Rain fell softly that night.
The academy grounds were quiet, illuminated only by dim lanterns and the sound of water hitting stone. Ryan stood alone in the open training yard, eyes closed, breathing slow and steady.
Tonight felt… different.
Crossing the Threshold
His breathing formed a rhythm.
Inhale.Hold.Exhale.
Energy gathered naturally in his Prana Core, no longer turbulent, no longer forced. It flowed smoothly—obedient, calm.
Ryan extended his awareness outward.
The rain.The ground.The air.
He felt them—not as objects, but as movement.
Then something shifted.
The thin layer of energy coating his skin thickened, settling into place like an invisible shell.
A sensation of completion washed over him.
Ryan's eyes snapped open.
"I did it…"
Level 3 — Stage 1
The next morning, Sophie examined him carefully.
She struck his arm without warning.
Thud.
Ryan barely moved.
Sophie's eyes widened.
"…Your energy coating is stable," she said slowly."You've crossed into LEVEL 3 — STAGE 1."
Ryan exhaled, a mix of relief and excitement flooding his chest.
"But don't celebrate yet," Sophie added."Level 3 is where most warriors either grow—or break."
A Dangerous Test
That afternoon, Bayu summoned Ryan and Sophie.
"We've received intelligence," Bayu said, his tone serious."A rogue warrior has been sighted near the river district."
"He's unstable," Bayu continued."Likely Level 3, but undisciplined."
Ryan stiffened.
"This is not a mission for you to lead," Bayu warned."You observe. Sophie engages only if necessary."
"Yes, sir," Ryan answered.
But deep down, he knew—
This would be his first true test as a Level 3 warrior.
Chaos at the River
The river district was tense.
Shops were closed early.People whispered nervously.
They found the rogue warrior standing near the water—his body surrounded by violent, crimson energy.
"Another academy dog?" the man sneered."Come to put me down?"
Sophie stepped forward calmly.
"We're here to stop you before you hurt someone."
The man laughed.
"Too late."
He raised his hand—and the ground cracked.
Ryan felt it instantly.
This wasn't refined power.
It was rage.
The Cost of Control
The rogue attacked without warning.
Sophie countered skillfully, her movements clean and precise. But the man's raw power was overwhelming.
"Ryan!" Sophie shouted."Support me—now!"
Ryan moved.
He didn't attack.
Instead, he focused—layering energy outward, expanding his coating.
He stepped between Sophie and the incoming strike.
BOOM.
The impact hurled Ryan backward.
Pain exploded through his body—but he stayed conscious.
His energy held.
Barely.
The rogue froze, staring at Ryan in disbelief.
"…You blocked that?"
Ryan stood, trembling.
"I won't let you hurt anyone," he said firmly.
For the first time, the rogue hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Sophie struck.
With a precise energy-infused blow, she knocked the man unconscious.
Aftermath
Back at the academy, Bayu looked at Ryan with quiet intensity.
"You did well," he said."But understand this—Level 3 is where mistakes become fatal."
Ryan nodded, bruised but resolute.
"I understand."
That night, as he sat alone, the Cakra Kencana Kris resting beside him, Ryan felt its calm energy resonate with his own.
He had crossed his first true boundary.
And beyond it—
The path only grew more dangerous.