"No! Don't call me master!"
After all, people who became the protagonist's master in anime generally didn't end well.
They were either tragic figures who burned themselves out paving the way for their disciples, or expendable characters sacrificed at crucial moments to advance the plot. It was definitely a high-risk profession.
Qiji didn't want to get tangled up in that kind of karma.
Though scenes like that were often highlights, real tearjerkers that won over plenty of fans...
But as far as Qiji was concerned, what good was popularity if he was dead?
He was a man who intended to show off all the way to the grand finale!
"Yes, Qiji! Then I won't call you that. But in my heart, I'll respect you like a master!"
Only then did Qiji accept the savory soy milk and take a sip.
It was just the right temperature, and the saltiness was perfect.
He nodded in satisfaction and patted Huomu on the shoulder approvingly.
Setsuna's eyebrow twitched as she looked at the more favored savory soy milk Huomu had bought, now in Qiji's hand.
She hadn't expected someone as honest-looking as Huomu to be unexpectedly good at sucking up!
She had to admit it: she'd lost again!
Whether it was kneeling or buying breakfast, her awareness in both respects fell far short of Huomu's...
The three sat together on a bench by the training ground and finished their breakfast.
Qiji also used the time to brainstorm.
Combining the original story's plot with what he knew of Huomu's abilities, he finally came up with a teaching plan that might just work.
"Huomu."
"Here!" Huomu gathered up the three of their post-breakfast trash and threw it in the bin, then snapped to attention with a kick of his leg in Qiji's direction and answered loudly.
"Good, plenty of spirit! Tell me-how do you want to get stronger?"
Without hesitation, Huomu answered loudly, "I want to awaken my Echo!"
"Huh? Ah, ahem!" The answer caught Qiji off guard, and he nearly choked. He hurriedly cleared his throat twice to hide his embarrassment.
Awaken an Echo?
He wanted to do that too!
Wasn't that something even he hadn't managed yet?!
He was still an Echoless Echoer himself!
That was beyond the syllabus!
Of course, it was only natural for Huomu to say that.
After all, in this world where Echoes were the foundation of power, the prevailing belief was-
Only by awakening an Echo could one truly set foot on the path of the extraordinary and gain the "qualification" and "direction" to grow stronger.
Qiji's mind raced as he quickly gathered his words, trying to steer the conversation back onto the track he had planned.
He cleared his throat twice and said:
"Huomu, when it comes to awakening an Echo, I could theoretically offer you some guidance, but you need to think carefully. An Echo is the power of the heart, the resonance and manifestation of one's own will."
Qiji slowed his speech, a hint of warning entering his voice:
"If you rely too much on an outsider's guidance or some so-called 'shortcut,' it could affect the purity and potential of your Echo. You might even end up on the wrong path.
"Remember, truly powerful Echoes often come from the deepest, most authentic exploration of oneself! How could you leave that to someone else?"
Hearing this, Huomu felt as if he had been enlightened!
He had only been thinking about getting stronger and hadn't considered anything so profound.
Qiji was right. His Echo was his own, so how could he think of relying on someone else?
"But..." Huomu was soon at a loss again.
"If I don't awaken an Echo, how am I supposed to get stronger? Without an Echo, doesn't that mean I have no power?"
"What are you talking about?" Qiji's voice rose abruptly as he challenged him with absolute conviction.
"Without an Echo, you can't get stronger?
"That's-
"The thinking of a loser!"
Qiji stepped forward and planted both hands firmly on Huomu's shoulders.
"Look me in the eye and answer me!
"What is Heart Essence?"
For a moment, Qiji's compelling tone fired Huomu up, and he answered loudly:
"The power of the 'heart'! The condensation of one's life energy, will, and emotions!"
"Very good! Then let me ask you: what is an Echo?"
"It's an... amplifier?"
As Huomu spoke, he glanced at Qiji, a little unsure of himself.
When Qiji nodded in confirmation, Huomu couldn't help feeling a little encouraged and spoke even louder.
"An Echo is a 'tool' that efficiently releases the power within our hearts in a specific way!"
"That's right!"
Qiji's voice echoed across the empty training ground, carrying an unquestionable conviction.
"Then, Huomu, answer me one last time!
"Your heart, your will, your power-
"Do they absolutely need a tool to amplify them for you?"
Huomu froze, his pupils contracting slightly.
What Qiji had said was completely different from the education and common knowledge he had grown up with!
According to the books, Heart Essence was the union of human spirit and will, and only through an Echo could it be transformed into a force with tangible power.
At the side, Setsuna couldn't help feeling confused as well. Her theory grades were excellent, second only to Qiji and Liuli in their class.
"Qiji, the textbooks say that Heart Essence that hasn't been transformed by an Echo can't be released outside the body to form an effective force. That conclusion has been verified countless times..."
"Then the textbooks are wrong."
Qiji's tone was perfectly calm, but combined with the implication of his words, it sounded to the two of them like "a confidence bordering on arrogance."
And the reason Qiji dared say that was precisely because he knew-
In the original story, before Huomu had awakened his Echo, his fiery will and persistence had forcibly shattered the constraints of common sense.
He had learned his signature [Flame Fist], which condensed Heart Essence in his fist and released it as scorching flames!
In a sense, Huomu was the genuine genius.
And what Qiji had to do now was "predict" it in advance and guide him to fully realize that talent!
While getting himself some screen time and drawing in a wave of popularity, he might even be able to secretly learn Huomu's [Flame Fist] under the guise of "instructing" him.
That was Qiji's little clever plan.
And without a doubt-
It was the thinking of a genius!
Chapter 49: Use Flame Fist on It!
"The textbooks... are wrong..."
Setsuna repeated the words under her breath, unsure whether she should believe the textbooks that represented authority or the "absolutely correct" Qiji.
Qiji offered Setsuna no further explanation. Instead, he refocused his gaze on Huomu and said:
"Huomu, let me ask you-
"When you want to protect something, when you throw caution to the wind, when you give it your all...
"What do you feel in your heart?"
Huomu stared blankly for a moment and instinctively pressed a hand to his chest. "Heat, a feeling of warmth."
Qiji nodded, his voice carrying an understanding that said, "Just as I thought."
"That's it.
"Your Heart Essence is already responding to your heart.
"That 'heat' is your will, your power. You just don't know how to use it yet."
At this point, Qiji stumbled over his words. Unable to think of how to keep bluffing, he decided to end the discussion.
"All right, that's all I can do to help you get stronger.
"For the rest, you'll have to comprehend it, feel it, and try it for yourself.
"Remember, only what you comprehend and create for yourself truly belongs to you. Only that is the path best suited to you!"
With that, Qiji stretched, his tone instantly switching to a lazy drawl as he slipped away as if fleeing.
"I'm going over there to sleep for a while. You keep practicing on your own. Good luck."
Huomu suddenly saw the light and nodded vigorously.
"Yes, Qiji! I'll work hard! I definitely won't let your teaching go to waste! I definitely won't disappoint you!"
Setsuna looked at Qiji, who had said what he wanted and gone off to sleep under the shade of a tree, then at Huomu, who now "seemed to understand everything" and was fired up as if he'd been injected with chicken blood. Her head was full of question marks.
Wait! So what exactly did you understand?!
Why didn't I understand any of it!!!
Qiji seemed to say something just now, but it also seemed like he didn't say anything at all...
Seeing Huomu throw himself into it with boundless energy, gesturing and muttering to himself as he practiced alone against the air, Setsuna couldn't help questioning her life once again.
A thought occurred to her, and the girl abruptly slapped herself!
Setsuna, what's wrong with you?
Just because you were too dull to understand Qiji's teaching, you're doubting him!
Qiji is an absolute genius. His words must have a deeper meaning of their own!
So-
The problem isn't Qiji. It's you!
You're too stupid!
Look, even that idiot Huomu understood!
Could you be even stupider than Huomu, whose aptitude rating is only F...?!
At that thought, Setsuna abruptly pulled herself together.
Even if what Qiji said is completely different from the textbooks...
Before doubting him, I should at least try it for myself!
That's right!
Were the textbooks more authoritative, or was Qiji more correct? Setsuna decided to find the answer through her own practice!
Having made up her mind, Setsuna clenched her fists and stood in front of another training dummy.