Knock. Knock.

  It was early morning. I was still lying on my bed when the sharp sound echoed through the room.

  I dragged myself up and opened the door.

  Sophy stood there.

  “You have ten minutes to get ready,” she said. “Today is your first day of training in the practice area.”

  Ten minutes?

  I shut the door quickly.

  Cold water. Fast uniform change. Boots. Belt. Done.

  I rushed toward the practice area, my heart already beating faster.

  When I arrived, Eden was already there.

  Dozens of trainees stood in a straight line, silent and disciplined.

  I stepped in and joined them.

  Eden stood in front of us — calm, composed, and intimidating without even trying.

  Today, he was the instructor.

  “So everyone here knows the rules” .

  “Yes chief” everyone says.

  “Then before starting we have a new student Kelix make sure to teach him everything “

  “Everyone dismissed now you have 5 min then we begin our training session”

  “Hey Eden “

  Eden’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “Yes, kelix do you want to quit?”

  A few trainees shifted uncomfortably.

  I smirked.

  “Ahhh… I see. You’re still dreaming. Wake up, vintage Eden.”

  I stepped forward. “I just came to ask — why don’t you teach me? Or are you afraid I might surpass you?”

  A faint murmur spread through the line.

  Eden’s expression didn’t change… but the air grew heavier.

  “Now you’re the one dreaming,” he replied coldly. “Come back to reality, child. This isn’t some college fight or a game.”

  He walked past me slowly.

  “This is training. Everyone here is working their hardest.” His voice sharpened. “And you? You’re just an arrogant boy who thinks he can achieve everything in two days.”

  He stopped in front of me.

  “You doesn’t understand hard work.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  I laughed softly.

  “Fine. I’m not interested in learning your outdated tactics anyway. You’re boring. I’ll improve faster on my own.”

  Silence.

  The other trainees were now fully watching.

  Eden turned toward me again, a faint dangerous smile forming.

  “Very well.”

  He stepped back.

  “Let’s make it interesting.”

  His voice carried across the entire practice ground.

  “A challenge. If you win, I will admit my defeat.”

  He paused.

  “But if I win… you will apologize in front of everyone. And from that day forward — you will follow every command I give.”

  His eyes locked onto mine.

  “So, kelix do you accept?”

  “Okay I accepted “

  “Okay then let’s see Mr vintage Eden .“

  “What’s going on here?”

  Arian voice cut through the tension like a blade.

  Everyone straightened instantly.

  “Kelix why aren’t you starting your training?”

  I shrugged. “I was about to. But some people seem to have… ego issues.”

  A few trainees inhaled sharply.

  “Kelix go start your warm-up “Arian said calmly, I already promised you I would teach you everything within two days. We’ll do our best. Don’t worry.”

  His tone wasn’t angry.It was controlled.

  “Okay, as you say,” I replied casually. Then I glanced toward Eden. “But I think this place needs some new teachers. Some of the old ones look like ancient statues while standing.”

  I tilted my head slightly.

  “Actually… even statues look better.”

  The air froze.

  “Enough,” A said firmly. “K, go.”

  I turned without another word and walked toward the training ground.

  I didn’t care about their expressions.

  I just wanted to train.

  Train. Improve. Leave.

  That’s it.

  Behind me, voices lowered.

  “Are you sure he’s different?” Eden muttered.

  “He’s just an arrogant kid who doesn’t understand hard work,” another replied. “Yes, he took down two RS — regenerative symbioses — but now he thinks he can control that power in just two days.”

  “Talent without discipline is dangerous.”

  Arians gaze shifted toward the training field where I was stretching, movements sharp and precise.

  “Arian replied quietly, “it’s something else.”

  “You know what?” Arian said calmly. “I think Kelix might be right. Maybe I should replace you.”

  Eden’s head snapped toward him.

  “What? Seriously, Arian? Now you too?”

  His jaw tightened.

  “I’ll prove you wrong. He’s not special.”

  Arian gave a faint smile.

  “You know he is. You just don’t want to admit it.”

  Silence.

  “But if you still have doubts,” Arian continued, “then test him. And if you think he’s taking this lightly…”

  His eyes sharpened slightly.

  “Teach him a lesson.”

  Eden exhaled slowly.

  “…Fine.”

  His gaze drifted toward the training field where Kelix was stretching.

  “I’ll show him what real training is.”

  Arian watched him walk away.

  “Still grumpy after all these years,” he muttered to himself with a small smile. “But it’s good to see you like that again.”

  Eden didn’t respond. He was already moving.

  On the training ground—

  “Kelix.”

  I stopped mid-stretch.

  Eden stood a few steps away.

  “You wanted to learn, right?” His voice was calm now. Too calm. “Then let’s train.”

  I raised a brow. “What changed your mind?”

  He smirked faintly.

  “I realized you’re serious.”

  He stepped back and removed his coat slowly.

  The air shifted.

  “Take your position.”

  The other trainees instinctively moved back, forming raws.

  The ground suddenly felt much larger.

  Much quieter.

  “Wait.”

  I adjusted my stance slightly.

  “You didn’t tell me the rules. Or the basics.”

  Eden looked at me like I had just said something amusing.

  “Did I?” he replied calmly. “Wasn’t it you who said you didn’t want to learn old tactics from an old teacher?”

  A few nearby trainees slowed their movements, pretending not to listen.

  I clicked my tongue.

  “Fine. Don’t tell me.” I stepped forward. “I don’t need your rules to crush your arrogance.”

  Eden’s eyes darkened, but his expression remained composed.

  “Confidence without foundation,” he said quietly, “is just noise.”

  He shifted his weight slightly — effortless, balanced.

  “Well then…”

  His gaze locked onto mine.

  “Take your position, child.”

  The word hit harder than expected.

  I lowered myself into stance, muscles tightening.

  No countdown.

  No signal.

  Just tension stretching thin between us.

  Eden’s voice dropped one last time.

  “In real combat, no one explains the rules.”

  And then—

  He moved

  Before I could say another word—

  Eden lifted his hand slightly.

  Just two fingers.

  A small motion.

  That was all.

  A faint beep echoed somewhere above us.

  Then—

  The ground vibrated.

  I looked around sharply.

  “What did you just—”

  The walls began to move.

  Not collapse.

  Not break.

  They responded.

  Massive steel panels slid apart with perfect synchronization. Sections folded into the structure like living machinery. The ceiling retracted, light flooding in as the space expanded outward.

  Rows of seats unfolded from hidden compartments.

  Layer after layer.

  Precision.

  Within seconds, the ordinary training field had transformed into a full stadium.

  Students rushed in from surrounding corridors. Teachers stepped into reserved sections. Assistants activated floating observation panels.

  This wasn’t spontaneous.

  It was prepared.

  I looked at Eden.

  “You planned this?”

  He lowered his hand calmly.

  “This academy doesn’t waste opportunities,” he replied. “When potential clashes with experience… it becomes a lesson for everyone.”

  So this wasn’t just about me.

  Or him.

  It was a demonstration.

  The final wall locked into place with a deep metallic echo.

  The stadium lights ignited overhead.

  The murmuring crowd settled.

  High above, Arian leaned on the balcony railing, watching silently.

  Eden stepped forward to the centre of the ground .

  “I signaled for an official evaluation,” he said evenly. “You wanted to challenge me in front of everyone.”

  His eyes locked onto mine.

  “Now you have your stage.”

  A slow breath escaped my lips.

  So this wasn’t just training anymore.

  This was judgment.

  “No excuses now.”

  The air tightened between us.

  “Take your position, Kelix.”