And for the first time, Rudra laughed.
A rich, guttural sound that shook his chest. He threw a fake hook, stepped back with a Pulse Step, and mimicked an uppercut that sent a vertical arc of flame into the air.
He basked in it. This was power. And it was earned.
Kaida watched in silence as Rudra moved again and again. Not out of desperation but sheer joy.
The joy of growth. Of momentum. Of strength realized.
When Rudra finally dropped to one knee, panting and grinning like a devil, the dragon spoke again.
"This realm was built to give you this freedom to train. The time dilation allows weeks of practice for every second outside. Your body in the real world absorbs Ki naturally, and although you'll have some catching up to do, the benefits of being here far outweigh the constraints."
"It is alright. After all, I am working both my mind and body at the same time," Rudra muttered, sweat turning to steam on his brow.
