Training moved underground.

  Literally.

  Grey rented access to an abandoned stone quarry outside the city walls.

  Wide space.

  Minimal collateral damage.

  Good conduction surfaces.

  Lyra stood at the edge, arms crossed.

  "You're pushing."

  "Yes."

  "You leveled twice in three days."

  "Yes."

  "That pace invites instability."

  Grey exhaled slowly.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  He activated Storm Pulse.

  This time intentionally.

  A controlled shockwave radiated outward.

  Stone fragments rattled.

  He focused.

  Reduced radius.

  Compressed output.

  Pulse became sharper.

  More directional.

  Mana control improving.

  System prompt flickered.

  Storm Pulse (Minor) → Proficiency Increased.

  Then—

  He channeled Lightning Channel at maximum output.

  The sky above darkened unnaturally fast.

  Lyra's seal reacted.

  Violet cracks flickered faintly across her collarbone.

  Grey immediately cut output.

  The sky cleared.

  Silence.

  "You see?" Lyra said quietly.

  "You amplify me."

  "And you amplify me," he replied.

  That was the problem.

  Resonance was accelerating both of them.

  Grey checked his experience bar.

  83% to Level 14.

  Too fast.

  He frowned.

  "Luck," he muttered.

  "What?"

  "My Luck stat. It's accelerating favorable outcomes."

  Lyra studied him carefully.

  "Luck does not discriminate."

  He understood immediately.

  If luck boosted growth—

  It could also boost catastrophic triggers.

  Before he could respond—

  A flare of mana erupted near the city wall.

  Storm Sense snapped toward it.

  Lyra's eyes widened.

  "That's not mine."

  Grey didn't hesitate.

  "Then someone else is playing with storms."

  They ran.