The Combat Hall smelled of sweat, energy, and frustration.
Cadets stood in duos along the marked floor rings. This wasn't hand-to-hand like last week. Today was about positioning, movement, and intent — no powers, but simulated scenarios. The kind that taught reflexes and discipline.
Kael stood at the far end with Mila Jex, the quiet earth-user from his squad. They were assigned as observers for the first round.
He was fine with that.
Watching always taught more than flailing.
In the center ring, a match started between Jaro — the heat-user — and a kinetic burst cadet named Sehn. The two circled one another, miming attacks without real power.
But something strange happened.
Kael's fingertips began to tingle.
Warm. Familiar.
He looked down at his hands. Nothing was visible.
But the sensation pulsed.
"Flame resonance detected," Nathan whispered.
"Same wavelength as last sync. Match within 7 meters."
Kael's breath caught.
"You're syncing again. Briefly. Not enough to ignite — but enough to feel."
Kael closed his fist.
His palm glowed slightly — barely noticeable. Just a flicker, like heat waves over blacktop.
He shoved his hand into his pocket.
No one saw.
But he felt it.
A few minutes later, Instructor Dreel called out:
"Kael. Mila. Switch in."
Kael stepped into the ring.
His partner this time was Tarrus, a heavy-set cadet with a thick jaw and zero patience.
Tarrus grinned. "Hope you're ready to taste mat again."
Kael didn't respond. Just raised his hands.
"Start."
Tarrus lunged forward — textbook aggressive.
Kael pivoted.
One step.
One dodge.
Elbow tucked.
Foot placement perfect.
He didn't strike — not hard — but blocked two more moves and disengaged cleanly.
Dreel raised a brow.
Tarrus blinked, annoyed.
The match ended with no contact. No knockdown. Just movement.
Control.
"That," Dreel muttered, "is how you hold your ground."
Kael nodded.
Inside, Nathan spoke.
"Your training is syncing into your nervous system. You're reacting without thinking. The body remembers what the mind repeats."
Later That Night
Kael returned to his room, sweat still on his neck. He sat on his bunk and stared at his hand.
He focused.
The faint flicker returned — a wisp of warmth, just for a second.
Not enough to burn.
But definitely there.
He exhaled, then closed his eyes.
"System."
The HUD bloomed across his vision — black-violet glyphs and pulsing threads of code.
It displayed his vitals, stats, and a diagram of his body — lightly glowing in several areas.
[Nether Code HUD – Phase I]
Name: Kael [User Verified]
Sync Core: Shadow Key – Partial Unlock
Matter: 42 / 100
Health: 80 / 100
Stamina: 56 / 80
Mimicry Index (Flame Type): 14% Synced
Passive Buffs:
Physical Sync Retention (+6%) Reflex Integration (+3%) Beast Knowledge Link (+2%)
Recent Adaptations:
Neural Reflex Boost – Active Matter Efficiency (Tier 0.5) – In Progress Flame Flicker – Controlled Trigger (5 sec max)
Kael sat in the dark, the HUD flickering above him.
He smiled — just slightly.
Not because he was strong yet.
But because… it was finally happening.
And no one saw it coming.