Early the next morning…

  Eric turned over in bed, his eyes turned to look at the window, the sun had just risen and a soft orange glow was cast upon the curtains. He pulled up his interface to check the time. Eight twenty two.

  Groggily getting out of bed he made his way to the bathroom and began grooming.

  Jingle! – The sound of a bell rung and Tom appeared at his feet, moving and rubbing his body over him. Feeling the velvet fur rub against his skin an expression of bliss appeared on his face.

  After finishing his grooming he put on a casual wear with a hooded poncho over. Making his way downstairs, he smelled the pleasant aroma of breakfast that wafted from the kitchen.

  “Morning, Lana.” He called out as he stepped into the living room.

  “Morning.” She shouted back.

  He sat on the sofa at the living room, turning on the television, currently airing was some show on survival in the wild side. The camera followed a masked cat-folk exploring the wild side moving effortlessly through the jungle. The cat-folk were renowned for their stealth, with entire ninja clans mastering a unique form of ninjutsu. The person in the show was exactly that, a ninja.

  He wore an enchanted robe that could mimic patterns of his surroundings, basically camouflaging him. At the moment, he had spotted a bird roosting in its nest high up in a tree. Forming hand seals, a flash of blue light washed over his body and then his already silent steps lost all sound and vibration. Moving with eerie precision, he crept towards the tree and as if by defying gravity, started walking vertically up its trunk.

  As he approached the bird he made another seal, his entire body literally vanishing in thin air. The camera panned up to the nest and after a few seconds the cat-his figure gradually reappeared, as if he were being painted back into reality. Before the bird could even react, he thrusted a dagger into its skull with swift precision, ending its life instantly. With that, he had secured his meal for the next few days.

  At this time, Lana brought breakfast to the table. She had prepared fried potatoes slices, crispy bacon, fresh bread and a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Each piece was carefully arranged on the plate to look as appetizing as possible, his brain already simulating how the food would taste. The hot bacon still sizzled with oil, the rich aroma of the meal filled the air, making his mouth water even more.

  Eric took a deep whiff of the aroma, “Wow, this looks amazing.”

  Even Tommy agreed as he was already under the table giving Eric the most pitiful look he could express.

  Lana’s face beamed with a smile, “Am glad you like it.”

  “Did you see the pictures you father sent?” Eric said as he picked a potato piece with a fork.

  “Uh, not yet.”

  “Not yet, is something wrong with your interface?” Eric asked his face puzzled.

  Pulling up his interface, he navigated to the photos folder and began displaying the pictures that had been sent. The first picture showed a middle aged man whose features strikingly resembled Lana’s, sitting in a large dining hall, holding up a bowl of nutrient purée with a pained expression on his face. The next picture was him in a space suit on the surface of the moon, giving a thumbs up, and at the background was the breathtaking view of the blue planet. The rest of the pictures featured him in different places in the lunar station or on the lunar surface. Some even included him alongside aliens, which was undeniably cool.

  “He said he’s getting a break next month,” Eric said as he discreetly enlarged a piece of bacon. “It won’t be long before you see him.”

  “Aren’t you headed into a rift today?” Lana questioned, “I won’t be seeing you for a while either.”

  “You’re right. I’ll probably come back to find uncle has already returned,” Eric nodded, secretly passing an enlarged bacon to Tommy. “Don’t let him come home to a mess.”

  “What are you talking about?” Lana scoffed, “Every time I come back from school, this place is a disaster. I’m the one who cleans it up and makes it tidy and neat.”

  Eric smirked, popping the enlarged piece of bacon into his mouth. “That’s slander. I keep this place perfectly fine.”

  Lana shot him a deadpan look. “This time, I found three empty instant noodle cups stacked on the windowsill, laundry scattered everywhere, and dust so thick on the shelves I could write my name in it.”

  “I already told you that the clothes were an organized mess.” Eric said rolling his eyes to the side.

  “Organized mess my ass.” Lana shot back. “Now hurry up and eat before you’re late.”

  “Okay, okay.” Eric relented with a shrug.

  After finishing his meal, Eric grabbed one of the masks from the shelf and slipped it on. Bidding farewell to Lana, he hailed a taxi through an app in his interface.

  …

  After a few minutes, he had reached his destination.

  Alighting from the cab, Eric made his way to a massive complex. He took a side door by the gate, letting the scanner scan his face before the door slid open with a soft hiss.

  Beyond the entrance lay a vast open courtyard. Several rectangular arenas stretched across the grounds, where groups of warriors trained under the guidance of senior instructors. A wide central road led straight to the main building, cutting through the space like a dividing line. At the heart of it all stood a grand fountain, crowned by four statues, each a warrior wielding a different weapon; sword, spear, bow, and a massive battle axe. They faced outward in different directions, as if overlooking the entire facility.

  Eric’s gaze flickered over the scene before he strode toward the main building. This was the Dojo, the sole warrior agency in the city. Stepping inside, he found himself in a large, bustling lobby filled with rows of waiting chairs and a steady stream of people moving in and out, their voices blending into the hum of activity.

  “There you are!” Kevin called out enthusiastically, waving when he saw Eric enter the Dojo.

  Eric glanced at his eager friend and responded with a casual nod. The two made their way to the room where their master was. Entering the room they were met with the hum of technology. Massive monitors lined the walls, while several staff members worked diligently at their stations.

  At the forefront stood a woman radiating authority, her presence commanding the entire room. The two quickly bowed when they saw her.

  “Miss Matelda,” one of the staff members reported, “the rift is expected to stabilize in approximately three hours.”

  “I see,” Matelda acknowledged with a nod, her gaze fixed on the screen displaying a silvery sphere that pulsed rhythmically – periodically shimmering before fading into a dull glow.

  “Please contact those explorers and tell them to be early, I don’t want a repeat of last time.” She sternly warned.

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  “Yes ma’am.” The staff responded back.

  Shifting her gaze to Eric and Kevin. Without a word, she gestured for them to follow.

  They stepped into a spacious training room, where racks of weapons lined the walls and a square arena in the center. With a swift motion, Matelda removed her coat and hung it aside, revealing her tightly knotted, muscular physique.

  She wore a form-fitting black tank top that highlighted her muscular physique and loose, baggy black trousers allowed for unrestricted movement with two twin swords sheathed by her hips. On her arms were golden bracers that she could use as defense, deflecting incoming strikes. Rolling her shoulders, she stepped into the arena, stretching her arms with practiced ease.

  “Come on, I heard that you have stably made it to the peak of the apprentice rank.” she said, her gaze sharp and expectant. “Let’s see how much your strength has improved.”

  Eric and Kevin exchanged a glance before stepping into the arena. Kevin rolled up his sleeves, revealing bands of tattoos on his forearms. He then drew his sword, a single-edged blade reminiscent of a katana. Beside him, Eric reached for his hair stick, which expanded in an instant, transforming into a sleek black staff adorned with golden dragon engravings and golden blunt tips.

  Matelda watched them with an amused smirk her golden braces on her arms gleaming under the arena lights. "Whenever you're ready," she said, planting her feet firmly her body flashing with blue energy.

  Kevin was the first to move, dashing in low with his sword cutting a sharp arc through the air. Eric followed half a step behind, his staff sweeping toward Matelda’s blind spot. He stimulated his energy coating his staff with it, its durability increasing with a gush of blue aura. Without hesitation, Matelda leaned back, just enough to avoid Kevin’s strike. She then raised a bracer just in time to deflect Eric’s staff with a sharp clang, a burst of blue energy flared from the impact. The force sent a gust rippling through the arena, but Matelda stood firm, her balance unshaken.

  “Your application of energy is still too rudimentary,” Matelda said. “Remember infuse the energy into the weapon don’t just focus on the outside.”

  The two didn’t let up. Kevin spun, reversing his grip for an upward slash, while Eric twisted his staff, its golden end whistling toward Matelda’s ribs. He took into account what she said, concentrating lightly, his energy rushed into the fibers of the staff, fully permeating the weapon.

  Matelda smiled, side stepping Kevin’s swing she caught Kevin’s wrist mid-strike and used his own momentum to spin him away. In the same motion, she swayed to the side, letting Eric’s staff pass by harmlessly before gripping it for the briefest second and shoving it downward, forcing him off-balance. Stepping forward, she was instantly inside Eric's guard, with a sweep and push she sent Eric flying to the other side of the arena.

  “You’re placing all of your weight on the swing.” she said looking at Kevin who was standing up.

  Kevin adjusted his stance and rushed towards her again. He made a straight slash which unsurprisingly, she effortlessly dodged. Seeing his strike dodged he wasn’t discouraged but mobilized his energy, his arms gaining a blue glow. Slashes upon slashes rained down on Matelda but she dodged and bare handedly parried some. Within a second Kevin had unleashed a hundred slashes but none of them even got close to dealing her damage. Catching a flaw in his attacks she attacked him with a palm sending him flying to the corner of arena.

  Eric joined the fight and this time as he thrust the staff it instantly elongated. The staffs reach increased trying to get past her guard, whenever she would try to parry or grab the staff, it would shrink leaving her range. Matelda’s expression shifted slightly in approval and she became a little serious in the battle.

  The fight became intense as the three zipped from one corner of the arena to another. However, despite the boys’ efforts, they hadn’t yet landed a single hit. Eric was hit again and taking this opportunity Kevin rushed in and his arms turned into afterimages as he slashed a hundred times in a second. Matelda calmly dodged all the slashes, noting that they were the followed the same attack patterns. Palming Kevin again, he was sent flying landing close to Eric.

  Eric exchanged a brief nod with Kevin before both of them surged forward, their bodies enveloped in a radiant blue aura, their speed and strength improving sharply. The two lunged towards Matelda at a much faster speed than before. In response, Matelda dashed to meet them, their clash sending a shockwave rippling through the arena, cracking even the special hard stone beneath their feet.

  As the battle raged on Matelda was just about to receive Kevin’s attack when the floor below her suddenly shifted forward and her weight shifted backwards making her lose her balance. Eric and Kevin reached her in the split second she was in an awkward position. However her reaction was faster, she went into a handstand position, her figure nimbly avoiding the attacks before her legs whipped towards them.

  The boys dodged, giving Matelda the chance to adjust her posture. They launched another attack, trying the same trick again. The ground below Matelda shifted, this time it rose. Matelda however was now aware of this trick, she wouldn’t be fooled twice. She constantly shifted her stance, quickly approached Eric and gave him a swift kick.

  Eric used his staff to block the attack, a huge force swept over him through his arms. A split second later, he was sent flying backwards, crashing hard against the wall, spider-like cracks forming behind him. He slumped onto the floor, a dull ache throbbing through his arms, his grip on the staff loosening. These sparring sessions always showed glimpses of the horrifying power their master had, He turned his gaze back at the arena to see how it would conclude.

  Kevin took this moment and unleashed a flurry of slashes upon Matelda. ‘The same attack pattern.’ Matelda was about to comment on this when an attack broke from the previously pattern and went for her neck. The instantaneously reacted blocking the attack with her bracers. She made a quick jab towards his head and Kevin instinctively raised his sword to block but it was an attack. Before he could react the real strike landed squarely on his abdomen.

  Kevin realized the trap a second too late. A sharp burst of pain exploded in his core as the force of the blow sent him hurtling across the arena. He crashed against the hall’s wall with a dull thud, slumping to the ground. A ragged gasp escaped him as he clutched his stomach, his breath becoming rugged.

  Kevin realized it but it was already too late, the next second he was sent crashing on the hall’s walls too. The pain made him heave in the ground.

  They both landed with a grunt, staring up at their teacher as she stood over them, arms crossed.

  "You’ve indeed improved," Matelda mused, tilting her head. "That move you used, shifting the length of the ground was ingenious." She smirked.

  “Well I was inspired by one of the contestants in the Vireon tournament.” Eric said while clutching his chest.

  “I also noticed you’ve reached elite level, paired with your gift you could probably reach intermediate elite level. Keep it up.” Matelda said with a thumbs up.

  “Thanks Master.” Eric humbly responded.

  Turning her gaze to the exhausted Kevin slumped on the ground, Matelda continued, “I commend your tactic to try and reduce my vigilance”

  “Though you’ve been stagnant in the same realm for three years.” She said giving him a thumbs up. “Your speed and power have indeed increased. You could be classified as the pinnacle of the peak of the apprentice rank.”

  “Cough! Cough… thanks… master.” Kevin forced himself to respond still clutching his stomach. “However could you… be a little lenient… cough… next time.”

  Matelda stretched her hand and her coat as if caught by invisibly hands, floated to her side, hanging skillfully onto her shoulders.

  Kevin walked to Eric to recover, holding hands together, Eric mobilized his energy healing their fatigue and alleviating their injuries. A blue radiant aura enveloped them, as Kevin couldn’t absorb the martial energy normally, Eric would usually supply him with the energy.

  Kevin walked over to Eric, breathing heavily, his body still aching from the impact. Without a word, Eric extended his hand, and Kevin clasped it firmly. Closing his eyes, Eric mobilized his energy, a radiant blue aura flaring around them. The warmth of the energy seeped into their bodies, easing their fatigue and dulling their pain.

  Since Kevin couldn’t absorb martial energy normally, Eric had to supply him with the energy he needed. As the energy flashed they let out a deep breath, their strength gradually returning.

  “Okay.” Matelda clapped her hands. “I did indeed say that I will tell you of the next realm.”

  Eric and Kevin's eyes gleamed with excitement hearing Matelda’s words.

  “The next realm, the adept rank, is characterized by the presence of energy cores.”

  “Once your body is filled with martial energy, the individual cells can develop energy cores giving you much ease in controlling your energy.”

  She pointed at the arena and a ball of blue energy appeared at her finger. Boom! A loud noise resounded as the blue energy shot a beam hitting the arena. “And with that you can easily eject the energy or even form constructs.”

  Energy enveloped her hand compressing to form a blue translucent dagger like weapon.

  “Their two paths for the energy cores to form,” Matelda paused observing their exited expressions. “One you drink an adept advancement potion. The other one you absorb energy to you limit and maintain this state for a long time, eventually the cells will form the energy cores.”

  Hearing this Eric couldn’t help but asked, “How long?”

  “It varies, to some a few weeks while to some it may take years.” She said smiling, “however with your talents it won’t be that long.”

  Pulling a parchment from her coat’s pocket, she threw it to Kevin who received it with doubtful eyes. “That there is the modified meditation diagram. It is based on the sorcerers diagram hence the effect to absorbing martial energy is super reduced which is beneficial to you.”

  Kevin's eyes widened a smile plastering his face as he hurriedly bowed expressing his appreciation to his master.

  Matelda continued, “However when using it have Eric beside you, just in case anything should go wrong, understood?”

  “Yes master.”

  "I'm giving you ten minutes to recover." Matelda said as she headed for the door, “after recovering, come to the briefing room, the briefing is about to start.”