[System — update]
[Simultaneously unlocked abilities:]
[Flank Evasion — Level 1 → Level 2]
[Qi Step — confirmed]
[Complete Body — confirmed]
[Field Priority — confirmed]
[New ability: Penetrating Strike — Qi concentrated at minimum contact point]
[Locked abilities remaining: 17 → 13]
[External Qi — Level 1 → accelerated progression active]
[The system notes that four abilities unlocked in parallel]
[The system notes that Qi keeps increasing]
[The system does not establish an upper limit for this progression]
The administrator read the update on its panel.
Then it looked at Kai.
Kai wasn't looking at the panel.
He was looking at the administrator.
Without the smile. Without visible analysis on his face. Without anything but the full attention of someone who has decided what they're going to do and is calculating when.
The administrator closed the panel.
"Four simultaneous abilities," it said. "That's—"
Kai lunged.
---
