War changed everything.
Not just the missions.
Not just the stakes.
But the way everyone looked at each other.
The Domain no longer felt like a place of training.
It felt like preparation for survival.
---
No More Holding Back
Adrian stood in the center of the arena again.
But this time—
There were no casual observers.
No quiet whispers.
Everyone was watching.
Because now—
He wasn't just the unstable one.
He was the key.
"…We don't have time to ease you into this anymore," Riven said from the edge of the arena.
Adrian rolled his shoulders slightly.
"…Figured."
Riven's gaze was sharp.
"You're going to push your limits."
A pause.
"Every day."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"…Sounds fun."
Kai stood nearby, arms crossed, silent.
Watching.
Always watching.
Riven continued.
"You'll train with different opponents."
His eyes shifted slightly.
"…Including those who won't go easy on you."
Adrian followed his gaze.
And saw him.
Veyr.
Leaning against the far wall.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Watching.
Of course he was.
Adrian sighed.
"…I knew it."
Veyr pushed himself off the wall slowly.
"…You're improving."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"…You've been keeping track?"
Veyr didn't deny it.
"Yes."
A pause.
"Not enough."
Adrian smirked slightly.
"…Guess I'll have to fix that."
---
The New Training Begins
"Begin."
The moment the word dropped—
Veyr moved.
Faster than before.
No hesitation.
No warning.
Adrian barely reacted in time—
Shadows forming instantly to block the strike.
The impact hit harder than expected.
"…You're serious today," Adrian muttered.
Veyr didn't respond.
He attacked again.
Relentless.
Precise.
Every movement calculated.
Adrian dodged—
Countered—
But Veyr was already moving again.
"…Too slow," Veyr said.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"…Not for long."
The shadows around him shifted.
Faster.
Sharper.
He struck back—
A direct hit—
But Veyr deflected easily.
"…Predictable."
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah, yeah. I've heard that before."
But this time—
He didn't rush.
Didn't react blindly.
He watched.
Learned.
Adjusted.
The next attack—
Was different.
More controlled.
More precise.
Veyr blocked—
But stepped back slightly.
A small shift.
But noticeable.
"…Better," Veyr said.
Adrian smirked.
"…I learn fast."
---
Pushing the Limit
The fight intensified.
Faster.
Stronger.
More dangerous.
Adrian felt it—
The pressure building again.
Not from Veyr.
From within.
The mark pulsed.
Slow.
Steady.
Waiting.
"…You'll need more…"
The voice whispered faintly.
Not loud.
Not overwhelming.
But present.
Adrian's hand tightened.
"…Not now."
Veyr noticed immediately.
"You're holding back again."
Adrian frowned.
"…You really don't miss anything, do you?"
Veyr stepped closer.
"…Why?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Veyr's gaze sharpened.
"…You're afraid."
Adrian's eyes flashed.
"…Careful."
Veyr didn't step back.
"If you don't use everything… you'll die out there."
Silence.
Adrian knew that.
Of course he did.
But—
"…And if I do," Adrian said quietly, "I might not come back."
Veyr studied him.
Long.
Careful.
Then—
"…Then learn to use it without losing."
Adrian blinked slightly.
"…That's what I'm trying to do."
Veyr shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
"You're avoiding it."
That hit.
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"…You don't know that."
Veyr's voice didn't change.
"I do."
A step closer.
"Because I would do the same."
Silence.
Adrian frowned.
"…What?"
Veyr's gaze didn't waver.
"…Power like yours doesn't come without a cost."
A pause.
"You're trying to delay paying it."
Adrian didn't respond.
Because—
That was exactly what he was doing.
---
The Breaking Drill
Riven's voice cut in.
"That's enough."
Both of them stopped.
Riven stepped forward.
"…We're changing the exercise."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"…That doesn't sound good."
Riven ignored that.
"You're going to use it."
Adrian froze.
"…What?"
Riven's gaze was firm.
"The power you're avoiding."
A pause.
"Now."
Kai stepped forward instantly.
"No."
Riven didn't look at him.
"We don't have time."
Kai's voice hardened.
"He's not ready."
Riven finally turned.
"And he won't be if he keeps holding back."
Silence.
Adrian looked between them.
"…You want me to use it here?"
Riven nodded.
"Yes."
A pause.
"With control."
Adrian let out a breath.
"…That's the hard part."
Riven's voice didn't soften.
"Then learn it now."
The arena grew quiet again.
All eyes on him.
Waiting.
Adrian looked down at his wrist.
The mark pulsed.
Slow.
Anticipating.
"…You're all really trying to kill me today," he muttered.
No one laughed.
Adrian exhaled.
"…Fine."
---
The Edge
He stepped forward.
Raised his hand.
Closed his eyes for a second.
Then—
He let it in.
Just a little.
The shadows responded instantly.
But this time—
They were different.
Darker.
Heavier.
Stronger.
The air shifted.
Pressure rising.
The ground beneath him cracked slightly.
Kai's expression tightened.
"…Adrian—keep it stable."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"…I've got it."
But his voice—
Was strained.
Veyr watched closely.
Not attacking.
Just observing.
The shadows around Adrian twisted—
Trying to expand.
Trying to take more.
"…That's enough," Adrian muttered.
But the power—
Didn't want to stop.
"…More…"
The voice whispered again.
Adrian's breath shook.
"…No."
The shadows surged.
Unstable.
Dangerous.
Kai moved instantly—
But stopped.
Because Adrian raised his hand.
"…Wait."
Silence.
Adrian clenched his fist.
The shadows trembled.
Fought.
Resisted.
Then—
Slowly—
They began to settle.
Not gone.
Not suppressed.
But controlled.
Balanced.
Adrian exhaled sharply.
"…Okay…"
The pressure dropped.
The arena steadied.
The shadows returned to normal.
Adrian lowered his hand.
"…That's new."
---
Aftermath
No one spoke immediately.
Because they all saw it.
That wasn't luck.
That was control.
Riven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Again."
Adrian blinked.
"…Seriously?"
Riven didn't hesitate.
"Again."
Adrian groaned.
"…You're relentless."
Veyr spoke quietly.
"…That's how you survive."
Adrian glanced at him.
"…You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Veyr didn't answer.
But his silence said enough.
Kai stepped closer.
"…You did well."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"…Don't sound so surprised."
Kai didn't react.
But his gaze softened slightly.
Just slightly.
The Next Step
Adrian looked down at his wrist again.
The mark was calmer now.
Still there.
Still dangerous.
But
Not in control.
"…Guess we're doing this," he muttered.
Because now
There was no avoiding it anymore.
If he wanted to win
He had to walk the edge.
And not fall.