- Shinsu Quality -

Each person has his own shinsu quality.

Khun Edahn had three shinsu qualities. One of them was electricity.

When a shinsu quality was released externally just like how he released his electricity, they called it with "quality- manifested" shinsu control. When it was exploded inside one's body to gain more power, it was called as "internal quality" shinsu control.

Lightening pill which Khun Edahn said as effective but dangerous technique was one of them. When Zahard created the [Shinsu Black- Hole Sphere] that suddenly disappeared and made his body covered with golden layer, it must be the "internal quality" shinsu control.

"If you find a shinsu quality that suits you, it becomes easier to concentrate your power into bang" said Edahn again.

He demonstrated it by created a bang with electricity.

"Shinsu with a quality which suits the user has a much higher density than ordinary shinsu. You can use an attack with plenty of destructive power without increasing the size of the bang or increase the numbers. We called the ability to pack a lot of power into a single bang tension .

If you concentrate this much power-"

The blue electrical ball that he made became smaller.

"HA!"

Then, he threw the ball to the ground which created a huge crack on it.

"You get a ton of power when it explodes" said Edahn. "The man with the most outstanding tension was your father. Of course, the most outstanding wave controller among all of us was Eurasia. But your father was unbeatable when it comes to tension. If you really are his son, getting stronger using this method will probably be the fastest way."

Bam agreed with that, "yeah..."

"For now, forget about using that [Shinsu Black- Hole Sphere]. That's something you can use after you've found a quality that suits you and you build up tension" said Edahn.

He created an electrical spear and said that it was the type that suited him the most.

After that, he asked the two of them to find their own shinsu qualities.

If Charlotte had to guess her own shinsu qualities, then could the shinsu quality that suited her the most was the divine water she always controlled? When she thought about it again, that might not be her shinsu quality. Somehow her mind only thought about hourglass and the lotus.

Honestly, she had no clue just like Bam. The two of them looked at each other before they sighed helplessly.

"Having trouble figuring it out?" Edhan asked.

"No idea...." said Charlotte. "Do you have any short cut for us?"

"Then as a gift, I'll give you an item that may help."

He showed them a square thing with a button in the middle of it and threw it to Bam who caught it. Charlotte immediately moved near Bam and looked at the item that Khun Edahn gave to them with a happy and adorable smile. Those golden eyes brightened while looking at the item as she knew that it was an important and helpful thing.

"What is this?" Bam asked.

"It's shinsu reactant , but we used to just call it clicker . It's an item that Gustang made for us" said Edahn. "When you hold the clicker in your hand and press it, the liquid reacts to your qualities and attributes and shows you the shape of shinsu that suits them. Of course, all it does is show you. It doesn't mean that the shinsu is yours. But it's much quicker if you see an image. Give it a try. It will help you a lot."

"Okay....." He lifted his head and looked at Edahn. "Excuse me, Lord Edahn."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"It seems like it will be a waste if there are only the two of us to learn this...."

"Can we invite some of our friends to train with us?" Charlotte asked, finishing her brother's sentence.

Khun Edahn could tell that this girl was expecting for his permission just by looking at how she smiled and how those golden eyes were shining brightly in expectations.

"Well, it doesn't matter for me" Edahn answered.

"Then brother, you stay here and wait for me" said Charlotte to Bam. "I'll be back soon."

Charlotte jumped off from his [Blue Oar] and made her own [Blue Oar], riding on it to go to the lodging as if she was riding a skateboard or something.

"BE CAREFUL!" Bam shouted from his [Blue Oar].

"I KNOW!"

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

At the lodging, the regulars had an important talk about the Mirror at the End.

"Mirror at the end?"

"Yes. Originally, it is a mirror which can be encountered by people who have cleared all stages on that side" Hansung Yu explained to Khun and Rak. "It allows the heroes who have cleared all stages to go outside. But if data people left in this world try to look at themselves in that mirror, it deletes them."

What Hansung Yu said provided a great hint for both Khun and Rak.

"It deletes them?! .... you mean...?!"

"Yes. Even if we manage to obtain this mirror, and have Lord Zahard look himself at the mirror, we could delete his data. Lord Edahn intends to use this mirror and use it against Zahard in the battle. He seems to have made the bet in order to buy time."

"... so it was all the part of the plan" Khun finally understood his father's data's intention in making that bet though it sounded impossible and very risky or dangerous.

Even so, even though that the mirror was able to get Zahard's data deleted, what about Charlotte? That mirror won't provide her much help. If she used that mirror to get rid of her opponent, that was not a problem- solving method. It was just delaying the fight. And behind her opponent, there was a dangerous force who if felt unhappy could just kill all of them with one flick of finger.

No, he didn't even need to flick a finger to kill all of them.

He frowned deeper. All he wanted was just to find a way to come up with an idea to help her to defeat her opponent with minimum danger. But now that they were unsure how powerful her opponent could be and her ability, he was unsure what to do. They didn't have many information about her and even Noah who they had hope on getting information, could only tell that she was good in combat and merciless.

Usually, he was the strategist of the team. But at the time like this, he couldn't provide any strategy that would prevent her from getting hurt too much. He wanted to keep her safe, but it seemed like it was something too much to ask for.

"But if that team fails to get that mirror, then Bam...." He spoke again.

"... will end up fighting against Zahard without a single chance of winning" Hansung Yu spoke.

"That is not true" Charlotte suddenly spoke, startling all of them.

"Female black turtle?!"

"When did you come?" Hansung Yu who turned around asked her. He found her outside the window while riding the [Blue Oar].

"I just arrived. It's not hard to climb right here when you could fly" Charlotte answered as she jumped inside the room. With a proud and confident smile, she said to them again, "My brother will win. Want to make a bet?"

"This is Zahard's data we're talking about" Hansung Yu spoke.

"My brother is an irregular. And he's not some kind of data. Trained under Lord Edahn's data. Why can't he win?" Charlotte asked him back.

"He's indeed trained under Lord Edahn, but the time is only one month" Hansung Yu reminded her.

"Brother is a fast- learner. He'll definitely make it."

Hansung Yu sighed. If he keeps reminding her about the truth and reality that he thought will happen, then it will just be an endless argument. But unlike the data of Hansung Yu, Khun looked like he was pondering her words seriously.

He lifted his head and looked at her, "Is that based on the future that you see?"

Hansung Yu was left confused when he heard that.

"What future?" He asked, but neither of them wanted to answer his question. In fact, they didn't seem to hear his question.

Charlotte smiled even wider and nodded her head.

"Then what about you?" Khun immediately asked her again.

When he asked about her, her smile stiffened and started to fade a little.

"Let's assume that what you said is right. If Bam goes through a hell of training for one month and his victory is assured, what about you?" He asked her again.

Charlotte rubbed the back of her head awkwardly and avoided his gaze. Her smile was the smile of a person who hides something or isn't sure about something. Hansung Yu glanced at Khun and saw this blue- haired man frowned. He knew that something bad was going to happen.

"Don't tell me you see yourself going to lose in the future."

"That...." Charlotte had this sheepish smile on her face. "I thought that I've told you that I couldn't see my own future?"

His eyes widened, "What?!"

"You see, though I could see others' futures... vaguely... but I couldn't see mine" Charlotte said and scratched her cheek with her index finger. "So I guess my fight against her will be... unpredictable...?"

"The Blue Turtle is angry now...."

Charlotte knew that and took several steps backward in worry for her life. Hansung Yu observed the situation before he came up with a decision.

Tricking Rak into believing that he will take him to eat some snacks, he convinced the alligator to leave the room, leaving the two of them alone to discuss about the matter that made Charlotte felt that she was going to be executed.

His expression was getting darker and darker. Obviously he was angry with this. Charlotte thought that she should have just kept her mouth shut and asked Bam to come here to invite them instead. She regretted coming there personally.

Khun tried to calm himself down. It wasn't like he was an irrational person. It was just that she never told him about the risk of her future- seeing ability, that she could not read about her own future. It disappointed him and it worried him.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "This is driving me nuts."

"I'm sorry...."

"You know that you shouldn't have hidden those things from me... but never mind. It's not like knowing will make any difference, right? We still don't have the right strategy to win against your opponent and you don't seem like you are serious about this matter."

She lowered her head. Again, she acted like a poor innocent child being scolded and punished. She knew that she was adorable and used her appearance for her advantage. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Arguing with her won't do anything good.

"Anyway, shouldn't you be outside training? What are you doing here?"

Charlotte was there to ask for her friends to come and practice. She knew that based on their mood now, perhaps that most of them would deny it. But from all people who deny it, Khun and Rak shouldn't deny it. But she was worried that Khun might feel uncomfortable and refused in going with her because of his father's data... so she had to use her brain and found another way to make him agree with her.

"You aren't here to skip your training, right?"

"S- skip my training? How could I possibly dare! I mean, the one who is training me is the data of the Head of Khun Family...... how could I possibly offend him?"

"You aren't even afraid of Ha Jinsung."

"But this one is different" she replied. "This is the data of the Head of the Khun Family, the biggest womanizer in the tower and the God of Spear. His training will definitely help me!"

He felt displeased and annoyed again. But this time, his annoyance seemed to be caused by her words praising his father's data. He didn't like it.

"You know that he is someone who's married into a thousand wives. Are you sure that he's someone who you are supposed to admire?"

Charlotte didn't understand what Khun was thinking.

"I just like to see his appearance and admire his strength! I never said that I want to be one of his wives! I only prefer those who could only keep their eyes and heart set only to one person. Why should I compete with the others just for one man? Sounds stupid...." She spoke earnestly and honestly. "Anyway, I'm just here to take you and the others for the training."

"Training?"

She nodded her head, "It's important to strengthen your strength, to have a healthy body and mind. You have to go and train with us now!"

"I'm.... not sure..."

"Not sure? Why do you have to feel unsure? This is a good chance for us to get stronger and prepare ourselves for our upcoming challenges! Let's go!" She said and pulled his hand. She opened the door and dragged him with her.

"Charlotte! I haven't made up my mind yet!"

"You will definitely agree with me! For sure and for real!"

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Icarus or Rachel was gritting her teeth.

The item that she used to spy on the others to gain information about them was destroyed the moment Charlotte returned to the lodging. With her shinsu and [time- manipulation], she destroyed her trick.

She really wanted to know how she was able to do that.

She left no clue behind and she was careful in her actions. How could Charlotte know that there is something watching Khun and Hansung Yu?

Thinking about it again, Charlotte was really a thorn in her flesh. Again and again, she annoyed her and helped Bam and the others obtaining what she wanted to obtain. The thought that the lovely but childish young girl was as annoying as the blue- haired man made her clench her fists tighter.

'Charlotte...!'

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

'Really, despite being loyal to each other, why are my friends so lazy?' she thought. Among all the people who she carefully selected and considered whether they could come or not, neither of them wanted to come except for Rak and Khun. They did have their reasons and she couldn't force them. She could inwardly complain that her friends were all lazy.

But actually Charlotte didn't have the right to complain.

To think that Ha Jinsung would always have headache in dealing with a lazy troublemaker like her... it was quite fortunate that he loved her as if she was his own daughter.

"...what the hell is this?" Khun asked as he was holding the clicker. "So....you want me to click this?"

"Yes! It tells you the quality and shape of shinsu that suits you the most!" Bam excitedly answered.

"I mean...I get that. But why do you want me to do this all of a sudden....?"

"Isn't this obvious?" Charlotte asked. "If you can find your shinsu quality, your strength will increase. Don't you want to be stronger?"

"It's just that...."

Charlotte extended her hand, "If you are still hesitating, why don't you let me go first?"

Khun looked at the brown-haired girl. The older brother and the younger sister were the same, they were both excited with this. He could tell clearly that Charlotte was as excited as Bam to discover their shinsu qualities. It was all reflected on her beautiful pair of golden eyes.

He handed the clicker to her and let her click first.

Charlotte thought that she saw something red when she pressed the clicker. But it was only for a second that she wasn't sure whether there was indeed something red or she saw it wrong.

She must be seeing things, she thought to herself so she shook her head again and told herself focus. The others didn't understand why she was suddenly shaking her head.

Something white then covered the clicker as she clicked the button and on the air, right before her, something appeared.

A blossoming lotus.

"........."

She thought that shinsu would appear in front of her. But instead, a lotus appeared. Did that mean that she was better suited practicing the lotus power inside her rather than the shinsu?

"This looks fun!" said Rak as he snatched the clicker from Charlotte. "I want to try too!"

He pressed the clicker and a giant shield made from rock appeared.

"Oh! What's this?" He asked in amusement.

Looking at the stone shield, Bam wondered whether this meant it would be better for Rak to use shinsu for defense.

"Brother" Charlotte snatched the clicker from Rak's hand and threw it to Bam who caught it, "Your turn."

Bam was next. When he pressed the clicker, an orb made from shinsu appeared.

The last one was Khun who appeared to be reluctant to use it.

"Hey, what are you standing there for?" Khun Edahn asked him. "Hurry up and give it a try."

Khun didn't reply to his words.

Charlotte who had seen Rak's and Bam's abilities was now curious about him. She tilted her head, expecting him to press the clicker. Her eyes glanced to the clicker before looking back at him, telling him to press it.

"Ugh... such a nuisance--"

When he pressed the clicker, an ice spear appeared.

Khun Edahn had three shinsu qualities. First was electricity. Second was ice. Seeing how Khun was using an ice spear, he immediately recognized who he was.

"...huh? ...An ice spear? So you are my son at outside, huh?" Khun Edahn said, making it appear that he had just realized it. After all, he was also an ice element user.

"Did you just figure it out now?" Khun asked, annoyed. "You're so slow!"

"But why aren't you a spear bearer? The ice spear is an extremely rare ability."

"...I could never beat you with a spear anyway, you know" he answered truthfully. "That's why I didn't learn it. And our team already has a spear bearer. I don't want our team to be off-balanced. Well, then I'm out of here. Charlotte, Bam. Don't push yourself too hard."

He decided to walk away and planned to leave that place.

Charlotte caught his hand, "Wait, where do you think you are going?"

"Hm?" He looked at the brown- haired girl who caught him.

"You are just going to give up this easy?" Charlotte asked him. "Don't you want to get strong? You promised me."

"I never said that I promised you. You are the one who dragged me here by force."

"But this is a good chance to develop our abilities."

"......"

It wasn't like he didn't want to get strong. But it was just he didn't find this ice spear useful for him. He didn't feel like he want to train right now.

"...sorry."

Again, he pushed her hands away.

"But it doesn't suit me."

Khun Edahn watched how the young girl looked sad and rejected before he looked at his son and called him,

"Hey. You crooked punk. I don't know what happened between you and me at the outside and honestly, I don't care, but I don't think you'll be able to beat me if you keep running away like this. Wouldn't it benefit you more to learn from me here and get stronger?"

This was the advice from the head of the family with a bunch of cunning children.

"......get stronger?...what good would it do to get stronger?" Khun asked him back. "I bet if you see yourself on the outside, you'll probably want to run away. I don't know what happened since the train while you were climbing the tower, but my father on the outside is a completely different person than you. So, don't kid yourself."

He took another few steps away.

Charlotte watched how he was walking away before she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

The young girl ran towards him, raised her fist and hit him right on head just like how he used to hit her.