Though the Hōgyoku could neither speak nor communicate telepathically, Ignis could still feel its intent. It pulsed gently in his palm, radiating a silent message—
It was fully charged.
And now, it could evolve him in the way most suited to his potential and future.
Ignis's mind flashed back to his past life as Yamamoto. He had witnessed firsthand how Aizen had ascended to an entirely new level of existence through the Hōgyoku's power. His very lifeform had transcended, reshaping him into something beyond human limits. That alone proved the Hōgyoku's terrifying potential.
There was no hesitation in Ignis's heart.
"Show me," he thought, giving his silent approval.
The Hōgyoku responded instantly.
A surge of energy erupted around him, engulfing his entire body in a sphere of blazing flames. The fire roared to life, dancing around him like a living entity—but strangely, the room remained unaffected. The air did not grow hot, the furniture remained untouched, and no smoke filled the space.
To an outsider, it would have seemed as if the fire was nothing more than an illusion.
But Ignis knew better.
Something was changing.
Ignis, with his vast spiritual power, could see the changes happening within his body. To his surprise, a vein-like structure was forming and growing between his heart and dantian, connecting the two in a way he had never seen before. Outside his body, a flame took shape, outlining what appeared to be a long, slender object—almost like a staff.
As he observed further, he became aware of something even more shocking. He could feel the immense spiritual power he had possessed in his previous life. However, it was being suppressed—sealed away by the Hogyoku. He didn't know the exact reason, but a thought crossed his mind: Is the Hogyoku protecting me by restraining my power? He wasn't certain. He would have to ask his father and mother about it.
The process of his evolution lasted nearly four hours. Finally, as the fiery cocoon around him dissipated, his naked form was revealed. His clothes had been burned away, suggesting an intense heat, yet strangely, he felt nothing. Moreover, the surrounding area remained completely unharmed.
The silhouette of flames that had taken the shape of a staff had now solidified into a tangible object. It was a beautiful black staff, adorned with a golden head and base. For a few seconds, it hovered in the air before falling to the ground with a soft thud.
Ignis clenched his fists a few times, testing his newfound strength. He could feel the difference—his body was far more powerful than before. At the very least, he now possessed the strength of a fully grown adult male who engaged in rigorous physical labor, such as farming or heavy lifting.
A smirk formed on his lips.
Ignis pushed himself upright. The cool air against his skin reminded him of his nakedness, and he quickly reached for his clothes, dressing with swift, practiced motions. As he fastened the last button, his gaze fell upon the black crutch lying on the ground, right where it had fallen moments ago.
Something about it called to him.
He bent down, fingers wrapping around the shiny surface of the crutch. The instant he touched it, a jolt of familiarity surged through him—like an old friend whispering his name. A slow smile spread across his face, his pulse quickening with excitement. He knew exactly what this was.
With a single thought, flames erupted around the crutch. Fire danced along its length, but there was no heat—only power. Before his eyes, the crutch transformed, its true form revealing itself: a standard katana with a dark purple handle, a circular bronze handguard, and a brown sheath.
Ignis inhaled sharply.
This was his Zanpakutō.
This was Ryūjin Jakka.
He could feel it—the same spirit, the same presence, resonating deep within the blade. Yet, something was missing. No voice answered his call, no whisper of acknowledgment from the soul within.
A flicker of doubt crept into his mind.
As if sensing his uncertainty, the katana shimmered and shifted, once again taking the form of a simple black crutch.
Ignis tightened his grip, frustration and determination warring within him.
"I can't hear you," he murmured, brows furrowing. "Why?"
The answer came almost instantly, unspoken yet undeniable.
I am not strong enough. Not yet.
He exhaled, shoulders squaring. If power was the key, then he would grow stronger. He would earn the right to hear Ryūjin Jakka's voice.
And when that day came… the world would burn.
----
Realizing that he still couldn't communicate with Ryūjin Jakka, Ignis let out a quiet sigh. There was no point in dwelling on it for now. With careful hands, he placed the black crutch beside him on the bed and shifted his focus.
Pulling out the Knight Mental Method, he began to read. His sharp memory served him well—after going through the text four or five times, he had already committed the entire method to memory. The process took over an hour, and by the time he glanced up, darkness had settled outside.
Fatigue crept into his body, a deep exhaustion that he hadn't fully noticed before. Perhaps it was the aftereffects of his evolution, or maybe something else. Either way, sleep called to him.
Deciding to turn in early, Ignis rose from his bed and strode to the door. He pushed it open, summoning the nearby servants and maids. With a simple command, they hurried off to bring him food.
Once he had eaten, he didn't waste any time. He lay back down, letting the weight of the day pull him into rest.
Unlike that afternoon, he left his door open this time—just as it usually was on any other night.
----
When Ignis didn't show up for dinner, Evan and Alenna grew curious. Upon asking the servants, they learned that their son had already eaten in his room and gone to sleep early. Concerned, they decided to check on him.
As they approached his room, the door stood slightly open. Peering inside, they found Ignis fast asleep on his bed, his breathing steady and peaceful. Beside him, resting near his pillow, was the Knight Mental Method—the very book Evan had given him earlier that day.
The sight brought knowing smiles to their faces. Without a word, they exchanged a glance, understanding exactly what had happened.
Leaving quietly, they walked side by side down the dimly lit corridor toward their own room. The flickering lanterns cast warm shadows along the walls as Evan chuckled softly.
"He was so eager to get the Knight Mental Method," he said. "Now that he finally has it, he must have pushed himself to memorize every word—no wonder he exhausted himself."
Alenna smiled, a touch of nostalgia in her eyes. "I still remember when he was six," she murmured. "When he found out he couldn't practice because the mana circuit doesn't form until the age of twelve, he was so disappointed. But now..." She exhaled, her voice carrying warmth. "Now that his mana circuit has finally formed, he can practice freely. It's no surprise he's so excited."
Evan nodded, glancing back toward Ignis's room with quiet pride. "He's waited a long time for this."
Without another word, they continued down the corridor, their hearts filled with hope for the future.
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