The morning sun peeked through the cracks in the wooden shutters, casting a soft glow inside the room. Birds chirped faintly outside, signaling the start of a new day.
John sat beside the bed where Alsie and Yumina lay, watching them closely. Their faces were calm now, showing no signs of the violent shaking or crimson glow from the night before.
Suddenly, Alsie's eyes flickered open, followed closely by Yumina's. Both girls groaned softly as they stirred awake.
"You're finally up," John said with relief, leaning back in his chair.
"What... happened?" Alsie mumbled, rubbing her temples.
"Yeah... I feel strange," Yumina added, her voice slightly hoarse.
John smiled wryly. "Strange might be an understatement. You both were unconscious for hours, and—"
Before John could finish, a faint crimson glow flickered across Yumina's palm. In response, Alsie's hand released a faint golden aura.
John's eyes narrowed. "That glow... something's different about you two."
The girls exchanged confused glances before Yumina hesitantly said, "We... saw something."
"What do you mean?"
"When we were unconscious," Alsie began, "I remember standing in a vast field, and in front of me was this... enormous lion with three heads. It stared at me, and somehow... I knew it was part of me."
"I had something similar," Yumina added, her voice still uncertain. "There was a giant red bird... I think it was a phoenix. It didn't speak, but I felt like... like it chose me."
John's face darkened with thought. A three-headed lion... a phoenix...
"That's not normal," he muttered. "I think you've awakened some kind of... bloodline power."
"Bloodline power?" Alsie asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, and not just any bloodline... this is something ancient and powerful. They are creatures of legend, and it's very rare for them to appear in this world. But somehow, both of you inherited the bloodline of these mythical beasts," John said gravely. "Whatever you two gained... it's not ordinary. I've never seen anyone awaken their bloodline before, so I can't help you much in this area."
"Actually, John... there's something else as well," Alsie said with some hesitation.
"Hmm? What is it now?" John was already overwhelmed by the surprises these two had brought, and now there was something more.
"Inside my spiritual sea — as you call it — I saw a star shining in a golden light. Can you tell me what that means?" Alsie asked, her voice a little nervous. She was clueless about what was happening to her.
"Hmm... that should be an ability," John said thoughtfully. "Whenever we gain a new ability, it appears as a star in our spiritual sea. Since you saw one, it means you've awakened an ability — probably linked to your bloodline."
Turning to Yumina, John asked with anticipation, "Did you get an ability too?"
Yumina nodded. "I think so... but I'm not sure what it does."
"Wouldn't we find out once we try?" John said while standing up. "Let's go outside and check out your new abilities."
---
Somewhere far away...
A platform floated among the clouds, resembling a large tatami mat. The sky was painted in hues of silver and gray, swirling like a never-ending storm. Amid this ethereal realm, an elderly god with a long white beard and flowing white robes sat cross-legged on the mat. His eyes were closed, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Beside him sat a stunning goddess, draped in flowing robes adorned with delicate floral patterns. Her radiant pink hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing pink eyes were locked on the small television screen in front of her.
The goddess let out a soft gasp as she witnessed the three-headed lion and phoenix apparitions appear behind Alsie and Yumina. Realizing something, she turned sharply toward the old man.
"So that's what you wanted me to deliver, huh?" she asked. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Those are mythical creatures — beings on par with us!"
The old god chuckled softly, stroking his beard. "And what of it?"
"What of it?" The goddess's eyes narrowed. "Those bloodlines could tip the balance of power in the mortal world! Why would you gift such strength to ordinary girls?"
The old man's smile deepened. "They're not ordinary... not anymore."
The goddess frowned. "Still, to grant them such legendary bloodlines... why?"
The old man shrugged. "That stuff isn't useful to me anymore."
"Not useful?" The goddess stared at him in disbelief. "You're impossible…"
The old god chuckled again and turned his gaze back to the television, his expression calm.
"They'll need it if they want to stay with John," he murmured. "And this is the best I can do without alarming our superiors."
"You know... after selling that blood essence in that place, you could have left this low-level world," the goddess said with some resentment.
"Why would I leave this world?" the old god said seriously. "Now I want to stay here even more... and prepare Touya for what's coming."
---
Back with John...
Once out in the clearing, John looked at the girls and said, "Alright, show me what those abilities can do."
But both remained silent for a while. Yumina asked hesitantly, "What should we do to activate the ability?"
Hearing this, John slapped his forehead in realization. "I forgot to explain! It's simple, actually. Just focus your mana into the star in your spiritual sea... you'll understand the rest."
Both girls did as John instructed. Almost instantly, their auras shifted.
Yumina's golden-white hair turned crimson red, and as if guided by instinct, she stretched out her hand. A spark of red flame appeared in her palm, which she hurled forward.
"BOOOOM!"
John's eyes widened in shock as the explosion erupted, reducing all vegetation and trees within a 100-meter radius to ashes.
"What the...?" John's jaw hung open at the sight.
But it wasn't over.
Alsie's silver hair turned golden, and as she opened her mouth, a deep, powerful lion's roar erupted from her throat. The shockwave traveled nearly 500 meters ahead, tearing through everything in its path before finally fading.
The overwhelming display of power left both girls drained and gasping for breath as they knelt weakly on the ground.
But John didn't notice their condition at first — his eyes were fixed on the mysterious runes that had appeared in the air during their abilities. He memorized them carefully, his mind racing.
Once satisfied, he turned back to the girls and noticed their exhausted state. Without wasting time, he carried them back into the house and gently laid them on the bed.