Morning light filtered through the high windows of Cakra Sakti Academy as Ryan stood in the weapons hall.
Rows of blades, staffs, and training tools lined the walls.
Today, Sophie had brought him here for a reason.
Weapon Coating
"You've stabilized your energy," Sophie said."Now you'll learn to extend it beyond your body."
She gestured to a simple wooden staff.
"Energy coating isn't limited to skin," she explained."At Level 3, Stage 3, a warrior can wrap energy around an object and treat it as an extension of themselves."
She demonstrated.
Golden energy flowed from her hand, enveloping the staff in a thin, shimmering layer.
With a light swing—
Crack.
A stone target split cleanly in half.
Ryan swallowed.
"That's… incredible."
"It's also dangerous," Sophie said sharply."Poor control turns weapons into disasters."
First Attempt
Ryan took a short wooden blade.
He closed his eyes and focused.
Energy flowed… then scattered.
The coating flickered.
The blade vibrated violently.
"Stop," Sophie ordered."You're forcing it."
Ryan steadied his breath.
This time, he didn't push.
He guided.
Energy flowed smoothly from his core, through his arm, into the blade.
A thin, stable layer formed.
Sophie nodded.
"Good. Now strike."
Ryan swung.
The blade cut cleanly through the air—and the wooden target behind it cracked deeply.
Not shattered.
Controlled.
Level 3 — Stage 3
That evening, Bayu observed Ryan's progress.
"Your output is precise," Bayu said."You've officially reached Level 3, Stage 3."
Ryan bowed respectfully.
"But understand this," Bayu continued."At this stage, your power becomes visible to others."
Ryan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Other factions," Bayu replied."Independent academies. Rogue groups. Even organizations outside the martial world."
"Strength attracts attention," Bayu warned.
A Shadow Watching
That night, as Ryan walked home, he felt it.
A presence.
Cold. Observing.
He stopped.
The street was empty.
But the sensation remained.
From the rooftop above, a figure watched silently—eyes glowing faintly red.
"So that's him…" the figure murmured."The heir has begun to shine."
Then the presence vanished.
Ryan shivered.
A Message of War
The next day, chaos rippled through the academy.
A sealed message arrived.
Bayu read it, his expression darkening.
"This is a challenge," he announced."From an external faction."
Sophie's jaw tightened.
"They've finally moved."
Bayu turned to Ryan.
"Level 3 warriors are no longer considered apprentices," he said."You may soon be forced to choose where you stand."
Ryan clenched his fists.
He had wanted strength to protect.
But now—
Strength was pulling him into a much larger conflict.