Kaiden stepped out of the infirmary, feeling lighter than he had in days. The pain that had once wracked his body was all but gone, and even the mental fog that had clouded his focus seemed to have lifted. Lyra had done her work well, healing him with her nature-based Flow abilities, and now he could feel the results—his body was already pushing against its previous limits.
He walked through the corridors of the facility, the walls lined with plants and the faint scent of fresh air still lingering. His steps were purposeful, as if the world was now a little clearer. The weight of his battle against the golden ape had taken its toll, but now, with three days left before Stage 2 of the trials, there was only one thing on his mind: training.
Finding the Training Room
Kaiden wandered through the complex, eventually spotting a man leaning against a wall near a door. The man's eyes flicked up as Kaiden approached, his eyes narrowing slightly. Kaiden raised an eyebrow but kept his expression neutral.
"Hey," Kaiden started, his voice casual but firm. "I'm looking for the training room."
The man, seeming to recognize him, gave a lazy nod. "That way," he said, jerking his thumb toward the door behind him. "But be reminded, you've only got three days. Stage 2 is around the corner. They'll expect you to be sharp."
Kaiden nodded, understanding the weight of the reminder. "I'm ready," he muttered.
The man's expression softened slightly. "Good. If you need anything else, ask the instructor inside. They'll show you the ropes."
With that, Kaiden entered the training room, a spacious area filled with various weapons, dummies, and combat tools. It was clear that everything here was designed for efficiency and practicality.
The Room of Reflection
Inside, Kaiden was shown the basics of the area by the instructor—a stern-looking man who briefly explained the layout and the rules. He pointed to a small corner with basic equipment and said, "Use what you need, but make sure you pace yourself. You have three days to train, and those three days can either make or break you."
Kaiden simply nodded again, his focus solely on the task ahead. He'd learned from the past that only through constant preparation could he push past his limits and make it through the trials.
After the instructor left, Kaiden stood in the center of the room for a moment. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as the world around him seemed to fade.
The Power of the Flow
Taking off his shirt, Kaiden examined himself in the reflection of a nearby mirror. His body was still marked with scars from countless battles. The most notable ones were the cuts across his torso, remnants of the golden ape's claws. But as his eyes scanned, something was off. His body seemed... different.
The scars were fading. Slowly, the jagged lines of his past injuries seemed to be melting away, leaving behind only faint traces of their existence. He could feel it now—Lyra's Flow had not only healed him physically but had also subtly restored his internal energy. His Flow reserves felt... bigger. He felt the increase in his power, like an untapped reservoir waiting to be used.
He laughed softly at the thought. "Guess this healing stuff really does work. Too bad I didn't know about it sooner." He chuckled, but it was a bittersweet sound. Kaiden had never been the one to rely on others for his strength, but maybe—just maybe—he could use this newfound power to his advantage.
He closed his eyes, focusing inward. He needed to tap into the Flow, not just for his body, but for his mind. With three days to prepare for Stage 2, he couldn't afford to waste a single second.
Training Begins
Kaiden sat cross-legged on the floor, beginning his meditation. His breathing slowed as he sought to center himself. As his mind settled, he felt the Flow swirl within him. It was like an electric current, rushing through his veins, urging him to act. Slowly, Kaiden focused the Flow toward his core, channeling it to expand outward.
He visualized the energy like an orb, pulsing and growing. The orb expanded into something that felt like a football, maybe even a soccer ball. He could feel the size of it in his chest, the power slowly building, the Flow stretching to fill the empty spaces of his being. Kaiden's breath quickened as the Flow surged. His body felt lighter, and the tension in his limbs eased.
I can feel it. I'm getting stronger. Every battle, every near-death situation... it's all paying off.
Determined to test his new strength, Kaiden stood and called for a Level 1 Bot to challenge himself. A few moments later, a dummy-like figure appeared in front of him, holding a sword. The Bot was nothing special, its body made from what looked like a flexible, Flow-infused material. Its movements were fast and accurate, but Kaiden was more than ready.
The Battle
Kaiden grinned. "Alright, let's see what I've got." He activated the Transparent World, immediately seeing the Bot's weak points—its joints and the slight hesitation in its movements. I've got you now.
He dashed forward with a burst of speed, his sword cutting through the air. The Bot tried to parry, but Kaiden was too quick, slashing across its midsection in one fluid motion. It staggered back but quickly recovered, its sword coming down in a sharp arc aimed at Kaiden's head.
He ducked just in time, feeling the rush of wind as the sword passed overhead. Kaiden didn't wait for a second attack. He lunged forward, slashing at the Bot's side, aiming for its weak point. The blade struck true, sending the Bot tumbling to the ground.
That was too easy, Kaiden thought, wiping the sweat from his brow. But the Bot got back up and immediately attacked again, this time with more precision. Kaiden knew it would only get harder, so he prepared himself.
For the next several minutes, Kaiden and the Bot fought back and forth. The Bot's attacks were quick, but Kaiden used his agility to stay one step ahead. He wasn't just relying on speed anymore; he had learned to use his Flow in tandem with his body. His strikes were cleaner, sharper, and his ability to dodge was becoming near-perfect.
Level 5: Reality Sets In
After a grueling twenty minutes, Kaiden found himself at Level 5. His breathing was labored, but he hadn't used much of his Flow yet. His reserves were still nearly half full, which was a surprise to him. He hadn't expected the Transparent World to take so little energy.
The Bot was still in front of him, its movements slower now, its stamina clearly lower than Kaiden's. Kaiden grinned, ready to finish this. But just as he took a step forward, his vision blurred slightly. He was still exhausted, even with the Flow surging inside him.
Enough for today, he thought, deactivating Transparent World. He was already improving.
The Leaderboard
After freshening up and catching his breath, Kaiden decided to explore the facility. As he walked down a hallway, he noticed a large board on the wall that caught his eye. It read 6-A Leaderboard, and beneath it, a list of names and ranks.
The board was filled with competitors, each person listed by their rank and group. Kaiden's eyes scanned the top spots, and sure enough, he was listed first. He smirked, not surprised at all. He had expected nothing less.
But his eyes then landed on a familiar name: Kaiser. His name was listed at Rank 5, which didn't concern Kaiden in the slightest. The last thing he cared about was some noble's son. If Kaiser wanted to challenge him, Kaiden was more than ready.
But for now, he had no time to waste. He had three more days to prepare, and Kaiden knew that if he kept pushing himself, he would be ready for anything that Stage 2 could throw at him.
End of Chapter 54
Kaiden has made significant strides in his training, pushing past his limits and getting one step closer to mastering the Flow. The journey to the summit of Ashen Spire is far from over, and with his newfound power, Kaiden prepares for what's next.
To be continued...