《Guardian Academy》 Transfer student Sam sat quietly in a cushioned seat within the sleek, futuristic train car as it sped through the vastness of space toward Guardian Academy. The faint hum of the train blended with the ambient sound of the stars outside. He turned his head, gazing out the window. Beyond the shimmering planets and glowing asteroids, a massive floating island hung in the void of space, suspended as if by magic. He stared at it for a moment, the sight both awe-inspiring and intimidating. As the train began to slow, a soft, robotic voice filled the cabin. ¡°Destination reached: Guardian Academy. Please ensure you have all personal belongings before disembarking.¡± Sam sighed and reached for a small, glowing orb on the seat beside him, tucking it carefully into his pocket. Rising to his feet, he adjusted his bag and stepped out of the train. The academy was breathtaking. A grand, sprawling field of lush green grass stretched out in the middle of the campus, lined with towering, crystalline buildings that glimmered in the sunlight. Students hurried to and fro, their chatter filling the air, but Sam felt their eyes on him as soon as he stepped off the platform. Near the entrance, a holographic sign floated, displaying his name. Standing by it was a stern-faced woman dressed in a sleek, dark uniform. Sam hesitated briefly, then walked toward her. He stopped in front of her and extended a hand. ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± Sam said, offering a small, polite smile. The woman glanced at his hand but didn¡¯t take it. Instead, her expression remained neutral, almost cold. ¡°Follow me. The Grandmaster wants to meet you,¡± she said curtly before turning on her heel. Sam lowered his hand awkwardly and adjusted his bag. ¡°Understood, ma¡¯am,¡± he replied, trailing behind her. As they walked through the campus, Sam noticed the whispers. Students stopped to glance at him, their gazes lingering longer than he was comfortable with. A group of boys near a fountain murmured among themselves, and a girl passing by shot him a curious look before hurrying off. Sam kept his head down, trying to ignore the scrutiny. The woman led him to an elevator at the base of one of the tallest buildings. As the doors slid open, Sam took a moment to glance out of a nearby window. From this angle, the academy looked even more beautiful. The buildings glimmered like jewels, and ships floated in the distance, docking at the edges of the campus. ¡°So, ma¡¯am,¡± Sam asked hesitantly, breaking the silence. ¡°May I ask what class I¡¯ll be assigned to?¡± The woman glanced back at him, her tone sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me.¡± Sam blinked, surprised by the bluntness. He looked at her for a moment, then nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. When the elevator stopped, they stepped out into a wide corridor lined with classrooms. As they passed, Sam noticed students peering through the glass windows of their doors, their faces a mix of curiosity and surprise. His stomach churned, but he kept his face neutral. Finally, they reached a large set of ornate doors. The woman stopped and gestured toward them. ¡°Enter,¡± she said simply. Sam pushed the doors open and stepped inside. The office was grand, with high ceilings and walls lined with bookshelves and holographic displays. Behind a massive desk sat an older man with a warm smile and sharp eyes. He stood as Sam entered. ¡°Ah, hello, Sam. It¡¯s finally great to meet you,¡± the Grandmaster said, his voice deep and welcoming. ¡°Raiden has told me a lot about you.¡± ¡°She did?¡± Sam asked, stepping closer. The Grandmaster nodded. ¡°Yes, she mentioned that you¡¯re a strong fighter and a fast learner.¡± Sam rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°Thanks, sir.¡± The Grandmaster motioned for him to sit, but he remained standing as he continued. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get to the heart of the matter. As you know, Guardian Academy is the largest and most prestigious of its kind. We take in 2,000 students every eight years to train the next generation of Guardians. What makes your case unique, Sam, is that you are a transfer. You didn¡¯t go through the same rigorous selection process as everyone else. But there¡¯s another reason you stand out¡­¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Sam raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but his tone firm. ¡°I¡¯m black, isn¡¯t it?¡± The Grandmaster hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Yes¡­ you¡¯re the first, to be exact. In the academy¡¯s entire history, no one of your background has ever attended. That is why I must ask you directly: are you ready for the challenges this will bring? You will face prejudice, ridicule, and mockery from those who see your presence here as an affront to tradition. Can you endure that?¡± Sam stared at him, unflinching. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here thinking it would be easy, sir. I came because I want to become a Guardian. That¡¯s all that matters.¡± The Grandmaster was silent for a moment, then a smile spread across his face. ¡°Good. That¡¯s exactly what I wanted to hear, my friend.¡± He clapped his hands together, and the doors opened behind Sam. The woman who had escorted him earlier stepped inside. ¡°Aubry, take Sam to his dorm room so he can meet his roommate,¡± the Grandmaster instructed. ¡°Understood, sir,¡± Aubry replied. She gestured for Sam to follow her again. Sam turned to the Grandmaster and nodded. ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± ¡°Welcome to Guardian Academy, Sam,¡± the Grandmaster said warmly. Sam followed Aubrey down the wide hallways of the Guardian Academy dorms. The metallic floors gleamed under the artificial sunlight streaming through massive windows, showcasing a stunning view of the academy¡¯s floating architecture suspended in the starry void. Each step echoed faintly, and Sam couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the grand design of the place. As they arrived at his dorm room, Aubrey stopped and gestured to the door. ¡°This is your room. Your roommate¡¯s already inside. Try not to cause trouble,¡± she said curtly, turning on her heel and walking away before Sam could respond. Sam hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Inside, he saw a muscular young man on the floor, effortlessly doing push-ups. ¡°10,001¡­ 10,002¡­ 10,003!¡± the man counted aloud, his voice filled with energy. ¡°Ahem,¡± Aubrey cleared her throat from behind Sam. The man paused mid-push-up, looked up with a grin, and sprang to his feet. ¡°Tushar, that¡¯s enough. Meet your new roommate,¡± Aubrey said, stepping back to let them greet each other. Tushar strode forward with confidence, extending a hand. ¡°Pleasure to meet you! Name¡¯s Tushar, from the northern planets.¡± Sam shook his hand, surprised by the warmth in his grip. ¡°Nice to meet you, too. I¡¯m Sam.¡± ¡°Alright, boys. Play nice,¡± Aubrey said before leaving, the door hissing shut behind her. Tushar gave Sam a once-over, then clapped his hands together. ¡°So, let¡¯s get to training!¡± ¡°Training?¡± Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Yeah! Gotta know what my new roommate¡¯s made of.¡± Tushar dropped to the floor and resumed his push-ups. ¡°Come on, join me!¡± Sam sighed but got down to the floor. ¡°Why are we doing this again?¡± he asked, moving in rhythm with Tushar. ¡°To get to know each other! We¡¯re roommates now, and training together builds trust,¡± Tushar said without missing a beat. Sam hesitated, then asked, ¡°So¡­ you don¡¯t hate me? You know, because of¡­¡± Tushar stopped and sat up, looking Sam directly in the eye. ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass that you¡¯re black or that people are going to treat you differently here. The only way I¡¯ll ever hate you is if you don¡¯t give 100% in everything you do. Got it?¡± Sam blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in Tushar¡¯s words. ¡°Got it,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Good. Now, ten more push-ups!¡± Tushar grinned, dropping back to the floor. The next morning, Sam got up early, using his rover orb to guide him to his first class. The academy¡¯s halls were bustling with students, and Sam felt the weight of their stares. Whispers followed him as he passed, but he kept his head high, determined not to let it bother him. When he entered the classroom, all eyes turned to him. ¡°Ah, Sam. Your seat is in the back,¡± the teacher said, gesturing toward an empty chair. Sam nodded and began walking to his seat. As he passed one student, they stuck out their foot, tripping him. Sam stumbled but caught himself before falling. ¡°Of course the void skin can¡¯t even walk straight,¡± the student sneered, prompting laughter from the class. Sam clenched his fists but said nothing, continuing to his seat. As he sat down, a voice next to him spoke softly, ¡°Are you okay?¡± He turned to see a girl with a kind expression. Her worry was genuine, and it caught him off guard. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine,¡± he said, offering a small smile. ¡°Good,¡± she said, nodding as the teacher began the lesson. The class soon transitioned to a lecture on Theons. The holographic displays on their desks flickered to life, showing images of powerful beings with glowing orbs in their hands. ¡°Theons are beings who exist outside our universe,¡± the teacher explained. ¡°Each Theon represents a fundamental aspect of existence, such as time, space, or death. For example, Powehi is the Theon of black holes and stars, responsible for their creation and destruction.¡± A student raised their hand. ¡°How does someone become a Theon?¡± ¡°To become a Theon, one must acquire their jewel orb,¡± the teacher explained. ¡°When the orb is crushed, its pieces fuse with the user¡¯s soul. The stronger the connection to the orb, the more power the user gains. However, even a single shard of a Theon¡¯s power is enough to destroy a universe.¡± Another student pointed at the hologram. ¡°Why are four Theons listed as missing?¡± ¡°Those are the Theons of Death, Dreams, Ice, and Fire. They currently have no bearers.¡± The class murmured in curiosity, but the teacher clapped her hands to regain their attention. ¡°Enough questions. It¡¯s time for your practical exam. Follow me to the training facility.¡± The training arena was massive, with a high ceiling and walls lined with observation windows. Students stood nervously in their battle gear, waiting for their turn. The teacher addressed the group from a booth above. ¡°Your task is simple: survive against a hologram monster for ten minutes without getting hit.¡± One by one, the students took their turns, facing off against various monsters. Some succeeded, others failed. Finally, it was Sam¡¯s turn. He stepped into the arena, pulling on his combat gloves. The teacher smirked. ¡°Since you were trained by the Grand Master, your challenge will be harder.¡± She pressed a button, and a Frostback Knight materialized¡ªa towering, ice-covered warrior wielding a massive frozen blade. Sam frowned. ¡°That¡¯s a B-class monster. Weren¡¯t we supposed to face C- and D-class ones?¡± ¡°Prove your worth, transfer student,¡± the teacher said smugly. The Frostback Knight charged, its blade aimed straight for Sam. He dodged at the last second, the freezing wind from the blade chilling him to the core. ¡°Frostback Knights can freeze souls with their swords. One hit, and I¡¯m done,¡± Sam thought, staying light on his feet. The knight attacked relentlessly, but Sam dodged and countered with quick punches, his gloves crackling with electricity. The students watching from above were shocked¡ªSam was holding his own against the B-class monster. As the timer ticked down, Sam timed his final move perfectly. Dodging the knight¡¯s sword, he unleashed a flurry of electric punches, stunning the monster. The timer buzzed, signaling the end of the test. The room was silent, the students in awe. Sam had gotten a perfect score. ¡°That void skin must¡¯ve cheated!¡± someone yelled, breaking the silence. Sam ignored the comment, walking off the field with his head held high. school assembly As the next day came by, there was a giant assembly. Sam and Tushar sat next to each other. ¡°Do you know what¡¯s happening?¡± Sam asked. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the biggest thing that happens every four years. This is going to be my first one,¡± Tushar replied. ¡°What is it?¡± Sam pressed, curiosity sparking in his voice. ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Tushar said with a grin. Suddenly, the Grandmaster appeared in front of all the students. ¡°Hello, students! It¡¯s me, your Grandmaster,¡± he announced, his voice booming across the hall. Everyone was silent, not caring. The lack of reaction made the Grandmaster shift awkwardly. ¡°It¡¯s about that time of year once again: the annual Guardian Royal!¡± he declared, trying to reignite their attention. ¡°Anyone can join this. You can be by yourself, in a group of four, five, six¡ªwhatever, no one cares.¡± Sam watched as a monitor lit up behind the Grandmaster, displaying a map of a colossal arena. ¡°It¡¯s simple. The first team that makes it to the middle and takes the flag wins. But beware¡ªyou¡¯ll be stopped by C to D-class monsters,¡± the Grandmaster continued, pausing for dramatic effect. ¡°Oh, and for one more thing¡ªthis year, the Guardian Commanders of the ten divisions will be there as well, watching.¡± At this, a wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. The Grandmaster smiled, satisfied that he had their attention. ¡°For those of you who don¡¯t know, there are ten divisions for Guardians, each representing a unique talent or responsibility within our ranks. These divisions ensure that we can explore the cosmos and protect the stars while adapting to any challenge we face.¡± The monitor shifted, showing the insignias and descriptions of the ten divisions: The Ten Guardian Divisions
  1. Division of Stars (Explorers)
  1. Division of Shields (Defenders)
  1. Division of Blades (Warriors)
  1. Division of Minds (Researchers)
  1. Division of Shadows (Operatives)
  1. Division of Beasts (Tamekeepers)
  1. Division of Flames (Elementalists)
  1. Division of Time (Temporal Agents)
  1. Division of Souls (Healers and Empaths)
  1. Division of Infinity (Conceptualists)
The Grandmaster¡¯s voice cut through the murmurs. ¡°This year, the Guardian Commanders of these divisions will observe the Royal to evaluate potential recruits. They are legends in their own right, and their approval can change your future!¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Sam turned to Tushar, wide-eyed. ¡°This sounds insane. The Guardian Commanders¡­ watching us?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Tushar said, his tone a mix of excitement and nervousness. ¡°If they notice you, you¡¯re set for life. But that¡¯s also why this competition is no joke. Only the strongest and smartest teams make it to the end.¡± Sam leaned back in his chair, staring at the monitor as images of fierce monsters, daunting mazes, and glowing flags filled the screen. ¡°Guess we¡¯re going to find out if we¡¯ve got what it takes,¡± Sam said with determination, his fists clenching. The Grandmaster¡¯s booming voice closed out the assembly. ¡°Prepare yourselves, Guardians-in-training. The Guardian Royal begins tomorrow. May the best team win!¡± he yelled. As they both walked out of the assembly hall. ¡°Hey, Sam how about how about the three of us join up for the royal,¡± Tushar asked. Sam was hesitant. ¡°Sure why not, but their two of us who is the third one?¡± Sam asked. ¡°Youll see,¡± he said. The both of them walked to another part of the academy. Walked to a room. ¡°Who''s in there,¡± sam asked. ¡°The smartest person I know,¡± he said. He opened the door ¡°hey Lexine,¡± he said. It was a dark room as they entered the only thing that was lit was the screen. She didn''t answer. A short girl was playing games on the computer and eating. ¡°Hold on a second,¡± Tushar said. He turns off the computer. ¡°What the fuck was that for!¡± She yelled. ¡°Hello Lexine, I want you to meet my new friend, Sam,¡± he said. She looks at Sam. ¡°Your friends with the void skin,¡± she said. Not looking at him unimpressed. She then snaps her fingers and a hologram of Sam''s picture and who he was. ¡°Ah so you''re the transfer that¡¯s a first oh even more surprising that you train with Riaden,¡± she said. Tushar was shocked by this ¡°Raiden the theon of the stars and light,¡± Tushar said. ¡°Yes I was trained by her,¡± he said. ¡°Know you become more interesting void skin, let me guess you want me to help you in royal right?¡± Lexine said. ¡°Yeah, so what do you say Lexine,¡± Tushar asked. ¡°Fine, I do owe you now after what happened last year,¡± she said. ¡°What does she even do,¡± Sam asked. ¡°I don¡¯t fight but I carry and give out commands to everyone I¡¯m known as a proxy,¡±. She said. ¡°So what do you say, Sam? Are you thinking about joining us?¡± Tushar asked. ¡°Sure¡­but please stop calling me void skin,¡± Sam asked. ¡°It depends if we win, now get out of my room! I''m still playing,¡± she yelled. Both walked out of her room and closed the door. ¡°So where are you heading now,¡± Tushar asked. ¡°I''m going to walk around campus I never fully see it yet,¡± Sam said. ¡°Ok have fun and don''t get into trouble,¡± Tushar said. Sam was walking around and saw the campus. He walked up to the giant grass field and saw people laughing and doing work. As Sam continued walking around he noticed someone falling him from behind. Sam went to the right and went into the dark corner. The stalker also followed him. But then the stalker hit sam chest and they fell down to the ground. Sam looked at them and it was a girl her glasses fell off her. ¡°Ow,¡± she said. She was trying to find her glasses. She picked them up and put them on. She looked up at Sam and shrieked in fear. ¡°Why are you following me,¡± he said. ¡°Uhhhhhh,¡± she said. ¡°Answer,¡± he said. ¡°I¡­I want to join your team!¡± she yelled. Sam was shocked by this. After some time both of them sat down at a bench. ¡°Why do you want to join my team,¡± Sam asked. ¡°Well, yesterday at the exam, you were fighting a Frost Knight while I was watching. You looked like a real guardian, and it was so cool. You inspired me to do this royal, so please let me join you and your team,¡± she said. Sam thought about it for a second. ¡°Fine, let me tell the others about it, and you might be able to join,¡± Sam said. She smiled with joy. ¡°Thank you so much; you won''t regret this at all,¡± she said. She started to hug Sam. " OK, OK, " Sam said. She let go of Sam, releasing what she had done. ¡°What''s your name,¡± Sam asked. ¡°I''m Eislyn Froid, I''m from the eastern part of the galaxy,¡± she said. ¡°Nice to meet you my name is Sam,¡± he said. As time passed they continued to talk they said their goodbyes and Eislyn was excited about being part of a great team. tranining Eislyn woke up, a bright smile lighting up her face. The excitement buzzing inside her made her morning routine fly by. She dressed in her uniform, fixed her hair, and hurried off to class, a hopeful grin still lingering as she imagined the scene unfolding in her mind. ¡°We need you, Eislyn, to help us win the Royal Tournament. Please, join us,¡± Sam would say, desperation in his voice. Tushar and Lexine would nod in agreement, their expressions pleading. ¡°No problem,¡± she would reply confidently, ¡°I¡¯ll help you guys out.¡± The thought filled her with excitement as she entered the classroom. Sam stood by the window, staring outside, lost in thought. Eislyn approached him eagerly. ¡°So, what did they say?¡± she asked, her smile widening with anticipation. ¡°They said no,¡± Sam replied flatly. Eislyn¡¯s heart sank. It felt as if the world had crumbled beneath her feet. ¡°Why?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. ¡°They said they don¡¯t know you,¡± Sam explained. ¡°They think you might be someone from another team trying to sabotage us.¡± Tears welled up in Eislyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°But I¡¯m not on any team! I don¡¯t even have any friends. You can ask anyone,¡± she protested, her voice cracking. Sam sighed. ¡°Look, I understand how you feel, but they have a point. We don¡¯t know much about you either. Can you prove you¡¯re not a spy?¡± ¡°Yes, absolutely!¡± Eislyn exclaimed, her determination shining through her tears. ¡°After class, I¡¯ll show you I¡¯m on your side.¡± Sam nodded. ¡°Alright. After class, then.¡± Eislyn took her seat as the lesson began, but she couldn¡¯t focus. The teacher¡¯s words blurred into background noise as her mind raced. She scribbled notes in her notebook¡ªnot about the lecture, but plans to prove herself to the team. As class ended, Eislyn followed Sam through the bustling halls of the academy. He led her to a quieter section, where their team apparently gathered. Sam pushed open a heavy door, revealing a small room. Tushar and Lexine were already inside. ¡°So, this is Eislyn?¡± Tushar asked, eyeing her curiously. Lexine barely glanced up from her computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard. ¡°What does this pink-haired wannabe want?¡± she muttered with a smirk. Eislyn flinched. So mean, she thought, biting her lip to stop the tears from forming. ¡°Lexine, be nice,¡± Sam warned, though his voice lacked real sternness. Tushar crossed his arms and turned to Eislyn. ¡°So, Eislyn, why do you want to join our team?¡± Tushar asked, his tone neutral but curious. ¡°I¡­ I want to¡­¡± Eislyn stammered, searching for the right words. Before she could finish, Lexine snapped her fingers. A holographic screen flickered to life in midair, displaying data about Eislyn. ¡°Eislyn: Sixteen years old. Average grades. Zero friends,¡± Lexine read aloud, her voice dripping with disdain. Her eyes widened as she scrolled further. ¡°Oh, and your chest si¡ª¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± Eislyn shouted, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. Lexine froze, startled by the outburst. The room went silent, and for a moment, no one moved. Then Lexine¡¯s eyes narrowed, scanning the holographic screen again. Suddenly, her expression changed from smug to surprised. ¡°Your abilities¡­¡± Lexine murmured, her tone shifting completely. The others exchanged puzzled looks. ¡°What is it?¡± Tushar asked. Lexine turned to them, her face serious. ¡°She¡¯s on the team,¡± she declared. Sam and Tushar blinked in unison, caught off guard by the sudden decision. ¡°She agreed that quickly?¡± they thought to themselves. Eislyn looked up, her tear-streaked face a mix of hope and disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m on the team?¡± she asked hesitantly. ¡°Yes,¡± Lexine replied, her tone firm. She jump up in joy. ¡°Thank you so much, i wont let you guys down,¡± she said. ¡°Let me get my stuff to set my locker up,¡± she running out of the room. ¡°What are her abllites,¡± sam asked. ¡°Her abitly control gravity,¡± she said. ¡°A lot of people can control gravity at are school, what makes her different from them,¡± Tushaer asked. ¡°She can control it on the atomic level,¡± she said. ¡°Sam you are truly the greatest chick magent,¡± Tushar said. Sam looked at him with a look of disopiment. ¡°Bassily having three of you would be amazing as well. Sam will be focusing on attacking he will be our offesne while Tushar be are defense and then for Eislyn will be our support chagning gravity or using gravity sheilds to protect other pepole. Eislyn came running back into the room. ¡°Sorry it took a while, but i brought my stuff,¡± she said. ¡°Ok great, set your stuff in your locker of their becasue now are team is fully set,¡± tushar said. ¡°Ok so what are we going to do now?¡± eislyn asked. ¡°Its simple, the four of us, are going down to the traning hall,¡± Lexine said. All four of them went down to the traning hall. Eislyn woke up, a bright smile lighting up her face. The excitement buzzing inside her made her morning routine fly by. She dressed in her uniform, fixed her hair, and hurried off to class, a hopeful grin lingering as she imagined the scene unfolding in her mind.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°We need you, Eislyn, to help us win the Royal Tournament. Please, join us,¡± Sam would say, desperation in his voice. Tushar and Lexine would nod in agreement, their expressions pleading. ¡°No problem,¡± she would reply confidently. ¡°I¡¯ll help you guys out.¡± The thought filled her with excitement as she entered the classroom. But reality struck differently. Sam stood by the window, staring outside, lost in thought. Eislyn approached him eagerly. ¡°So, what did they say?¡± she asked, her smile widening with anticipation. ¡°They said no,¡± Sam replied flatly. Eislyn¡¯s heart sank. It felt as if the world had crumbled beneath her feet. ¡°Why?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. ¡°They said they don¡¯t know you,¡± Sam explained. ¡°They think you might be someone from another team trying to sabotage us.¡± Tears welled up in Eislyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°But I¡¯m not on any team! I don¡¯t even have any friends. You can ask anyone,¡± she protested, her voice cracking. Sam sighed. ¡°Look, I understand how you feel, but they have a point. We don¡¯t know much about you either. Can you prove you¡¯re not a spy?¡± ¡°Yes, absolutely!¡± Eislyn exclaimed, her determination shining through her tears. ¡°After class, I¡¯ll show you I¡¯m on your side.¡± Sam nodded. ¡°Alright. After class, then.¡± Eislyn took her seat as the lesson began, but she couldn¡¯t focus. The teacher¡¯s words blurred into background noise as her mind raced. She scribbled notes in her notebook¡ªnot about the lecture, but plans to prove herself to the team. As class ended, Eislyn followed Sam through the bustling halls of the academy. He led her to a quieter section, where their team apparently gathered. Sam pushed open a heavy door, revealing a small room. Tushar and Lexine were already inside. ¡°So, this is Eislyn?¡± Tushar asked, eyeing her curiously. Lexine barely glanced up from her computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard. ¡°What does this pink-haired wannabe want?¡± she muttered with a smirk. Eislyn flinched. So mean, she thought, biting her lip to stop the tears from forming. ¡°Lexine, be nice,¡± Sam warned, though his voice lacked real sternness. Tushar crossed his arms and turned to Eislyn. ¡°So, Eislyn, why do you want to join our team?¡± Tushar asked, his tone neutral but curious. ¡°I¡­ I want to¡­¡± Eislyn stammered, searching for the right words. Before she could finish, Lexine snapped her fingers. A holographic screen flickered to life in midair, displaying data about Eislyn. ¡°Eislyn: Sixteen years old. Average grades. Zero friends,¡± Lexine read aloud, her voice dripping with disdain. Her eyes widened as she scrolled further. ¡°Oh, and your chest si¡ª¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± Eislyn shouted, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. Lexine froze, startled by the outburst. The room went silent, and for a moment, no one moved. Then Lexine¡¯s eyes narrowed, scanning the holographic screen again. Suddenly, her expression changed from smug to surprised. ¡°Your abilities¡­¡± Lexine murmured, her tone shifting completely. The others exchanged puzzled looks. ¡°What is it?¡± Tushar asked. Lexine turned to them, her face serious. ¡°She¡¯s on the team,¡± she declared. Sam and Tushar blinked in unison, caught off guard by the sudden decision. ¡°She agreed that quickly?¡± they thought to themselves. Eislyn looked up, her tear-streaked face a mix of hope and disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m on the team?¡± she asked hesitantly. ¡°Yes,¡± Lexine replied, her tone firm. Eislyn jumped up in joy. ¡°Thank you so much! I won¡¯t let you guys down!¡± she said, rushing out of the room. ¡°Let me get my stuff to set my locker up!¡± As she left, Tushar turned to Lexine. ¡°What are her abilities?¡± he asked. ¡°She can control gravity,¡± Lexine said. Tushar raised an eyebrow. ¡°A lot of people can control gravity at our school. What makes her different?¡± Lexine smirked. ¡°She can control it on the atomic level.¡± ¡°Sam, you are truly the greatest chick magnet,¡± Tushar teased. Sam gave him a look of disappointment, shaking his head. ¡°Basically, having three of you would be amazing as well,¡± Lexine continued. ¡°Sam will focus on offense, Tushar on defense, and Eislyn will provide support¡ªchanging gravity or creating shields to protect others.¡± Eislyn came running back into the room. ¡°Sorry it took a while, but I brought my stuff,¡± she said. ¡°Great! Set your things in your locker. Now our team is fully set,¡± Tushar said. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± Eislyn asked eagerly. Lexine¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°It¡¯s simple. The four of us are heading to the training hall.¡±
The training hall was vast, equipped with advanced technology that simulated various battle scenarios. Sam, Tushar, and Eislyn stood on the training pad, now clad in combat gear. Lexine watched from the control booth above. ¡°So, why are we here?¡± Tushar asked, adjusting his gear. ¡°It¡¯s time to test your teamwork,¡± Lexine replied. She typed commands into a console. ¡°The three of you will face an A-class monster.¡± ¡°What?!¡± they yelled in unison. The room¡¯s surroundings transformed into a destroyed cityscape. A massive dragon-like entity appeared, its body radiating intense heat. ¡°That¡¯s a solar dragon,¡± Tushar said, his voice filled with dread. The dragon roared, sending a powerful solar flare toward them. Eislyn snapped her fingers, creating a faint barrier that shielded the area. ¡°Eislyn, focus on support! Tushar, defense!¡± Sam commanded. The two nodded, springing into action. Sam darted toward the dragon, energy swirling around him. ¡°Extinction Type Four,¡± he thought, slamming his foot into the ground. The energy surged as he launched himself at the dragon. He aimed for its head, but its tail lashed out, nearly hitting him. Sam dodged and climbed up its tail, preparing another attack. ¡°Extinction Type One,¡± he thought, delivering a mid-air kick. Though it struck, the dragon barely flinched. Its massive claws swiped at him, but Sam evaded every blow. Meanwhile, Tushar moved into position. ¡°Blood Freak: Type One, Angel¡¯s Blood,¡± he muttered, extending his hand. Streams of crimson shot out, piercing the dragon and creating a small hole in its scales. The dragon roared in pain, turning its attention to Tushar. It unleashed another solar flare, but Eislyn intervened, using her gravity powers to lift the dragon into the air. ¡°She adjusted the gravity just for the dragon,¡± Sam thought, impressed. Sam dashed along the side of a nearby building, using the debris as leverage to close the distance. ¡°Blood Freak, Type Four: Blooded Sickle,¡± Tushar thought, forming a crimson weapon in his hand. With a precise throw, the sickle embedded itself in the dragon¡¯s side, widening the hole. Eislyn soared toward Sam using her gravity powers, hovering beside him. ¡°Do you mind?¡± she asked, her eyes gleaming with determination. ¡°Go for it,¡± Sam replied. Eislyn used her telekinesis to hurl Sam directly at the dragon with incredible speed. ¡°Extinction, Type Two!¡± Sam thought, his energy concentrating and building with every second. His body glowed with raw power as he aimed for the weakened spot. With a thunderous strike, his kick connected, sending a shockwave rippling through the dragon¡¯s body. The creature let out one final roar before collapsing in a heap, its golden scales dimming as its life force faded. The simulated environment shimmered and returned to the training hall. ¡°We¡­ did it?¡± Eislyn panted, landing gently on the ground. Sam with a smirk on his face. ¡°Not bad with our teamwork.¡± Tushar nodded, his face flushed from exertion. ¡°We might just have a shot at this tournament.¡± Lexine clapped sarcastically from the console. ¡°Not bad, even though it was on easy mode,¡± she said laughing. Sam exchanged a glance with his teammates, and the three of them looked at her with a face of resentment. Someone was in the shadows on the upper deck drawing the three of them. ¡°So this is the voidskin, huh? He seems interesting,¡± he said. Theon of truth As the sun rose, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, Tushar and Sam woke up early, shaking off the remnants of sleep. They quickly got dressed and headed to their room, where Lexine and Eislyn were already up. Tushar yawned loudly, stretching as they entered. "So, what are we doing here so early? Couldn''t this wait?" Lexine glanced up from her laptop with an exasperated expression. "It took you guys long enough. You''re late, as usual. Here, catch." She tossed a small chip toward them. Sam''s reflexes kicked in, and he snatched the chip midair. "What''s this?" he asked, examining the tiny device. Lexine leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "That chip contains the official documents we need to join the Royal division. It''s all prepped and ready, so you two need to get your butts to the submission center. Now." She waved them off dismissively, her eyes drifting back to her screen as she resumed her game. The soft hum of the holographic interface filled the room. Tushar raised an eyebrow. "What about you? Aren''t you coming?" Lexine barely glanced up. "I''m busy leveling up. Besides, this part''s on you guys." Tushar sighed and turned to Eislyn, who sat in the corner, engrossed in a holographic book. "What about you, Eislyn? Aren''t you coming with us?" Eislyn shook her head, flipping a page with a swipe of her hand. "No, I''m staying here to finish reading this story for class. It''s due tomorrow." Her voice was calm, her focus unwavering. Sam patted Tushar on the shoulder. "Come on. Let''s get going before she changes her mind and decides to yell at us again." The two left the room, walking briskly toward the center of the academy. The sprawling campus was alive with activity, students hurrying to and from classes, the air buzzing with energy. As they navigated the winding pathways, Tushar walked past a man in a dark coat without a second glance. Sam, however, paused mid-step. A strange sensation prickled the back of his neck. "Did you feel that?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder. Tushar frowned. "Huh? Feel what? What are you talking about?" Sam''s eyes narrowed. "You didn¡¯t see him walk by?" "See who?" Without another word, Sam spun around and grabbed the man by the arm. The stranger tensed, startled by the sudden action. "Let go of me," the man said coldly, his voice low and firm. Tushar stepped forward, finally noticing the man. He was tall and imposing, dressed in dark, tattered clothing of purple and black. His eyes were emotionless, like deep voids that seemed to pull you in. A chill ran down Tushar''s spine as recognition dawned on him. "Sam, let him go," Tushar whispered urgently, his voice barely audible. "But¡ª" Sam started, confused. "Let. Him. Go," Tushar repeated, his tone sharp. Reluctantly, Sam released his grip, stepping back. The man straightened his coat, his gaze boring into Tushar and Sam. "So, the rumors are true," he muttered. "There¡¯s a Voidskin at the academy." Sam''s brows furrowed in confusion. "Who the hell is this guy?" Tushar swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak evenly. "Sir, this is Sam. We''re both entering Royal together... as a team." The man studied Sam for a long moment before smirking faintly. "I see. I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on you, Voidskin," he said, his tone laced with warning. Before they could respond, the man stepped back into the shadows and vanished, leaving no trace behind. Sam turned to Tushar, his mind racing. "Who was that?" Tushar exhaled slowly, his shoulders tense. "That was Kardama, the division leader of Shadows. He¡¯s one of the most elusive people in the academy. There are only three confirmed pictures of him in existence. If you saw him¡­ consider yourself lucky. Or cursed." Sam clenched his fists. "He gives me bad vibes. What does he want with us?" Tushar shook his head. "I don¡¯t know, but we¡¯d better not give him a reason to watch us any closer. Come on, let¡¯s keep moving." With uneasy thoughts lingering between them, they continued toward the submission center, the encounter with Kardama weighing heavily on their minds. As the robotic attendant processed the chips at the submission center, its synthetic voice rang out, smooth yet mechanical. "Hello, you two. Are you participating in the Battle Royal?" "Yes," Tushar replied confidently.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "Very well. Please place the chip into the console," the robot instructed, gesturing toward the glowing slot. Sam stepped forward and inserted the chip. The machine hummed softly before announcing, "Students registered: Sam, Tushar, Eislyn, and proxy participant Lexine." "Looks like we''re in," Tushar said, a small smile of relief spreading across his face. "Let¡¯s head back." The two started walking back to their dorm, the path quieter now with fewer students around. The tranquil moment was shattered when Sam suddenly stopped, his body tensing. "What¡¯s wrong?" Tushar asked, noticing his friend''s rigid posture. Before Sam could answer, a cluster of sharp spikes flew toward him from the shadows. He reacted instantly, dodging with practiced ease, the projectiles clattering harmlessly to the ground. "Sam! Are you okay?" Tushar asked, his voice filled with concern. "Yeah... I¡¯m fine," Sam replied, his eyes scanning the area. "So you dodged it, huh?" a voice called out from nearby. Both turned to see a student step out of the shadows. He was lean, with sharp features and an air of arrogance. In his hand, he held a pen, and paintbrushes dangled from his belt like weapons. "Adwin?" Tushar exclaimed. "What the hell are you doing?" Adwin smirked, ignoring Tushar. His attention was locked on Sam. "Voidskin, huh? How about I show you what a Starskim is?" "Starskim?" Sam echoed, confused. "It¡¯s a duel between students," Tushar explained hurriedly. "Adwin, knock it off!" But Adwin was already raising his pen like a weapon. "Scared, Voidskin?" Sam¡¯s expression hardened. "Fine," he said, stepping forward and dropping into a stance. Adwin grinned, holding his pen aloft as a holographic timer appeared above them. A voice counted down. "Three... Two... One." Both lunged at each other, their movements precise and swift. Adwin¡¯s pen unleashed streaks of glowing ink that danced through the air, but Sam deflected them with sharp, calculated motions. The courtyard crackled with energy as the two exchanged blows, each testing the other''s limits. Before either could land a decisive attack, a blur of blue shot between them. A shield materialized, deflecting their strikes and forcing them apart. Both turned to see the newcomer¡ªa figure clad in futuristic armor, its plates perfectly aligned and glowing with a royal blue hue. A shield insignia gleamed prominently on the chest. "Sasha¡­" Adwin muttered, lowering his pen. "Sasha," Tushar confirmed, his tone awestruck. The armored figure regarded them with a stern expression. "Do not fight in the courtyard. Save it for the Royal," Sasha commanded, her voice calm but firm. "Yes, ma¡¯am," both Adwin and Sam replied, almost in unison. Adwin gave Sam a sharp look before turning away. "See you in the Royal," he said over his shoulder as he disappeared into the crowd. Sasha turned her attention to Sam. She extended a hand toward him, her armored gauntlet glinting in the sunlight. "Here." Sam hesitated but took her hand, allowing her to help him up. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone cautious. Sasha¡¯s eyes softened slightly. "My name is Sasha, division leader of Shields." She paused as if considering her next words carefully. "May I speak with you in private, Sam?" Sam¡¯s mind raced. How does she know my name? He glanced at Tushar and nodded. "Go ahead back to the room. I¡¯ll catch up later." Tushar hesitated but eventually nodded and left. Sasha led Sam to a secluded part of the campus, away from prying eyes. The atmosphere grew tense as Sam turned to face her. "So, what did you want to talk about?" Sasha took a deep breath. "I need to ask¡­ Do you have a sister? Nyssa?" Sam¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. "Yes. Why do you want to know about her?" Sasha¡¯s expression shifted, her eyes gleaming with recognition. "So, you are her brother," she said, her voice softer now. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Sasha, last of the Arcs. I was a teammate of your sister¡¯s." "You knew Abella?" Sam asked, a mix of curiosity and suspicion in his tone. "Yes," Sasha said with a faint smile. "I fought alongside her and Raiden in the final battle of the Void Dimension." Sam¡¯s heart skipped a beat. "That means you¡¯re¡­" "Yes," Sasha interrupted. "I am the Theon of Truth. And your sister¡­ she is the Theon of Life." Sam¡¯s breath caught. "I see¡­" Sasha studied him for a moment before speaking again. "I heard Raiden took you in and trained you. How is she?" Sam crossed his arms. "Cold, distant, and serious. Same as I remember her." Sasha chuckled softly. "That sounds like her." Sam¡¯s thoughts swirled, questions bubbling to the surface. "Why are you bringing up Abella now?" Sasha''s expression softened, her voice lowering. Has she made contact with you since after the fight? Sam''s gaze dropped for a moment before he shook his head. "No... she left me when I was six. I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll ever come back." Sasha studied him closely. "It seems you hold resentment toward her." Sam¡¯s eyes hardened as he looked up. "Who wouldn¡¯t? My parents are dead, and she was all I had left. When she left for that battle, she never came back. No messages, no goodbye, nothing. I was forced to live alone, survive on my own... until Raiden found me. If it weren¡¯t for her, I don¡¯t know where I¡¯d be." Sasha listened in silence, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she spoke. "I can¡¯t pretend to understand your pain, but... I think there¡¯s more to her story than you realize. After the Royal, let¡¯s talk again. There are things you deserve to know." Sam studied her face for a moment, searching for any sign of insincerity, but found none. Finally, he nodded. "Fine by me." With that, the conversation ended. Neither said another word as they turned and walked in opposite directions, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet corridor. Sam¡¯s mind churned with emotions¡ªanger, curiosity, and a faint flicker of hope he didn¡¯t want to acknowledge. Why now? What could she possibly tell me that I don¡¯t already know? On the other hand, Sasha walked away with a sense of purpose. Her thoughts were heavy, but her resolve was clear. If there¡¯s one person who deserves the truth, it¡¯s him. battle Royale The next day arrived, and the long-anticipated Royale was finally here. The tension in the air was palpable as Sam, Tushar, and Eislyn stood in the elevator, ready to descend into the field. The faint hum of the elevator mixed with the sound of their steady breathing. Eislyn adjusted her gloves, glancing at the two. "So, what''s the plan?" "Same as last time," Sam said, rolling his shoulders. "Eislyn, you focus on guarding and protecting us. Tushar, use your blood manipulation for distractions and crowd control. I¡¯ll handle direct combat." Eislyn tilted her head. "Where¡¯s Lexine? Isn¡¯t she joining us?" A voice crackled through their comms. "Up here in the proxy room," Lexine said, her tone confident. Eislyn looked up instinctively, even though Lexine was far from their sight. From her vantage point, Lexine sat in a sleek, glass-encased room overlooking the entire battlefield. Another proxy was stationed nearby, monitoring their team¡¯s actions. With a snap of her fingers, holographic monitors materialized around her, and she quickly rearranged them with swift gestures. "I¡¯ve got eyes on everything," Lexine continued. "Remember, I¡¯m guiding you, so don¡¯t screw up. Everyone, let¡¯s win this!" The elevator jolted slightly as it started ascending. Sam began stretching his arms and legs, shaking out any tension. Tushar leaned against the elevator wall, putting on his signature sunglasses, his face cool and unreadable. Eislyn paced a little, fidgeting with her gloves. "Okay," she muttered to herself, "when we step out, I¡¯ve got to act cool. Thousands of students are watching. Just... don¡¯t trip. Don¡¯t trip, Eislyn." The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing a dense forest bathed in golden sunlight. Birds chirped, and the rustling of leaves painted an almost serene picture¡ªa stark contrast to the chaos that was about to unfold. Eislyn took a deep breath, bracing herself. But as she stepped out of the elevator, her boot caught on the small gap between the floor and the elevator frame. Thud! She went down flat on her face, her body sprawled on the forest floor. The sound of her fall made Sam and Tushar stop dead in their tracks. They turned slowly, exchanging a glance as the realization hit them. "She tripped¡­" they both thought in unison, barely holding back their amusement. Back in the proxy room, Lexine nearly fell out of her chair, desperately trying to contain her laughter. Her face turned bright red as she clapped a hand over her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes as the other proxy next to her raised an eyebrow, curious but staying professional. Meanwhile, in the forest, a low murmur of laughter echoed around the field as the other participating students caught sight of the scene on the giant holographic screens. Eislyn groaned, her face still planted on the ground. Slowly, she pushed herself up, her cheeks flushing crimson. "Why does this always happen to me?" she muttered under her breath, brushing dirt off her gloves. Sam, trying to keep a straight face, walked over and offered her a hand. "You okay?" he asked, his tone betraying the slightest hint of humor. "Fine," Eislyn said, her voice stiff with embarrassment. She refused to meet his eyes as she stood up, avoiding the gaze of the cameras hidden in the trees. Tushar chuckled, adjusting his sunglasses. "Well, at least you¡¯ve got their attention now." Lexine¡¯s voice chimed in through the comms, her laughter still evident. "Eislyn, if this were a comedy contest, you¡¯d already have first place." "Shut up, Lexine," Eislyn snapped, glaring up at the sky as if Lexine could see her. Sam turned serious, trying to steer the team back on track. "Alright, enough messing around. Let¡¯s focus. Eislyn, you¡¯ve got a job to do." Eislyn exhaled sharply, shaking off the embarrassment. "Right. Let¡¯s do this." The three of them regrouped, their focus returning to the task at hand. The forest loomed around them, shadows stretching and sounds echoing through the dense underbrush. Somewhere out there, their opponents were waiting. As they moved deeper into the forest, Lexine¡¯s voice came back through the comms, now calm and commanding. "Stay sharp. I¡¯ve got three enemy signals moving west of your position. "Lexine said. The three of them nodded in unison and took off running, their movements swift and coordinated. Sam leaped up into the trees, darting between branches with agility, keeping a higher vantage point. "Sam, on your left¡ªa sniper in the trees," Lexine¡¯s voice crackled through the comms. Sam immediately shifted his weight and dodged just as a plasma bolt whizzed past him, singeing a nearby branch. He twisted his body mid-air, his sharp eyes catching sight of the sniper concealed in the canopy. ¡°Blood Freak, Type One: Angel¡¯s Blood,¡± Tushar thought to himself, his hand extending as crimson tendrils of blood shot forth, precise and controlled. The blood surged through the air like a whip, aimed directly at the sniper. But before it could land a clean hit, the sniper vanished into thin air. ¡°He got away!¡± Eislyn exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice. "He disappeared into a portal," Lexine confirmed, her holographic monitors flickering as she analyzed the field. Suddenly, a piercing laser beam sliced through the air, narrowly missing them. The three of them dove for cover behind trees, the searing heat of the beam leaving a faint scorch mark on the bark. ¡°Did anyone see where that shot came from?¡± Sam asked, scanning the dense foliage. ¡°Nope, not at all,¡± Tushar admitted, his hands readying another attack.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Same here,¡± Eislyn added, glancing around nervously. Sam furrowed his brow, piecing things together in his mind. His thoughts churned as he tried to locate their elusive opponent. Then, a faint, almost imperceptible shift in the air behind him caught his attention. Sam instinctively rolled to the side just as another plasma bolt seared through the spot he had been standing. Now fully exposed, he muttered under his breath, "Damn it. I can sense him, but I can¡¯t pinpoint his exact location. Looks like I¡¯ll have to take a different approach." Sam closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing inward. He contracted his flux energy, forming a tightly controlled two-meter radius around his body. He knew expanding it further would alert the entire battlefield to his presence, so precision was critical. This flux field would allow him to sense any disturbance within its range. The moment the sniper fired again, the plasma bolt entered Sam¡¯s flux field. His body reacted instantly, dodging with near-superhuman reflexes. "Tushar, five clicks right!" Sam shouted, his voice sharp and decisive. ¡°Blood Freak: Blood Sickle,¡± Tushar thought, his hand morphing into a curved blade of crimson energy. He hurled it through the trees with pinpoint accuracy. The sickle spun through the air like a deadly boomerang, slicing toward the sniper. A direct hit. Or so it seemed. ¡°That¡¯s odd¡­¡± Tushar muttered, his brow furrowing. ¡°What¡¯s odd?¡± Eislyn asked, stepping closer to him. ¡°As soon as the sickle hit the target, the body just... disappeared. I felt it connect, but it wasn¡¯t flesh.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t,¡± Lexine interjected from the proxy room, her voice tinged with urgency. "It was ink." ¡°Ink?¡± Eislyn repeated, confused. ¡°Adwin¡­¡± Sam thought grimly, his jaw tightening. Lexine¡¯s voice broke the silence. "He¡¯s playing mind games. You¡¯re dealing with one of Adwin¡¯s constructs. It¡¯s not real." Sam clenched his fists. "We¡¯re wasting time here. We need to move." The three regrouped quickly, their senses on high alert as they pushed forward through the forest. Sam led the way, his mind racing. Adwin¡¯s already trying to throw us off balance. If this is just the beginning, we¡¯ll need to stay sharp. The real fight hasn¡¯t even started yet. As the three of them ran to a open field. They stop about to enter the field. And tushar grab eislyn arm to stop her running into the fields. ¡°Why did you stop me?¡± she asked. ¡°Its trap,¡± sam said. ¡°Trap,¡± tushar said. ¡°It¡¯s such a trap,¡± Lexine said. ¡° how can you say that an open field is a trap¡­ yeah I here it now,¡± she said. ¡°Eislyn throw a tree into the field,¡± Lexine said. Eilsyn uses her gravity powers and throws it into the field fastly almost like a blur. A guns appear and shot the feild. ¡°I thought we couldint kill each other,¡± eislyn said. ¡°Dont worry its prism bullets it only knock you out if you get hit by them or put in the hospital,¡± lexine said. ¡°So its safe to go across now?¡± eislyn asked. Tushar then pushed eislyn in their. And then she started scream. Covering her body. And nothing happen she immediately got up. ¡°Are you crazy were on the same team!¡± she yelled. ¡°We had to test it,¡± lexine said. ¡°Shut up,¡± she yelled back. Then in proxy room lexine see something in the radar. ¡°Something approaching you guys quickly,¡± lexine said.\ ¡°What is i..¡± she cutt off byt a fast ink like monster punching her in the face and sent her flying. Tushar and sam watched. ¡°She cant catch break huh?¡± sam said. ¡°Never in a dull moment ready?¡± Tushar said. ¡°Yeah,¡± sam said. In a spilt second they disappear and ran towards eislyn who was still in the air by the hit. As the ink monster was about to attack her again. Sam tushar apeeaer beside Eislyn in the air and then eislyn recoers and three of tem throw a punch at the ink like monster. Then Tushar charges at the monster getting into a stance he bits his nail to bleed out to cover both of his hands and hardened the blood in their hands. Tushar chrages at the monster as monster attacks Tushar it was not effeected at all because he surrounded his body with his blood as a sheild. And the eislyn appears grabbing hold of the monster with the telekinesis. Then sam and tushar come in and punch the monster and the body disappear as the ink disspear. ¡°How on earth is Adwin creating so many of these things?¡± Sam asked, frustration in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s not just him,¡± Lexine replied through their comms. ¡°He¡¯s part of the art club at the academy. His team specializes in creating constructs on the battlefield. Most of the other teams have already been taken out because of them. Actually, it¡¯s just you guys and Adwin¡¯s team left now. Oh, wait¡­¡± Lexine paused as she checked the radar. ¡°Scratch that. The last team standing against them just got eliminated. It¡¯s down to you and Adwin.¡± Tushar clenched his fists. ¡°We can¡¯t stop for anything. Destroy any monster that gets in your way.¡± Sam and Eislyn nodded in agreement. The three of them broke into a sprint, racing toward the center of the battlefield. In the distance, the massive central building loomed like a fortress. ¡°There it is!¡± Sam shouted. ¡°Let¡¯s get inside now!¡± As they neared the entrance, black ink oozed out from the walls and slithered across the doors, sealing them shut. Before they could react, three figures emerged from behind, blocking their retreat. ¡°We can¡¯t deal with them right now,¡± Sam said, glancing toward the building. ¡°Adwin¡¯s got to be inside already.¡± ¡°You go ahead and win this,¡± Tushar said, stepping forward. ¡°We¡¯ll hold them off.¡± ¡°We will?¡± Eislyn asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Yes, we will,¡± Tushar said firmly, standing his ground. Sam hesitated for only a moment, then nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t get knocked out.¡± Without another word, he charged forward, breaking through the layer of ink and forcing his way into the building. Inside, he sprinted up the stairs, the sound of cheers and shouting from the stadium outside echoing around him. As he reached the top floor, he saw Adwin standing in front of the academy¡¯s flag, hand extended to grab it. ¡°ADWIN!!!¡± Sam roared. The entire stadium went silent. Adwin froze, his hand stopping just short of the flag. Slowly, he turned to face Sam. A faint smirk curled on his lips. ¡°So, the Voidskin actually made it,¡± Adwin said, resting a paintbrush casually on his shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s end this, right here, right now,¡± Sam said, determination blazing in his eyes. Around the stadium, the guardians seated in their booths watched the standoff intensely. Sasha, one of the division leaders, leaned forward with a small smile on her face. ¡°Sasha, is this the Voidskin you were talking about?¡± a woman beside her asked. She had an elegant presence, surrounded by an aura of blue and white stars¡ªthe division leader of the Stars, Celeste. ¡°Yes, Celeste. That¡¯s Sam. I have faith in him,¡± Sasha replied, her tone confident. Celeste studied Sam on the monitors and smiled. ¡°A Voidskin making it into the academy¡­ how extraordinary. The stars in him shine brightly.¡± ¡°Adwin¡¯s your brother, isn¡¯t he, Argon?¡± Celeste asked, turning to the man sitting on Sasha¡¯s other side. He was cloaked in red and gold flames¡ªthe division leader of the Flames. ¡°Yes,¡± Argon said coldly, his eyes fixed on Adwin through the monitors. Back in the arena, Sam and Adwin stood perfectly still, their eyes locked. The tension in the air was electric as they prepared for their duel. Adwin finally raised his paintbrush, his smirk growing wider. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can keep up, Voidskin,¡± he said, the tip of his brush glowing with black ink as he moved to write. Ink vs hands Adwin smirked and dipped his paintbrush into his ink. With a quick flick, he swirled the brush in the air, creating a dense, dark smokescreen that enveloped the battlefield. Sam narrowed his eyes, the sudden loss of visibility not rattling him in the slightest. ¡°Extinction Type Four,¡± he thought, allowing his flux energy to swirl around him like a living shield. The golden aura crackled and pulsed, sharp and focused, forming a protective sphere within the smog. In the dense haze, the ground trembled. Ink spikes erupted violently from beneath Sam¡¯s feet, sharp and deadly. But Sam¡¯s reflexes were faster. He danced between the attacks with precision, each move calculated. His fluid dodging made the spikes seem almost sluggish in comparison. The smokescreen began to dissipate, revealing Adwin standing silently amidst the chaos, his paintbrush glowing ominously. Without warning, he appeared behind Sam, his ink-coated brush poised to strike at Sam¡¯s blind spot. But Sam snesed it. With a sudden backflip, Sam evaded the attack, narrowly escaping the ink brush¡¯s strike. As he flipped through the air, Adwin¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°He dodged it... but how?¡± Adwin thought, his mind racing. Sam landed mid-air, his body coiled like a spring, and launched himself at Adwin¡¯s neck. His strike was quick, a blur of energy aimed to take him down in one swift move. Adwin barely reacted in time, swiping his brush to create an ink barrier. The barrier shimmered to life just as Sam¡¯s fist collided with it. A resounding crack echoed through the forest, the barrier holding firm against Sam¡¯s raw strength. Sam landed gracefully on the ground and stepped back, his sharp gaze locking with Adwin¡¯s. The two opponents stood still, tension crackling like lightning between them. Adwin¡¯s grip on his brush tightened as he prepared to make his next move. He darted forward, his brush painting sigils in the air, but just as he advanced¡ª Thud! Adwin collapsed flat on his face, his body hitting the ground hard. The entire battlefield fell silent. Gasps erupted from the audience watching in the stands. Even the guardians¡ªrenowned warriors and tacticians¡ªexchanged confused glances. ¡°What... just happened?¡± Celeste asked, her brows furrowed in disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sasha replied, equally puzzled. The tension in the room deepened as a man stepped forward into the viewing area. He was tall and imposing, clad in intricate armor adorned with clocks. One clock ticked forward on his right arm, another ticked backward on his left, and a massive clock on his back stood eerily still. The man¡¯s aura exuded authority and wisdom. ¡°It was the time interval,¡± he said, his voice calm but commanding. Celeste turned to him, recognition flashing in her eyes. ¡°Zaman¡­ the Division Leader of Time. If anyone knows what just happened, it¡¯s you.¡± Argon, another guardian, crossed his arms. ¡°Explain. What happened when Adwin suddenly dropped like that?¡± Zaman nodded, his gaze fixed on the battlefield below. ¡°Adwin fell because of a phenomenon related to our body''s sensory and cognitive processing." He began to explain, his tone measured. "When someone enters Sam¡¯s flux range, he takes advantage of a small but crucial time window. You see, our body and mind process danger differently. When the body senses a threat, it reacts almost instantly, but the mind takes 0.5 seconds to process and respond. In that brief delay, Sam used his flux-enhanced reflexes to exploit Adwin¡¯s vulnerability and deliver a perfectly timed strike.¡± Everyone in the stands was stunned into silence, processing Zaman¡¯s explanation. Celeste¡¯s jaw tightened as she pieced it together. ¡°So, Adwin fell because he was hit before his mind could even register the attack?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Zaman said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Sam¡¯s flux engergy isn¡¯t just about raw power¡ªit¡¯s about precision and strategy. The instant Adwin entered his range, Sam struck with pinpoint accuracy. To everyone else, it looked like nothing happened. But to Adwin... the strike was already delivered before he could even react.¡± Back on the battlefield, Sam adjusted his stance, his breathing steady. He glanced at Adwin, who was slowly pushing himself up from the ground, dazed and disoriented. Adwin looked at Sam, his expression a mix of frustration and awe. ¡°Now i get it the move you pulled in the smoke screen¡± Sam didn¡¯t answer. He simply tightened his gloves, his stoic demeanor unshaken. Lexine¡¯s voice came through the comms, breaking the silence. ¡°Didint know you could do that,¡± Adwin¡¯s mind raced as he analyzed the situation. ¡°That move he did in the smokescreen¡­ the way the ground lit up. He¡¯s not just dodging blindly. He¡¯s matching my flux energy. By sensing the specific flux signatures of his opponent, he¡¯s able to pinpoint my location and even adapt his strength to match mine.¡± Adwin¡¯s grip tightened on his paintbrush. ¡°He learned my technique¡­ the one I thought only I could master. And worse¡ªhe broke my flux energy connection by surpassing it. I can no longer sense him. Which means¡­ I¡¯m completely blind against him.¡± Sam, on the other hand, stood motionless, his body eerily calm. His eyes were half-lidded, his breathing steady, and his muscles entirely relaxed. Sasha, watching from the guardian stands, crossed her arms. ¡°He¡¯s going to do it¡­ That¡¯s brutal,¡± she muttered, a mix of admiration and concern in her voice. Adwin, now fully on guard, summoned his ink once more. With a quick flourish of his brush, he created monstrous figures from the dark liquid. The beasts charged toward Sam with ferocious speed. But Sam was faster. He weaved through the attacks like a ghost, his movements fluid and effortless. The monsters lashed out with claws and fangs, but they struck nothing but air. Sam closed the distance between himself and Adwin in seconds, his steps almost silent. When Sam reached Adwin, he didn¡¯t deliver a punch or a kick. Instead, he simply slapped Adwin¡¯s back. The sound echoed through the battlefield¡ªa sharp, almost mocking crack. Adwin¡¯s body stiffened, his face contorting in agony. A guttural scream tore from his throat, reverberating through the stadium. The audience gasped in shock, their voices hushed in disbelief. ¡°What¡­ What did he just do?¡± one student whispered. In the guardian stands, Celeste narrowed her eyes, piecing it together. ¡°I see what he did¡­ He turned his body into a whip. By relaxing his muscles completely, he generated a strike with the same mechanics as a snapping whip. The force behind it¡­ It¡¯s brutal. That kind of impact can bypass typical defenses and overwhelm even seasoned fighters. It¡¯s strong enough to affect anyone¡ªeven Theons.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Adwin fell to his knees, trembling from the pain. His hand instinctively pressed the paintbrush into the ground. ¡°I¡­ I won¡¯t lose,¡± he muttered through gritted teeth. Dark spikes erupted diagonally from the ground, catching Sam off-guard. One spike pierced his stomach, and another tore through his arm. Sam coughed violently, blood dripping from his lips as he staggered. The ink-coated spikes weren¡¯t just physical¡ªthey were draining his flux energy. His glowing aura flickered and dimmed. ¡°That move¡­ almost got me,¡± Adwin said, his voice shaky but defiant. Seizing the opportunity, Adwin swept his paintbrush in wide arcs, creating explosions across the battlefield. The shockwaves tore through the terrain, battering Sam¡¯s already weakened body. The crowd was silent, the tension in the stadium palpable. Adwin approached Sam, who was on his knees, struggling to stand. With a sneer, Adwin kicked Sam hard in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Sam lay there, motionless, as Adwin turned and began walking away, his paintbrush trailing ink behind him. The crowd remained silent, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air. Was this the end of Sam¡¯s fight? But deep within the chaos, Sam¡¯s fingers twitched. His eyes, still half-closed, burned with quiet determination. The fight was far from over. The tension in the stadium was suddenly broken when a figure appeared, standing high above on the edge of the arena. The sunlight glinted off her armor, and her very presence seemed to radiate power and authority. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Sasha¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. ¡°It¡¯s her¡­¡± she whispered. Every student and guardian leader froze, their eyes fixed on the figure. There was no mistaking who it was¡ªRaiden, the Theon of Stars and Light. ¡°Raiden!¡± one student murmured in awe. ¡°She¡¯s here!¡± Raiden¡¯s piercing gaze swept over the battlefield, locking onto Sam. Her voice, sharp and commanding, echoed through the entire arena. ¡°Are you done, Sam? Is this all you¡¯ve got? After everything you¡¯ve been through? After everything I taught you?¡± Sam¡¯s eyes flickered as he heard her voice. He slowly pushed himself up from the ground, blood dripping from his lips. His expression hardened. Raiden¡¯s words cut deeper than any wound. Without hesitation, Sam reached for the bracelets on his wrists and tore them off. The reaction was immediate. The flux energy in Sam¡¯s body surged like a tidal wave, crashing through the arena. The air crackled with power, and the ground trembled beneath him. Everyone in the stadium¡ªstudents, guardians, even the seasoned leaders¡ªfelt it. ¡°What¡­ is this?¡± Sasha muttered, her voice trembling. ¡°It¡¯s his limiter,¡± Celeste said, her eyes narrowing. ¡°He was holding back this entire time¡­ But now¡­¡± Adwin turned around, his confidence wavering as he saw Sam¡¯s wounds closing, his body regenerating right before his eyes. The bloodied, beaten boy from moments ago was now standing tall, a force to be reckoned with. ¡°Stay down!¡± Adwin yelled, swinging his paintbrush in desperation. Ink monsters erupted from the ground, snarling and charging at Sam. But Sam was faster. He weaved through the monsters like a streak of light, his movements too quick for the eye to follow. Each step brought him closer to Adwin. Before Adwin could react, Sam¡¯s fist connected with his face. The impact sent Adwin hurtling across the battlefield, crashing into a wall with a sickening thud. Blood splattered as Adwin coughed violently, his body crumpling from the force of the blow. But Sam didn¡¯t stop. In a blur of motion, he closed the distance again, grabbing Adwin by the collar of his shirt. With an effortless motion, Sam slammed him into the wall, the force cracking the stone behind him. Adwin¡¯s body went limp for a moment, but Sam wasn¡¯t finished. With a flick of his wrist, Sam hurled Adwin into the air like a ragdoll. ¡°Extinction Type¡­ Type One,¡± Sam thought, his flux energy spiraling around him like a hurricane. Launching himself into the air, Sam delivered a series of devastating kicks to Adwin, each strike creating shockwaves that reverberated through the arena. The sheer force of each blow left the audience breathless. Adwin¡¯s body jerked with each impact, the power behind the strikes more brutal than the last. Finally, Sam delivered one final kick, sending Adwin plummeting to the ground like a meteor. The arena shook as Adwin¡¯s body slammed into the earth, leaving a crater beneath him. The crowd was silent, the sheer destruction leaving everyone in awe. Raiden stood atop the stadium, her expression unreadable as she watched Sam, her student, standing amidst the devastation. ¡°Good,¡± Raiden muttered under her breath. ¡°Now you¡¯re showing me what you¡¯re capable of.¡± Adwin collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth, his body trembling from exhaustion and pain. Despite his battered state, he slowly forced himself to his feet, his gaze rising toward the guardian leaders. He caught sight of Argon, who stared back at him with a look of disappointment. The sight only fueled Adwin¡¯s anger. He turned to Sam, his face contorted with rage. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve been through, I won¡¯t lose! I was disowned by my family¡ªabandoned by my own brother! I refuse to lose to a Voidskin like you!¡± he bellowed, his voice filled with raw emotion. Adwin¡¯s flux energy began to surge wildly, spiraling out of control. Ink spikes erupted chaotically from the ground, tearing through the battlefield. Sam narrowly dodged one with a quick side flip, landing in a crouch. ¡°Sam, get out of there right now! His flux energy is unstable¡ªit¡¯s going to explode!¡± Lexine yelled through the comms. Sam pressed a button on his wrist, disconnecting the comms. ¡°That reckless bastard!¡± Lexine screamed in frustration, slamming her fists against the control panel in her proxy room. ¡°I¡¯m ending this here and now!¡± Adwin roared. With a single fluid motion of his paintbrush, Adwin summoned an enormous ink monster, towering over the stadium. The creature¡¯s massive foot rose high into the air, poised to crush Sam where he stood. Sam didn¡¯t flinch. His eyes burned with determination as he concentrated his flux energy. ¡°Extinction Type¡­ Three,¡± Sam thought, the energy around him condensing into the shape of a colossal fist. As the ink monster¡¯s foot came crashing down, Sam leaped into the air, aiming his flux-powered punch at the monster¡¯s core. Both Sam and Adwin let out primal screams, their voices echoing across the stadium as the two forces collided. A deafening explosion erupted, shaking the entire arena. Smoke and debris filled the air as the ink monster disintegrated into nothingness. When the dust settled, both Sam and Adwin were sprawled on the ground, battered and bruised. Slowly, both of them began to stir. Their movements were sluggish, but they managed to get to their feet. They locked eyes, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, Adwin chuckled softly. Sam followed with a grin, and soon both of them were laughing. It wasn¡¯t the laughter of victory or defeat¡ªit was the laughter of mutual understanding, of respect forged through battle. The entire stadium was silent, unsure of how to react. Adwin and Sam, still laughing, walked side by side toward the holographic flag in the center of the battlefield. Without a word, they each reached out and grabbed it simultaneously. The hologram above the stadium lit up, displaying the result for all to see: TIE. The audience erupted into cheers, their voices filling the arena as the tension of the match melted away. In the stands, Argon leaned back in his seat, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Sasha crossed her arms, watching the two with a thoughtful expression. Back in the proxy room, Lexine stared at the screen, her frustration replaced with relief. ¡°Idiots¡­¡± she muttered, shaking her head with a smile. As Sam and Adwin stood together, the battlefield still smoldering around them, it was clear that while the match had ended in a tie, something far greater had been achieved¡ªrespect, camaraderie, and the acknowledgment of each other¡¯s strength. As Raiden stood silently on the edge of the stadium, observing the aftermath of the battle below, a blade suddenly pressed against her neck, sharp and cold. ¡°Why are you here?¡± a voice demanded from behind her. Raiden turned her head slightly, unfazed by the threat. Her glowing, star-like eyes locked onto the figure behind the blade. ¡°You must be Duncan, the Division Leader of Blades,¡± she said calmly. Duncan¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. ¡°Did your sister put you up to this?¡± he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. Before Raiden could respond, another figure stepped forward. Sasha appeared out of the shadows, her tone firm yet calm. ¡°Duncan, don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s not a threat,¡± Sasha said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Duncan hesitated for a moment before lowering his blade, his sharp eyes still fixed on Raiden. Without another word, he turned and walked away, jumping off the roof Raiden adjusted her posture and turned to face Sasha fully. ¡°It¡¯s great to see you again, Sasha,¡± she said, her voice carrying a rare softness. Sasha nodded. ¡°Likewise, Raiden... but why are you here?¡± Raiden¡¯s gaze drifted back to the battlefield for a moment before she answered. ¡°I came to talk to Sam. I need to tell him something important,¡± she said. Sasha¡¯s expression shifted to one of concern. ¡°But what Duncan said is true¡ªabout Irene, the Theon of Chaos. Do you have any idea where she is?¡± Raiden¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°Yes, she¡¯s in the universe known as the Shattered Veil,¡± she said, her tone heavy. Sasha¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°The Shattered Veil¡­ that place¡­¡± Raiden nodded, her voice tinged with a somber edge. ¡°The ruined universe destroyed during our time as Arcs. It still exists, barely holding itself together, a fragment of what it once was.¡± Sasha absorbed the information, her brow furrowed. ¡°I see¡­ But what do you need to tell Sam about?¡± Raiden¡¯s gaze softened, an unusual vulnerability slipping through her stoic exterior. ¡°I just wanted to let him know where I¡¯ll be going. It¡¯s been a long time since I last saw him,¡± she admitted quietly. Sasha¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smile. ¡°Even with your cold and calculating mind, you still care for him... and for her,¡± she said gently. Raiden¡¯s expression hardened instantly, her voice sharp. ¡°We don¡¯t mention her.¡± She turned and began to walk away, her cape flowing behind her like a streak of starlight. Sasha watched her leave, a quiet smile lingering on her face. ¡°Some things never change¡­¡± she murmured to herself, before turning her attention back to the arena. New allies The stadium remained eerily quiet, all eyes fixed on the aftermath of the battle. The tension was palpable, but Sam, unfazed, casually slid his bracelets back onto his wrists. ¡°That was fun,¡± he said with a faint smirk, though his eyes betrayed a tinge of exhaustion. Adwin, meanwhile, stood in silence, his gaze fixed downward. His bruised and battered form told the story of the fight, but the deeper wound was evident in the way he glanced at the stands, where his brother, Argon, looked back at him with a cold, unimpressed expression before walking away without a word. The sight stung worse than any blow. Adwin clenched his fists, his head sinking further in shame, until he heard a voice call out to him. ¡°Adwin!¡± Before he could react, a girl rushed in and wrapped him in a tight hug. ¡°Vera¡­¡± he whispered, startled. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! We didn¡¯t win it all¡ªI let you down!¡± she cried, her face buried in his chest. Two others ran in behind her, their faces equally full of guilt. ¡°Adwin, we¡¯re so sorry,¡± Leo said, his voice low. ¡°We wanted to help you¡­ so your family could finally see you as one of their own,¡± Ariel added, her eyes glistening with tears. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ okay,¡± Adwin said quietly, his voice trembling as he tried to hold back his own emotions. ¡°I was selfish. I wanted to be the one to grab the flag on my own. I wanted to prove something, but I forgot about you guys, my team. It¡¯s my fault that we tied with void¡­ i mean Sam.¡± He hesitated before saying Sam¡¯s name, remembering the lesson he had learned during their fight. As he admitted this, the weight of the moment overwhelmed them all, and his teammates began crying harder, their feelings of regret and camaraderie pouring out. A sudden voice broke the emotional moment. ¡°Weeeeeeeee diiiiiiiiiid iiiiiiiiiiit!¡± Tushar cheered as he sprinted onto the field, pumping his fists into the air. ¡°Ohhhhh yeah!¡± Eislyn echoed, sliding in behind him with an equally exuberant grin. Sam sighed, shaking his head. ¡°They¡¯re idiots¡­¡± he muttered under his breath, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Before he could say anything else, Lexine stormed in, her face full of fury. Without warning, she threw a punch that connected squarely with Sam¡¯s jaw. It didn¡¯t faze him much, but it was enough to catch him off guard. ¡°What the hell was that for?¡± Sam asked, rubbing his jaw. Lexine glared at him, her hands balled into fists. ¡°Next time, don¡¯t hang up on me when I¡¯m giving you advice!¡± she shouted, her voice dripping with anger. Sam looked at her, his face blank for a moment, before a sly smirk formed. ¡°Noted,¡± he said casually, though it was clear her punch and her frustration had gotten through to him. As the dust settled from the battle and the students began dispersing, a lady strode toward Adwin and Sam. Her presence was captivating, accompanied by an assortment of animals trailing behind her¡ªan elegant wolf, a hawk perched on her shoulder, and a small fox curled at her feet. Her long, flowing coat matched her commanding yet nurturing aura. ¡°Nice to meet you both,¡± she began, her voice gentle yet firm. ¡°My name is Alma, Division Leader of Beasts.¡± Adwin and Sam exchanged confused glances. Her sudden appearance was unexpected, especially after such a tense competition. ¡°I came here to deliver a message on behalf of myself and the other division leaders. We¡¯ve decided to keep a close eye on all of you over the next four years. We¡¯ll be watching how each of you grows¡ªnot just as students but as individuals and as part of this academy.¡± Her eyes swept over them, sharp yet kind. Everyone around was stunned, including the students and guardians who overheard her. Then a murmur of excitement rippled through the group as smiles began forming. Alma gave them all a warm nod before turning to leave. ¡°I look forward to seeing what you¡¯re all capable of,¡± she said as she walked away, her animals trailing behind her in perfect sync. Adwin watched her leave, then glanced back at Sam. ¡°Sam, I think I¡¯ll head back for now. But later... I want to talk to you guys about something.¡± Sam nodded. ¡°Yeah, sure. We¡¯ll be around.¡± Back at the academy, Lexine, Sam, Tushar, and Eislyn made their way to their dorm room. ¡°I¡¯m so tired,¡± Eislyn groaned, throwing herself onto the couch dramatically. ¡°Me too,¡± Tushar added, flopping into a nearby chair. Lexine had already grabbed a controller and was playing a game, completely immersed. ¡°I call dibs on the shower after this round,¡± she muttered. Sam, meanwhile, was back at his wardrobe, putting on his academy uniform. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Eislyn asked lazily, her head tilted to look at him. ¡°I need to talk to someone,¡± Sam replied, buttoning his jacket. ¡°Cool,¡± Lexine said, not even glancing up from her game. The academy¡¯s grand entrance was quieter than usual, the late hour keeping most students away. Sam walked through the dimly lit halls, eventually spotting two familiar figures standing near the towering glass doors¡ªSasha and Raiden. They appeared deep in conversation, their postures contrasting. Sasha stood relaxed but alert, her hands casually resting on her hips. Raiden, on the other hand, exuded her usual cold and composed energy, arms crossed and her piercing gaze fixed on Sasha. Sam slowed his pace as he approached, not wanting to interrupt. But Raiden¡¯s sharp instincts picked up on his presence almost immediately. She turned her head, her sharp eyes locking onto him. ¡°You¡¯re here,¡± Raiden said, her tone even and calm. Yet there was something in her voice¡ªa subtle undertone of approval, curiosity, or perhaps something else entirely. ¡°What are you doing here, Master?¡± Sam asked, tilting his head slightly, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°I came to talk to you,¡± Raiden replied, her sharp gaze unwavering. ¡°What is it?¡± Sam asked, crossing his arms, sensing the weight in her words. Raiden paused for a moment before speaking. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving for at least three to four cycles,¡± she said, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I know it¡¯s a long time, and I¡¯ll be leaving you alone during that.¡± Sam¡¯s eyes softened as he shook his head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize. You¡¯ve been there for me when no one else wanted me¡ªbecause of my color. I¡¯ve never forgotten that. I¡¯m already more grateful than I can ever express.¡± Raiden¡¯s cold demeanor cracked for just a moment. A faint smile appeared, and she looked away, almost as if she were embarrassed. ¡°...Thank you,¡± she said softly, her words carrying a rare warmth. Before the moment could settle, Sam suddenly turned toward Sasha. ¡°Oh yeah, Sasha¡ªyou said you¡¯d tell me about Abella after the Royale,¡± he said, his voice carrying curiosity but also an edge of impatience. Sasha froze. Her body tensed, and her eyes darted toward Raiden. ¡°What?¡± Raiden repeated sharply, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. Her cold, calculating eyes locked onto Sasha with the precision of a predator, her piercing gaze demanding answers without room for hesitation. Sasha¡¯s face went pale, and she took a step back, visibly shaken. She averted her eyes, her usual composure crumbling under Raiden¡¯s intensity. ¡°I¡ªuh¡ª¡± she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Sasha,¡± Raiden said, her tone dropping to a dangerously low register, her words laced with icy resolve. ¡°What were you going to tell him?¡± Sasha¡¯s lips tightened, her gaze dropping to the ground as though hoping to find an escape from the relentless scrutiny. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡± she began, her voice faltering as Raiden¡¯s presence bore down on her like a storm. Sam¡¯s eyes darted between the two women, his confusion growing by the second. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± he asked, his voice breaking the heavy silence, though it lacked the authority to shift the tension. Raiden ignored him entirely, her focus unyielding as she stared Sasha down. Her expression was unreadable but carried a weight that felt like the calm before an eruption. ¡°Answer the question, Sasha,¡± Raiden demanded, her tone icy yet controlled, as if she already knew what she was asking for. Sasha swallowed hard, her hands clenched at her sides. She still refused to meet Raiden¡¯s eyes, her voice barely audible as she spoke. ¡°I... was going to tell him about... stuff,¡± she muttered weakly. Raiden¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but her gaze sharpened. Her aura seemed to darken, the tension around her growing palpable. Sam could feel the unspoken conflict between them, like a storm brewing just out of sight. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± Raiden said coldly, her words slicing through the silence like a knife. Sasha remained silent, her eyes fixed firmly on the ground. The tension hung thick in the air as the three of them stood frozen at the academy¡¯s entrance, locked in an unspoken battle. Raiden¡¯s voice broke the silence once more, this time addressing Sam. ¡°You can leave, Sam,¡± she said, her tone dismissive but calm. Sam straightened and gave a quick nod. ¡°Understood,¡± he said quickly, sensing the weight of the situation. Without hesitation, he turned and ran off, his steps echoing in the quiet as he disappeared into the academy. Once Sam was gone, Raiden turned her full attention back to Sasha. The atmosphere grew even heavier as the two women faced each other, their auras clashing in silent confrontation. ¡°Tell him anything about her,¡± Raiden said, her voice colder than ever, ¡°and you might not live to regret it.¡± Sasha finally lifted her head, her expression hardening as she met Raiden¡¯s icy gaze. ¡°We¡¯re friends, Raiden,¡± she said, her voice steady but laced with defiance. ¡°But if you think I¡¯m scared of you, I¡¯d like to see you try.¡± The air around them crackled with tension as their auras collided, a storm of opposing energies swirling between them. Neither of them moved, but the clash of their willpower was almost tangible. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see who would make the first move. Raiden¡¯s footsteps echoed as she began to walk away, her back to Sasha, her voice steady and unwavering. ¡°I will tell him once he graduates,¡± she said, her words leaving no room for negotiation. Sasha watched her retreating figure, her smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Her eyes softened as the weight of the moment settled in, knowing there was more left unsaid. ¡°Good,¡± she murmured, her voice tinged with a quiet satisfaction. Raiden¡¯s back remained straight as she disappeared from Sasha¡¯s sight, her figure fading into the shadows of the academy grounds. Sasha stood there for a moment, absorbing the silence that followed. The tension in the air slowly dissipated, leaving behind a strange peace, though the undercurrent of unspoken truths lingered. With a deep breath, Sasha turned on her heel and headed in the opposite direction, a subtle glint of resolve in her eyes. As Sam walked back to his room, he spotted Adwin, Vera, Leo, and Ariel standing outside his door. He raised an eyebrow. ¡°I thought Adwin was coming alone?¡± Adwin sighed, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Yeah¡­ that was the plan. But they insisted on coming too.¡± Sam glanced at the three of them before shrugging. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head in.¡± He opened the door to find Eislyn and Lexine sitting on the floor, controllers in hand, locked in a fierce gaming battle. ¡°Come on, come on¡ªno way!¡± Eislyn shouted, gripping her controller tightly. Lexine smirked. ¡°Watch this,¡± she said confidently. With a few swift button presses, she landed a finishing move, wiping out Eislyn¡¯s character effortlessly. Eislyn groaned. ¡°Damn it!¡± Lexine burst out laughing, pointing at her. ¡°You¡¯re so predictable!¡± she teased. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sam, Adwin, and the others standing in the doorway. Her playful demeanor immediately shifted, her eyes narrowing. ¡°What are they doing here?¡± ¡°They came to talk,¡± Sam said simply. Lexine scoffed, setting her controller down. ¡°Talk? After that whole battle where they were trying to crush us?¡± ¡°Just hear them out,¡± Sam said as he moved to sit down. Lexine crossed her arms but didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Fine. Say whatever you came here to say.¡± Adwin took a deep breath, preparing to speak, but before he could, Vera suddenly blurted out, ¡°We want to join your team!¡± Silence. Eislyn blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡± Tushar, who had just walked in eating a snack, stopped mid-bite. ¡°Did I hear that right?¡± he asked, staring at them. Adwin exhaled, looking a little frustrated. ¡°Vera, maybe ease into it?¡± Vera ignored him, leaning forward. ¡°Look, we know we screwed up. We let our pride get in the way to help Adwin, thinking we had to prove ourselves . But that fight¡ªit change Adwin, he became different he wnated to join your team so we dont want to leave him alone.¡± Leo nodded. ¡°You guys don¡¯t just fight for yourselves. You fight for each other. That¡¯s the difference between us.¡± Ariel spoke softly. ¡°And we realized that¡¯s what we were missing all along.¡± Lexine raised an eyebrow. ¡°So now, after all that talk about beating sam and the rest of us, you suddenly want to be a team? What¡¯s stopping you from turning on us when things don¡¯t go your way?¡± Adwin met her gaze, his expression serious. ¡°Because we¡¯re done trying to do this alone. If we really want to get stronger¡ªif we want to prove ourselves¡ªit¡¯s not about just winning. It¡¯s about standing together.¡± Vera clenched her fists. ¡°We¡¯re not asking you to trust us right away. We just want a chance.¡± Sam looked at his own team. Eislyn and Tushar seemed open to the idea, but Lexine still looked skeptical. Tushar shrugged. ¡°More people means more firepower, right?¡± Eislyn smiled. ¡°Can we pleasee lexine.¡± Lexine sighed, rubbing her temple. ¡°Ugh. Fine. But if you guys screw up, I¡¯m blaming Adwin.¡± Adwin chuckled lightly. ¡°Fair enough.¡± Sam grinned, holding out his hand. ¡°Then welcome to the team.¡± Adwin shook his hand firmly as Vera, Leo, and Ariel smiled. A new alliance had been formed. ¡°Since we¡¯ve formed an alliance, that means we actually have enough people to create a club,¡± Lexine said, leaning back with a smirk. Sam raised an eyebrow. ¡°A club? What does that mean exactly?¡± Lexine stretched her arms before explaining, ¡°Basically, with eight members, we meet the requirements to officially register as a club. That means we can take on small missions and jobs under the academy¡¯s system.¡± Sam nodded in understanding. ¡°I see¡­ so it¡¯s like having our own squad?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Lexine confirmed. ¡°And since we¡¯re forming a club, we need leaders. I already have an idea of who should be in charge¡ªme, Sam, Tushar, and Adwin.¡± Eislyn¡¯s expression immediately soured. ¡°Hold on, why not me? I was on the team before Adwin.¡± Lexine paused for a moment, then continued as if Eislyn hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°So, that¡¯s the team.¡± Eislyn twitched. ¡°Did you just¡ª¡± ¡°Yep,¡± Lexine interrupted, grinning. The rest of the group exchanged glances, then shrugged. ¡°Fine by me,¡± Tushar said, popping a chip into his mouth. Adwin nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take the responsibility seriously.¡± Vera, Leo, and Ariel also nodded in agreement. Eislyn groaned, crossing her arms. ¡°This is bullshit.¡± she said with tears slowly coming out Lexine smirked. ¡°Welcome to democracy.¡± Festives Six months had passed since the Royale, and now the academy was alive with the buzz of the upcoming festivities. Students were packing their bags, eager to return home to their families. Through his dorm window, Sam watched them leave in groups, their laughter and excitement filling the air. Behind him, Tushar was stuffing clothes into his bag, humming a tune to himself. ¡°Where are you headed again?¡± Sam asked, turning away from the window. ¡°Back to the Northern Planets,¡± Tushar replied with a grin. ¡°My siblings are waiting for me there. I miss the cold¡ªand the girls.¡± He winked. Sam chuckled. ¡°Yeah, have fun.¡± Tushar slung his bag over his shoulder. ¡°Wish I could take you with me, but, well¡­ my parents said no. You know, because of your skin.¡± His voice trailed off, an awkward tension settling between them. Then he brightened up. ¡°But hey, don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll tell all the gorgeous girls about you.¡± Sam smirked as Tushar walked out the door, but the moment his friend was gone, his expression faded. He sighed, lying back on his bed. A whole break with nothing to do, no one to talk to. He wanted this festival to be over already so he could return to life at the academy. A sudden knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. ¡°Hello?¡± A voice called from the other side. Sam got up and opened the door to find Eislyn standing there, her arms crossed, looking nervisoly. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Sam asked, surprised. ¡°I heard from the others that you have nowhere to go for the festival,¡± she said. ¡°So, how about coming with me to the Eastern side of the galaxy?¡± Sam blinked. ¡°Are you serious? Are your parents okay with that?¡± ¡°I already asked my mom, and she¡¯s fine with it,¡± Eislyn said matter-of-factly. ¡°So, let¡¯s get going.¡± Sam hesitated for a moment. He wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to spend the festival with someone else''s family, but the alternative was staying here alone. After a moment, he sighed in defeat. ¡°When are we leaving?¡± he asked. ¡°Right now,¡± she said, grabbing his wrist. ¡°Wait, I haven¡¯t even packed yet.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± she said with a smirk. ¡°We can buy clothes when we get there.¡± Before he could protest further, she tugged him out of the dorm room, leading him through the academy¡¯s halls. And just like that, Sam found himself being pulled into an unexpected adventure. As they hopped onto the cosmic train, Sam and Eislyn found seats near the middle, settling into the cushioned benches. The hum of the train¡¯s engine reverberated through the car, and the chatter of passengers filled the space. ¡°This car is so crowded,¡± Eislyn muttered, glancing around at the tightly packed rows of travelers. ¡°Yeah,¡± Sam agreed, though his voice was distant. He could feel the weight of numerous eyes on him¡ªstaring, judging. The sensation made his skin crawl. His hands clenched into fists on his lap as he kept his gaze low, avoiding the unfriendly glances being thrown his way. Eislyn noticed his unease and frowned. ¡°Are you okay, Sam?¡± she asked, her voice softer now. ¡°Yeah,¡± he replied quickly, though the tightness in his voice betrayed him. Before Eislyn could press further, a conductor approached their seats, dressed in a sleek uniform with a metallic badge pinned to his chest. His eyes, however, were sharp and indifferent. ¡°Tickets, please,¡± the conductor said in a monotone voice. ¡°Here you go,¡± Eislyn said, pulling out two glowing tickets and handing them over. The conductor took them, inspecting them briefly, but then his gaze shifted to Sam. His expression stiffened. ¡°Excuse me, boy,¡± he said flatly. ¡°Colorfolk must stay in the back of the train.¡± Sam froze. His stomach twisted into knots. He¡¯d been through this before, but the sting never lessened. Eislyn¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°What? But why? He¡¯s with me,¡± she protested. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am,¡± the conductor replied, not sounding sorry at all. ¡°It¡¯s just policy.¡± Eislyn looked ready to argue, but before she could, Sam forced a small smile and stood up. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Eislyn. I¡¯ll go.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he repeated, his voice quieter this time. Eislyn watched as Sam turned away and walked down the narrow aisle. The weight of the stares returned, heavier than before. Some passengers whispered amongst themselves, not even bothering to lower their voices. ¡°Voidskin.¡± ¡°Why is one of them here?¡± ¡°Should¡¯ve stayed where he belongs.¡± The words sliced into him, but Sam kept his head high, his expression unreadable. This wasn¡¯t the first time. It wouldn¡¯t be the last. Finally reaching the back, he slid into a seat by the window, exhaling a quiet breath as he stared out at the endless expanse of stars. He tried to lose himself in the view, to let the vastness of space swallow his frustration. Then, to his surprise, Eislyn plopped down beside him. Sam turned to her, confused. ¡°Why?¡± Eislyn crossed her arms and huffed. ¡°You¡¯re my friend. We¡¯re supposed to be together.¡± Sam stared at her for a moment before a small, genuine smile crept onto his face. He didn¡¯t say anything, but for the first time since boarding the train, the weight on his chest felt a little lighter. As time passed, the cosmic train finally arrived at their destination¡ªthe Eastern side of the galaxy. When Sam stepped off the train, the first thing he noticed was the golden hue of the sky, streaked with deep purples and blues. The towering buildings stretched high, shimmering in the warm light of the distant twin suns. It was a city of contrast, where sleek, futuristic designs blended seamlessly with the traditional, ornate structures that had stood for generations. ¡°Welcome to my home,¡± Eislyn said proudly, spreading her arms wide as she breathed in the familiar air. Sam took it all in, his eyes moving from the neon-lit signs hovering in midair to the bustling streets filled with people of all shapes and sizes, their voices blending into a symphony of life. It was different from the academy, different from anywhere he had been before. ¡°Let¡¯s get going,¡± Eislyn said, motioning for Sam to follow. As they weaved through the crowded streets, the scenery shifted. The towering buildings gave way to a quieter neighborhood, where families sat outside, enjoying meals together. The scent of freshly cooked food filled the air, and children ran through the streets, their laughter echoing through the alleyways. Sam found himself staring. There was something peaceful about this place. Something warm. Eislyn smiled at the familiar sight. Then, suddenly¡ª ¡°Big sis!¡± A group of children rushed toward her, their faces lighting up with excitement. Eislyn crouched down, arms wide open. ¡°Nya, Oliva, Cyro¡ªyou three have gotten so big since the last time I saw you!¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The kids beamed at her, jumping up and down in excitement. ¡°Can you do the thing?¡± Nya asked, practically bouncing on her toes. Eislyn smirked. ¡°What thing?¡± ¡°The thing!¡± Cyro insisted. ¡°Pleeeease,¡± Oliva added, clasping her hands together. Eislyn chuckled before snapping her fingers. Instantly, the children hovered a few inches off the ground, giggling as they floated weightlessly. Their laughter filled the air before Eislyn snapped her fingers again, and they gently landed back on their feet. ¡°That was awesome!¡± Nya cheered. ¡°Again! Again!¡± Cyro begged. Eislyn playfully ruffled his hair. ¡°Maybe later.¡± Sam watched the scene unfold, feeling something unfamiliar stir in his chest. It wasn¡¯t jealousy, nor was it sadness¡ªit was something else entirely. He had never experienced something like this before. A place that felt¡­ like home. Eislyn turned back to him, her smile never fading. ¡°Come on, Sam. You¡¯re going to love it here.¡± For the first time in a long while, Sam thought she might be right. Eislyn and Sam walked into a tall, narrow building, its exterior lined with glowing blue sigils that pulsed gently against the night sky. They climbed the stairs, each step creaking slightly under their weight, until they reached the fifth floor. Eislyn stopped in front of a wooden door with faint carvings of swirling patterns etched into its frame. She turned to Sam with a small grin. ¡°Technically, this is my house,¡± she said before knocking twice. ¡°I¡¯m home!¡± Eislyn called as she pushed the door open. Inside, the space was filled with warmth and life. The scent of spices and freshly cooked food drifted through the air. Children ran through the halls, laughing and shouting, while elders sat on large cushioned seats, sipping from ornate glasses. At the center of it all was a long dining table, packed with people¡ªher family. The moment she stepped inside, a wave of cheers erupted. ¡°Welcome home, Eislyn!¡± A woman stepped forward, wiping her hands on a cloth. ¡°We saved you a spot,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± Eislyn replied, stepping further inside. Then, she gestured toward Sam. ¡°And this is my friend, Sam.¡± The energy in the room shifted instantly. The cheers and laughter quieted. Conversations died down. Sam felt the weight of dozens of eyes turning to him. He stood frozen in place, his hands curling slightly at his sides as tension filled the air. He had felt this before¡ªthe pause, the staring, the uncertainty. He braced himself for what might come next. Then, after what felt like forever¡ª ¡°Well, give the man a plate,¡± a deep voice broke the silence. Sam blinked in surprise as an older man stood up, gesturing for him to sit. Eislyn exhaled a breath she had been holding and mouthed, ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡± A moment later, the tension melted away, and the room returned to its usual liveliness. Sam hesitated before slowly taking a seat beside Eislyn, feeling a little more at ease. ¡°Do you want anything to drink, dear?¡± Eislyn¡¯s mother asked, her voice warm but observant. ¡°Water, please,¡± Sam replied politely. With a snap of her fingers, a small portal flickered open in the air beside her. From within, crystal-clear water flowed smoothly into a glass, filling it to the brim before the portal vanished. She handed the glass to Sam with a gentle smile. Sam accepted it with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you," he said, taking a small sip. Across the table, an elderly woman, her silver hair tied in an elaborate braid, studied him with sharp eyes. ¡°So, Sam,¡± she began, ¡°how do you know our Eislyn?¡± Sam set his glass down, glancing at Eislyn before answering. ¡°She wanted to join the team I was on with my friends. She¡¯s been with us ever since.¡± A snort came from the other side of the table. ¡°I bet she begged,¡± an older man, likely Eislyn¡¯s older brother, said with a smirk. ¡°Brother, be quiet,¡± Eislyn shot back, rolling her eyes. The room erupted into light chuckles, and even Sam found himself smiling slightly. "She always was stubborn," her mother said, shaking her head fondly. "Once she sets her mind on something, there''s no changing it." "Yeah, that sounds about right," Sam muttered, causing a few of the younger children to giggle. One of the kids, a small girl with puffy hair and bright eyes, climbed onto the bench next to Sam and poked at his sleeve curiously. ¡°Your skin is different,¡± she said bluntly. A few of the adults tensed, waiting to see how Sam would react. Eislyn immediately looked ready to scold her brother, but Sam just glanced down at the little girl and nodded. ¡°Yeah, it is,¡± he said, his voice calm. She tilted her head. ¡°Why?¡± Sam hesitated. He had been asked this before¡ªby strangers, by people who meant harm¡ªbut this time, it felt different. The girl wasn¡¯t accusing him or mocking him. She was just¡­ curious. ¡°It¡¯s just how I was born,¡± he said simply. ¡°Like how you have curly hair, and Eislyn has bright pink eyes.¡± The little girl seemed to think about this before nodding in understanding. ¡°Okay,¡± she said before returning to her plate of food, completely satisfied with his answer. Eislyn¡¯s mother smiled. ¡°You handled that well.¡± Sam shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve had practice.¡± The table fell into a comfortable rhythm after that. Plates were passed, stories were shared, and Sam, for the first time in a while, felt a sense of warmth in a home that wasn¡¯t his own. It was unfamiliar¡ªbut not unwelcome. As the meal went on, Eislyn leaned over to Sam. ¡°See? I told you my family would be cool,¡± she whispered with a grin. Sam glanced around the table, watching as Eislyn¡¯s father playfully scolded one of the younger boys for trying to steal an extra dessert, while her grandmother shared a quiet laugh with one of the aunts. For the first time since the festival break had started, Sam didn¡¯t feel out of place. ¡°Yeah,¡± he admitted, a small smile forming on his lips. ¡°You were right.¡± As time passed, the lively energy at the dinner table began to settle. Eislyn¡¯s father, a tall and imposing man with sharp eyes and a presence that demanded attention, leaned back in his chair before turning his gaze toward Sam. ¡°So, Sam,¡± he began, his voice steady yet filled with intrigue. ¡°I¡¯ve heard quite a bit about you from the Guardians.¡± Sam tensed slightly, setting his utensils down. ¡°Oh?¡± Rock nodded, his smirk widening. ¡°I heard you won the Royale.¡± The air in the room shifted instantly. The lighthearted conversation faded, replaced by an almost electric tension. Some of the younger children paused mid-bite, sensing the change, while the adults exchanged knowing glances. He¡¯s going to do it, Eislyn¡¯s mother thought, exhaling softly. Sam, unaware of the deeper meaning behind the moment, tilted his head slightly. ¡°This energy¡­ are you a¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Rock interrupted, his smirk never wavering. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a Theon.¡± He placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his knuckles, studying Sam like a hunter sizing up his prey. ¡°Well, I used to be.¡± The words alone carried weight. Theons were warriors, beings of immense strength and battle-hardened instincts. If Rock had once been one, then Sam was sitting across from a man whose power likely far surpassed his own. ¡°My name is Rock,¡± he continued. ¡°And since you¡¯re the big Royale winner, you wouldn¡¯t mind if I tested you, would you?¡± Sam blinked. ¡°What do you me¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Rock disappeared from his seat in the blink of an eye. In the next instant, he was directly in front of Sam, standing on the very table as if he had always been there. The plates and glasses rattled from the force of his movement. Without warning, Rock threw a punch. Sam¡¯s instincts screamed at him¡ªmove! He reacted instantly, twisting his body and catching Rock¡¯s arm in mid-air. Using the momentum, he rolled off it, flipping backward. As he twisted midair, he swung his leg up, aiming a precise kick at Rock¡¯s jaw. The impact landed perfectly. Yet, Rock didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Nice,¡± Rock said, sounding genuinely amused. Sam barely had time to land before Rock retaliated. This time, the speed was overwhelming. A fist, faster than anything Sam had seen before, rocketed toward him. He barely managed to cross his arms in front of his chest before the blow connected. The force was monstrous. The impact sent Sam flying backward like a bullet, slamming him into the far wall with a thunderous boom that shook the entire building. Cracks splintered across the wall behind him from the sheer force of the hit. For a moment, silence. Then, Sam¡¯s body slumped forward. Unconscious. ¡°Dad, you overdid it!¡± Eislyn shrieked, immediately rushing toward Sam. Her red eyes burned with frustration as she knelt beside him, checking for injuries. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine,¡± Rock said, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Kid¡¯s tougher than he looks.¡± Eislyn shot her father a glare. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you knock him through a wall, you lunatic!¡± ¡°Put him in the guest room,¡± Eislyn¡¯s mother said suddenly, her voice calm yet firm. Then, she turned her gaze toward Rock, her expression unreadable. ¡°And you, dear, are going to have a long talk with me.¡± Rock turned around quickly, straightening as if he had been called to attention. ¡°¡­Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± he said, his usual bravado faltering slightly under her stare. Meanwhile, Eislyn sighed and shook her head before placing her hands over Sam¡¯s limp body. A soft glow surrounded her fingertips as she used her gravity abilities to gently lift him into the air. With controlled precision, she guided him toward the guest room, her mind still fuming over her father¡¯s actions. She laid Sam carefully on the bed, making sure he was comfortable before stepping back. ¡°Idiot,¡± she muttered under her breath, both at her father and at Sam for even trying to stand against him. Still, as she watched Sam¡¯s steady breathing, a small part of her was impressed. He had reacted almost instantly. He had fought back. Even if he hadn¡¯t won, he had held his ground against a former Theon. And that, she thought, meant something. As Sam lay motionless on the bed, his chest rising and falling steadily, Eislyn pulled up a chair beside him, crossing her arms tightly. Her jaw clenched as she stared toward the door, still fuming. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath. Her father always had a habit of being aggressive, but this? This was ridiculous. The door creaked open, and her mother, Leona, stepped inside. She carried an air of quiet authority, her movements graceful but deliberate. She glanced at Sam first, noting the bruising already forming along his arms before shifting her sharp gaze toward Eislyn. "Your father has always been reckless, but this?" Leona sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "This was unnecessary." Eislyn let out a bitter scoff, gripping the armrest of her chair. "Unnecessary? Mom, he knocked my friend unconscious. In our home. At the dinner table." She gestured toward Sam¡¯s limp form. "He didn¡¯t even hesitate!" Leona walked closer, brushing a few strands of silver hair behind her ear as she examined Sam again. "Rock¡¯s ways have always been¡­ excessive," she admitted. "But you know how he is. He wanted to test the boy." "Test him?" Eislyn shot up from her seat, frustration burning in her eyes. "This isn¡¯t some battlefield. It¡¯s a family dinner! Sam came here as my guest, and Dad treated him like an enemy." Leona met her daughter''s glare with a calm, steady look. "Your father isn¡¯t just a former Theon, Eislyn. He¡¯s a warrior, through and through. Strength matters to him. Testing someone¡¯s power is his way of understanding them." Eislyn¡¯s hands curled into fists. "Understanding? That wasn¡¯t a test, Mom, that was an ambush. Sam didn¡¯t even see it coming." Leona placed a gentle hand on Eislyn¡¯s shoulder, her touch warm and grounding. "I¡¯ll speak to him," she assured her daughter. "But for now, focus on your friend. He''ll wake up soon." Eislyn took a deep breath, her anger simmering but not fading. She looked back at Sam, still unconscious, his expression peaceful despite the events that led him here. "Fine," she said quietly, sitting back down. "But he¡¯s not getting away with this." Leona gave a small, knowing smile before turning and walking out, leaving Eislyn alone with Sam. She sighed, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. "You better wake up soon," she muttered. "Or I¡¯m never bringing you anywhere again." Theon…. As Sam¡¯s eyes slowly fluttered open, he was met with the soft glow of morning light filtering through the window. His head throbbed slightly, but the warmth of the bed beneath him was enough to dull the lingering ache. He blinked a few times, adjusting to his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was Eislyn, slumped in a chair beside his bed, her arms crossed, her breathing slow and steady. She had clearly fallen asleep while watching over him. Sam let out a low sigh before turning his head toward the window. What he saw made him pause. Two massive twin suns hung in the distant sky, their golden light casting long shadows over the city below. The view was breathtaking¡ªan endless stretch of skyline bathed in hues of amber and violet. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± Sam murmured groggily. At the sound of his voice, Eislyn stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she let out a small yawn before focusing on him. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake,¡± she said, rubbing her eyes. Sam¡¯s mind was still catching up, but then, in a sudden flash, it all came rushing back¡ªthe dinner, the conversation, and then¡­ That bastard. His eyes widened as he remembered what had happened. His fists clenched, and he immediately sat up, ignoring the soreness in his muscles. ¡°Where is he?¡± Sam asked, his voice carrying a sharp edge. Eislyn sat up straighter, suddenly alert. ¡°Wait a minute¡ªwhat are you planning?¡± she asked, narrowing her eyes. Sam swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. ¡°I need to ask him something.¡± Eislyn crossed her arms. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously thinking about fighting my dad again, are you?¡± Sam shook his head. ¡°No. I just need answers.¡± Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the door. Eislyn sighed, running a hand through her hair before standing up and following him. As they stepped into the hallway, they found Rock seated in the living room, flipping through the pages of a thick, leather-bound book. He didn¡¯t look up immediately, but the moment Sam stepped into the room, Rock¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smirk. ¡°So, you¡¯re finally awake,¡± Rock said without looking up from his book. Sam ignored the greeting, his focus locked onto the man. ¡°How didn¡¯t you flinch from my kick?¡± he demanded. Rock finally shut his book and set it aside. He looked at Sam with mild amusement. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sam took a step forward. ¡°One of my abilities activates automatically when I fight¡ªit lets me match my opponent¡¯s flux energy and use it to enhance my attacks. No matter how strong they are, if I match their flux, I can hurt them.¡± His gaze hardened. ¡°But with you¡­ it was different. I matched your energy, but when I kicked you, it felt like I was hitting an immovable object. Why?¡± Rock leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Ah, that.¡± He chuckled to himself before fixing Sam with a steady gaze. ¡°You see, I wasn¡¯t just any Theon¡ªI was the Theon of Will.¡± Sam¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°The Theon of Will?¡± Rock nodded. ¡°It means my physical attributes were tied directly to my willpower. As long as I had the will to stand, my body wouldn¡¯t falter. Even after I lost my title, that aspect of me remained.¡± He smirked and leaned forward slightly. ¡°To put it simply¡­ my body still carries the weight of an entire universe.¡± Sam stiffened. A universe? Leona sighed beside him. ¡°Yeah, my dad likes to be dramatic, but he¡¯s not lying,¡± she muttered. Sam clenched his fists, absorbing the information. The weight of a universe¡­ No wonder his attack had done nothing. Rock studied Sam¡¯s expression and then chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t look so frustrated. If anything, you should take it as a lesson.¡± ¡°Maybe next time, you don¡¯t attack someone at dinner,¡± Leona said dryly, arms crossed as she shot a pointed look at Rock. Rock stiffened slightly and averted his gaze, suddenly very interested in the floor. Leona sighed before turning her attention back to Sam. ¡°Oh yes, Sam, to make up for what happened yesterday,¡± she said, her tone light but firm, ¡°we¡¯re taking you out for breakfast. Eislyn also mentioned you need new clothes, so we¡¯ll do some shopping while we¡¯re out. How about we leave in ten minutes?¡± Sam hesitated for a moment, still processing everything that had happened, but eventually shrugged. ¡°...Yeah, sure.¡± ¡°Great.¡± Leona smiled before clapping her hands together. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get ready.¡± Rock, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly perked up. ¡°Oh, breakfast? That sounds great! I¡¯m starving,¡± he said enthusiastically. Leona didn¡¯t even look at him. ¡°You¡¯re not coming.¡± Rock froze. His face fell as if she had just told him his entire existence was meaningless. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat? Why not!?¡± he demanded. ¡°This is your punishment for what you did to Sam,¡± Leona said simply, offering him no room for argument. Rock visibly deflated, shoulders slumping. ¡°But¡­ but I didn¡¯t even hit him that hard¡­¡± he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Leona shot him a sharp glare, and Rock¡¯s protests died in his throat. ¡°Fine¡­¡± he grumbled, dramatically turning away. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll just sit here¡­ alone¡­ hungry¡­¡± His voice trailed off into exaggerated, pitiful mumbling. Sam watched the scene unfold, blinking in disbelief. This man¡ªthis supposedly terrifying former Theon¡ªwas sulking like a child over breakfast. He let out a deep sigh. I refuse to believe this is what knocked me out. As they stepped out of the building, Sam glanced up at the window and saw Rock staring down at them, his face pressed against the glass, fake tears streaming down his cheeks as he mouthed, Take me with you¡­ Sam sighed and quickly looked away, walking ahead with Leona and Eislyn. They hopped into a hover-cart that lifted off the ground and cruised smoothly through the streets. Sam took in the towering structures, the bustling marketplace, and the vibrant energy of the city. The sight was unlike anything he had experienced before. Turning his head, he noticed Eislyn speaking softly to her younger brother, who had fallen asleep in her lap. It was a different side of her¡ªone he wasn¡¯t used to seeing. She always seemed reserved and uncertain at the academy, but here, in her home, she looked¡­ comfortable. Happy. ¡°So, Sam, what do you think of the city so far?¡± Leona asked, breaking the silence. Sam turned back to her. ¡°It¡¯s great¡ªwell, aside from getting knocked out.¡± He shot a glance at Eislyn¡¯s mother, who smirked. ¡°But yeah, I like it here.¡± Leona chuckled. ¡°Ha! I guess that¡¯s fair. But, Sam, I really do appreciate you being friends with Eislyn. She never really had any back at the academy¡­ She was always picked on.¡± Sam¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly. ¡°Yeah? She never told me that.¡± ¡°She wouldn¡¯t,¡± Leona said, smiling fondly. ¡°But trust me, it means a lot.¡± Sam nodded. ¡°Yeah, no problem.¡± The cart came to a smooth stop, and the four of them hopped off. ¡°Man, I missed the food here,¡± Eislyn said, nearly bouncing in excitement. Sam glanced at her, slightly surprised. She never acted like this back at the academy¡ªusually nervous, quiet, or at most, sarcastic. Here, she was like a completely different person. As they stepped into the diner, Sam took a moment to look around. Families filled the booths, the smell of sizzling breakfast food hanging in the air. It felt warm and inviting¡ªuntil the hostess at the front desk gave Sam a pointed look. ¡°Table for four, please,¡± Leona requested. The hostess hesitated, glancing at Sam. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but he can¡¯t eat here,¡± she said flatly. There was a brief silence. ¡°Why not?¡± Leona¡¯s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ policy,¡± the hostess muttered, avoiding eye contact. Sam exhaled, already used to this treatment. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mrs. Leona. We can just eat somewhere else.¡± ¡°No,¡± Leona said firmly. ¡°We¡¯re eating here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but¡ª¡± Before the hostess could finish, her eyes flicked to the window. Standing outside, clear as day, was Rock. He was cracking his knuckles slowly, his face wearing an easy-going smile¡ªbut there was something undeniably menacing about the way he was watching. The hostess swallowed hard. ¡°R-right this way,¡± she stammered, immediately grabbing menus and leading them to a table. As they walked past, Sam gave Leona a side glance. ¡°Told you we could eat here,¡± she said with a smirk. ¡°I guess you could say it was mother¡¯s aura.¡± Sam let out a short laugh as they sat down. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. As they settled at the table, Eislyn sat across from Sam, her little brother nestled beside her, his tiny fingers tapping at the holographic menu in excitement. ¡°What are you getting?¡± Eislyn asked, glancing up at Sam while helping her brother pick his meal. Sam scanned the menu, his eyes landing on something interesting. ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯ll take the Starship Stew,¡± he finally decided. Reese¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Big bro, I¡¯ll get the same thing!¡± he declared. Leona raised an eyebrow. ¡°Can you handle that, Reese? That¡¯s a lot of food.¡± ¡°I can do it!¡± Reese said confidently, puffing out his small chest. Leona chuckled. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll see.¡± She turned back to the menu. ¡°I¡¯ll have the Statern Rings.¡± ¡°Me too,¡± Eislyn added. Leona tapped a button on the center of the table, and within seconds, their meals materialized before them, steaming and fresh. The delicious aroma filled the air as the four of them began eating. Meanwhile, just outside the window, Rock sat on the curb, his face pressed against the glass like a sad, abandoned puppy. ¡°I wish I could be there,¡± he mumbled, wiping away a fake tear as he watched them eat. As they finished their meal and paid, the group walked out of the diner and headed toward a clothing store nearby. Sam glanced around at the displays, feeling overwhelmed by the selection. "I don''t even know what to pick," he thought to himself, the racks of clothes making him feel uncertain. Leona noticed his hesitation and walked over to him with a smile. "Here, try this one on," she said, handing him a neatly folded set of clothes. The fabric was smooth, the colors vibrant. "It¡¯ll suit you perfectly." Sam took the clothes hesitantly, mumbling a quiet, ¡°Uh, thanks.¡± He turned toward the changing rooms, but as he approached, a store attendant stopped him with a polite but firm voice. "I''m sorry, sir, but you can''t try them on," the man said, his tone cool and matter-of-fact. Sam froze, holding the clothes in his hands as he turned toward Leona, who raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why not?" she asked, the irritation in her voice obvious. The attendant didn¡¯t seem fazed by her tone. "He can try them on, but only after he buys them," he said, his gaze never leaving the small screen in his hand as he punched something in. Leona¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. Everyone else can try on clothes before buying. Why can¡¯t he?¡± The store clerk shifted uncomfortably but stood firm. ¡°It¡¯s just store policy, ma¡¯am.¡± Sam let out a quiet sigh, already used to this kind of treatment. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mrs. Leona. I¡¯ll just buy them and try them on later.¡± Leona crossed her arms. ¡°No. That¡¯s not fine.¡± She turned to the clerk, her tone sharp. ¡°Either he gets to try them on like everyone else, or we¡¯re taking our money somewhere else.¡± The clerk hesitated, his gaze flickering toward the window¡ªwhere Rock, once again, stood outside, cracking his knuckles with an unamused expression. ¡°Actually,¡± the clerk coughed, suddenly flustered, ¡°I-I think we can make an exception.¡± Leona smirked. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± She handed the clothes to Sam, who glanced outside and shook his head. ¡°Ihow are tehy chaging ktheir mind that quickly,¡± he muttered under his breath before heading into the changing room. As Sam stepped out of the changing room, he turned to the mirror, adjusting the new outfit slightly. The fabric felt different from what he was used to¡ªlighter, more refined. He wasn¡¯t sure if it suited him, but before he could dwell on it, Leona clapped her hands together. ¡°It looks so good on you, doesn¡¯t it, Eislyn?¡± she said, a proud smile on her face. Eislyn¡¯s face turned a faint shade of pink as she quickly looked away, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her jacket. ¡°Y-yeah¡­ It looks nice,¡± she muttered, avoiding eye contact. Sam raised an eyebrow at her reaction but chose not to question it. After making their purchase, the three of them left the store, strolling through the bustling streets of the city. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the buildings. As they walked, Sam noticed people setting up decorations, hanging vibrant banners, and assembling tables along the sidewalks. The air buzzed with excitement, the scent of roasted food wafting through the streets. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Sam asked, glancing around at the lively preparations. ¡°We have a festival that lasts five days every year,¡± Eislyn explained, her eyes lighting up. ¡°It¡¯s one of the biggest celebrations here.¡± ¡°Sounds cool,¡± Sam said, taking in the sights and sounds around him. As they continued walking, Sam spotted a familiar figure amidst the workers¡ªRock, carrying massive equipment effortlessly, as if they weighed nothing. He was surrounded by others who struggled under the weight of similar loads, but he moved with ease, his strength on full display. Their eyes met. Sam, almost instinctively, snapped his fingers quietly¡ªa subtle motion. A silent challenge. Rock¡¯s lips curled into a grin, as if he understood exactly what Sam was thinking. He gave a small nod, accepting the unspoken message. Sam smirked. As Eislyn, Leona, Reese, and Rex returned to the apartment, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation for the upcoming festival. The faint hum of music from the streets below seeped through the windows, blending with the distant chatter of excited voices. ¡°I¡¯m going to change into my outfit for the party,¡± Eislyn announced, heading toward her room without waiting for a response. ¡°You should change into the new clothes we bought,¡± Leona suggested, glancing at Sam. ¡°Yeah, I will,¡± Sam replied before making his way into the guest room. The moment he shut the door behind him, he immediately dropped to the floor, stretching his arms and legs in preparation. His body still felt the remnants of Rock¡¯s earlier attack¡ªhis muscles ached, but there was a fire in his chest. He needed to be ready. Five minutes passed before the door creaked open, and Rock stepped inside. He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. ¡°So¡­ are you sure you want to go through with this?¡± Rock asked, his voice steady but laced with something close to amusement. Sam didn¡¯t hesitate. He looked up, determination in his eyes. ¡°Of course. We didn¡¯t get to finish last time.¡± Rock smirked, impressed by the unwavering resolve. ¡°Fine. Then let¡¯s get started.¡± Sam stood up, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Hold on,¡± he said, lifting a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s do this after the party. We don¡¯t want to start a commotion before it even begins.¡± Rock exhaled through his nose, a deep chuckle escaping him. ¡°Fine by me,¡± he said. With a casual snap of his fingers, a portal materialized above Sam¡¯s head, releasing a sudden downpour of cold water over him. Sam flinched but quickly relaxed as the water drenched him, cooling him down. ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered, shaking his head to flick away the excess droplets. Rock turned and walked toward the door, pausing only briefly. ¡°Don¡¯t keep me waiting,¡± he said before leaving the room. Sam let out a small laugh, shaking his head as he grabbed the fresh set of clothes from the nearby chair. The festival was going to be interesting¡ªbut the fight waiting for him after? That was the real event. As Sam stepped out of the room, he adjusted his new clothes, feeling a little different in the fresh outfit. The fabric was comfortable, fitting him better than he expected. However, his attention quickly shifted when he saw Eislyn. She looked completely different from her usual self¡ªher pink hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and for once, she wasn¡¯t wearing her glasses. The absence of them made her eyes stand out more, their color more striking under the soft glow of the festival lights filtering through the window. She noticed Sam staring and quickly looked away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°Are you ready to go?¡± Leona asked, her tone warm but expectant. ¡°Yeah,¡± Sam said, shaking off his thoughts. ¡°Let¡¯s get going, big bro!¡± Reese chimed in, his energy infectious as he grabbed onto Sam¡¯s hand excitedly. Sam couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡± As the four of them stepped outside, the festival was already in full swing. The streets were alive with laughter and music, colorful lanterns hanging from every post, casting a warm, golden glow over the crowds. Vendors lined the roads, selling all sorts of exotic foods and trinkets. Children ran past, waving sparklers, their giggles echoing through the night. The air was rich with the scent of grilled meats and sweet pastries, mingling with the faint aroma of burning incense. Performers dazzled the crowds with gravity-defying acrobatics, and musicians played lively tunes on floating instruments. Sam took it all in, his usual guarded demeanor softening as he let himself enjoy the moment. For the first time in a long while, he felt at peace. As the festival continued, Sam found himself genuinely enjoying the lively atmosphere. Laughter filled the streets, children ran around with glowing festival trinkets, and the scent of sweet and savory foods lingered in the air. He had spent most of the evening with Eislyn, Leona, and Reese, sampling food, playing festival games, and even helping set up decorations. It was a rare moment of peace, and for once, he allowed himself to soak it in. The rhythmic thrum of drums and stringed instruments suddenly took center stage, signaling a shift in the night¡¯s festivities. The crowd naturally parted in the main square as dancers twirled and moved in perfect harmony with the music. Their feet tapped against the stone pavement in sync, and the air pulsed with energy. Sam watched, intrigued. The way the dancers moved was both effortless and expressive, as if they were telling a story through every spin and step. He glanced at Eislyn, who stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the performers. ¡°You keep tapping your foot like that,¡± Sam teased, nudging her lightly, ¡°and you¡¯re going to wear out your shoe.¡± Eislyn blinked and looked down, realizing she was unconsciously keeping time with the beat. ¡°I can¡¯t help it,¡± she admitted with a small laugh. ¡°The music is really good.¡± ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you dancing?¡± She hesitated, shifting slightly. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not the best dancer.¡± Sam smirked. ¡°You literally float when you fight. How hard can dancing be?¡± Eislyn rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Are you saying I should dance?¡± Sam extended a hand toward her. ¡°I¡¯m saying we should dance.¡± Her eyes widened slightly, and she glanced at his outstretched hand. Around them, couples and friends were pairing off, moving into the open space. The music was inviting, urging her to join in. With a deep breath, Eislyn placed her hand in his. ¡°Fine. But if you step on my foot, I will use my gravity powers on you.¡± Sam laughed. ¡°Duly noted.¡± As they moved into the center of the dance floor, the melody shifted, becoming livelier. At first, their steps were uncertain¡ªEislyn stiffly following Sam¡¯s lead, and Sam trying not to overthink his movements. But as they got used to the rhythm, something clicked. Eislyn spun under his arm, her pink ponytail shimmering in the glow of the lanterns. She laughed, the sound light and unguarded. Sam grinned, realizing how rare it was to see her so carefree. ¡°You¡¯re actually not bad,¡± she admitted, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Sam shrugged. ¡°I have no idea what I¡¯m doing. I¡¯m just making it up as I go.¡± Eislyn chuckled. ¡°Same.¡± The music carried them, their movements becoming more natural, more fluid. They stepped and spun, caught in the moment, forgetting the world beyond the festival. Around them, others joined in¡ªfriends, strangers, all moving together in celebration. For the first time in a long while, there was no academy, no battles, no pressure. Just the music, the warm glow of lanterns, and the shared rhythm of two friends dancing beneath the stars. After the dance Sam and eislyn took a break. ¡°Here drink this,¡± eislyn said. Sam took a sip and blinked. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ fizzy and warm at the same time?¡± Eislyn laughed. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a local specialty.¡± As they ate, Rock approached, carrying a large crate like it weighed nothing. ¡°Having fun, kid?¡± he asked with a smirk. Sam smirked back. ¡°More fun than getting punched through a wall.¡± Rock let out a hearty laugh. ¡°Fair enough.¡± The night continued with games, performances, and endless laughter. Sam had never felt so accepted, so free. For the first time in a long while, he wasn¡¯t just an outsider¡ªhe was part of something. And for tonight, that was more than enough. As the night settled and the festival came to an end, the streets outside grew quiet, with only the distant hum of lingering celebrations fading into the background. ¡°Goodnight, everyone,¡± Eislyn said softly, carrying Reese, who was already fast asleep, into his room. ¡°Yeah, you too,¡± Leona responded, stretching as she and Rock retreated to their bedroom. Meanwhile, Sam entered the guest room, tossing his jacket onto the chair before stripping down to his tank top and shorts. He took a deep breath, lowering himself onto the floor, stretching his arms and legs, loosening up his muscles. His mind wasn¡¯t on rest¡ªit was on the unfinished fight. In the master bedroom, Rock lay beside Leona, who was engrossed in her hologram book. ¡°I¡¯m going to the bathroom,¡± Rock said casually. ¡°Okay, honey,¡± she murmured, not looking up. But Rock didn¡¯t head for the bathroom. Instead, he silently made his way to the guest room and pushed open the door. Sam, mid-stretch, turned his head toward the entrance. ¡°Hey,¡± he greeted, as if expecting him. ¡°Hey,¡± Rock said, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. ¡°So¡­ why are you so determined to do this?¡± Sam stood up, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Because I want to fight. No crowd, no distractions. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll see you again, so it has to be tonight.¡± Rock smirked. ¡°You¡¯re really that eager to lose?¡± Sam let out a small chuckle before stepping forward and planting his foot against Rock¡¯s chest, applying pressure. Rock raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. ¡°You know how it works bitch,¡± Sam said. ¡°First move decides everything.¡± Rock¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying we start right now?¡± ¡°Why wait?¡± Sam replied. ¡°You¡¯re not a real fighter if you need an audience.¡± Rock¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°You do realize you can¡¯t win this, right?¡± Sam¡¯s eyes gleamed with confidence. ¡°I only pick fights I can win.¡± Before Rock could react, Sam moved like a flash, delivering a sharp kick straight to Rock¡¯s face. The impact sent Rock stumbling back, his knees momentarily buckling. He touched his jaw in disbelief. ¡°That power¡­¡± Rock muttered. Sam cracked his knuckles. ¡°That was easy.¡± Rock¡¯s grin returned. ¡°You really think you can beat me just because you think you can?¡± Sam didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he lunged forward, driving his knee into Rock¡¯s neck before following up with a powerful kick to the face. Rock was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall with a deep thud. ¡°I know I can,¡± Sam said. Rock wiped the blood from his lip and stood up, a new fire in his eyes. ¡°I underestimated you. That won¡¯t happen again.¡± Sam charged, aiming to finish the fight¡ªbut Rock was ready this time. In a blur of movement, Rock¡¯s palm shot forward, striking Sam with immense force. The impact sent Sam hurtling backward like a comet, straight through the wall¡ªinto Eislyn¡¯s room. Sam crashed onto the floor, creating a small crater in the wooden panels. ¡°What the hell?!¡± Eislyn shrieked, clutching a blanket around her as she had been in the middle of changing. Her face burned red in embarrassment and fury. Dust and debris settled as Rock stepped through the hole, rolling his shoulders. He looked down at Sam, who groaned as he pushed himself up. ¡°I guess I was wrong,¡± Rock said, cracking his knuckles. ¡°The real fight starts now.¡± No tricks Sam slowly pushed himself off the ground, shaking off the daze from the impact. Rock stood before him, his stance relaxed, but the air around him thick with energy. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, I was wrong about the whole ¡®no audience¡¯ thing. Looks like we got one after all,¡± Rock said, his tone almost amused. His muscles tensed, veins pulsing beneath his skin. His shirt suddenly tore apart from the sheer expansion of his physique, leaving him bare-chested. His pants ripped at the knees, morphing into shorts. He casually kicked off his shoes, rolling his shoulders. Sam clenched his fist, preparing to strike¡ªbut the moment he moved, a sharp pain shot through his arm. His shoulder was dislocated. Rock tilted his head. ¡°Oh? Looks like you¡ª¡± CRACK! Sam twisted his arm at an unnatural angle, forcing it back into its socket with a swift jerk. The sickening pop echoed in the room. Rock grinned. ¡°Ah, I see. You rotated your arm 180 degrees to snap it back in place. Clever.¡± He raised his fists. ¡°Finally, nothing¡¯s holding us back.¡± Eislyn, still in the room, was horrified. ¡°Are you both insane?! This isn¡¯t the place for this¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Sam and Rock barked in unison, their eyes flashing dangerously. Eislyn froze, swallowing hard. She quickly scooted into the corner of the room, hugging her blanket around herself. ¡°Y-Yes, sir,¡± she muttered. Sam refocused on Rock. His eyes flicked to the man¡¯s exposed abs¡ªan opening. Without hesitation, Sam shot forward, driving a devastating punch toward Rock¡¯s stomach. But Rock¡¯s reflexes were sharper. SMACK! He caught Sam¡¯s fist mid-strike. ¡°Nice try,¡± Rock said, barely budging. His fingers clamped down like a vice around Sam¡¯s knuckles. Sam gritted his teeth, pressing his free hand against the nearby wall for leverage, trying to wrench himself free. ¡°That was a solid hit, even in these conditions,¡± Rock mused, tightening his grip. ¡°But tell me¡­ how¡¯s this?¡± Before Sam could react, Rock twisted his wrist, applying bone-crushing pressure. A burning pain shot through Sam¡¯s arm as he struggled against it. ¡°Shit,¡± Sam thought, sweat forming on his brow. ¡°You know how this is gonna end?¡± Rock asked, his grin widening. Then, without warning, Rock yanked Sam forward and slammed him into the wall. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across it before Rock pulled Sam back¡ªonly to drive him into the wall again, this time breaking through the structure entirely. Debris exploded outward, chunks of the room collapsing in a cloud of dust. Rock wasn¡¯t done. He grabbed Sam by the arm and leg, lifting him effortlessly like a ragdoll. Sam barely had time to register what was happening before Rock started swinging him in the air like a towel. WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! Eislyn watched in sheer horror. She couldn¡¯t even count how many times Rock spun and slammed Sam into the floor, walls, and furniture. Then, with one final spin, Rock launched Sam into the air. Sam¡¯s body flipped wildly, disoriented from the relentless assault. But before he could regain control, Rock vanished from his spot. A fraction of a second later¡ª BOOM! Rock blasted forward, his body tearing through multiple walls as he collided with Sam mid-air, driving him straight through the rest of the apartment with brutal force. The building trembled from the sheer impact, dust and shattered stone cascading around them. Eislyn coughed through the debris, eyes wide as she watched the destruction unfold. ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t a fight,¡± she whispered. ¡°This is a war.¡± The night air was thick with dust and tension as Sam groaned, lying sprawled on the cracked ground. His body ached from the relentless beating, but he barely had time to register the pain. Rock loomed over him, his eyes sharp with battle-hardened excitement. Without hesitation, he grabbed Sam by the arm and hurled him toward the nearest wall. BOOM! Sam slammed into the concrete, his back digging into the stone. His vision blurred for a second before Rock¡¯s shadow covered him. A punch was already coming. THOOM! Sam barely managed to raise his arms in time, blocking the devastating blow. The force alone sent shockwaves through the structure, causing the entire wall to crack behind him. Rock grinned. ¡°Still holding on? Good.¡± Before Sam could react, Rock threw another punch, this one even faster. The impact sent Sam flying through the already-damaged wall, crashing through the building¡¯s exterior and soaring into the open air. He was falling. From five stories up. Shit. Sam braced himself. He twisted midair, trying to control his descent, but the moment he hit the ground¡ª WHAM! His body bounced off the dirt, rolling violently across the street, leaving a deep trench in his wake. The town was awake now. Lights flickered on, and startled voices murmured from inside homes. Then¡ª CRASH! Rock landed right in front of Sam, the sheer force of his descent shattering the ground beneath him. Dust and debris scattered as he stood tall, completely unfazed. Meanwhile, back in the apartment, Leona burst into Eislyn¡¯s room, her eyes frantic. ¡°What the hell is going on?!¡± she demanded. Eislyn, still shaken, clutched her blanket tightly. ¡°Dad and Sam¡­ they¡¯re fighting outside.¡± Leona¡¯s eyes widened as she saw the destruction beyond the shattered walls. Without another word, she turned and sprinted toward the chaos. Eislyn hurriedly threw on a shirt and ran after her. By the time they arrived, the streets were lined with people¡ªsome watching in awe, others in terror. Leona and Eislyn pushed through the growing crowd, eyes locking onto the two figures at the center of the destruction. Rock stood over Sam¡¯s battered form. ¡°Is it over?¡± Leona muttered under her breath. Then, out of nowhere¡ª SWOOSH! Sam¡¯s leg whipped around in a counterattack, his foot aiming straight for Rock¡¯s calf. Leona¡¯s eyes widened. He can still fight?! But Rock was faster. He caught Sam¡¯s leg mid-swing, effortlessly lifting him into the air like he weighed nothing. Sam didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe twisted, using his free leg to rapidly kick Rock in the face multiple times, each impact sending out sharp echoes through the street. But Rock didn¡¯t even flinch. Not a single hit fazed him. Rock exhaled through his nose, almost disappointed. Then, with a casual motion, he slammed Sam into the ground. BOOM! The impact left a crater with Sam¡¯s body imprinted in the center. He groaned, rolling onto his side, coughing up dust. The crowd gasped, some thrilled by the fight, others horrified at the sheer brutality of it. The town had never seen anything like this. Sam lay on the ground, staring up at the sky, his breaths steadying. His body ached, but beneath the pain, there was exhilaration. So this is the power of a Theon¡­ he thought. His punches carry the weight of an entire universe. No wonder I¡¯ve only ever felt something like this when sparring with my master¡ªexcept back then, I never landed a single blow on her. A slow grin spread across his face. The thrill of battle surged through him. He reached down, fingers brushing against the metallic bands around his wrists¡ªhis inhibitors. Not anymore. With a sharp exhale, Sam unlatched them. Instantly, a violent surge of flux energy erupted from his body, distorting the air with its intensity. The ground beneath him cracked slightly as the weight of his unrestrained power settled into the world.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. People staggered backward, instinctively reacting to the shift in energy. Eislyn felt her stomach tighten¡ªthis wasn¡¯t the same Sam who had been struggling moments ago. He was something else now. Sam placed his palms on the ground, tensing his back muscles before launching himself upright in one seamless motion. He landed effortlessly on his feet, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted to the full weight of his power. Rock, who had been dusting himself off, gave an amused smirk. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have kept me waiting this long, kid,¡± he said, stepping forward. ¡°Don¡¯t disrespect your elders like that¡ªnow then, here I co¡ª¡± Before he could finish, his body jerked unnaturally. His momentum halted, and a moment later, he was airborne¡ªflipping backward through the air before crashing onto the ground. A stunned silence filled the streets. Eislyn blinked. What just happened? She replayed the moment in her mind. Rock had been advancing¡ªbut now, he was on the ground. I didn¡¯t even see him move¡­ Leona, standing beside her, smirked and held up her holo-camera. ¡°I got it on video.¡± The others crowded around as she replayed the footage in slow motion. The image showed Rock stepping forward¡ªthen in the very next frame, Sam¡¯s fist was already buried in his gut. There was no build-up, no transition. One moment Rock was fine, the next he was airborne. Eislyn felt her breath hitch. ¡°He didn¡¯t even see him move¡­¡± Slowly, everyone turned their eyes back toward the fight. Sam stood in a completely different stance, his gaze locked on Rock, who was rising to his feet with a newfound look of respect in his eyes. Rock remained on the ground for a moment, staring up at the night sky, a slow smirk creeping onto his face. He wiped a bit of dust from his cheek before pushing himself up to his feet, rolling his shoulders as if testing his body¡¯s response. ¡°Just as I thought,¡± he mused, his golden eyes locking onto Sam with newfound intrigue. ¡°Your sister is Nyssa, isn¡¯t she?¡± Sam¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but a flicker of something passed through his eyes. Rock chuckled. ¡°That means you¡¯re amazing.¡± He dusted off his torn shirt, taking his time as he continued. ¡°Zaman told me about you. Said you pulled this trick on a student during a fight before your midterms. Sending something to the body before the mind even registers danger. It takes 0.5 seconds for the brain to process a threat and respond.¡± Rock clenched his fists, flexing his muscles. ¡°You took advantage of that window¡­ hit me before I even knew I was in trouble.¡± Sam remained silent, his stance unwavering. ¡°But,¡± Rock said, his smirk widening, ¡°I know how to beat that.¡± He suddenly raised his arms high before curling his entire body inward, wrapping himself up tightly like a ball. His skin hardened, his muscles compacting unnaturally. Sam¡¯s brows furrowed. What the hell is that? The crowd watching the fight gasped as Rock¡¯s form shifted, his entire frame condensing, his body becoming more dense. The air around him grew heavy, as if gravity itself was bending toward him. Leona¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh no¡­ he¡¯s using that technique?¡± ¡°What is he doing?¡± Eislyn asked, clutching her arms. Leona frowned. ¡°It¡¯s Rock¡¯s way of countering speed-based attacks. If Sam thought dodging him was easy before¡­ he¡¯s about to learn the hard way why Rock was once called the Unmovable Titan.¡± Sam clenched his fists, his flux energy still surging. He took a deep breath. ¡°Alright then¡­ let¡¯s see what you got.¡± Sam lunged forward, his body moving on instinct, but the moment his foot connected with Rock¡¯s compacted form, his smirk faded. His strike hadn¡¯t even made contact¡ªRock had already rebounded, his entire body ricocheting through the air like a living cannonball. Sam barely had time to react before Rock was gone, bouncing off the walls, the ground, even the air itself. Sam¡¯s eyes widened as he planted his hand into the dirt, stopping himself from falling over. His breath came in short bursts as he processed what just happened. ¡°The whole technique,¡± Leona explained, watching intently, ¡°is Rock controlling his muscles and his will in a way where his body ricochets off of anything. Once he¡¯s moving, it¡¯s nearly impossible to land a clean hit.¡± Eislyn swallowed hard, watching the fight unfold with a mix of awe and concern. Sam¡¯s mind raced. This technique¡­ my master used it once. She said she learned it from an idiot. So I guess that idiot was you, Rock. Sam exhaled sharply, steadying himself. I didn¡¯t recognize it before because of your sheer muscle mass, but¡­ I know how to beat it. ¡°Then show me,¡± Rock challenged, his voice booming. Sam didn¡¯t hesitate. He swung a punch straight at Rock¡¯s head, but the moment his knuckles made contact, something was off. Nothing happened. Silence. The gathered onlookers tensed. Sam¡¯s mind reeled. Damn it¡­ I forgot. His fingers twitched as realization struck him. His weight. He¡¯s as heavy as an entire universe. A single strike won¡¯t do anything. Then, in an instant, Rock¡¯s compacted form uncoiled. Before Sam could react, he felt himself being pulled inward¡ªRock¡¯s massive form enveloped him, his muscles compressing like an unbreakable prison. It was as if he had been swallowed whole. The world became pressure. Sam¡¯s bones felt like they were being crushed under an impossible weight, his breath nearly stolen from his lungs. Every inch of his body screamed in protest as Rock¡¯s sheer density threatened to collapse him. Eislyn¡¯s hands clenched into fists as she watched in horror. When Sam was in there¡­ he must have felt the weight of an entire universe pressing down on him. Then, in a sudden burst of force, Sam exploded out of Rock¡¯s grip, landing hard on the ground with a roll. He gasped for breath, his limbs shaking. Rock slowly turned to face him, towering over him like an unshakable titan. ¡°I could stomp you into the ground,¡± Rock said, his voice calm but absolute. ¡°Or I could tear you apart. Kill you in any way I choose.¡± Sam wiped the sweat from his brow, turning his body to up to the sky , his breathing ragged but his eyes burning with determination. ¡°Is that so?¡± he said, cracking his neck. ¡°Then I guess I can¡¯t let that happen.¡± His fists clenched, his body radiating sheer willpower. ¡°We¡¯re too deep into this now. Not even a referee could stop us. That means the only way this ends is by one of us dying¡­ or admitting defeat.¡± Rock stared at him, unmoving. Sam smirked, blood dripping from his lip. ¡°And even though I¡¯m on the losing side,¡± he said, his voice unwavering, ¡°there¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m admitting defeat.¡± Rock smirked, lifting his massive foot and bringing it down with devastating force. Sam barely managed to dodge, rolling out of the way just in time as the ground beneath him cracked like shattered glass. Rock wasted no time, swinging his leg forward, catching Sam in the ribs and launching him into the air like a ragdoll. Before Sam could regain control, Rock curled his body into a ball once more, rebounding off the walls at blinding speeds. ¡°The ball is even smaller this time!¡± Eislyn shouted, watching in horror as Rock compressed himself into an even denser form, aiming to trap Sam within his unbreakable grasp. But suddenly, Rock¡¯s body tensed. His movement stuttered. His eyes widened as pain shot through his nose. Blood began to drip from his nostrils. Sam hung in the air, a smirk plastered across his face, his fingers still lodged deep in Rock¡¯s nose. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t underestimate me,¡± Sam said. ¡°You can¡¯t use the same move twice on me.¡± Rock snarled, swinging his fist with full force. It connected squarely with Sam¡¯s chest, sending him rocketing backward into a solid wall. The impact left a deep crater, dust and debris filling the air. A thick stream of blood dripped from Rock¡¯s nose. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, his expression darkening. ¡°You little shit,¡± Rock growled. Sam coughed, pushing himself off the wall, still grinning despite the pain. ¡°What?¡± he taunted. ¡°Am I gonna pay for that?¡± Rock¡¯s eyes burned. ¡°You are.¡± Sam rolled his shoulders, shaking off the pain. ¡°At this point, what are we even doing?¡± he asked. ¡°We can¡¯t just keep playing this game of secret weapons. This isn¡¯t even a fight¡ªjust a contest of tricks.¡± ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Rock scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t need tricks to beat you.¡± Sam exhaled, his expression shifting into something more serious. ¡°This doesn¡¯t feel right. This isn¡¯t how I want to defeat Rock Friod, the former Theon of Will.¡± His fists clenched, muscles tightening. ¡°Let¡¯s trade punches.¡± Rock raised an eyebrow. ¡°What?¡± ¡°No secrets,¡± Sam said. ¡°We plant our feet and throw punches. No dodging. No tricks. Just power versus power.¡± Rock blinked. Then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, he laughed. A deep, guttural chuckle that sent shivers down the spines of those watching. Leona¡¯s eyes widened in horror as she finally realized what Sam was suggesting. ¡°No! Nooooo! You can¡¯t do that, Sam!¡± she screamed. ¡°You don¡¯t understand what the weight difference means! Rock weighs as much as the universe! Someone who doesn¡¯t even come up to one percent of that weight¡ª¡± her voice cracked, panic setting in, ¡°¡ªthat¡¯s suicide! Most Theons wouldn¡¯t even do it!¡± Sam turned to her, grinning. ¡°Oh, I get it. I get it loud and clear.¡± He wiped some blood from his mouth and took a deep breath. ¡°So you¡¯re saying I should absolutely do it!¡± Leona¡¯s heart dropped. Sam pushed off the wall, stepping forward with unwavering confidence, his entire body screaming in defiance of logic, of reality itself. He walked right up to Rock, meeting his unbreakable gaze with an unshaken will. Rock¡¯s smirk widened. This was exactly what he wanted. Both Sam and Rock threw their punches at the same time, the impact causing a shockwave of energy that reverberated through the air. Sam¡¯s fist collided with Rock¡¯s, both men grinning as they stood firm, their faces bloodied but their wills unbroken. The crowd around them gasped, certain that Sam¡¯s head would shatter under the sheer force of the blow, but to their astonishment, he remained standing, his body still brimming with energy. They continued to throw punches, over and over again, each hit sounding like thunder. But no one dared to look directly; the tension was too much to bear. The battle between them raged on, punches thrown with brutal precision. Eislyn stood frozen, watching with wide eyes as blood poured from both Sam and Rock¡¯s bodies. The sight was enough to make her stomach churn, but what really caught her attention was how Sam was managing to force Rock back, his fists landing with enough power to push the giant backwards. ¡°How is he doing it?¡± Eislyn thought, her heart racing. ¡°Sam¡­ he¡¯s not even a Theon. He doesn¡¯t have the weight, the mass, the power¡­¡± Sam¡¯s thoughts mirrored her confusion, but they were also filled with determination. ¡°Rock won¡¯t be defeated with technique or knowledge. No, neither of those will win. It¡¯s not about outsmarting him. It¡¯s about sheer will. He¡¯s got the weight of the universe behind him, but I don¡¯t even have one percent of it. Still¡­¡± Sam thought, throwing another punch. ¡°That¡¯s why straight punches, no tricks, no moves. Just hit him. Keep hitting him.¡± Each blow Sam landed on Rock sent the massive man stumbling back, but Rock¡¯s resilience remained. Yet, there was a noticeable shift in his stance. His body was beginning to give way, pushing backward, inch by inch, until his massive frame collided with the wall behind him. Sam didn¡¯t let up; he kept throwing punches with all the force he had, his blood dripping down his face, mixing with the sweat that stung his eyes. ¡°This kid¡­ this kid who¡¯s not even a Theon, who doesn¡¯t even have my weight, is pushing me back¡­¡± Rock thought in disbelief, his heart pounding faster now as he realized what was happening. Sam¡¯s strength wasn¡¯t from his physical weight¡ªit was his spirit, his unyielding determination. He was pushing a Theon back. The very thought sent a surge of panic through Rock. But Sam wasn¡¯t done. His fists continued to hammer into Rock¡¯s body with relentless force, each strike chipping away at the man¡¯s defenses. Rock¡¯s back was pressed up against the wall now, his body cracking under the weight of Sam¡¯s blows. Then, with a bellowing roar, Rock swung his arm in a desperate arc, connecting his fist with Sam¡¯s face. The force of the punch sent Sam reeling, his vision momentarily blurred as he stumbled backward. He hit the ground hard, but his smile didn¡¯t fade. He wasn¡¯t finished. He grabbed Rock¡¯s arms, pulling himself up to his feet, and before Rock could react, Sam drove his forehead into Rock¡¯s skull with a brutal headbutt. The force of the impact sent both Sam and Rock crashing into the wall, leaving a massive dent in it. For a moment, everything was still. Rock slowly slumped to the ground, groaning in pain. Sam, though exhausted and battered, rose slowly to his feet, blood dripping down his face and his body trembling. ¡°No one is in front of me anymore,¡± Sam thought, his chest heaving with each breath. He had pushed past the limits he thought he had, standing as a true force against a Theon. For the first time in this fight, Sam had proven he could stand toe-to-toe with the legendary Rock Friod. ¡°It¡¯s my defeat,¡± Rock said, his voice barely a whisper. His massive frame was slumped against the wall, blood dripping from his nose, his body bruised and battered from the relentless assault Sam had unleashed on him. His once imposing stature now seemed diminished, almost vulnerable. Eislyn rushed toward Sam and Rock, her heart racing in her chest. She saw Sam swaying unsteadily on his feet, his face bloodied but his eyes still burning with determination. ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked, her voice full of concern as she reached him just in time. Sam attempted to speak, his voice strained and weak. ¡°I wo¡ª¡± but before he could finish his sentence, his legs gave way beneath him. His body, exhausted and battered, finally gave in to the toll the fight had taken on him. Eislyn quickly caught him, her arms wrapping around him to prevent him from collapsing. ¡°Just rest now,¡± she said softly, her voice filled with relief as she eased him to the ground. She knelt beside him, her fingers gently brushing the hair from his forehead, her heart still racing from the chaos that had just unfolded. Sam¡¯s breathing was labored, but he managed a small smile as he looked up at her. ¡°I did it¡­ I actually did it¡­¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible. Eislyn nodded, her eyes filled with admiration and a mix of exhaustion. ¡°You did, Sam. You did.¡± She stayed by his side, watching as the weight of the battle finally settled on him. Sam, the unlikeliest of warriors, had pushed past every limit and defied expectations. Now, all he needed was rest.