Temporal Dominion

The training hall of Aurelian Academy was a vast arena of stone and steel, its walls lined with shimmering energy barriers that absorbed even the fiercest attacks. At its center stood Instructor Kael, his sharp eyes scanning the assembled students.

Lucian stood among them, his heart steady despite the weight of the moment. Around him, students whispered—some in anticipation, others in quiet dread.

Kael finally spoke, his voice carrying across the hall.

"Your first trial begins now."

With a wave of his hand, the floor trembled. Golden runes pulsed to life, spreading across the ground. Then, from beneath the surface, a row of combat constructs emerged—each nearly seven feet tall, their frames crafted from an alloy designed to absorb impact.

But these weren't ordinary training dummies.

Their hollow eyes glowed crimson, their bodies radiating a faint aura—imbued with artificial combat intelligence.

Kael's gaze hardened. "These constructs are programmed to attack with the same speed and precision as a real enemy. Your task is simple: disable your opponent… or be crushed."

A hush fell over the students.

One by one, Kael began calling names.

The first to step forward was Darius Kael.

The son of a high-ranking combat instructor, he had already earned a reputation as an elite fighter. The moment the construct lunged at him, Darius shattered it with a single strike.

No hesitation. No wasted movement. Raw, overwhelming power.

Gold-Tier combatant.

Lucian's fingers curled into a fist. That was the level of strength expected at Aurelian.

More names were called. Each student displayed their abilities, some through brute force, others through precise control of their elemental gifts.

Then—

"Lucian Vale."

The murmurs grew louder. Some watched with curiosity, others with skepticism.

Lucian exhaled and stepped forward.

The moment he took his position, his opponent activated.

It moved.

Faster than expected.

A fist lashed out—a blur of motion.

Lucian's body reacted before his mind did.

Time stretched.

The construct's attack slowed as Lucian's vision sharpened, the future unfolding in fragmented glimpses.

He sidestepped at the last possible moment, the wind of the strike brushing past his shoulder.

The construct adjusted instantly, pivoting into a second attack.

Lucian's instincts screamed—

Move!

And he did.

Another dodge. Another flicker of foresight.

To the spectators, it seemed as though he wasn't just reacting—he was predicting.

The whispers grew louder.

"He's reading its movements…"

"No… It's like he already knows where it'll strike."

Lucian's pulse quickened. This was different.

Before, he could only see glimpses—fragmented visions seconds ahead. But now… it was fluid.

The flow of time bent around him, offering him brief but precise paths to avoid every strike.

But dodging wouldn't be enough.

He had to strike back.

The construct lunged again, this time aiming a direct punch to his chest.

Lucian focused—and stepped inside the motion.

The moment the strike extended—

Time slowed.

Lucian twisted past the attack, his body moving with unnatural precision.

And then—he struck.

A single, well-placed blow to the construct's core.

CRACK!

A ripple of force surged through the air.

The construct shuddered. Then—collapsed.

The arena was silent.

Then—

The watching students erupted into whispers.

Kael watched with an unreadable expression.

Lucian exhaled slowly, lowering his hand.

This was just the beginning.

But one thing was clear—

He was no longer invisible.