They went forward near the training centre .
"It was larger than expected
"Circular Reinforced stone. Barrier arrays humming faintly along the walls.
"Seraphina stepped into the center. The rules are simple .
She turned toward him.
"No lethal intent. No holding back your abilities."
Noel flexed his fingers.
"And you?"
A small smile formed on her face and she said with a smirk on her face . I'll hold back enough that you walk out."
"Noel's brows twitched and he said. It doesn't sound reassuring for me.
A light laugh escaped from Seraphina's mouth . And she said,
"Yes it isn't
With that said Noel stepped forward his heart was beating faster now.
Seraphina raised one hand "Come at me." she said .
"…You're not attacking first?"
"I want to see how you think."
That annoyed Noel just enough to move.
He rushed forward — not recklessly, but not elegantly either. He used it.
Future Sight.
"The world fast forward in front of him for one second
he saw a glimpse of his strike missing her shifting sideways and a light tab to his ribs.
"He came back to reality . He adjusted his attack, changed his trajectory and attacked near her right elbow .
But she still moved sideways and dodged it .
"Noel face was surprised as she had dodged his attack .
"Seraphina, seeing his expression, said ," What did you think just because you know what I would do, you could have hit me. Don't be too naive. I am not called S rank just for show .
She then went on the offensive . She went forward and without Noel's eyes could follow he felt a tap into his ribs .
"How—
"Nole staggered back .
"You foresee the future of me hitting but you also have to be fast enough for the reaction too . Seraphina muttured .
Noel felt frustrated by this and he reset his stance .
Seraphina continued
Chronomany isn't prediction magic . It's an advantage creation and how you utilise it depends on the user . She circled near Noel . When he suddenly attacked again
A slow distortion of time came upon Seraphina.
"Slow down .
"Her movement staggered, she felt a resistance that was making movement slow .
"Noel pushed forward—but she still struck first . A sharp pain on his shoulder spun and hit the ground air leaving his lungs .
Gruff gruff .
"You sure dint hold back did you. Noel said with haggard .
She didn't press the attack, instead guided Noel .
You are using your abilities just as buttons . Noel got up slowly and asked .
And what should I use them as ?
"Extensions of your intent .
How? Noel asked .
Look towards me and learn . With that she demonstrated for Noel to see .
She moved towards him . Noel in instinct activated future sight again . He saw a strike high and just prepared to black when he got a reality check the strike which was supposed to strike high came low .
He hit the ground hard writhing in pain .
Bloodshit, why does she have to be so harsh? No, don't be sad. I have endured worse than this but surely I will someday pay for these . Noel lost himself in his imagination.
When Seraphina smacked his head and he came back to the real world .
She crouched beside him where Noel was holding his head back looking at Seraphina with anger for hitting him .
You saw the future but I saw your intentions and from that I came to know what you will do . Seraphina conveyed to Noel .
That's cheating Noel grimaced .
"No it's just combat instincts and these things are just common even if someone else was there they could also have figured it out .
He stood again breathing heavier sweat forming his face this time he observed and waited to let her approach first.
He saw her moving.
He activated future sight and saw her pivot left adjusted to that he moved before her attack came.
He felt a little happy from that.
But suddenly he felt heat behind him. He turned and saw a big fireball coming toward him .
"My god why are you suddenly throwing fireballs mid fight . Noel grimaced at his luck today but still be dodged the attack at the last minute .
The fireball hit the ground behind him even if the training centre was made of high tier materials the fireball still burned the ground and left it with burned marks and small craters.
"Seraphina stopped, she looked at Noel and with a smile on her face brows slightly raised and she said
"….Good."
That single praise was more needed than this spar and even if he felt shy to admit it he felt good from it .
"He hid his face to not show her what his expression is
With that the again resumed faster now Noel using both his abilities mistakes was still everywhere but he was improving timing body motion overthinking Seraphina ended it decisively .
She slipped past his guard and placed two fingers against his throat the arena was silent but outside it a small crowd gathered as they didn't know who the newcomer was and what was taking their captain too long inside it.
With this they all saw the fight between both and all felt something strange .
"This …. Isn't he too weak? A man murmured what was inside the mind of the others too .
Now don't be too sceptive if it's captain choosing him and even giving a special attention he must have something to offer a second person behind conjuncted but he still couldn't hide jealousy behind his voice as how hard was to even get guidance from the captain
"And this man was just casually sparring with her and getting her full attention and guidance.
Inside the arena was silent
Noel froze as two fingers went near his throat he was breathing hard .
She lowered her hand and said with a hint of pride in her voice. You improved it's good .
Noel heard the praise and felt happy but his body didn't quite felt that and he fell to the ground laughing.
Haahh .
"Even still I got my ass kicked by you .
"Now don't set your expectations too high or did you think just getting chronomany would make you invincible in this world .
She offered him a hand . He took it .
"Now you understand the gap and knowing would keep you in check .
He nodded and strangely —didn't felt discouraged just motivated to improve
*******
ElsewhereNo sound no motion not even a warning and the sky turned deep crimson red .
Across the entire planet simultaneously cities froze oceans stilled wind halted even mana current paused it looked as the end of world came
Noel looked upward to just view the sky but his expression turned strange .
".... What's that
Seraphina too turned back and her expression went many shades in just a second the other guild members outside too noticed the anomaly and for the first time they felt a hint of danger .
I don't know Seraphina said .
But we can't wait for it to reveal itself .members of guild come together and meet me at the hall fast just under 2 minutes she shouted to the guild .
"And also call everybody that is outside the city using the teleportation booths but no member of Artemis should be outside . Do you understand?
"Yeah2x
Noel looked upward.
Beyond EarthIn a place where stars were just threads and galaxies mere lights to light up the surroundings
Something ancient observed, measured and calculated .
A voice older then even the time flow itself echoed thorough the planet .
Evaluation Complete
Civilization Threshold Achieved
Conflict Density — SufficientAwakened Population — Acceptable
Narrative Variability — High
Pause then it continues
Planet Designation Updated
—
"Earth has met the minimum requirement initiating cosmic playground interarion
"Across the planet the red sky deepened reality trembled
"All humanity heard the voice and felt something vast has noticed humanity and whether it would be good or bad only time could tell.