After some time, everything inside the train remained unchanged. Ruminas had begun to loosen the seal on the black aura and use it, her primary goal being to familiarize herself with it and find a way to control it.
As soon as the seal on the black aura was released, it surged like a tidal wave, flooding through Ruminas's body, causing black patterns to emerge across her skin.
"Last time, it took a while for these to appear, but now they show up instantly the moment I use it…"
Ruminas focused, trying to prevent the black marks from spreading too quickly. A strange voice began to echo in her mind, relentlessly tempting her to embrace it for greater power.
"What a headache…"
She tried to find something within the black aura that she could harness, but the influence of the mysterious voice was far stronger than she had anticipated. Her eyes began to turn black, showing signs of losing control.
"Don't push yourself too hard!" Achlys called out urgently.
Ruminas remained calm, but she truly couldn't control it. She was still fully aware, yet unable to command her body, which left her deeply uncomfortable.
Suddenly, a cold sensation washed over her, startling Ruminas. She felt a pair of icy hands touching her, but at the same time, they helped her resist the voice's influence.
"You…"
Ruminas opened her eyes again, turning to look at the Parasol Lady embracing her neck.
"That was reckless," the woman said with a faint smile.
"I can still handle it. I'm fine," Ruminas replied. Thanks to the Parasol Lady intervention, her condition had improved significantly.
"Thank you," Ruminas sighed. "How are you able to control that thing?"
"I know it…" the woman said.
"Know it?" Ruminas echoed.
"The killing intent it exudes feels familiar. I can't remember everything clearly, but the technique I practiced happens to counter it."
"Is that so…"
Ruminas pondered for a moment.
The monstrous heart was something she had taken from King Answosa's domain, but there was no evidence it originated from him. It was highly likely that this thing had a deeper, more complex origin, possibly connected to the umbrella-wielding woman.
"This might help me learn more about her past and fulfill the mission's requirements," Ruminas thought.
With that in mind, she said, "If you remember anything else, please let me know."
"Are you making a demand?" The woman smirked, her hand brushing along Ruminas's chin. "That'll cost extra…" she teased with a laugh.
"No way!" Ruminas shot back immediately. "Just share if you want to, or don't."
The woman laughed, then suddenly made an offer: "How about another deal?"
"What now…?" Ruminas asked warily.
"I still remember that technique. I can teach it to you so you can control the aura yourself. In exchange… you'll come with me to a place someday."
Ruminas was taken aback by the proposal. She had expected another bizarre request, but the Parasol Lady only wanted her to accompany her somewhere.
To be sure, Ruminas asked, "Where is it?"
The woman shook her head. "I don't remember, but I know I need to go there. I have a feeling I won't be enough on my own, so I'll need someone with me."
"That's vague…"
"My memories are just scattered fragments now. I don't even remember my own name. But the urge to go to that place is overwhelming, so I can't ignore it."
Ruminas fell silent, processing her words. "Is this how all NPCs are…?" she wondered.
Suddenly, she felt a pang of sympathy for the umbrella-wielding woman.
"Alright, I promise," Ruminas replied.
"The promise is sealed. No breaking it," the woman said with a soft smile.
"So, what's this technique you're going to teach me?"
The umbrella-wielding demon paused, as if recalling something distant. After a moment, she let out a faint sigh, her expression tinged with melancholy.
"My technique has no name," she said. "Or perhaps I've forgotten it."
"What do you remember about it?" Ruminas asked.
"Don't worry. Aside from the name, I remember every part of it. I spent over half my life learning and practicing it."
"That long…!? Is it that difficult?" Ruminas pressed.
The woman nodded.
"The early stages are relatively normal, but it gets challenging later on. It demands a high level of perception and learning ability. At that point, no one can help you but yourself. There's definitely danger involved, so if you're not ready, you can back out now."
The woman fell silent, watching Ruminas. Though her hair obscured her eyes, Ruminas could feel the intense hope radiating from her, as if she desperately wished Ruminas wouldn't give up.
Ruminas remained quiet.
She knew nothing came without risk. Her mind drifted to another thought: the Parasol Lady had mentioned the technique required strong comprehension, and coincidentally, her talent was learning.
"Maybe I can use this to develop the golden aura too…" Ruminas mused.
"I'm not backing out," she said after a pause.
"Good," the Parasol Lady nodded. "This technique has eight stages, each granting a different ability. Mastering all eight unlocks a special ability."
She paused, sighing again.
"I only reached the seventh stage. The eighth is a pinnacle that maybe one in a thousand years can achieve. I don't expect you to reach it—seven stages should be enough to counter that thing."
Ruminas nodded, listening intently.
"I'll give you an overview of all eight stages first."
The Parasol Lady gracefully raised her hand, tracing a circle in the air. A faint aura emanated from her fingertips, as if summoning distant memories.
"This technique isn't limited by any specific energy. It's not about control but about understanding and harmonizing all energies within yourself."
Ruminas listened in silence.
"Stage One: Stillness. Without stillness, there is no motion. The first stage is about settling yourself, eliminating external influences until only you remain. Achieve absolute tranquility."
"Stage Two: Unity. Once you've attained stillness, you must learn to merge with the flow around you. The world is filled with invisible forces—life, killing intent, pressure—constantly in motion. In this stage, you open yourself to these forces, letting them pass through you like water through a net. By refining your senses, you perceive their rhythm and unique nature, understanding how they can integrate into your being without causing chaos."
"Stage Three: Balance. Absorbing energy chaotically can throw your body into disarray. This stage teaches you to forge an inner crucible—a focal point in your soul, often called the 'Core of Harmony'—where forces are refined and organized. Here, you learn to stabilize them, ensuring they don't clash or consume you. This process demands precision, as even a slight imbalance can shatter your foundation."
"Stage Four: Transformation. Once the forces are balanced, you gain the ability to reshape them as you wish. This stage allows you to convert one form of energy into another—life force into endurance, will into strength. Like an alchemist, you master the art of flexibility, molding the essence of these forces to adapt to any challenge or purpose."
"Stage Five: Illusion. Mastering energy isn't just about yourself but also about influencing perception. In this stage, you learn to manipulate the boundaries of reality, creating illusions that deceive the senses. By subtly adjusting the flow of energy around you, you can obscure truth, summon phantoms, or craft visions for others. The veil of illusion you weave distorts what others see, but beware—this power requires clarity, lest you lose yourself in your own creations."
"Stage Six: This is a unique stage because it's empty. You must add an ability of your own."
"Stage Seven: Domain. Surpassing all previous stages, you reach the final threshold, creating a 'domain' of your own. Within this domain, you set the rules, and all energies obey your will. But each domain can only be sustained for a limited time, as nothing is eternal."
"And finally, Stage Eight: Transcendence."
The Parasol Lady gave a faint smile. "I never reached this stage. Those who have describe it differently, so I suspect it builds upon the previous stages."
She lowered her hand, the faint light fading. "Can you keep up?"
Ruminas thought for a moment before replying, "I don't have any other choice."
"Don't worry too much. The first four stages can be learned quickly and will solve your problem. The fifth adds a combat ability, but the sixth is the most crucial."
"The ability you choose for the sixth stage could determine whether you reach the eighth," the demon added.
"What was your sixth stage?" Ruminas asked.
The Parasol Lady was about to answer when another figure appeared behind her—the woman with the torn mouth.
Looking down, Ruminas caught a glimpse of her face through the veil. She wasn't too surprised, as the name already hinted at her appearance.
"How long are you going to make me wait?" the torn-mouthed woman grumbled.
Hearing this, Ruminas realized the train had been traveling through the tunnel for five days, and she was likely the only one who hadn't checked the third act's mission.
"Don't interrupt!" the Parasol Lady snapped, her tone carrying a warning.
"Hmph, I'm not here to waste time waiting for you to chat. Hurry up and check the mission so I can leave, then you can talk as long as you want," the torn-mouthed woman retorted, her voice unwavering.
the Parasol Lady didn't respond, but the air around her grew colder.
Sensing a potential fight, Ruminas stepped in. "Alright, checking the mission won't take long. I'll do it now."
Hearing this, the two quieted down.
Ruminas sighed inwardly but was also curious about the upcoming mission.
"Let's take a look then…"