On the way to the specialized training rooms, a quiet tension hung between the five participants. Ayron subtly glanced at Rylan. His mind was racing, sifting through the vast, intricate catalogue of young memories. He was searching for any file, any fleeting image that might contain information on the young man walking beside him, but the search yielded nothing.

  Iridiana broke the silence, her tone sharp with competitive energy. “Rylan, can we spar for a bit? I want to get properly warmed up and ready for my match tonight.”

  Rylan, a smirk playing on his lips, gestured with a thumb over his shoulder. “Sure, but don’t you wanna fight your opponent first? He is right here, after all.”

  Iridiana dismissed the suggestion with a flick of her wrist. “No, I want to go in blind. It makes it more exciting and forces me to adapt faster. Besides, I kinda want to watch him go at it first. I need to see what he’s truly made of.” Her gaze lingered on Ayron for a moment, a mixture of curiosity and challenge, before she opened the reinforced doors of the training rooms. The air inside was thick with the lingering scent of sweat and residual enki. “Ayron, take your pick for a pre-match sparring partner: Jai or Kieran?”

  Ayron’s internal sigh of relief was profound, a debt of gratitude instantly owed to his newfound friend. She had unwittingly removed the one person he did not want to face. Ayron focused his attention on the two available opponents. To his unique sight, their auras were vibrant tapestries of power: Jai's radiated steady hues of orange and blue, while Kieran's flared with red and yellow. These two are undeniably strong. I shouldn’t underestimate either of them, but I need to make a strategic choice. The power difference, even in these casual auras, was striking. “So, before I choose, what tower level are you both operating at?” he asked, his voice calm despite the throbbing of his hyper-alert senses.

  Jai, a sturdy young man with a friendly grin, answered first. “Tower five, just like yourself.”

  Keiran, however, was a different proposition entirely. His snicker held a distinct edge of arrogance. “Elite - Level 323. I’m beyond 'Tower Five,' I'm afraid.”

  Ayron calculated the risk-reward ratio, his fingers twitching as he touched each one to his thumb, a form of stimming he used to focus. Jai offered a warm-up on possible equal ground, a chance to test his newly integrated skills against a baseline peer. Kieran offered a true test, a dangerous trial by fire against someone significantly more powerful. The point is not just to win, but to learn. I need to push my limits.

  Ayron pointed directly at the elite-level fighter. “I’ll take Kieran.” The simple declaration dropped into the training room like a physical shockwave. Kieran's self-assured posture stiffened. Jai’s jaw went slack. Iridiana’s eyes widened with an appreciative, manic gleam of surprise.

  Rylan was the first to vocalize the collective disbelief. “You’re crazy, Ayron! He’s only two fights away from becoming a certified instructor and joining the tower's faculty! He’s not a sparring partner; he’s a professional gatekeeper!”

  “All the more reason to spar with him.” Ayron nodded in confirmation.

  “Good choice!” Iridiana grinned as she clapped her hands. “Do you guys wanna go first?” She asked, gesturing to one open area.

  The foreigner stepped onto the training stage. "Alright," he agreed. He took a deep breath, focusing his aura and locking onto his opponent, settling into his starting stance as he waited for the match to be called.

  "You guys ready?"

  Keiran answered instantly, "Always."

  Ayron nodded. "Let’s go.

  With a raised left hand, Iridiana hollered, “Begin!”

  The call was the cue, but neither the foreigner nor Keiran moved. They stood motionless, save for the almost imperceptible tremor of their concentrated power. The silence returned, deeper than before. It was a ritual of sizing each other up, a mutual survey of weaknesses. The foreigner assessed Keiran’s guard, calculating trajectory. Keiran studied the newcomer's unorthodox stance, his eyes scrutinizing. The spar had begun with the silent, intense battle of minds and wills.

  Keiran was the first to instigate the confrontation. The air in the training room crackled with silent tension, broken only by the rhythmic thud of their feet on the packed earth. Ayron, the seasoned foreigner, noticed a minuscule, almost imperceptible movement of Keiran's right foot; a weight shift that was the tell-tale sign of a coiled spring about to release. Reacting instinctively, Ayron didn't hesitate, lunging forward to preempt the attack.

  The young man, however, had calculated his move with a deceptive maturity. Ayron realized almost too late that the initial, subtle foot-shift was merely an intentional feint, a ploy designed to draw him into the optimal range for Keiran’s true assault.

  As Ayron committed to the lunge, he noticed a faint, yet unmistakable red hue beginning to emanate from Keiran's hands, specifically across his knuckles and palms. This wasn't the natural flush of exertion; it was the visible signature of Enki being channeled. The red light intensified rapidly, hinting at a powerful, possibly volatile, ability. Ayron's heart pounded with a mix of urgency and caution. He knew absolutely nothing about the nature of the young man’s enki abilities, whether they manifested as explosive blasts, searing heat, or something far more esoteric and debilitating. The uncertainty was a weapon in itself.

  I need to stay alert. His immediate, primary directive shifted from attack to defense. Recognizing the critical danger posed by the glowing hands, the foreigner executed a rapid, almost impossible mid-lunge pivot. He tried his hardest to change his vector and stay well away from them. Ayron pushed off the ground with a force that sent a gentle breeze into the air, desperate to widen the gap between their bodies before Kieran could unleash whatever devastating power he was preparing to wield.

  “Inferno Fist!” Kieran hollered, his voice raw with exertion and adrenaline, as he threw his left fist in Ayron’s direction. The air around the strike seemed to shimmer with intense heat, and a faint, reddish-orange glow trailed the trajectory of his arm. It narrowly missed the newcomer’s right side, the sheer force of the near-contact grazing his ribs. Ayron felt a jolt of scorching, red-hot energy from the displacement of air alone. It was a purely kinetic strike, yet it carried an otherworldly thermal presence. The foreigner instinctively knew that if that strike had connected solidly, it could’ve easily shattered his ribs, or worse, if he hadn't managed to deflect or evade at the critical moment.

  “Whoa…” Ayron heard a chorus of hushed, astonished voices from the sidelines, where the other aspirants watched their sparring match. The sounds were a mixture of awe and genuine shock at how fiercely contested the spar had become.

  “He dodged Keiran’s ‘Inferno Fist’. Unbelievable,” Rylan muttered, his eyes wide and glued to the action. He shifted his weight, leaning forward slightly, utterly captivated. “That move is supposed to be un-dodgeable at this range. It’s too fast, too volatile.” The sheer audacity and skill of Ayron’s evasion sent a ripple of murmurs through the small crowd.

  Kieran quickly retracted his fist, his expression a mixture of frustration and grudging respect. His chest heaved slightly, and a faint plume of steam rose from his skin, the residual heat from his channeled energy dissipating. This was more than just a simple sparring match; it was a test, and Ayron was passing with flying colors. “Not bad, let’s kick it up a notch.”

  The air in the training room crackled with kinetic energy as the relentless thud of flesh on flesh echoed off the stone walls. The sound of their fists making contact filled the space, a brutal metronome timing the exchange. Ayron was doing his best not to get struck, breathing strained and muscles burning, his every movement a desperate parry or dodge.

  The tide was turning against him. It was getting harder to evade Kieran's assault. The veteran warrior, his face a mask of calm intensity, wasn't just relying on brute force; he was adapting. Ayron could feel the subtle shift in his opponent's technique, a slight blur at the edges of his movement, a sudden, almost imperceptible surge in momentum. Keiran was learning his fight patterns during their battle. Ayron could tell his opponent was subtly enhancing his speed, pouring more enki into his physical movements.

  This wasn't a sustainable fight for the young man. His defense, while initially sturdy, was beginning to show cracks under the compounded pressure. The enhanced speed meant Ayron was covering the distance and closing angles faster than before, reducing the precious millisecond the foreigner needed to react. It was only a matter of time before he slipped up. A foot would drag, a guard would drop too low, and the fight would be decisively over. The inevitability of the impending blow hung heavy in the charged atmosphere.

  ‘I’ve gotta do something, anything.’ Ayron contemplated. Throughout this battle, he’s been attempting to use his own enki. However, the foreigner only used it to read another’s intentions. He’s not sure how to access his other abilities, if he has them. This wasn’t a life-or-death situation; it was a spar before a match.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “‘Got you!’” Kieran’s voice, a gravelly shout laced with exertion, broke Ayron from his stunned reverie. The world seemed to slow for Ayron as the crimson-tinged aura of the attack barreled toward him. It was too late to execute a proper evasive maneuver; the sheer speed of Kieran’s advanced technique closed the distance in a blink.

  Instinct, honed by countless hours of training, took over. Ayron didn't have time to dodge. Instead, he snapped his arms up and crossed them sharply in front of his face and chest, forming an ‘x’. He clenched his jaw, his eyes squeezing shut for a split second as he concentrated with every fiber of his being. He wasn't relying on raw physical defense; he was channeling his vibrant bleached aura outward, weaving it into a dense, instantaneous shield around his forearms. He poured everything he had into fortifying that fragile, makeshift barrier.

  When the strike came, it wasn't just a blow; it was a detonation of pressurized heat and force. The impact was deafening; a sharp, cracking THWOOM that resonated across the training platform. A massive shockwave, visible as a ripple in the air, erupted from the point of contact. The sheer kinetic energy knocked Ayron back several feet, sending his opponent staggering violently. His boots scraped loudly on the stone as he fought to regain his balance, stumbling perilously close to the very edge of the elevated fighting platform.

  “Whoa! That was insane!” Jai exclaimed in surprise, his voice ringing with genuine astonishment.

  “A white enki barrier??” Rylan exclaimed, leaning forward with sudden, intense interest, the previous relaxed demeanor gone.

  Both opponents paused, the residual heat of the Inferno Fist dissipating from the air. Their eyes locked across the space of the platform, the silence now charged with renewed respect. Kieran finally managed to steady himself, a grin slowly spreading across his face.

  “Gotta say, that one surprised me, Ayron. I thought I had you,” Kieran admitted, his breathing heavy but his tone lightened by genuine pleasure. He pushed a stray lock of hair from his brow. “An Enki deflection barrier on such short notice. That takes serious control and power. You’re definitely worthy of your tower standing. It just makes me even more hyped. I can’t wait to see how your battle plays out tonight against... well, you know.”

  Ayron, his arms tingling faintly but otherwise unharmed, allowed a small, tired smile to crack his lips in response to the unexpected praise.

  The sudden display of power had clearly ignited a fire in the onlookers.

  “Now I really can’t wait for our match!” Iridiana declared, her voice sharp with anticipation. She was practically vibrating with pent-up energy, jumping lightly on the balls of her feet, seemingly giddy at the prospect of facing a strong, proven opponent like Kieran. She whipped her head around, her braid swinging. “Rylan, are you ready? Watching the two of them has my blood pumping! We're up next, and I'm ready to throw down!”

  ===

  The silence in the locker room was a thick, oppressive blanket, muffling every sound until only a persistent, high-pitched ringing remained in Ayron's ears. It was the legacy of his time in GoldHD, a constant, shrill reminder of the battlefields and the deafening concussive forces of countless explosions. The tinnitus had only amplified in the tower's relative quiet. He absently rubbed his temples, a futile gesture against the internal noise.

  “Nervous?”

  Kaysi’s familiar, gravelly voice cut through the ring, causing Ayron's head to snap up. He hadn’t even heard the instructor enter. The older man had snuck in through the door behind him, finding Ayron completely lost in a daydream.

  "You could say that," the foreigner admitted, taking a deep, steadying breath to settle the nervous energy churning in his stomach. "What are you doing here, old man? I thought Solaris was open tonight."

  "Closed early; everyone in town wants to see this battle. I hear the arena's sold out for the first time in months."

  Ayron's heart pounded against his ribs. The knowledge of a packed arena did nothing to calm him as he took a deep breath. "I'm not sure what to expect," he confessed, knowing he would face such a formidable opponent. Even after witnessing her practice match with Rylan and Jai, the young man found very few cracks in her armor. No weakness stood out, which was a testament to her dedication. This only excited Ayron more.

  Kaysi pushed off the door frame and moved to stand beside him, his expression carefully measured. “Iridiana is very hard to predict; she can read your aura so well, it’s like she’s reading your thoughts.” The older man crossed his arms, his posture suggesting careful word choice. “That’s what makes her so dangerous, but also why the tower leadership watches her so closely. She’s going to make it to the elite tower before we know it.”

  He paused, letting his gaze drift around the locker room before focusing back on Ayron. “Since she has access to all five Enki techniques, she’s an unpredictable threat to anyone in Raider’s Tower. Most upper tower members are stage one or two Enki users, stage three if they’re prodigies. Accessing all five techniques before the age of eighteen? That’s unheard of, but I wouldn’t expect any less. She comes from a long line of outliers and powerful members of the community.”

  Kaysi sighed, the sound heavy with professional respect and warning. “She doesn’t have a pattern you can exploit, Ayron. Iridiana has a style all her own, and it’s very unpredictable. She’s only a few matches away from becoming an elite tower member, and if she crosses that threshold, her power and influence will jump exponentially. Don’t go in there thinking you have an advantage. She's earned her reputation.”

  “Hm.” Ayron nodded, internally calculating. He could feel the adrenaline begin to surge through him. He was excited to fight someone who was so well respected in the tower. From the way everyone’s talked about her, she’s a pillar in this community. After being in her company this afternoon, the young man began to understand why. “This is going to be interesting,” Ayron concluded.

  The crowd could be heard across the locker room. Suddenly, an announcer’s muffled voice rang through the space, “Welcome back, everyone! It's time for the next match in Raider's Tower. We have a packed house for this match! Our champion, Rae Prismachi, is stepping into the arena against the new contender, Ayron! This marks Ayron's second battle in the tower. Will he manage to secure a win, or will Iridiana claim yet another victory?!”

  With a booming voice, the announcer declared, "Contestants, enter the arena!" The arena's roar, a deafening sound, pulsed like a low hum from inside the locker room.

  “They’re ready for ya, kid.” Kaysi patted his shoulder. “Win or lose, we’re still going to celebrate tonight, in your new residence.”

  “You sound just like Jak,” Ayron commented as he stood. “He said the same thing a few hours ago.”

  “Knowing my son, he’s already gone to the market to get supplies,” the instructor shook his head with a chuckle. “Give it all you’ve got. Iridiana has quite a few tricks up her sleeve, but I’m assuming you do as well.”

  The foreigner chuckled, "Let’s hope it’ll be enough,” before walking through the heavy, reinforced door, which swung shut with a metallic thunk.

  The noise of the crowd grew louder, a vibrant, overwhelming force. A familiar, cold detachment settled over him, doing his best to drown out the crowd. ’Let’s hope it’ll be enough,’ he thought again; not about the fight, but his limited understanding of this bizarre, captivating new world. The rigorous, almost grueling, training session with Kieran had irrevocably altered Ayron's understanding of his own capabilities. He had always been the apex of human potential in his old world, even considered a ‘demon’ in his homeland. This new realm forced him to realize he was only beginning to understand his abilities.

  When Kieran nearly struck him with his ‘Inferno Fist’, Ayron had instinctively, or perhaps accidentally, discovered how to harness what this world called enki. With a grunt of effort and a concentration so fierce it blurred his vision, he had managed to push the enki outward, shaping it into a tangible, shimmering barrier. Keiran’s blast was deflected, pushing both men backwards.

  A rush of adrenaline and a chilling realization washed over him. This physical manifestation of Enki was a game-changer. It was pure defensive power, a skill that bypassed the need for complex incantations or specialized implements. He was an infiltration and combat specialist, a man who relied on precision, speed, and minimal resources. This barrier was perfect for his fighting style.

  But the question that now thrummed in his mind, eclipsing the exhaustion of the day, was far more exhilarating than defensive maneuvers. If he could externalize and shape this energy into a physical shield to deflect incoming threats, what were the true limits of this power? Could he condense it into a striking force, an offensive weapon that complemented his formidable martial arts skills? Could he enhance his speed, making his already lightning-fast movements utterly untraceable? Could he use it to mend his own body, allowing him to recover from wounds that would sideline any other man? The potential was vast, terrifying, and utterly intoxicating. The world had given him a second chance; the operative in him was already analyzing, hypothesizing, and plotting the full exploitation of this newfound magical resource.

  He stepped out of the shadow and into the blinding light, greeted by the thunderous roar of hundreds, possibly close to one thousand. The audience was ready.

  Arena lights nearly blinded the young man. He squinted and raised one hand to shield his eyes from the brightness. Once his eyes adjusted, the packed arena came into view.

  “We meet again,” Iridiana’s voice broke through the noise of the crowd. Ayron looks across the stage, seeing his opponent in an all-black gi, donned with a rainbow belt. The outfit surprised him. Her personality was so vibrant and alive that black didn’t seem like an appropriate color for her.

  “Don’t go easy on me,” Ayron mentioned as he looked at his opponent, giving her a knowing glance.

  “Same goes for you,” Iridiana nodded in agreement. “I’ll give it all I’ve got.”

  Watching as the referees took their positions, Ayron noticed there were four refs instead of two. His first had an official on each side. Now, each corner was being carefully observed.

  “Fighters ready?” The referee in the upper right asked.

  “Yes, sir.” Both competitors stated in unison.