Kaelen sat at his desk, tablet screen reflecting in his crimson eyes as he reviewed the academy database. His morning routine was already complete—fifty push-ups, fifty pull-ups, five miles. The daily quest notification had chimed hours ago, adding another point to his daily growth.
[Base Level: 9] (900/2300 XP)
[System Level: 7] (1600/2100 XP)
[Stat Points: 17]
[Weekly Quest Progress: Daily Quests (2/7)]
Two days into the week. Five more to go.
He dismissed the interface and checked the time: 7:45 AM. Classes started at nine, giving him enough time to review his schedule and prepare mentally for what was coming.
Today: Club training at 4:00 PM. Mission briefing to be expected.
Tomorrow: Kira Ashton. 4:00 PM. Combat Dome 3.
The fight loomed in his mind like a storm on the horizon—close enough to feel but not yet arrived. He'd accepted the challenge yesterday, and now he had roughly thirty hours to prepare for an opponent he knew almost nothing about.
Kaelen pulled up Kira's public profile on the academy database, searching for anything useful.
[Student Profile: Kira Ashton]
- Year: First-year
- Division: Mage Combat Division
- Rank: Novice (Bronze badge)
- Classification: Mage
- Match Record: 4-1 (sanctioned sparring)
That was it. No ability details, no grade listing, no cultivation stage information. Her combat footage was restricted to authorized personnel only, standard privacy settings that most students enabled.
He tried searching for reports from her previous matches. Access denied.
Tried filtering for ability type. Not listed.
Even her opponents' names in past fights were redacted unless they chose to make them public.
Kaelen leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.
"Going in blind," he muttered.
The Analytical Scan from yesterday had revealed Bond Stage cultivation, one full stage above his Latent Stage, and her ability had been completely blocked. That meant either high-grade classification or some kind of concealment method. Either way, it indicated she wasn't someone to underestimate.
But beyond that? Nothing.
He closed the tablet with a faint click.
No point obsessing over unknowns. He'd have to rely on fundamentals and adapt in real-time. Read her in the first minute, adjust from there.
Kaelen stood, grabbed his academy jacket, and headed out.
...
Morning Classes - 9:00 AM
The lecture halls blurred together in a stream of information that Kaelen absorbed mechanically. Professor Halvern's Combat Theory class discussed tactical positioning in confined spaces. Instructor Vek's Aetheric Applications lecture covered energy efficiency in sustained techniques.
Useful information, filed away for later.
Between classes, students moved through the corridors in steady streams. A few glanced at Kaelen as he passed—recognition flickering in their eyes before they looked away. His reputation had settled into background awareness. No longer the center of gossip, but not forgotten either.
He preferred it that way.
By the time lunch arrived, Kaelen's mind had already shifted from academics to preparation.
...
The cafeteria buzzed with midday chaos. Kaelen collected his tray and navigated through the crowd to the usual table.
Lira was already there, tablet propped against her drink while she ate with one hand and reviewed diagrams with the other. Daniel sat across from her, fidgeting with his glasses as he talked animatedly about something involving modular energy matrices. Torven occupied his usual spot, eating quietly with the focused efficiency of someone who treated meals as fuel rather than experience. Sera wasn't eating with them today.
Kaelen sat down, setting his tray beside Lira's.
"How are you holding up?" Lira said without looking up from her tablet.
"Strategizing," Kaelen said.
She finally glanced over, eyebrow raised. "The fight tomorrow?"
"Among other things."
He wasn't surprised they were already aware of the coming fight.
Daniel looked up eagerly. "Did you find any information on her?"
"I tried searching the database but everything's locked down tight. Privacy settings are brutal." Kaelen said. "She's in the Mage Combat Division, Bond, and has a decent win record so far. That's all I've got."
Torven's deep voice cut through the conversation. "Going in blind isn't ideal, but it's manageable. Read her in the first exchange. Most fighters reveal their style within thirty seconds."
"Easier said than done " Kaelen replied.
"Then don't let her establish control," Torven said simply.
Kaelen nodded. Solid advice, even if execution would be complicated.
"What about club missions?" Kaelen asked, shifting topics. "Does anyone know how often they happen?"
Torven set down his fork. "Mutation Combat Division gets missions every two weeks usually. Your division might be similar."
Daniel adjusted his glasses. "Unique Combat is a smaller group though, right? Maybe more frequent since there are fewer students to rotate through?"
"You have a gathering today," Lira said, still focused on her tablet. "They'll probably tell you then."
Kaelen made a mental note. The club mission was one of his weekly quest requirements—confirmed intel would help with planning.
"Speaking of which," Kaelen said, turning to Lira. "Can I borrow the harmonizing stone again tonight?"
Lira finally looked up fully, studying him for a moment. Then she reached into her bag and pulled out the small crystal, setting it on the table between them. It pulsed faintly with a gentle rhythm, barely visible in the cafeteria's bright lighting.
"Keep it for the week," Lira said. "Just bring it back when you're done. And don't push past your limits—cultivation exhaustion is worse than physical fatigue. You'll know when to stop."
Kaelen picked up the stone carefully, feeling its subtle warmth against his palm. "Thanks. I'll be careful."
"You better be." Lira's expression softened slightly. "How many hours are you aiming for?"
"Ten this week. Maybe more if I have time."
Daniel blinked. "Ten hours? That's... a lot for a first-year."
"It's the recommended minimum for consistent progress," Kaelen said. "Professor Nyra mentioned it yesterday."
"Recommended doesn't mean most people do it," Daniel replied. "Most first-years cultivate maybe four or five hours per week. Ten is what serious second and third-years aim for."
Torven nodded slowly. "Ambitious. But not unreasonable if you're trying to break through to Bond Stage quickly."
Kaelen didn't respond, just pocketed the harmonizing stone carefully.
The conversation shifted to other topics—Daniel's prototype testing for the Aether-Tech Innovation Division, Torven's brutal training session that had ended with three broken dummies, general academy gossip about third-year drama and shifting combat rankings.
Kaelen listened, contributing when appropriate, but his mind kept circling back to the weekly quest.
He just needed to stay focused and execute.
...
Unique Combat Division Training Hall - 4:00 PM
The training hall was already filling when Kaelen arrived. All thirty-two first-year Unique Combat students gathered in loose clusters, conversations blending into a low hum of anticipation.
Kaelen found a spot near the middle, not too close to the front but not hiding in the back either. Vyne materialized beside him moments later, her silver-white hair catching the overhead lights.
"Excited?" she asked, violet eyes gleaming with amusement.
"For training?" Kaelen replied.
"For the mission briefing. Mira's been building it up all week."
Before Kaelen could respond, Instructor Mira entered through the main doors. Conversations died immediately. She wore her usual practical training clothes—dark athletic wear that allowed easy movement—and her amber-gold eyes swept across the assembled students with sharp attention.
"Form up," Mira said simply.
The students organized themselves into rough lines, their movement automatic after weeks of training together. Kaelen ended up in the second row, Vyne still somehow at his shoulder.
Mira walked to the center of the hall, her movements fluid and confident. "Mission briefing first, then standard training. Pay attention, this one's different from last survey work."
She tapped her wristband, and a holographic display materialized above her, projecting information that floated in midair where everyone could see.
[CLUB MISSION: Abandoned Facility Investigation]
[Location: Western Scourged Zone, Sector 4-C]
[Mission Type: Investigation + Documentation]
[Expected Duration: 8-10 hours ]
[Threat Level: E-Rank]
The display shifted, showing a three-dimensional map of the facility—a sprawling complex of interconnected buildings, partially collapsed, surrounded by overgrown vegetation that glowed faintly.
"This is a pre-Descent research facility," Mira began, her voice carrying easily through the hall. "It's been abandoned for centuries. Recent aetheric readings show unusual activity—fluctuations that don't match natural Scourged Zone patterns. The academy wants documentation and assessment before sending research teams in."
She gestured, and the hologram zoomed in on the facility's interior layout... corridors, chambers, what looked like laboratories.
"Your objectives are straightforward," Mira continued. "Enter the facility. Document interior conditions. Identify the source of the aetheric anomalies. Collect environmental samples using provided equipment. Report structural integrity and safety concerns. Engage or evade any hostile entities as appropriate."
A murmur rippled through the students. "Hostile entities" meant beasts. Possibly nesting inside the abandoned structure.
Mira's expression didn't change. "This isn't perimeter patrol. You'll be going inside a building that's been untouched for decades. Expect structural hazards, potential beast nesting. All of those are dangerous in their own ways."
She tapped her wristband again, and the display shifted to show team structure.
>Team Structure
- 4 teams of 8 students each
- 1 team leader per group
- 1 academy observer accompanies each team (non-interference unless emergency)
Departure: Saturday, 6:00 AM]
[Return: Saturday, evening (estimated 5:00-7:00 PM)]
"Team grouping and RP reward will be posted Thursday after training," Mira said. "Leaders will be selected based on performance and previous mission results. Questions?"
Hands went up immediately.
Mira pointed to Roan, the tall boy with dark red hair. "Carver."
"What kind of research was conducted there?" Roan asked.
"Aetheric manipulation studies," Mira replied. "Pre-Descent era. They were experimenting with energy condensation techniques and dimensional resonance. Most records were lost during the Descent, so we don't know exactly what they were working on when the facility was abandoned."
She pointed to Liora next, the girl with bright green hair.
"Have other teams investigated it before?" Liora asked.
"No. This is first-contact assessment. That's why you're going in teams of eight with academy observers. Safety protocols." Mira's gaze swept the room. "The observers won't interfere unless there's immediate danger to life. They're there to extract you if things go catastrophically wrong, not to hold your hand."
Seraphine raised her hand—the tall girl with color-shifting eyes. Mira nodded toward her.
"Expected beast types?" Seraphine asked.
"Unknown," Mira said bluntly. "Abandoned structures attract scavenger-class beasts looking for shelter. F to E-rank most likely. Possibly nest-builders. If you encounter nests, do not engage unless absolutely necessary. Document and report location instead."
Kaelen raised his hand. Mira's amber eyes locked onto him. "Burn."
"Will combat be unavoidable?" Kaelen asked.
Mira studied him for a long moment before answering. "Depends. If beasts have nested in your path and won't retreat, you might not have a choice. But priority is investigation, not extermination. Engage only if necessary or if you're confident you can handle it without casualties." She paused. "Last week your team encountered an E-rank Crystal Serpent and handled it. That's the kind of threat assessment I expect—know when to fight and when to extract."
Kaelen nodded, understanding the implication. She was trusting him with judgment calls.
"Any other questions?" Mira asked.
Silence.
"Good. Prepare your gear. Thursday's training will focus on enclosed-space combat and team coordination under limited visibility. Team leaders need to make fast decisions in unpredictable environments." Her expression sharpened. "Show me you can handle pressure."
She dismissed the holographic display with a flick of her wrist. "Now. Standard training. Pair up for coordination drills. Rotate every fifteen minutes. Begin."
...
The training session blurred into a series of rapid rotations. Kaelen paired with Elias first—the boy with messy black hair and thin-framed glasses whose Conceptual Binding ability could lock fundamental concepts in place. Then Nyxara, the Sylth girl with blue-gray skin whose Resonance Manipulation destabilized constructs through vibrational frequency adjustment. Then Kieran, whose Presence Erasure made him literally forgettable while active.
Each rotation required different tactics. Elias's ability forced Kaelen to work around conceptual locks—fighting in an area where "space cannot warp" or "time cannot slow." Nyxara's resonance attacks vibrated his aether constructs apart, requiring constant reconstruction. Kieran disappeared from perception entirely, forcing Kaelen to rely on Spatial Awareness alone to track his position.
By the end of the session, Kaelen's aether reserves were down to sixty percent and his mind felt stretched from constant adaptation.
But Mira had been watching. He'd seen her eyes track him through multiple rotations, analyzing, and assessing.
When the session ended and students began dispersing, Mira's voice cut through the ambient noise.
"Burn. Quick word."
Kaelen approached, slightly wary. Vyne gave him a knowing look before disappearing toward the exit with Liora.
Mira stood with her arms crossed, a neutral expression. "Saturday's mission. You're leading a team again."
Kaelen blinked. "Already decided?"
"Your performance last week earned it," Mira said simply. "E-rank encounter, emergency extraction, zero casualties. That's leadership under pressure." She tilted her head slightly. "Problem?"
"No," Kaelen said. "Just unexpected."
"Get used to responsibility. It finds people whether they ask for it or not." Mira's amber eyes were steady. "Team assignments will be on Thursday. Be ready."
Kaelen nodded.
Mira studied him for another moment, then dismissed him with a slight gesture.
As Kaelen left the training hall, his mind was already calculating.
"If we encounter and fight beasts and I get kills, that will count toward weekly quest.
But priority is investigation. Can't prioritize personal goals over team safety.
...
Kaelen's Dorm Room - 8:30 PM
Kaelen sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, the harmonizing stone resting in his open palm. The door was locked, the window curtains drawn. The only light came from the faint glow of the city through the gaps in the fabric and the gentle pulse of the crystal itself.
He closed his eyes and let his consciousness turn inward.
Cultivation wasn't new to him. He'd done this dozens of times over the past month—slow, orderly sessions that had taken him from complete Null to Initiate Basic Control, Latent Stage. But each session revealed more, refined more, pushed him incrementally closer to the next breakthrough.
Tonight would be no different. Except tonight, he had time.
No classes tomorrow until afternoon. No immediate obligations. Just hours of uninterrupted focus.
Kaelen took a deep breath and began.
...
The harmonizing stone's pulse synchronized with his heartbeat, creating a rhythm that guided his focus. Aether flowed through his body like rivers of light,channels that connected his core to every part of him, pathways that carried energy from the environment into his center and back out again in endless circulation.
His core sat at his center, a dense sphere of compressed power that pulsed with each breath. It was small, compact, and glowing faintly with the potential of what it could become.
Latent Stage meant the foundation was laid but not yet solidified. Bond Stage required deeper compression, tighter integration between core and channels. Channel Stage would refine those connections until breakthrough to the next cultivation level became possible.
But that was still far ahead. For now, Kaelen focused on the present.
Breathe in. Aether drawn from the environment, filtering through his skin and muscle, pulled toward the core.
Breathe out. Energy cycled through the core, purified,and compressed, then pushed back out through the channels to nourish his body and mind.
Breathe in. The cycle repeated.
Time became meaningless. The urgency of daily life faded into background noise. There was only breath, only flow, only the steady rhythm of energy moving through him like tides pulled by an invisible moon.
The core compressed slowly. Not visibly, but he could feel it—each cycle tightening the density just slightly, and refining the structure incrementally. The channels smoothed out, imperfections correcting themselves as energy flowed through them again and again.
An hour passed. Then two.
Kaelen's awareness drifted deeper, his focus narrowing until there was nothing but the internal landscape of his cultivation. The harmonizing stone kept him anchored, preventing him from losing himself completely in the meditative state.
At some point, he didn't know when—understanding flickered at the edge of his perception.
The authorities weren't separate from him. They were extensions. Branches of the same tree, rooted in the same core. Time, Space, and Self—three points forming a triangle that defined his existence.
The insight hovered just beyond his grasp, too complex to fully comprehend yet. But he felt its shape, sensed its truth.
Then it faded, slipping away like water through fingers.
Kaelen didn't chase it. Forced understanding led to false conclusions. Better to let it come naturally, when he was ready.
He returned to the rhythm. Breathe in. Breathe out. Flow and compress. Refine and stabilize.
Hours passed.
When Kaelen finally opened his eyes, the room was dark. The city lights through the window had shifted position—time had passed, though he didn't know how much.
He checked his wristband. 2:47 AM.
Six hours.
His body felt stiff from holding the same position for so long, but his mind was clear. Centered in a way that only deep cultivation could achieve.
[Cultivation Progress Updated]
[Total Hours: 10/10]
Kaelen stared at the notification for a long moment.
Ten hours. Requirement met.
He'd planned to spread it across multiple sessions, but tonight had simply... flowed. The focus had come naturally, and stopping had felt wrong until the cycle completed itself.
He stood slowly, his muscles was protesting. Stretched carefully, working circulation back into limbs that had been still for too long.
The harmonizing stone sat on the floor where he'd placed it, its pulse steady and unchanged.
Kaelen picked it up carefully, wrapping it in cloth before setting it on his desk. He'd return it to Lira once the week was done, but for now, it had served its purpose.
He pulled up his System interface, checking progress.
[Weekly Quest: Adaptive Trials]
[Progress:]
- Complete 7 Daily Quests Consecutively (2/7)
- Win 3 Sanctioned Sparring Matches (0/3)
- Complete 3 RP Missions (0/3)
- Kill 5 F-Rank Beasts (0/5)
- Cultivate for 10+ Hours (10/10) (Complete)
- Complete 1 Club Mission (0/1)
- Allocate 5 Stat Points (5/5) (Complete)
[Categories Complete: 2/7]
Three down. Four remaining.
Kaelen dismissed the interface and moved to his bed. His body needed rest now—real sleep, not the meditative state of cultivation.
Tomorrow was Wednesday. The fight with Kira. Then Thursday and Friday to prepare for Saturday's mission.
One step at a time.
He lay down, pulling the blanket over himself, and closed his eyes.
...
Kira's Dorm Room - 11:45 PM
Kira Ashton sat at her desk, tablet displaying Kaelen's public match records in soft blue light.
The footage was limited—only highlights from the Jax and Matthias fights that had been cleared for general viewing. But it was enough to understand the basics.
"Chronomancer. Rare classification. Time and Space Manipulation."
She closed the tablet and leaned back in her chair, thinking.
Kaelen Burn. The first-year who'd fought a Guardian Advanced third-year and an Adept Intermediate heir. Win record inflated by unusual circumstances, but the skill was real.
Tomorrow would be interesting.
Kira stood, stretching carefully. Her muscles were warm, loose from earlier training. She moved through a brief, precise movements that flowed like water, each motion deliberate.
Kira smiled faintly.