But why was the number of stars on his crown shrouded in mystery? With a sense of intrigue, he pulled back his jacket to scrutinize the tattoo that adorned his arm. It bore no stars, yet its shape deviated from norm, presenting instead a starless, enigmatic seven-pointed crown.
"But what's the point of being seven-pointed if it lacks the brilliance of stars?" Tonny exclaimed, his curiosity piqued. There was no use dwelling on the unknown; it was time to prepare for the imminent test. With determination coursing through his veins, he dialed Evelyn's number, eager to rendezvous at a dojo. However, fate had other plans, as the call failed to connect. Perhaps Evelyn was engrossed in test preparations, given that the examination loomed just ten days away. Despite the daunting time constraint and his fledgling familiarity with his Spark, Tonny refused to be deterred. No one had believed he would awaken, but he was determined to defy expectations and push the boundaries of his Spark. Hailing a cab, his body drenched in sweat from his earlier jog, he set his sights on the dojo.
Meanwhile, towering tall over Evelyn, her father wielded a katana with an intense gaze that spoke volumes. The blade appeared stained with crimson, evidence of its recent use. Evelyn cowered on the cold floor, trembling in fear as the katana narrowly missed her neck. Tears welled in her eyes, reflecting her vulnerability in the face of danger.
"Again!!" Her father's thunderous command jolted her back to reality. With agility and determination, she executed a backflip, swiftly regaining her footing with her katana in hand. "On the day of Awakening, every individual unlocks the essence of their Spark. But we mind readers are unique," her father proclaimed, his voice resonating with authority. "A one-star mind reader possesses the dual attributes of a super processor and the ability to read thoughts. A starless mind reader, however, remains confined to mere processing. But you, my daughter, are a three-star mind reader," he declared proudly, instilling confidence in her abilities. "We leverage this advantage to its fullest. Close your eyes and attune your focus to my thoughts. Remember, the mind governs the body, with every action dictated here," he emphasized, gesturing toward his head. Circling around her with calculated precision, he imparted his wisdom. "Seize the element of surprise; your adversary remains oblivious to your telepathic prowess. Exploit this advantage," he urged. With sudden swiftness akin to a samurai's, he lunged forward, katana slicing through the air. Reacting instinctively, Evelyn parried the strike, her anticipation evident. Yet, the force behind her father's blow was daunting, pushing her to her limits. Undeterred, he launched another assault, catching her off guard. However, with newfound clarity, Evelyn evaded the strike with grace, her movements becoming more fluid with each passing moment. Fixing her gaze on her opponent, she awaited her opportunity to strike back. Yet, before she could retaliate, an unexpected kick sent her crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.
"And when the veil of surprise is lifted," her father imparted sagely, "focus on the subtleties—the footwork, the muscle movements—a strike's trajectory can be deduced before it finds its mark. The mind is a master of deception." "Again!!"
Excited and slightly apprehensive, Tonny stepped into the dojo, his eyes widening in wonder as he took in the futuristic surroundings. The air hummed with anticipation, mingled with the faint scent of ozone and the soft whirring of machinery. As he made his way further into the training facility, Tonny was greeted by rows of sleek VR pods. A friendly receptionist approached him, offering a tablet to sign up for a subscription. Eager to explore the possibilities of virtual reality training, Tonny e filled out the necessary information, his anticipation growing with each tap on the tablet's screen. With his subscription confirmed he approached one of the pods, Tonny couldn't shake the nervous flutter in his stomach. After all, this was his first time experiencing virtual reality training. But as he stepped inside the pod and donned the high-definition visor, any doubts of fears melted away, replaced by a sense of exhilaration and determination.His eyes fluttered open. He found himself engulfed in a vast expanse of darkness. Suddenly, a luminous panel materialized before him, casting an ethereal glow. With steely resolve, he selected his weapons: a gleaming sword crackling with energy and a sleek, yet potent, shotgun. With a decisive flick of his wrist, he manipulated the controls, selecting his adversaries into existence. Like being sicked into a vortex, the scenery changed.Tonny surveyed the terrain, his senses keen and his mind sharp. The arid desert landscape stretched endlessly before him, a harsh and unforgiving battleground. With a silent vow etched upon his heart, he steeled himself for the imminent clash—a trial by fire, his first true test of mettle in the virtual realm. Then their forms materialized before him, ominous and formidable against the desolate backdrop. Two fearsome velocitors, agile and deadly. A towering titan, brimming with raw power. And finally, a cunning mind reader, poised to exploit every weakness.
This was not going to be a walk in the park.