The courtyard of Aethrion's Training Grounds shimmered with raw energy. Silver inscriptions glowed faintly beneath the warriors' feet, channeling ancient force through the marble floor. Around them, enormous crystal pillars emitted soft pulses, monitoring every surge of power.
Rudraen stood in front of Ariv and Rohit, arms crossed, his sharp gaze scanning their posture.
"Enough rest. Today, you break past the limits you think you have." His voice cut like steel, reverberating across the vast chamber.
Ariv tightened his grip around the wooden practice blade in his hand, beads of sweat rolling down his temple. The locket around his neck—now nothing but shattered remnants—was replaced by the unrestrained weight of his own aura. Even breathing felt heavier than before.
"Three days… and you're still clinging to your second forms." Rudraen's tone dripped with disappointment. "If you stay there, you'll die before your real fight even begins."
Rohit clenched his fists, earth-colored sparks flaring across his knuckles. "You make it sound like this is easy," he muttered.
Rudraen's eyes flashed. "It's not easy. It's necessary."
He raised his hand, and the air warped. A massive stone construct emerged from the ground, its jagged edges shimmering with a protective glyph. "Your goal for today—shatter this. With your Third Form."
Ariv stared at the construct. Its aura alone radiated like a living beast. He remembered Rudraen's lecture: Third Form—the manifestation of a weapon tied to your Veil. Pure, condensed essence forged into lethal shape.
Galaxy Zenith.
His chest tightened at the name of his Veil. The most powerful in existence—or so Rudraen claimed. But power meant nothing if he couldn't control it.
"Focus, Ariv," Rudraen ordered. "Your energy is everywhere. Narrow it. Mold it."
Ariv closed his eyes. The courtyard fell silent except for the faint hum of the crystal pillars. He pictured the galaxy—its stars, its endless horizon of light and void—collapsing into his palm, forging into steel. The air vibrated. Dust lifted from the floor.
Then it happened—
A faint glimmer of silver crawled up his arm, fractal lines etching across his skin. A blade began forming in his hand, translucent at first, then solidifying into a weapon that hummed with cosmic power. Its edge curved like a crescent moon, glowing faintly violet.
He opened his eyes. His breath hitched. "The… Third Form…"
Rudraen's jaw tightened. So he really can pull that off this early… dangerous.
But before the thought settled, Rohit roared from the opposite side. Earth exploded beneath his feet, shards swirling into the air. They twisted, merged, and hardened into a colossal blade—a crude but deadly earthen greatsword glowing with faint green glyphs.
"I… did it!" Rohit grinned, his voice shaking with exhilaration.
"Not bad," Rudraen said, though his tone was like cold iron. "But a weapon is nothing if you can't wield it. Now… attack."
The training ground quaked as both surged forward, blades colliding against the stone construct. Sparks of violet and green erupted, shockwaves rippling outward. The first strike left nothing but scratches. The second cracked the surface.
"Push harder!" Rudraen barked. "Control your aura—don't let it consume you!"
Ariv gritted his teeth, feeling the storm within him spiraling out of control. His veins burned, his lungs felt like fire. But he refused to fall back. With a guttural cry, he swung the galaxy-forged blade, its crescent edge glowing brighter—
CRACK!
The construct shattered into fragments that scattered like dying stars.
Ariv dropped to one knee, his body trembling, steam rising from his skin. Rohit stared, panting heavily. "How… the hell did you—"
But before he finished, Rudraen's voice sliced through the heavy silence.
"You've barely scratched the surface," he said, walking toward them, eyes locking on Ariv. "And yet… this much power… uncontrolled… it's terrifying."
Ariv met his gaze, chest heaving, his grip on the blade loosening.
"I… can handle it," he whispered.
Rudraen didn't answer. He turned away, but his mind screamed:
If this continues… he might destroy more than his enemies.