The sun had hardly risen when the second round of training started. Rey awakened to the piercing shriek of an alarm ringing through the dormitory. Groggily, he crawled out of bed, his mind still lingering on the argument from yesterday. He couldn't get over the impression that something had snapped in that moment, a change inside him that hadn't been entirely described by the Awakening Ceremony.
Still, his position stayed the same, and it was as if the school had determined that his aptitude was merely a mystery. The instructors may not have completely comprehended it yet, but Rey couldn't afford to wait around for answers. He had a simple goal: to live and get stronger, to show that his D-Rank ability wasn't the end, but merely the beginning.
The clang of metal against metal resonated through the hallways of Titanium Academy as Rey made his way to the training fields. The academy's huge campus was created for fighting and power development, with towering buildings for everything from elemental training to close-quarters battle. As he neared the fighting ring, he could already see groups of students exercising their powers. The A and S-Rank kids stood out instantly, elegant, calm, and unquestionably strong. Their motions were precise, deliberate. Their skills were natural extensions of themselves.
Rey's heart hammered, the weight of his rank weighing on him. He had to show himself, not only to the school, but to the other students who had already written him off.
The instructor for today's class was none other than the scarred man who had conducted the exam after the Awakening Ceremony, Instructor Vorn, a veteran who had served in countless inter-city competitions. His reputation was notorious: harsh, stubborn, and demanding. No student has ever left his class without being pushed past their limitations.
"Form up!" Instructor Vorn's voice boomed as he went onto the training platform. His eyes, cold and calculating, examined the throng of kids before him. "Today, you shall test your talents against one another in actual battle. No excuses. You fail, you fall behind. You achieve, you acquire strength. Simple as that."
A wave of anxiety ran through the gathering. Some kids appeared enthusiastic, but others, Rey included, felt the weight of doubt.
Vorn said, "Pairing is random. You're here to fight, not make friends. Now get ready."
The holographic screen above the stadium flashed to life, revealing the first set of pairings.
"Rey and Aya. Step ahead."
Rey's stomach constricted. Aya? He peered around, attempting to spot her, but there were too many students. And then he spotted her, a small, but resolute figure, her silver hair glinting beneath the artificial lights. She strode boldly towards him, her look inscrutable.
The other students whispered in quiet tones. Rey knew Aya's rank was something most could only dream of: A-Rank. She was a legend in the making, a student with power beyond description. If she had any qualms about the battle, she didn't show it.
Aya didn't talk when she approached him. She just nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes examining him with an intensity that made Rey's pulse beat.
"Ready?" Instructor Vorn barked.
Rey nodded. There was no going back now.
"Begin!"
The instant the phrase left Vorn's lips, Aya's ability exploded. The earth shook as she lifted her hands, and Rey barely had time to react as a powerful blast of wind surged across the arena, throwing him off balance. He staggered, attempting to regain his balance, but Aya's wind manipulation was unrelenting, forcing him farther back with every gust.
Rey clenched his teeth, his thoughts whirling. His ability, Unshackled Ascension, wasn't about direct power, it was about adaptation, breaking the constraints of his own body and pushing his senses to new heights. But he hadn't yet found out the precise boundaries of what it could achieve.
Aya's wind continued hitting him, and Rey realized he couldn't simply stand there and take it. He had to adjust. He said beneath his breath, "Activate Unshackled Ascension."
At first, nothing appeared to happen. But suddenly, a peculiar feeling flooded his limbs. His muscles loosened, and his motions became smoother. He felt quicker, sharper. His instincts were on overdrive. His intellect was clearer. He had never been this concentrated before.
Aya's next strike came in the shape of a strong wind vortex. Rey's eyes widened. It felt as if the entire air surrounding him was alive, swirling into a gigantic storm. But he didn't hesitate. He didn't attempt to battle against the wind. Instead, he leaned into it, allowing the vortex to lift him higher. His body responded without him thinking, his reflexes faultless as he rocketed up, harnessing the wind's power to drive him.
Aya's eyes twitched with astonishment, but she immediately recovered her calm. She wasn't going to let Rey gain the upper hand. She clinched her hands, and the wind rushed again, this time concentrating on Rey's location with a crisp, concentrated blow. The air was packed with sheer strength, a force that could demolish everything in its path.
Rey's heart beat in his chest. This was it. His instinct kicked in. He wasn't quick enough to evade the explosion immediately, but he had one opportunity. He needed to move. To burst through. To go beyond what his body should be capable of.
With a scream, he drove his body into a higher condition of existence. A weird warmth filled him, and his eyesight dimmed for a time. In the next moment, he was already going, quicker than his own mind could monitor.
Aya's wind blast missed by a hair's width as Rey raced into the air. He felt weightless, but yet as if every action was perfectly coordinated with his surroundings. The wind no longer struggled against him, it was an extension of his movement.
Rey's fist crashed into Aya's side, connecting with a shockwave that drove her staggering back. For a single second, their gazes connected. There was a mutual understanding, a subtle recognition of each other's power.
The arena became quiet. Rey's chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath, but the energy flowing through him made it impossible to keep motionless. Aya straightened, wiping a strand of hair from her face.
The instructor's voice pierced through the quiet. "Enough."
Rey's pulse still raced as he stepped back, expecting the judgment. Aya didn't say anything, but her eyes softened for just a minute, just for a single second.
Instructor Vorn arrived, his gaze narrowing as he surveyed the two fighters. "Impressive," he remarked, his tone unclear. "Rey, you've shocked me. You're not just some weakling after all."
Rey's chest clenched. That was the first praise he'd gotten from a teacher since enrolling at Titanium Academy. He wasn't sure whether it meant anything, but it was more than he had anticipated.
As for Aya, she gave him a little nod of approval. It was the first time Rey had seen her acknowledge someone with respect.
They both turned to face Instructor Vorn, expecting his verdict.
"Rey," the instructor continued, "you're not what I anticipated. Your skill is unorthodox, but that's what makes it dangerous. Keep this up, and you could just have a career at this institution after all."
Rey nodded, scarcely able to suppress the flood of emotion within him. This wasn't the end. This was only the beginning.
As the students were discharged and Rey made his way back to the dorms, Aya fell in step alongside him. There was no need for words; the respect between them was reciprocal.
But Rey understood one thing: this struggle was simply a preview of what lies ahead. He had no clue where his skill would lead him, but one thing was clear, he was ready for whatever trials Titanium Academy had in store.
And maybe, just maybe, he wasn't alone in this struggle anymore.