tralis City – The Weight of a Name
By the time Kai returned to the city, the streets were quieter than usual.
The Black Eclipse Incident had shaken the population, and while the city's emergency response teams worked to repair the damage, fear still lingered in the air. The attack had come without warning, and even the strongest Hunters had struggled.
Kai pulled his hood up, keeping his head low as he walked through the dimly lit district.
His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.
Master Alden was looking for him.
And Master Alden never looked for anyone without a reason.
---
The Hidden Strength of an Old Warrior
The training grounds behind the Astralis Academy were nearly empty when Kai arrived.
Only one person stood there—Master Alden.
The old warrior sat cross-legged beneath the ancient cherry blossom tree, his eyes closed, his breathing calm. His figure, despite his age, still carried an air of absolute control. His presence alone was heavy.
Kai approached, stopping a few meters away.
Alden spoke without opening his eyes.
"You skipped class today."
Kai hesitated. "Yeah."
Alden finally opened his eyes, turning to face him. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce straight through him.
"Training?"
Kai nodded.
Alden studied him for a long moment, then exhaled through his nose. "Good."
Kai blinked. He had expected a scolding, maybe even a lecture. But Alden simply stood, brushing off his robes.
Then, he turned to face Kai directly.
"Show me."
Kai frowned. "Show you what?"
Alden's expression didn't change. "Your power."
A chill ran through Kai's spine.
He knows.
Or at the very least, he suspects something.
Kai clenched his fists. He had kept his awakening hidden—he had avoided the Hunters, he had left no evidence behind.
So how did Master Alden know?
Before Kai could respond, Alden spoke again.
"You've changed, boy," he said quietly. "Your stance, your breathing—it's different."
He narrowed his eyes.
"You move like someone who has seen battle."
Kai stiffened.
Alden stepped forward, his presence pressing down on Kai like a mountain.
"Show me," he repeated. "Or I will make you."
Kai exhaled slowly. There was no way out of this.
He would have to fight.
---
A Test of Strength
Alden took his stance, feet firm, hands relaxed at his sides. He carried no weapon—he didn't need one.
Kai raised his fists, feeling the weight of his new strength. His Duskrender Instincts flared, sharpening his focus.
The moment of silence stretched between them.
Then, Alden moved.
He was fast.
Kai barely had time to react before Alden was already in front of him.
A palm strike slammed into his chest, sending him skidding back several meters.
Kai gasped, his body reeling from the force. His mind screamed—that wasn't normal.
Master Alden was human. He had never shown signs of supernatural strength before.
So how was he this powerful?
Kai steadied himself, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Fine.
If Alden wanted to see his strength, he'd show him.
Kai lunged forward, moving faster than any normal human should. He struck with the speed of a predator, his Duskrender-enhanced body moving with near-perfect fluidity.
Alden sidestepped effortlessly.
Kai's fist hit nothing but air.
Then—a sharp impact to his side.
Alden's counterattack was precise, calculated—he had barely moved, and yet, Kai was thrown to the ground, gasping for breath.
Damn it.
Even with his new power, he was being completely overwhelmed.
Alden sighed, shaking his head. "You're stronger than before, but you lack control. Your power is wild. Undisciplined."
Kai clenched his fists, forcing himself back to his feet.
Alden watched him carefully.
"Where did you get this strength, boy?"
Kai hesitated.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then, Kai exhaled.
"I don't know," he said honestly. "But I intend to master it."
Alden studied him for a long moment. Then, surprisingly—he smiled.
"Good."
Kai blinked.
Alden turned, walking toward the training dummies lined up in the distance. "You will meet many who seek power, Kai. But few will seek to understand it."
He placed a hand on one of the wooden dummies, fingers tracing the grain of the wood.
"This world is changing. Strength alone will not be enough."
His gaze flickered back to Kai.
"Control your power. Learn its depths. And when the time comes…"
His voice grew quiet.
"…Do not let it consume you."
Kai frowned. "What do you mean?"
Alden shook his head. "You will understand soon enough."
With that, he turned away, his presence fading into the quiet night.
Kai remained standing in the training grounds, his mind racing.
Master Alden knew something.
But what?
And why had he been so certain that Kai's power came with a risk?
Kai clenched his fists. Whatever it was, he needed to find out.
Because if there was a danger to his power—he needed to master it before it mastered him.