The iron gate groaned open, its surface etched with glowing Chi runes that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. Kai stepped forward, his legs trembling and his body still battered from the fight. What lay beyond stole his breath. A vast underground fortress stretched before him, carved into the very bedrock of Lombardia. Crystals embedded in the walls glowed with a steady light, illuminating training grounds, sparring rings, and rows of recruits moving in disciplined formation. The air hummed with Chi—not wild and chaotic like in the fight clubs, but controlled, refined, and purposeful. Kai's eyes widened. He had never seen so many humans wielding Chi with such precision.
Blades cut arcs of light through the air, each strike sharp and deliberate. The sound of steel clashing echoed like thunder, yet there was no chaos—only rhythm, discipline, and power. Dominic walked beside him, hands clasped behind his back. "This is the Dominion of Blades," he said. "We are unseen, but our influence shapes kingdoms. Every warrior here has chosen to rise above mediocrity. Now, you will join them. "Kai swallowed hard. His heart pounded with a mix of awe and fear. He had lived in slums, fought in filthy arenas, and survived on scraps; this place felt like another world entirely. Dominic led him to a stone platform where several instructors stood waiting. Their eyes glowed faintly with Chi, their presence heavy and intimidating. One of them, a tall woman with scarred arms and a blade strapped across her back, stepped forward. "This is the new recruit?" she asked, her tone skeptical. Dom nodded. "Kai. E-rank. But he survived the fight club. He has potential. "
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Potential doesn't matter here. Only results." She turned to Kai. "You will undergo initiation. If you fail, you die. If you succeed, you live and begin training. "Kai's stomach twisted, but he forced himself to nod. "I'll succeed. "The woman smirked. "We'll see. "Kai was led into a chamber lit by dim crystals. The floor was marked with circles, each etched with Chi runes. In the center stood a rack of weapons: swords, spears, axes, and daggers. "Choose," the woman commanded. Kai reached for his katana, the weapon he had clung to since childhood. His fingers brushed the hilt, familiar and comforting. "Good," she said. "Now, fight. "From the shadows, three recruits stepped forward.
They were older and stronger, their eyes gleaming with confidence. Each held a blade. Kai's heart pounded. His body was still weak and his wounds were fresh, but he raised his katana, determination burning in his chest. The first recruit lunged. Kai parried clumsily, the impact jarring his arms. The second struck from the side, forcing him to stumble. The third circled, waiting for an opening. These three recruits were not holding back, and their movements were incredibly accurate. Pain flared with every blow, but Kai refused to yield. He remembered the slums, the jeers, and the hunger. He remembered the fight club, the blood, and the desperation. He had survived all of it; he would survive this, too. "Rise, Kai," he whispered to himself. "Rise. "
From the edge of the chamber, Dominic watched silently. His eyes narrowed as Kai bled, stumbled, and rose again. "He bleeds more than the rest," Dominic murmured to the scarred woman. "But he does not break. "The woman crossed her arms. "Stubbornness is not strength. "Dominic's gaze sharpened. "No. But it is the seed of strength. "Kai's katana flashed, growing sharper with each strike. Though his Chi storage was small, he manipulated it with unusual precision. His blade cut arcs of light, faster and more refined than expected. One recruit fell, disarmed. Another staggered back, blood dripping from a shallow cut. The third pressed forward, but the second recruit suddenly shifted into a fluid stance. He moved like water, delivering a deep, stinging slash across Kai's chest. Kai collapsed to his knees, heaving for air as blood dripped onto the stone. "Ancient Technique: Cutting Edge!" Kai yelled, pushing himself one last time.
He poured everything into a final strike, shattering the recruit's sword and cutting him down in the process. Kai stood victorious as his opponents lay defeated. "I'm... alive. "The scarred woman stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You survived. Barely. But you only survived because none of these recruits used their Chi. "Kai's eyes widened as the reality of the gap between them set in. Dominic's smile was faint but approving. "Welcome to the Dominion of Blades, Kai. Your true training begins now."