Chapter 7: Unveiling Potential
The adrenaline from the duel hadn't worn off as Tae-Hyun sat quietly in the observation room. The arena's cheers still echoed faintly in his mind, but here, silence reigned. He stared at his hands, the faint golden glow of his Aether chains flickering and fading as he clenched his fists. His victory against Gyeo-Rin had proven his strength, but it also left questions swirling in his mind.
What was next?
Before long, a tall, imposing figure entered the room. It was Instructor Kael, his presence commanding respect. His silver-gray hair caught the light, and his Aether Mark glimmered faintly on his neck. Tae-Hyun rose instinctively.
"Sit, Yun Tae-Hyun," Kael said, his voice firm but not unkind. "You've impressed me. Few cadets take down a Flux user like Gyeo-Rin in their first duel."
Tae-Hyun nodded, unsure of how to respond.
Kael stepped closer, his sharp eyes studying him. "But raw talent is not enough here. Klade Academy pushes even the strongest to their limits. Let me be clear—your abilities are extraordinary, but your control is... lacking."
Tae-Hyun frowned but didn't protest. He knew Kael was right. The duel had been a close call, and his reliance on Shatterstep and his chains felt clumsy compared to Gyeo-Rin's precision.
"You'll need refinement," Kael continued, his tone firm. "Which is why I've enrolled you in specialized training. Your potential is too great to waste."
Kael gestured to the door, signaling Tae-Hyun to follow him. The two walked in silence through the academy's labyrinthine halls. The grandeur of the facility never failed to amaze Tae-Hyun—each wall was lined with glowing murals depicting legendary Shardbreakers and their exploits, their Aether Marks shining like stars.
Finally, they entered a massive underground training hall. The room was vast, its ceilings high enough to house a small skyscraper. Cadets of various ranks sparred in designated zones, their Aethercrafts lighting up the space with bursts of energy. Tae-Hyun's gaze was drawn to the far end of the room, where a single figure stood surrounded by shimmering orbs of light.
"That's Instructor Hae Rin," Kael said, nodding toward the figure. "She'll be overseeing your combat training from now on. She's one of our top-ranked Shardbreakers, so listen carefully."
Tae-Hyun recognized her instantly. Hae Rin was the A-rank Shardbreaker who had confronted him during the Shardstorm. Her presence was as intimidating as ever, her Aether Mark glowing faintly on her wrist. She turned as they approached, her sharp gaze locking onto Tae-Hyun.
"The XS-rank prodigy," she said, her tone laced with skepticism. "Let's see if you're worth the hype."
Tae-Hyun straightened, meeting her gaze. "I'll do my best."
Hae Rin smirked. "Your best won't be enough. Follow me."
---
The Test
Hae Rin led Tae-Hyun to an isolated training zone, where glowing Aether barriers hummed faintly. She stopped in the center, turning to face him.
"Your victory against Gyeo-Rin was impressive," she began, "but duels are controlled environments. Real combat is chaos. Monsters don't fight fair, and neither do rogue Shardbreakers. Today, I'm going to see how well you handle the unexpected."
Tae-Hyun nodded, his heart pounding.
Hae Rin raised her hand, and a shimmering portal appeared before them. From it emerged three Shardborn, grotesque creatures that looked like amalgamations of shattered glass and molten stone. Their glowing eyes locked onto Tae-Hyun, their jagged limbs crackling with Aether energy.
"Your task is simple," Hae Rin said, stepping back. "Defeat them. And don't hold back."
The creatures lunged without warning, their speed startling. Tae-Hyun barely had time to react as the first Shardborn swiped at him with a razor-sharp claw. He activated Shatterstep, blinking out of harm's way just as the claw slashed through the air.
Reappearing a few feet away, he extended his hand, summoning his Aether Bind. Golden chains erupted from his palm, wrapping around the Shardborn's arm. With a pull, he slammed the creature into the ground, shattering part of its crystalline body.
But the other two were already on him. One leapt into the air, its claws glowing with charged Aether, while the other charged head-on. Tae-Hyun cursed under his breath, activating Shatterstep again.
He blinked behind the airborne Shardborn, summoning an Aether Blade in his hand. The weapon crackled with unstable energy as he slashed through the creature's torso, reducing it to shards of glass.
The remaining Shardborn roared, its body swelling with Aether energy. It unleashed a devastating shockwave, sending Tae-Hyun flying. He hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him.
"Focus, Yun Tae-Hyun," Hae Rin's voice called out. "Use your Distortion ability."
Tae-Hyun struggled to his feet, his body aching. The Shardborn was preparing another attack, its glowing core pulsating with energy. He clenched his fists, closing his eyes briefly.
Distortion… bend the space around me…
He reached deep within himself, feeling the raw power of the Forbidden Shard. The air around him seemed to ripple, and the ground beneath his feet warped.
When the Shardborn charged, Tae-Hyun activated Distortion. The space between them bent, elongating the distance and slowing the creature's advance. It roared in frustration, its movements sluggish as it fought against the warped reality.
Tae-Hyun didn't waste the opportunity. He summoned his chains again, wrapping them around the creature's glowing core. With a surge of energy, he pulled, crushing the core in an explosion of light.
The Shardborn collapsed, its body crumbling into fragments. Tae-Hyun stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving as the Aether around him faded.
Hae Rin approached, her expression unreadable.
"Not bad," she said after a moment. "But you're still sloppy. You rely too much on your instincts and not enough on strategy."
Tae-Hyun wiped sweat from his brow, nodding. "I'll get better."
Hae Rin's lips curved into a faint smile. "You'd better. Klade Academy isn't for the weak. If you want to survive here, you'll need to push yourself harder than ever."
As she turned to leave, Tae-Hyun glanced at the shattered remains of the Shardborn. His heart still raced, but a small spark of confidence flickered within him.
He was just getting started.