The deeper layers of Thawai Leipak were unlike anything Lanthaba had ever witnessed in his life. The air itself felt alive, thick with unseen currents of Thawai that brushed against his skin like invisible threads, testing his very existence. Each step forward carried weight—not just physically, but spiritually—as if the land itself was measuring his worth. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the dim sky, their bark engraved with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly with energy, glowing and fading like breathing organisms. Floating stones drifted silently between branches, suspended in defiance of gravity, rotating slowly with a quiet hum that echoed throughout the forest. The silence here was not empty; it was filled with presence, ancient and watching. Lanthaba tightened his fists, steadying his breath as he walked behind Akhoipam Leiphunglapkpa, while Yaikhomba followed closely, his eyes scanning every movement with sharp awareness.
Leiphunglapkpa walked ahead with calmly, his footsteps making no sound against the sacred ground. Without turning back, he spoke, his voice steady yet carrying a weight that seemed to resonate with the surroundings themselves. He told them that this was the outer domain of the Sacred Grounds of Thawai Leipak, a place where even experienced sorcerers would fail to stand if their Thawai was unstable. This land did not accept weakness, nor did it tolerate hesitation. Lanthaba could feel it clearly now—the pressure was increasing, slowly but steadily, pushing against his muscles, his bones, even his thoughts. It was not an attack, but a test, one that forced him to maintain control over his own Thawai. Yaikhomba exhaled deeply, his crystallokinesis forming a thin, transparent layer over his skin, stabilizing his body as he adjusted to the overwhelming environment.
After several minutes of silent walking, they arrived at a wide clearing. The ground here was unnaturally smooth, like polished stone, yet no tool marks could be seen. Ancient pillars stood around the clearing in a circular formation, each one carved with symbols that emitted faint pulses of light. At the center of the clearing stood a lone figure, completely still, as if he had been waiting for them long before they arrived. His posture was straight, his presence firm and unwavering, like a pillar rooted deep into the earth. As they approached, the figure slowly opened his eyes, revealing a calm yet piercing gaze that immediately locked onto Lanthaba.
Leiphunglapkpa finally stopped and turned slightly toward his students. He introduced the man standing before them as Naopa Sandreibam, a direct descendant of the Sandreibam family within the Thawai Society and one of his most disciplined disciples. Naopa did not move unnecessarily; even his breathing was controlled, his aura steady and contained. His expression was serious, almost emotionless, yet there was a sharp intelligence behind his eyes, constantly observing and analyzing. Unlike others who displayed their power openly, Naopa's strength felt condensed, like a sealed blade waiting to be drawn.
Naopa stepped forward slowly, his gaze never leaving Lanthaba. Without wasting words, he spoke in a calm and composed tone, stating that he had been instructed to test Lanthaba's current level. His voice held no arrogance, no hostility—only purpose. Leiphunglapkpa added that this would not be a simple sparring match, but a trial, one that would determine whether Lanthaba was worthy of continuing deeper into the Sacred Grounds. Lanthaba felt a surge of determination rise within him, his expression hardening as he stepped forward into the center of the clearing.
Naopa raised his hand slightly, and without any dramatic motion, his Thawai began to shift. His skin darkened, then hardened, transforming into a smooth, metallic surface that reflected the dim light of the forest. This was the Sandreibam family's Extension Technique: Solid Mutation. It allowed the user to alter their body into different solid materials, each granting unique defensive and offensive properties. However, the technique carried a strict limitation—every material inherited its natural weakness. Wood could burn, metal could conduct heat, stone could crack under precise force. It was a technique that required intelligence as much as power.
Lanthaba exhaled slowly, grounding himself. His Thawai began to circulate, steady and controlled, as he activated his Anti-Gravity System. The space around him subtly distorted, the weight of his body shifting as gravity itself bent under his control. At the same time, his E-FLUX Emotional Frequency Linear Unification X-System activated, synchronizing his emotions with his Thawai output. His aura intensified, not explosively, but with a steady, rising pressure that spread across the clearing. Without hesitation, he summoned his constructs—Tank, a massive defensive manifestation that hovered behind him; Meiraton, a blazing entity of fire and destruction; and a swarm of Poison Snakes that slithered across the ground, their movements silent and deadly.
The moment their eyes met, the battle began.
Lanthaba moved first, his Anti-Gravity System propelling him forward with unnatural speed. The ground beneath his feet cracked slightly as he launched himself toward Naopa, his fist aimed directly at his opponent's chest. Naopa did not dodge. Instead, his body shifted again, transforming into dense stone. Lanthaba's punch connected with a heavy impact, sending a shockwave through the clearing, but Naopa stood firm, absorbing the force without stepping back. Immediately, Naopa countered, his arm transforming into hardened steel as he swung it toward Lanthaba with crushing force.
Lanthaba reacted instantly, manipulating gravity to pull himself sideways, narrowly avoiding the strike. The air trembled as the force of Naopa's attack struck the ground, leaving a deep crater. From behind, Meiraton surged forward, flames roaring as it launched a wave of fire toward Naopa. In response, Naopa's body shifted again, his surface taking on a wooden texture. The flames engulfed him completely, burning intensely. For a brief moment, it seemed like Lanthaba had found an opening—but then Naopa moved.
Even as the fire burned, Naopa stepped forward, enduring the damage with calculated precision. His wooden form began to crack and char, but before the flames could consume him completely, he shifted again—this time into stone, extinguishing the fire instantly. Lanthaba narrowed his eyes. This was not reckless fighting; this was calculated adaptation. Naopa was deliberately choosing materials based on timing, minimizing damage while maximizing defense.
The Poison Snakes lunged next, striking from multiple directions. Their fangs sank into Naopa's body, injecting venom. But once again, Naopa adapted. His body shifted into a crystalline structure, isolating the poison and preventing it from spreading. With a single motion, he shattered the sections of his body where the snakes had bitten, then reformed them instantly. His control over Solid Mutation was precise, efficient, and almost flawless.
Lanthaba felt the pressure increasing. This was not just a test of strength—it was a battle of intelligence and adaptability. He clenched his fists, pushing his E-FLUX system further, synchronizing his thoughts and emotions into a single flow. The Anti-Gravity System intensified, distorting the space around him as he lifted chunks of the ground into the air. With a sharp motion, he sent them crashing down toward Naopa from multiple angles.
Naopa looked up, his eyes calm. His body transformed once more—this time into a dense alloy, harder than stone and more durable than steel. The floating debris slammed into him, shattering upon impact, but Naopa remained standing. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, he moved forward, closing the distance instantly. Lanthaba barely had time to react before Naopa's fist struck him, sending him flying backward.
The impact was heavy, but Lanthaba recovered mid-air, using Anti-Gravity to stabilize himself before landing. His breathing was steady, but his mind was racing. Naopa was not just strong—he was precise, efficient, and almost impossible to overwhelm through brute force alone. This fight required something more.
For a brief moment, both fighters stood still, their auras clashing silently in the air between them. Leiphunglapkpa watched from the side, his expression unchanged, but his eyes sharp with observation. He was not just watching a fight—he was watching growth.
Lanthaba slowly exhaled, his stance shifting as his Thawai stabilized into a deeper flow. His constructs gathered behind him, their presence more unified than before. This was no longer just a battle—it was a trial of will, adaptation, and control. Naopa stood across from him, his body returning to a neutral state, ready to shift again at any moment.
The Sacred Grounds remained silent, watching.
And the battle was far from over.