at their target. The figure swung their battle staff, fending off the wolves. Though managing to hold them at bay, their movement speed had drastically decreased due to the harassment. The wolves' master seized the opportunity. BOOM!! Bzzzzt~ Blue light blazed through the darkness. Wrapped in lightning, a tall figure burst forth, throwing a lightning-charged punch straight at the shadow-cloaked form! Too focused on the wolves, the figure couldn't react in time and took the hit squarely. They went flying, smashing into the cliff face hard enough to leave a massive crater. As the dust settled, the figure knelt gasping for breath, seemingly spent. The Shadow Power coating their body twisted and shattered into countless pure black particles. As the power dispersed, it revealed Mina - petite with shoulder-length black hair sporting blue highlights. If Yela and Fanzi were present, they'd likely have an aneurysm discovering their supposedly resting daughter out fighting in the middle of the night! Mina struggled to her feet, clutching her chest and panting heavily. Her body was a canvas of purple bruises and countless wounds, with a deep gash marking her recently struck face. Mina glared fiercely at the glowing crater she'd just emerged from, frustration etched across her face from yet another defeat. "That's enough training for today." A resigned voice drifted from the forest as an elegant woman in her mid-30s stepped out, wisps of blue lightning still dancing around her form. This was Jenna, a legitimate level 6 powerhouse who'd traded her position at the National Special Affairs Bureau for a quiet life teaching in Skina City to focus on family. Two years ago, she'd discovered the newly awakened Mina and became her spiritual mentor. Jenna felt equal parts impressed and exasperated by her prodigy who'd rocketed to level 6 in just two years. "Go rest - you have class tomorrow," she said, dispersing her lightning aura to resume her usual warm teacher demeanor. But Mina wasn't done. "Wait, Teacher! I can keep going!" She forced herself into a fighting stance despite her trembling limbs. Jenna sighed at her student's stubborn determination. "I know you're trying to force a breakthrough to Lv7 through combat training. But you can't rush this - you've been pushing yourself non-stop for a week. Even a person in Lv6 will break down at this rate!" "I won't break," Mina insisted defiantly. "Is escaping the Felder Family's control really worth destroying yourself?" "Yes." Her reply cut like steel. "Only Lv7 grants the right to protection." Jenna shook her head, understanding the bitter calculus behind Mina's desperation. While the Allied Nations officially governed Blue Star, true power lay with the Holy Maiden and the Sky Nation's elite. Even the Bureau had to bow to their whims. If the Felder Family dropped their polite facade and demanded Mina, she'd be gift-wrapped and delivered to curry favor. Only reaching Lv7 would trigger the Holy Maiden's Seventh Decree of protection - her sole shield against even the mighty Felders. But... "Lv7 isn't achieved through brute force! If it were that simple, we'd have Lv7s everywhere! It requires consistent effort and the right catalyst. This reckless training will only break you!" Jenna's authority bore down, making Mina duck her head in silence. Jenna's gaze softened with concern. "Is joining the prestigious Felder Family really so awful? They could fast-track your path to Lv7. Your family would prosper. After two years as a mistress, becoming the official wife seems like an upgrade, no?" Mina shook her head vehemently. "I've told you - I hate them and their controlling, manipulative ways. They'd never let me grow too strong to control. I'd just be their breeding tool. 'Official wife' is just pretty wrapping on a cage. I have more important things to do." "You mean... hunting Abyssal Demons?" "Yes." "My God..." Jenna massaged her temples. "While everyone else desperately dodges conscription to avoid the demons, you're charging straight at them." "Not charging blindly..." "Really? A fresh Lv6 who barely controls her power? A few Lv5 demons would tear you apart!" "I know that! That's why I'm not fighting them yet. I need to get stronger - Lv7, 8, even 9! I'll destroy every demon that dares invade the Source Star Universe!" "Mina..." "I won't let anyone else lose family to demons like I did. Those monsters have to die!" "This child..."