Chapter 4: The First Threshold
(42 Days After Martial Soul Awakening)
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The courtyard was quiet except for the sound of synchronized breathing. The morning sun painted soft gold over the stone tiles as a group of students sat cross-legged, soul power circulating slowly through their bodies.
Instructor Naia walked among them, calm yet firm. "Soul power is the foundation. You can have the strongest martial soul in theory, but without soul power, it's nothing. Cultivate every day, and you'll eventually reach rank 10—the first true gate for a Soul Master."
Evan Cross exhaled slowly, finishing his 120th cycle of controlled breathing. A faint pulse of spirit energy sank into his dantian, merging with the Duskwind Panther's icy presence nestled within.
He opened his eyes.
Still rank 6.
He didn't frown. He expected this. Soul Land was never a place where progress came easily.
But around him, murmurs were beginning.
"He hasn't broken through yet?"
"I thought he'd be first."
Evan turned his head slightly. Two students near the edge of the circle, whispering, unaware he could hear.
He smiled—thin and patient. Not bothered. Just reminded.
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Later that Day – Physical Training Field
Thuds echoed as bodies hit the sand. Wooden dummies shattered under palm strikes. Instructor Cheng watched over it all, arms folded.
"Power alone won't take you to rank 10," he reminded. "Your soul core needs time to stabilize. For most of you, that means months of consistent cultivation. No shortcuts."
Evan wiped sweat from his brow. His breath came faster now—he'd finished three full sets of high-speed agility drills while wearing weighted leg bands.
Mira dropped beside him, panting. "Still stuck at rank 6?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Hit rank 7 two days ago," she said. "But honestly, I think you're stronger than most of us."
"I don't care about stronger right now," Evan said. "I care about getting stable."
She glanced at his hands—covered in calluses from grip training. "You don't let up, do you?"
He shook his head. "I can't afford to."
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Training Hall – Sparring Practice
Instructor Cheng stood in the center of the ring.
"We're testing combat awareness today. Team battles. No soul rings. Two-on-two."
Students paired off quickly. Evan ended up with Mira again.
Their opponents were Calder and Juno—both recently advanced to rank 7.
"This'll be fun," Calder sneered, summoning his martial soul: a Bladed Mantis. Shimmering, insectile arm-blades snapped into place.
Juno summoned a Rock Elk, her arms coated in grayish armor. "Let's crush the catboy."
Evan grinned. "Let's see you try."
Martial Soul Activation: Duskwind Panther!
A surge of violet-silver wind whipped around Evan. His limbs tensed, black-striped shadows crawling up his arms. His pupils narrowed to slits as the panther's shadow loomed behind him. A quiet growl vibrated through the air.
Mira flared her own soul, the crimson outline of a Firefinch spreading behind her.
"Begin!"
Juno charged forward, lowering her shoulder like a battering ram. Mira met her with a spinning sidestep, delivering a heat-infused elbow strike to her midsection.
Calder came straight for Evan, blades slashing down—
But Evan was already gone.
He slipped past Calder with a dash, his footfalls silent. The wind coiled around him, boosting his step speed by instinct—not a soul skill, but the Duskwind Panther's inherent agility.
He landed a blow to Calder's exposed flank, knocking him sideways, then swept low to trip him before backing off.
The fight ended after a few more exchanges. Mira took a hit, but Evan's counter forced Calder to yield.
Instructor Cheng gave a small nod. "Even without soul rings, your coordination and martial soul use are progressing. Good."
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Evening – Dormitory Rooftop
Evan sat under the stars again. A breeze stirred the air, cool and clean.
Behind him, footsteps.
It was Instructor Naia.
"You push hard," she said simply.
Evan nodded. "I have to. I'm not some genius. I don't have twin souls. No secret manuals. Just hard work."
Naia looked up at the moonlight. "Most of the world never even awakens soul power. You started with rank 6. That's not a small thing."
"I know," he said. "But if I stop pushing… someone else will pass me. And in Soul Land, that gap could mean life or death."
She was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You'll make it to rank 10. But it's not a race. It's endurance."
"I'm not in a hurry," Evan said. "I just never want to stop."
And in that moment, Naia knew: this boy was going to make waves—not through genius, but through sheer refusal to fall behind.
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End of Chapter 4