The forest stretched endlessly, a canopy of vibrant greens whispering in the gentle wind. The path ahead was uneven, dotted with roots and scattered patches of sunlight peeking through the dense foliage. Tau walked at the back of the group, feeling both nervous and thrilled. The air smelled fresh, but there was an underlying tension, as though the forest itself was on edge.
Every so often, low-threat Karoriens—thin, brownish-purple creatures with elongated limbs—emerged from the shadows. Aisly, with her katana resting on her shoulder, dispatched them without breaking a sweat. She didn't even bother activating her jewel. Her movements were fluid, efficient, and devastating. One swipe, a pivot, a sharp glare—and the Karoriens dissolved into nothingness. Tau watched in awe, feeling both admiration and a pang of inadequacy.
As they progressed deeper into the forest, Tau turned to Aera, curiosity bubbling over. "What are your ranks?" he asked, his voice breaking the relative quiet.
Aera adjusted his small stature, clearly pleased to answer. "Aisly and Cove are Grade 2s. Averil and I are Grade 1s."
Tau stopped in his tracks, blinking in surprise. "Wait, you? A Grade 1?" His gaze swept over Aera's diminutive frame. "A short man like you is that strong?"
Aera's face turned crimson as he exploded in anger. "What's that supposed to mean?! You think strength comes in size?! I'll—"
But before he could continue his tirade, the group burst into laughter. Even Aisly, usually sharp and composed, allowed a rare smile to slip through. Tau caught a glimpse of her laughing, her sharp gaze momentarily softened. He smiled to himself, glad to see everyone loosening up.
However, the lighthearted atmosphere didn't last long. A new presence weighed down on the group. Tau froze mid-step as a chilling energy filled the air, unlike anything he had felt before. His breathing quickened. His hands began to sweat.
Cove's demeanor shifted immediately. "That's a Grade 2 Karorien," he said, his voice low and serious.
Tau's heart raced. A Grade 2? How could they handle it? But before the panic could settle in fully, Averil's calm voice broke through.
"Why don't we turn this into a showcase for Tau?" Averil suggested, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "Each time we encounter an enemy, one of us will demonstrate our abilities."
The others nodded in agreement. "I'll go first," Averil added, stepping forward.
Tau watched as Averil strode toward the Grade 2 Karorien. The creature emerged from the shadows, a stark contrast to the spindly Grade 4s they had been fighting earlier. This Karorien was humanoid but grotesquely obese, its body rippling with thick, purplish-brown flesh. Its arms were disproportionately short compared to its bulging torso, and its tiny black eyes were filled with a cold malice. It stood almost motionless, exuding an oppressive energy that made Tau's knees tremble.
Averil stretched lazily, as if preparing for a light workout. "Watch closely, Tau," he said over his shoulder. "This is the power of a Grade 1 Kai Worker."
Averil's arms began to glow faintly, the light coalescing into a thin, elegant bracelet around his wrist. The glow flickered and dimmed, leaving only a faint trace of its activation. Averil turned to Tau with a calm expression. "My ability is called Air Ball."
Tau tilted his head, unimpressed. "Air? That's… basic. I've seen dozens of Kai Workers in the news with air-related abilities."
Averil chuckled softly, unfazed. "True, but mine is different. I create a ball of air." He opened his palm, and a small, translucent sphere materialized, swirling with faint streaks of energy.
Tau frowned, unimpressed. "That's it?"
Averil didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his attention to the Karorien, which had been watching him intently. The creature shifted slightly, taking a battle stance. Averil's smirk widened. "Let me show you."
With a flick of his wrist, Averil launched the air ball toward the Karorien at blinding speed. The creature raised its meaty arms to block, bracing itself. The sphere struck, but instead of dissipating, it began to spin violently. The Karorien's thick palms trembled under the force as the ball bored into its flesh.
Tau's jaw dropped. The small, unassuming sphere of air was spinning so fast it had pierced through the creature's palm and embedded itself in its chest.
"That's just the beginning," Averil said, his tone calm but tinged with pride.
The Karorien let out a guttural roar, clutching at its chest as the air ball continued to spin, carving deeper into its body. Then, without warning, the ball exploded. A deafening boom echoed through the forest as chunks of the Karorien's flesh were torn apart. When the dust settled, only the creature's feet remained—until they, too, disintegrated into nothingness.
Tau stared in stunned silence. "That… that was incredible! That tiny thing caused all that destruction?"
Averil turned to him, a smug grin on his face. "Amazing, right? My air ball has two properties: Spin and Explode. The spinning creates immense pressure, and the explosion… well, you saw for yourself."
Cove clapped enthusiastically, while Aera muttered something about Averil showing off too much. Aisly merely nodded in approval, her sharp gaze betraying a hint of admiration.
Tau couldn't contain his excitement. "Your ability is insane! And you're only a Grade 1? How is that possible?"
Averil chuckled, clearly enjoying the attention. "My whole clan specializes in air-based abilities. My grandfather, a Building Legend from Building 24, could summon tornadoes so large they could level entire cities. He once killed a National Threat Karorien single-handedly."
Tau's eyes widened. "A National Threat? By himself? That's… unbelievable!"
"It's true," Averil said, his tone turning slightly serious. "Compared to him, my ability is nothing. But I've worked hard to refine it. The spinning of my air ball reaches speeds of 250 kilometers per hour. And the explosion? Let's just say it's equivalent to a top-tier grenade."
Tau's admiration for Averil grew with every word. He couldn't stop himself from praising him. "You're amazing, Averil. I hope I can be as skilled as you someday."
Averil smirked, basking in the compliment. "With training, maybe you'll discover more about your own ability. Distance has potential, you know."
Tau tilted his head. "Potential? Like what?"
Aera chimed in, his small frame barely noticeable beside the others. "It's up to you to figure that out. But if you can control distance, who knows what else you can do?"
Tau nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. He clenched his fists, silently vowing to uncover the full potential of his power.
The group continued deeper into the forest, the tension easing slightly after Averil's display.