The faint glow of dawn filtered through the window, painting the room in a soft, golden hue. Ahiro stirred in his bed, reluctantly rousing from his sleep. The night before had been spent poring over texts and detailed notes on archaeology, trying to catch up on the missed classes. The weariness lingered in the corners of his eyes.
Rubbing his eyes, Ahiro sat up, glancing at the schedule on his communicator. His eyes settled on a particular entry that caught his attention. "Practice Hall: Room 7B - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM." He'd managed to secure a booking for a practice room, a rare opportunity he'd earned through his efforts in general studies and techsynthesia.
The Practice Hall at Valorius Academy was most popular among the awakened. It was a place where students could refine and test their awakening powers in private. The hall provided a range of tools and resources tailored to individual abilities, ensuring a safe space for experimentation and development. Each room had specific equipment, catering to diverse abilities, allowing students to fine-tune their powers without fear of scrutiny or interruption.
With a mix of excitement and a hint of nervousness, Ahiro swung his legs out of bed, the tiredness dissipating as the anticipation of the day's prospect grew within him. The chance to practice privately was a rare luxury that only successful accumulation of points in different subjects could grant.
Quickly, he freshened up and dressed, securing his communicator and a few notes he wanted to review in between practice sessions.
Arriving at the Practice Hall, he made his way to Room 7B. He punched in the access code and stepped into the dimly lit, secluded space. The room was equipped with an array of apparatus, each designed to aid in the refinement of awakened abilities. From training dummies to holographic projection tools, the room catered to various powers.
The weight of the upcoming exam and the Intra-Department Dual hung over Ahiro's mind like a persistent shadow. He'd learned that the exam would be divided, comprising a general written test followed by an awakened ability assessment—a dual. Despite his rigorous preparation for the written section, it was the prospect of the awakened ability dual that gnawed at his confidence.
Unlike the written test, where his knowledge was more balanced, Ahiro felt a pang of apprehension regarding his proficiency in combat. He knew he lagged behind in weapon combat, lacking the finesse of some of his peers. However, determination fueled his resolve to give it his all.
Therefore he had decided to concentrate on his strengths in awakened concepts Miss Gia, had pointed out, thus Ahiro focused his efforts on manifestation and attenuation. He had dedicated countless hours to refining his ability to shrink and stabilize his protective barrier, making it more durable and robust.
He had shown Weapon Combat Sensei, who, upon witnessing Ahiro's shrunken yet resilient shield, had suggested a series of specialized moves tailored to his awakened ability.
Ahiro was there to practice these prescribed moves. In space shared by students with various abilities, Ahiro would only do his routine, and only during the time when there were no eyes on him would he do his prescribed move practice.
For today's practice, he had reserved three sets of machines to enhance his combat abilities and practice the prescribed move.
The first machine was a shooting machine that stood at one end of the room, designed to challenge his blocking skills. Ahiro could adjust the settings, configuring the angle and speed at which it launched plastic balls towards him. The unpredictable trajectory forced him to react swiftly, honing his reflexes and enhancing his defensive techniques.
Second was the human-like droid—a simulation device crafted to replicate a dual with another student. Ahiro programmed the droid to mimic combat scenarios, adjusting the weapon and attack patterns to push him beyond his comfort zone.
The droid's metallic figure came to life, its joints moving fluidly as it assumed a combat stance, wielding a staff-like weapon. Ahiro prepared himself, his muscles tensed and senses heightened, ready to engage in a dynamic sparring session.
The droid lunged forward with remarkable speed, wielding the staff in a series of calculated strikes. Ahiro swiftly raised his reinforced shield, the protective barrier materializing before him, deflecting the initial onslaught. He countered with precise movements, sidestepping the droid's aggressive swings, all the while keeping his focus steady.
A calculated move enabled Ahiro to close the distance, his own weapon—a long spear—springing to life in his hand. With swift and fluid movements, he aimed calculated strikes at the droid, testing the speed and precision of his attacks.
The droid adapted rapidly, adjusting its tactics to match Ahiro's movements. It launched a series of quick, deceptive strikes, attempting to breach Ahiro's defence. Ahiro responded with a display of agility, utilizing his shrunken yet sturdy shield to not only block but counter the droid's advances.
The room reverberated with the clash of weapons and the whirring of mechanisms as the simulated combat intensified. The droid's movements became more unpredictable, aiming for Ahiro's blind spots, forcing him to stay alert and rely on his instinctual reactions.
Despite the machine's calculated and relentless assault, Ahiro's determination to improve his combat skills pushed him forward. He focused on the set of moves that the sensai gave him. With his shield acted as an anchor, supporting his movements and deflecting the droid's attacks with greater efficiency.
As told by Sensai with a sudden surge of energy Ahiro pushed the droid with his spear. With a burst of speed, he manoeuvred around the droid, bypassing its defences and delivering a series of rapid strikes with his spear. Each movement was executed with precision, a result of his dedication to mastering the suggested moves from the Sensei.
The intensity of the combat heightened, both Ahiro and the droid mirroring each other's movements in a display of skill and determination. The session became a dance of strategy and adaptation, a test of both his agility and his awakened powers.
The simulated battle eventually concluded with Ahiro delivering a final, calculated strike, ending the intense combat session. Breathing heavily, he deactivated the droid, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his exhilarated breath.
The third set of machines was also very important for his progress—the video lecture on attenuation. A holographic interface materialized before him, displaying intricate details and examples of attenuation techniques. Ahiro immersed himself in the tutorial, absorbing the nuances of manipulation and fine-tuning his protective barrier to make it more resilient and compact. He continued to practise the techniques displayed in the lecture.
Finally the time he booked was up and he exited the room, Ahiro felt a sense of accomplishment. The combat session had pushed his limits, challenging and refining his combat instincts and awakening abilities, preparing him for the impending Intra-Department Dual at Valorius Academy.