Sunday night. The silence in the obsidian mansion was profound, broken only by Sophie's calm breathing and the soft purr of Amethyst, who slept curled into a ball of fur. Indra, however, couldn't sleep. Seated on the broad windowsill of the bedroom, he watched the blue moon hanging in the purple sky like a blind, restless eye.
Inside the blue disc, the familiar shadow writhed. This time, it wasn't a violent agitation, but rather a slow, almost rhythmic movement, like a fetus developing in a celestial womb. It was frighteningly alive, reacting to the invisible currents of the world. A chill ran down Indra's spine. Whatever that was, it was growing.
The weekend had been strangely peaceful. Just rest, studies on the complex politics of the Other Side, and solitary training sessions with the Silent Heart of the Inner Vortex. The Soul Nourishment Pill Sophie had given him had worked wonders; he felt his Inner Core denser, more stable, pulsating with an energy that promised growth. Perhaps, with effort, he could reach the mid-level Graduate rank before the Paranormal Exam. It would be a crucial advantage. Who knows, during the survival test itself, he might even have a breakthrough.
A warm, soft weight landed on his lap. Amethyst, drawn by his silent vigil, snuggled in, his vibrant purr a balm to Indra's dark thoughts. Indra sank his fingers into the soft fur, letting the tranquility of the moment wash over him.
"Indra." — Sophie's sleepy voice came from the bed.
"Come to sleep."
He obeyed, lying down beside her. Amethyst positioned himself in the valley between them, a small, purple guardian. And, wrapped in that improbable sense of family, Indra finally fell asleep.
---
Monday morning arrived with the cold rays of the silvery sun bathing the room. The space next to Indra was empty, only a depression in the pillow and Sophie's subtle scent remained. Amethyst was still sleeping, on his back, paws in the air. Indra got up, took a quick shower, and put on his artifact clothes. He went down to the kitchen and found Sophie already sitting at the counter, eating a bowl of cereal that glowed with unnatural colors.
"Excited for the big day?" — she asked, licking a spoon.
Indra served himself and sat next to her.
"A bit. It's time to give it my all. I won't evolve like in the forest, but any improvement is welcome. And now, as a Graduate, I can at least fight on equal footing with some students. Gain real experience."
Sophie nodded, her expression serious.
"Talk to Reid. He might be an idiot, but he's strong and can teach you a lot. And look for Professor Carl for intensive lessons. You need to be sharp for the written exam and know the ecosystems of the Low-Risk Zones in the Realm of Phenomena."
Indra agreed, feeling the weight of the week ahead.
"Now I understand why you were so 'paranoid' about my one-month deadline. This week is going to be hell."
They talked a bit more until Indra checked his smartwatch: 12:30 PM. Half an hour until classes started. He said goodbye with a quick kiss and left, leaving Amethyst — probably still asleep — behind.
---
The walk to the Esoteric Academy was uneventful. But as he approached the main gate, he saw it wasn't an ordinary day. Reid and Claire were there, but a third person commanded attention.
He was a young man slightly taller than Indra, wearing an impeccable long-sleeved white shirt, tight black jeans, and gleaming black-and-white Air Jordan sneakers. His hair was faded blond, almost platinum, and his light brown eyes shone with intense energy. What stood out most, however, were the earrings: in his right ear, an elaborate red half-moon earring with two silver tails that swayed down to his shoulder; in the left, a black spider with silver outlines, its thin legs wrapping around the ear like delicate claws.
Reid and the stranger seemed to be having an animated discussion. Reid wore a skeptical expression, while the blond gestured enthusiastically. Claire watched everything with an amused smile.
"What's going on?" — Indra asked, approaching.
The blond turned instantly, his eyes scanning Indra from head to toe.
"Ah, perfect! Now that the main character has arrived, we can get straight to the point!" — he said, his voice charged with an almost electric energy.
Reid sighed, looking tired.
"Indra, this is..."
"Aleksei Ivanov! Of the Ivanov Clan!" — the young man introduced himself, extending a hand with a wide smile.
"I've heard about your talent. And I, well, I want to fight you."
Indra's expression froze in pure dismay. 'Duels only on the first rainy day,' he thought. 'This lunatic wants to fight now?'
Instantly, his Energy Sense flared. Aleksei's Magic Veins pulsed with a vibrant crimson red, like blood flowing fast. His Inner Core was a sphere of solid, aggressive power — a mid-level Specialist, and he was on the verge of advancing to high-level. It was an abysmal difference.
Indra shot a helpless look at Reid.
"He's joking, right?"
Reid shook his head.
"Aleksei, he just graduated. He's not on your level."
Aleksei ignored Reid, focusing entirely on Indra. His eyes narrowed, and Indra felt the familiar tingle of Aleksei's Energy Sense passing over him. The blond seemed momentarily disappointed, but then surprised.
"True! You're barely a low-level Graduate! But... huh. It won't take long for you to reach mid-level." — He put a hand on his chin, thoughtful for a split second before an even bigger smile lit up his face.
"I know! If you learn fast, I just need to teach you to get strong fast! Then we can fight as equals!"
That's when Indra understood. Everything about the man's hyperactive posture and the gleam in his eyes screamed a simple truth.
"Let me guess." — Indra said dryly.
"You're one of those battle-crazy psychopaths."
"Yes!" — Aleksei replied, with overflowing pride.
"It's the best thing in the world!"
Indra sighed.
"The offer is... unique. But I refuse. I'm a Cultivator. You're a Warrior. I have nothing to learn from you."
Aleksei laughed, a loud, scornful sound.
"Wrong! I saw you training in the Outer Arena! Your style is pure close combat! You can use Qi all you want, but the foundation is that of a Warrior! I may not teach you how to use a sword, but I can turn you into a monster in unarmed combat!"
Indra opened his mouth to protest, but there was no time.
Aleksei moved.
It wasn't a movement; it was a transition. He planted his left foot, spun his body 360 degrees with supernatural fluidity, and launched a heel kick with his right leg straight at Indra's head. The air hissed with the force of the blow.
Indra's Silent Heart of the Inner Vortex activated by instinct. The world slowed by a microsecond. He took a Dew Step backward, and Aleksei's heel passed inches from his nose.
"Are you insane?!" — Indra yelled.
Aleksei didn't answer. His eyes shone with pure martial joy. He leaped, spinning in the air like a human top, and whipped his right shin in a tornado kick toward Indra's arms, which were already crossed in an instinctive, Amplified defense.
CRACK.
The pain was sharp and clear. The bones in his forearms cracked under the impact, even with the energy reinforcement. The force was monstrous. Indra retreated further, using Amplification in his legs to create distance. He's a close-range fighter. I have to get away.
"Predictable!" — Aleksei laughed.
Then, he did the impossible. He leaped again, but this time, from a hundred meters away. He began spinning in the air, and with each rotation, his legs seemed to break air resistance, propelling him forward like a human missile.
One spin. Half the distance evaporated. Two spins. Indra already felt the air pressure against his face. Three spins. Aleksei was before him, a whirlwind of destructive force. Four spins. He assumed an aerial stance, the sole of his foot aimed at Indra's face, promising total impact.
Indra, with no options, raised his already aching arms to protect his face, channeling all the Amplification he could muster.
"Predictable, again!" — Aleksei taunted.
At the last millisecond, instead of kicking Indra, he kicked the air upward, using the force to propel himself downward. He landed hands-first on the ground, holding a perfect handstand. Then, with an absurd movement mixing capoeira and Taekwondo, he twisted his waist in the air and launched a devastating backward kick straight into Indra's solar plexus.
Indra's world exploded into white.
The pain didn't build; it was a single, total event. As if a sledgehammer of pure energy had crushed his center. The air was forced from his lungs with a hoarse sound. He didn't fly; he was hurled like a ragdoll, hundreds of meters back, until he landed heavily on the stone ground.
He lay there, paralyzed. Not from fractures — though there were some — but because his nervous system simply shut down. The pain was so overwhelming that his consciousness flickered like a faulty lightbulb. The lesson was the quickest and most brutal possible: he was insignificant. The pride of having survived the forest evaporated. Aleksei hadn't even used Aura. It was pure technique and physical strength.
In a blink, Aleksei, Reid, and Claire were by his side. Their voices came muffled, as if from underwater.
"...overdid it, Aleksei!" — It was Claire's worried voice.
"He lasted longer than I thought." — replied Aleksei's animated voice.
Indra felt something touch his hand. It was a firm, cool paper. He forced his eyes to focus. Aleksei was holding an intricate golden invitation near his face.
"So?" — Aleksei asked, his smile still present.
"Want to learn now?"
Indra gathered every last crumb of strength, every gram of stubbornness he possessed. His vision was darkening, but he fixed his eyes on Aleksei and whispered, with a rage that surprised himself:
"I'll learn... just to... pay you back... you son of a bitch."
Darkness took him before he could see the wide, genuinely satisfied smile that spread across Aleksei Ivanov's face. The lesson, after all, had been a success.