Volume 3, Chapter 5: The Rival Senses Shadows
In a distant kingdom, a young prodigy stood atop a castle wall, eyes glowing faintly with multiversal perception.
> "Something… moves in the shadows," he murmured.
"A presence far beyond normal magic… yet hidden."
Across worlds, Cael walked quietly through a noble festival, pretending to be a weak student. His aura was fully suppressed yet fragments of Absolute Atomic rippled in the air, barely noticeable.
The Rival Emerges
The prodigy, named Prince Kaelen, had cultivated rare perception abilities, sensing traces of power across dimensions.
> "There it is," Kaelen whispered, focusing.
"A shadow… a power hidden, but undeniable."
A Subtle Display
Cael felt the awareness, but smiled faintly.
He allowed slight afterimages to appear, just enough for Kaelen to sense something, but not enough to reveal his true strength.
A gust of wind deflected Kaelen's attempt to probe further.
A faint shimmer of atomic resonance brushed Kaelen's mind, hinting at Absolute Atomic, leaving him both awed and unsettled.
> "Interesting," Cael murmured quietly.
"A rival who senses shadows… perfect. This game is beginning."
The Stage is Set
Selene hovered beside him.
> "Master… do we engage now?" she asked.
> "Not yet," Cael replied softly.
"Let him chase shadows. Let him see glimpses… patience makes the unseen strike far deadlier."
Across multiple worlds, the subtle ripples of Absolute Atomic presence now had a watcher a rival capable of sensing hidden power.
> "Let the games begin," Cael whispered,
"and may every shadow bend to Absolute Atomic."