Albert returned to Astralis Academy in silence.
The hovercraft ride across Terra Nova's sprawling skyline should have been a moment to reflect, to process everything that had happened. But his mind was far from settled. The encounter with the Aetherion's keeper, the awakening of Overdrive, and the near collapse of his Coherence bloodline—it all weighed on him.
And now, another challenge awaited.
Professor Calen Rhyds.
Albert stepped into the academy's training hall, where the air hummed with concentrated quantum energy. It was a private facility, reserved for elite-level training, and today, it was his battlefield.
At the far end of the hall stood Calen Rhyds, a man built like tempered steel, his presence sharp and commanding. His silver-streaked hair contrasted with his dark tactical uniform, and his emerald eyes studied Albert with cold intensity.
"Faustin." His voice was even, unreadable. "You look like hell."
Albert smirked despite himself. "You should've seen me yesterday."
Calen didn't return the humor. Instead, he folded his arms. "I've reviewed the footage of your last engagement. You're reckless. Undisciplined. And dangerously reliant on raw force."
Albert felt a twinge of irritation. "I won, didn't I?"
Calen's gaze sharpened. "Winning means nothing if you don't live long enough to do it again."
A flick of his wrist, and the training hall shifted.
Walls folded away, revealing a dynamic combat field. Floating platforms hovered in the air, shifting unpredictably, while quantum projectors created fluctuating gravity zones. A combat simulation—but unlike anything Albert had faced before.
"This is where your real training begins," Calen said, stepping onto the platform. "You have potential, Faustin. But potential without control is a blade without a hilt. It will cut you down before it cuts your enemies."
Albert exhaled. He knew this was coming.
And he was ready.
---
Calen didn't start with words. He started with force.
The moment Albert activated his stance, Calen moved.
His body flickered—Quantum Dash.
Albert barely had time to react before a precise strike lashed out at his ribs. He twisted, blocking with his forearm, but the impact sent him skidding backward.
Calen didn't let up. He was relentless, pressing forward with calculated efficiency, every strike aimed to exploit Albert's weaknesses.
Albert activated his Coherence Bloodline, weaving quantum resonance through his limbs. His speed increased—but not enough.
A feint. A shift. And then—a crushing blow to his shoulder.
Albert gritted his teeth, forced to retreat.
"You're reacting too much," Calen said, voice calm despite his aggression. "You rely on instinct and power. That won't save you against real threats."
Albert clenched his fists. His instincts had always carried him through—his ability to push beyond limits, to force reality to comply.
But this wasn't a battle he could win through sheer force.
He adjusted. Instead of brute counterattacks, he analyzed Calen's movements. Patterns. Rhythms. Feints.
When Calen dashed in again, Albert shifted half a breath earlier.
A near miss.
His pulse quickened. He was adapting.
---
Minutes turned into an hour.
Sweat dripped from Albert's brow. His muscles ached, his circuits burned, but he was learning.
Calen's strikes were no longer overwhelming. Albert dodged with precision, deflected attacks with refined control.
And then—he saw it.
An opening.
Calen stepped in for a finishing strike—Albert countered.
A controlled shift, an energy-infused strike to the ribs—Calen staggered.
Silence.
Then, a slow nod from the professor.
"…Better."
Albert panted, gripping his knees.
"That's the difference between a brawler and a warrior," Calen said, his tone measured. "You're starting to understand."
Albert exhaled, straightening. He wasn't just surviving the battle anymore.
He was controlling it.
---
As the session ended, Calen walked over, placing a firm hand on Albert's shoulder.
"You have power, Faustin. But power without refinement is wasted."
Albert met his gaze. "Then refine me."
A rare smile tugged at Calen's lips. "That's the plan."
The lesson was far from over.
Albert had taken his first step.
And the road ahead would only get harder.
But for the first time in days—he felt ready for it.