The sun had barely risen when Kairos stepped onto the training grounds. The academy buzzed with life, but he could feel it—something had changed. His battle with Leon had sent ripples through the student body. Whispers followed him in the hallways, glances lingered a little too long, and the tension in the air was undeniable.
But it wasn't just the students.
Kairos could feel something inside himself shifting, as if his body was still adapting to the power surge from his awakening. Every step felt lighter, every breath charged with energy. It was exhilarating—and unsettling.
Selene leaned against the fence, arms crossed, watching him stretch. "You've got half the academy talking about you."
Kairos rolled his shoulders. "Let me guess. Half of them want to challenge me, and the other half think I cheated?"
"Pretty much." She grinned. "The stronger students aren't going to let a 'newbie' walk in and shake up the rankings without a fight. You made an impression, and now they want to see if you're the real deal."
Kairos exhaled. "Great. So, who's first?"
As if on cue, a loud voice boomed from across the field.
"Kairos Valtieri!"
A muscular figure stomped toward him, his uniform slightly modified to show off his broad arms. His face was sharp, his eyes burning with challenge.
"That's Damian Greaves," Selene murmured, amused. "Ranked #8. He's known for his brute strength and zero patience."
Kairos gave her a sideways glance. "You enjoy watching me get dragged into fights, don't you?"
"Of course," she said cheerfully. "It's the highlight of my day."
Damian cracked his knuckles, grinning. "I saw your fight with Leon. Not bad. But I don't buy the hype. If you really belong here, prove it."
Kairos sighed. "I just got here, and I'm already being challenged?"
Selene patted his back. "It's a rite of passage."
Damian smirked. "Scared?"
Kairos chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "Not really. Just wondering if this is going to be worth my time."
A collective "ooh" spread through the gathering students.
Damian's grin widened. "Cocky, huh? Let's see if you can back it up."
---
Clash of Titans
The moment the duel started, Damian lunged forward like a bull, his speed surprising for his size. His fists crackled with a red aura—enhanced strength.
Kairos dodged the first blow, feeling the air pressure shake the ground beneath him. If that hit me directly…
No time to think. Damian was already pivoting, bringing his other fist around in a sweeping arc.
Kairos reacted instinctively, ducking under the strike and countering with a swift kick to Damian's ribs. The impact was solid, but Damian barely flinched. Instead, he grinned.
"Not bad." His aura flared. "But you'll need more than that."
His next strike came even faster. Kairos barely managed to evade, his instincts screaming as Damian's fist grazed his shoulder, sending a shockwave through his body.
Kairos flipped back, creating distance. His body was still adjusting to his evolution, but his instincts had sharpened. He could feel the fight, sense Damian's movements before they happened.
I need to test something.
He took a deep breath, tapping into the energy coursing through him. His muscles coiled, and in an instant, he vanished from Damian's sight.
The crowd gasped.
Kairos reappeared behind Damian, his fist aimed for the back of his opponent's knee. But before the strike could land, Damian twisted, slamming his elbow down—right where Kairos had been.
He adapted?
Kairos barely evaded, landing a few feet away. Damian grinned. "You're fast. But I've fought speedsters before."
Selene whistled from the sidelines. "Damn, Damian's actually taking you seriously. That's rare."
Kairos exhaled. I need to end this before it turns into a battle of endurance.
His fingers twitched, and for a split second, a new sensation surged through him—a force beyond his normal abilities. It was as if the system itself was responding to his need.
A skill? An evolution?
No time to analyze.
He moved.
This time, his speed wasn't just enhanced—it was something else. His vision sharpened, the world slowed. He sidestepped Damian's counter, appearing at his blind spot in a blink.
And then—he struck.
His fist met Damian's side, but unlike before, a pulse of raw energy followed the impact, sending Damian skidding backward.
The crowd went silent.
Damian coughed, holding his ribs. Then, after a long pause, he laughed. "Damn. That actually hurt."
He straightened, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, you win. For now."
Kairos let out a slow breath, his heart still pounding. What was that just now?
Aether's words echoed in his mind.
Your power evolves.
Had he just unlocked another ability?
Selene clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations, you're officially a target for every strong student in this academy."
Kairos groaned. "I just wanted a normal school life."
Selene smirked. "Well, tough luck."
---
Unseen Observers
From a distant balcony, a pair of sharp golden eyes observed the duel with interest.
"He's adapting faster than expected."
A second voice, smooth and calculating, responded. "Of course. The system chose him for a reason."
The first figure chuckled. "I wonder… does he even realize what he's becoming?"
The second voice remained silent for a moment before whispering, "Not yet. But he will."
A cold wind passed through the academy, carrying with it the whispers of unseen forces.
And somewhere deep within Kairos' system, something stirred.