For The sun had barely risen when Mikael waited outside the big training hall, with a slight weight on his shoulders. His heart was still pounding from the events yesterday at the lab, the relief he felt for learning of his past memories, he knew It'll be much more intricate than he ever thought in looking for who he was. But today wasn't about the past. Today was all about the future And today, Master Arashi would challenge him.
The academy courtyard echoed with the noise of training warriors. Ringing clashes of blades through the air, thrum of energy blasts punctuated by the crashing of fists against padded mats. Mikael had never felt otherwise in here and in this environment before, yet now all the things were different. He wasn't anymore one of the students. He was something else.
Mikael, Master Arashi shouted from the center of the arena, his voice echoing in the air. The old man was there, his robes flowing without a wrinkle, his eyes watchful and unblinking. "Come, today you will fight my five best students. I want to know how much you've actually improved.".
The five students were already assembled, their stances set and ready. They all radiate power, and Mikael felt the intensity in their eyes. They were not just skilled, they were battle hardened students. Each one of them had tested themselves on the academy's most dangerous missions again and again.
And then Rai, the quickest of them all, his movements too swift to behold. His prowess was legendary.
And then there was Kadeo, a master of fire, whose flames could fell buildings. He was a master of his ability, and his mind was always working, always thinking ahead.
Hao, the quiet warrior, radiated an aura of unshatterable focus. She wielded a twin set of swords that could cut down anything that got in their path. She was a fierce fighter, untamed, like a storm that could not be tamed.
Gideon, the second in command, with god-like power, could take any punch and deliver a rebuttal that could annihilate his enemies within a second. His power was unleashed, wild, but controlled.
And then there was Elara, with the mastery of Qi that had no equal. She could warp reality around her, bending the very fabric of existence to her command.
Mikael stepped forward, his mind reeling. He had watched them all practice before. He knew their moves, their strategies. But now it was his turn.
"Ready, Mikael?" Master Arashi's voice was calm, but there was a glimmer of challenge in his eyes.
Mikael nodded. "Always."
Without warning, Rai shot forward like a blur, his fists aimed for Mikael's face. Mikael's instincts kicked in. He didn't move he didn't need to. He let his speed amplify, a surge of energy coursing through him. The world seemed to slow as Rai's fists came closer.
Mikael did not yield. So rapidly did he advance that he created afterimages of himself and left Rai bewildered. True Mikael was already behind him, extending a palm.
"Too slow Dude," Mikael smiled, his words charged with adrenaline. "Heres a cool fact, I get faster, stronger, and smarter every sec- no, split second."
The blow landed lightly on Rai's back, sending the hero stumbling forward, disoriented by the sudden shift in speed. Rai recovered almost instantly, his body twisting and turning in an disturbing unpredictable way. He came at Mikael again, but this time, Mikael met his movements with a flash of Scorching hot fire. The flames moved around him, burning brighter as his power surged.
"You think your speed is going to catch up to me, huh freak?" Rai's voice was strained with rage. "I'll show you real speed!"
But before Rai could do anything, Mikael stepped once more, his form a blur. He increased his speed further, showing his unlimited capability of what he could do. It wasn't speed anymore. It was close to everything strength, regeneration, agility. He was a force of nature, unreachable.
Rai's eyes widened as Mikael appeared in front of him, his fist crackling with energy. With a single strike, the speed amplified to the point where the air itself was torn apart. Rai was launched back, crashing into the ground with a thud, unable to recover fast enough.
The remaining four would be standing there, looking in complete silence, each of them wondering the best move to make on Mikael. Kadeo had his hands raised, Fire swirling around them, ready to let loose a blast powerful enough to demolish entire nations.
But Mikael was not fighting with fists alone. He spread his hand, his hands groaning with strength as he manipulated the Qi around him. Concentrating, he deflected Kadeo blast before it had even left his palms, sending it shooting off into the air.
Kadeo narrowed his eyes, impressed but not sorry. "Good try, You think you're the only one with tricks up your sleeve, don't forget we are who we are."
The battle raged on. Elara triggered her second ability, warping space itself as she struck. Mikael fought back with his own energy, his power projection creating a blue energy shield to deflect her every swing. Her blows were strong, but they did not faze him.
He could feel the energy shifting, his Qi distorting the field itself. He pushed his velocity even faster, tapping into his ability to warp reality by the briefest moment at a time, avoiding Hao's blades that sliced through the air like a surgeon. With every passing second, Mikael grew stronger, his body healing from even the tiniest wounds more quickly than any could get the opportunity to land them.
Gideon charged at him, banking on his raw strength to land a massive blow. Mikael didn't budge. His regeneration kicked in, and the impact only knocked him forward. He wrapped his wrist around Gideon's in a swift motion, using his ergokinetic combat skill in dissipating Gideon's punch energy, sending the hero stumbling. The impact released a shockwave, and Gideon lost his footing.
Master Arashi watched the demonstration with a serious expression. "Impressive," he finally said, moving forward. "But strength won't be enough to win your fights. You need to master how to Keep concentration."
Mikael's heart was still pumped up from the battle, but his mind became clear. He had been put into focus mode by the battle, but he could do better than that. His powers, his potential, and his strength were limitless. And with every battle, he grew stronger.
"Sure gramps, this'll be a piece of cake," Mikael said, his voice being steady. He looked at his opponents, who were now all on their feet, bruised but not broken. "I'll always keep going, til the fight is over."
Master Arashi nodded. "Good. You'll need every ounce of that power. Because your true journey is just getting started."
The courtyard of the academy grew still for an instant, as though the air itself had shifted. Mikael's thoughts were galloping, yet time stood still.
"Off with you now, Mikael," Master Arashi ordered, his voice cutting into the stillness. "You've been released for something greater. You must leave your friends behind. Take your own path.".
Mikael's eyes widen to his past masters' words. This was it. The right path of his fate.
With Mikael facing the exit of the academy, the wind gently caressing his skin. The sun rising high, painting the sky in orange and pink tones. His past friends Yori, Tetsuo, Matthew behind him, ready to say their goodbye.
You sure about this?" Tetsuo said, his voice serious. "You're actually leaving us?"
Mikael faced his friends, a faint smile on his lips. "This is not an absolute goodbye. This is just a see you later goodbye."
Yori crossed her arms. "I don't know what's in store for you out there, but you better not forget us, you hear?
Matthew's face was still troubled, but a glint of a proud man appeared in his eyes. "Take care of yourself."
Mikael nodded. "I will, I'll see you guys soon."
He turned and headed away from the academy, his adventure barely beginning.
Later, The streets of a new city bustled with activity as Mikael picked his way through the crowded market area. Fresh produce permeated the air with smells, and laughs and conversations followed him through the city. But more was in store for him, a sense something greater was waiting for him.
He was standing in front of a small, humble shop, with its signboard reading, Dumplings and Dango. He'd heard wonderful things about the place. The smell of freshly prepared dumplings hung in the air, and his stomach rumbled. It wasn't much, but at that moment, it looked like the perfect break from everything.
As Mikael entered the shop, he noticed a man sitting in the corner, watching him intently. He was tall, dressed in a sleek black suit, his features sharp and smart. The man's eyes locked onto Mikael's, and he gave a slight wave.
"Mikael," the man said, his voice smooth and confident. "I've been waiting for you."
Mikael raised an eyebrow. "And? Who are you?"
My name is Teveron Grey," the man stood up, saying. "I belong to an organization called SARC. We need your help."
Mikael's intuition told him to be careful. He could not wait for the excitement of the quest from this encounter. "What is it that you need help with?"
"A foe named Galaexis is a threat to reality itself," said Teveron, his tone grim. "We need someone with your skills to help us stop him.".
Mikael's thoughts raced ahead. He sensed the tug of destiny calling. This was what lay ahead in his life. He couldn't turn back.
"I'm in, but i would like to have a friend with me." Mikael stated categorically. "Just tell me what I have to do."
Teveron's eyes shone with approval. "We'll walk you through."
Hour's later, with Superior Cadet by his side, Mikael moved through the new city called sprawl city, the weight of the mission great on his shoulders. He'd seen so much already, but this was different. This was something that he knew would challenge him in ways that he'd never imagined.
Both of them would battle Galaexis's minions, and during the battles, Mikael would discover Superior Cadet is a Kaethorion as well as the portal to Galaexis's world. And if he entered that world, he would have to face the biggest challenge in his life.
Both would be trudging through a dark pipe, Superior Cadet would look over at Mikael with a grin and would say "Looks like someone remembers what's up, was wondering when you'd remember."
Mikael would stop and ask Superior Cadet, "Wait, you knew? Why you didn't say anything? And what happened?" Superior Cadet would keep walking ahead and would tell "Well, some weird aliens try to wipe your memory inside a sphere, after you tried to destroy a fleet of three hundred vessels in one minute," as he turns left and walk into another part of the cave "Besides it was just to cover you up by an old friend of mine, so nobody would you."
Mikael would take a walk back by the side of Superior Cadet, "Thanks Kameron, but where is Supa K?" Superior Cadet would laugh, "He's fine, just chasing the aliens," he would look Mikael straight in the eye "Don't worry about the Kaethorion war matter, there might only be one-hundred seventy-five of our own, and Septuple the amount of theirs, but don't fret because we have Gabriel to support us."