The following morning, a dense fog enveloped Lumeria Academy, casting an eerie silence over the grounds. Even the usual chatter of students was subdued, replaced by the faint hum of mana in the air. Izumi, walking alongside Jack and Aria, sensed something deeply unsettling.
"The shard… it's… acting weird," Izumi murmured, his eyes glowing faintly gold. Threads of energy shimmered around him, reacting to forces unseen.
Jack shivered. "Great… what now? Ghosts, shadows, divine people… what's next? A… killer squirrel?"
Aria shook her head. "No, Jack. This is beyond mortal reckoning. The divine realm is testing you. And these probes… they are meant to see how far you can go."
As if on cue, a sudden ripple tore through the fog. A figure materialized, cloaked in blinding light that distorted the air around it. Its gaze fell directly on Izumi. The shard inside him pulsed violently, resonating in perfect recognition.
> "This is a probe… one of many. It will test strength, instinct, and resolve," the shard whispered.
Izumi stepped forward, stance firm, the golden threads of the shard coiling around him like living armor. The figure moved with supernatural speed, a blur to mortal eyes. Its attacks were precise, measuring, probing for weaknesses in his technique and reaction.
Jack ducked behind a tree, wide-eyed. "Uh… you do know how fast he is, right?"
Aria's gaze remained steady. "Focus, Izumi. This is not just a fight. It is a lesson."
Izumi moved, instinctively weaving through strikes, learning with every blow. Memories of countless loops guided him, every past failure serving as a stepping stone. Slowly, he began countering, adapting, and anticipating moves before they occurred.
The probe stopped momentarily, as if impressed. Then it spoke, voice like distant thunder: "You are… remarkable. But awareness without comprehension is meaningless. The trial has only begun."
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