Location: Planet Hurricane – Lower Training Grounds, Universe Wyverno
The storm had calmed.
Not gone—but quieter. The violent winds from before had faded into steady currents, moving across the arena in slow waves instead of chaotic bursts. The sky above was clearer now, streaked with pale blue and gray, with thin lightning lines flashing far in the distance instead of striking close.
Oblivion was still on one knee.
Right where he had fallen at the end of the last training.
His armor carried scratches from repeated impacts. Dust clung to the edges of his sleeves and shoulders. His breathing had slowed, but the weight in his muscles hadn't fully left yet.
In front of him, Lazard stood the same way as before—calm, steady, watching.
"You are not ready to face the Navids yet," Lazard had said. "But you are ready to survive."
Those words didn't feel like comfort.
They felt like a warning.
Oblivion pushed himself up.
This time, he didn't struggle as much. His legs held. His balance adjusted quickly. His posture corrected itself without thinking.
Lazard took a step forward.
"No warm-up," he said. "You already had one."
Oblivion let out a breath. "Figures."
Lazard turned slightly and gestured toward the center of the arena.
A figure was already standing there.
The warrior was taller than Oblivion, with a solid build shaped by constant combat rather than raw strength. His armor was worn but maintained—dark gray with faint blue lines running along the edges. His movements were minimal, but controlled, like someone who wasted nothing.
His weapon—a straight-edged blade—rested at his side.
No flashy stance.
Just ready.
"This is not a demonstration," Lazard said. "This is your test."
Oblivion walked forward, picking up his sword on the way.
His grip was steady. Not tight. Not loose.
Controlled.
"Name?" Oblivion asked.
The warrior answered calmly. "Kael."
They stood a few steps apart.
No rush.
No countdown.
Lazard's voice cut through the space.
"Begin."
Kael moved first.
Fast—but not reckless.
SWOOSH
His blade came from the right.
Oblivion stepped back and raised his sword.
CLACK
The blades met.
The impact was clean.
Kael didn't stop.
Another strike.
SWOOSH
Oblivion shifted to the side.
Dodge.
Step.
He countered.
SWOOSH
Kael blocked.
CLACK
The pace built quickly.
SWOOSH
CLACK
SWOOSH
CLACK
Each movement precise.
No wasted swings.
No blind attacks.
Oblivion focused.
Not on speed.
Not on strength.
On timing.
Kael stepped in closer.
Strike.
Oblivion blocked.
CLACK
Kael rotated his wrist, quick adjustment
Second strike.
SWOOSH
Oblivion leaned back just enough.
The blade missed by inches.
He stepped forward.
Counter.
SWOOSH
Kael blocked again.
CLACK
"Too direct," Lazard said from behind.
Oblivion adjusted immediately.
Next movement—less force.
More control.
Kael attacked again.
Faster now.
SWOOSH SWOOSH
Oblivion didn't match speed.
He watched.
Waited.
Moved at the right moment.
Dodge.
Step.
Block.
CLACK
Kael shifted his stance and aimed lower.
SWOOSH
Oblivion stepped back just in time.
His foot slid slightly against the ground—
scrk
but he corrected it instantly.
He moved in again.
Short strike.
SWOOSH
Kael blocked
CLACK
but Oblivion didn't stop.
Second movement.
Controlled.
Faster.
SWOOSH
Kael stepped back this time.
A small opening formed.
Oblivion saw it.
Didn't rush.
Moved.
SWOOSH
Kael blocked at the last second.
CLACK
They separated slightly.
Both still standing firm.
"Better," Lazard said.
Kael moved again.
This time faster than before.
SWOOSH
Oblivion reacted immediately.
Block.
CLACK
Strike.
SWOOSH
Dodge.
Step.
CLACK
The rhythm sharpened.
Faster exchanges.
Cleaner movements.
Oblivion's breathing stayed steady.
His grip didn't tighten.
His stance didn't break.
Kael pushed forward harder.
SWOOSH
Oblivion blocked
CLACK
but the force pushed him back one step.
He stopped himself.
Adjusted.
Moved forward again.
SWOOSH
His strike landed closer this time.
Kael barely blocked it.
CLACK
A pause.
Short.
Controlled.
Then Kael stepped back fully.
Lowered his blade.
"Enough," he said.
Oblivion didn't drop his guard immediately.
Then slowly lowered his sword.
Silence settled across the arena.
Only the low movement of air remained.
Lazard walked forward.
His eyes moved between both of them.
"You didn't overpower him," Lazard said.
Oblivion stayed quiet.
"You didn't rush," Lazard continued. "You didn't panic."
A short pause.
"That's improvement."
Oblivion looked at his sword.
Then at Kael.
Then forward again.
"…I felt it," he said.
Not stronger.
Just… clearer.
Kael nodded once, then turned and walked away.
No words.
No reaction.
Lazard stepped beside Oblivion.
"This is where real training starts," he said.
Oblivion tightened his grip slightly—then relaxed it again.
Controlled.
He wasn't finished.
But he wasn't the same anymore either.
To be continue.