Dante took a break after training for a while, feeling frustrated that his Fate Mastery hadn't yet reached Stage-4 and showed no signs of improving.
He moved to the common area on the ground floor, where he noticed Kensei sitting in a traditional Japanese style—kneeling with his legs folded under him, his back straight, and his hands resting on his lap. His sword lay across his palms, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.
As Dante approached, he noticed thin violet aura blades swirling around Kensei, moving as if to guard him. It was clear that if Dante got any closer, the aura would treat him as a threat. He stopped at a safe distance, cautious of Kensei's Sword Heart.
Something caught Dante's eye—a flicker of amber within the violet aura. The amber glow grew stronger, steadily overpowering the violet, until the violet faded almost entirely. Dante's eyes widened in recognition. The sight reminded him of what Kensei had experienced during his duel with Seath in the 1st Tournament.
Dante stood still, careful not to disturb Kensei, who had once again entered a state of enlightenment. He realized Kensei was on the verge of a breakthrough in his Sword Mastery.
Among their team, Kensei was the first to reach the peak of Stage-4 Mastery, surpassing even Olivia, whose Grade-10 talent made comprehension significantly easier compared to Kensei's Grade-8 talent. It was a feat attributed to the Sword Heart he had awakened on Day-10, which granted a potential similar to a Bloodline for weapon users.
Dante sighed, comparing Kensei's rapid progress to his own struggle with Mastery. While Dante remained stuck at Stage-3, Kensei was moments away from Stage-5.
In mere minutes, the violet aura disappeared entirely, replaced by a pure amber glow.
Within moments, every piece of furniture in the room was sliced into countless small fragments, the cuts so clean it seemed as if the objects had simply fallen apart.
And yet, the walls of the room remained entirely unscathed. It was as if the devastating move had been carefully controlled, and directed solely at the furniture.
Kensei turned to Dante, who smiled and said, "Congratulations, Kensei. You've done it again."
Kensei offered a slight nod, his expression calm and unreadable, with no trace of joy at reaching a higher stage of mastery. Dante wasn't surprised; Kensei's composed demeanor was something they had all grown accustomed to.
Dante shook his head, a smile forming as he felt genuine happiness for Kensei. "Let's celebrate your breakthrough," he said warmly. "Which dish do you want? I prepared and stored a few in my storage space."
Kensei's eyes brightened, ever so slightly, at the mention of food. Though he was a sword fanatic through and through, he had a deep appreciation for good food—especially dishes made from the meat of powerful monsters. And with Dante's cooking skills rivaling those of a professional chef, it was always a treat.
Without hesitation, Kensei replied, "The usual."
Dante chuckled, his tone teasing. "I figured you'd ask for that." He reached into his storage space and brought out a beautifully prepared katsu curry—a golden, crispy breaded pork cutlet served over a bed of fluffy white rice, smothered in rich, savory curry sauce.
The aroma of the perfectly spiced curry filled the room, accompanied by hints of fried pork and the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions.
Dante had used premium monster meat, ensuring the dish not only tasted incredible but also provided a surge of energy and vitality. He had even garnished it with fresh herbs for an added touch of refinement.
Kensei's expression softened further as he saw the dish. He wasn't one for overt displays of emotion, but the way he immediately dug in with quiet satisfaction spoke volumes. Dante also brought out a second serving for himself, and the two began eating together.
Kensei ate with a quiet intensity, savoring each bite, while satisfaction was written all over his face. Dante watched him with a small smile, pleased to see his teammate enjoy the meal.
However, as they ate, Dante's mind drifted to his own struggles. He sighed, unable to shake the frustration of being unable to progress further in his Fate Mastery.
Kensei noticed immediately, his keen observation sharpening with years of discipline and insight. After finishing a bite, he spoke calmly. "You're too consumed by the pursuit of progress and forgotten the to find peace with where you are. Stop pursuing it so desperately, and the mastery will find you instead."
The words struck Dante like a blade. He paused mid-bite, letting them sink in. They weren't just words of advice—they were a reflection of Kensei's own approach to life and mastery. Dante set down his spoon, thinking deeply.
'Maybe he's right… I've been so obsessed with reaching the next stage that I've forgotten to appreciate how far I've come,' he thought.
His frustration had been building from constant comparisons with others, particularly with the rest of his teammates. But now he realized something profound: 'The timing of when I reach the next stage isn't up to me. Why worry about something I can't control?'
He smiled faintly, reminded of his own strengths. His Fate Stats and the growth-type equipment, the Deck of Fate, allowed him to match the power of even a Tier-5 lifeform despite being at Tier-3. He had been so busy comparing himself to others that he had forgotten to appreciate his capabilities.
'Comparison really is the thief of joy,' he mused.
At that moment, something incredible happened. Dante felt an invisible barrier within him shatter, like chains breaking free. His Minor Fate Mastery surged with newfound drive, transforming into Major Fate Mastery. It was a clear sign—he had just advanced to Stage-4. His understanding over the flow of Fate around him deepened, becoming more refined and detailed.
Dante froze, his eyes widening as the realization dawned on him. 'A breakthrough… I actually did it.'
Dante never imagined that simply letting go of his worries and stopping his comparisons with others would unlock the path forward for him. He felt ecstatic. Finally, he had reached Stage-4 in his Fate Mastery, and Tier-4 Evolution was now within his grasp.
The revamped version of Volume 1 is now live on Kindle. You can find it on Amazon by simply searching the book title. Thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy the new edition!
Volume 2 Revamped Chapter Release Schedule
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