The first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, spilling light over the training courtyard. Riven stood alone, his breath fogging in the morning chill. His muscles ached, still recovering from the brutal quest he'd completed. But he didn't stop. This was his rhythm now—constant effort, endless repetition, total focus.
He stretched his arms, then launched into a smooth combination—jab, elbow, knee, backstep, low kick, roundhouse. His strikes echoed through the air, each one precise. His system didn't just grant power—it refined him. Sharpened him.
As he moved, he felt eyes watching him. Turning slightly, he saw him again—the same boy from the other night. He was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, quiet as a shadow.
Riven ignored him and kept training.
The stranger remained still, observing. Riven could feel it: this wasn't a casual interest. This was assessment.
An hour passed before Riven stopped to catch his breath. Sweat rolled down his face, soaking into the dirt at his feet.
Then it began.
Clack.Clack.
The sound of sparring echoed from deeper in the woods.
Curious, Riven followed the sound, walking silently through the tree line until he reached a clearing.
There they were—the same boy, and another man, much older. Clad in black armor with silver trim, the man moved like a viper, swift and ruthless.
"That's... the captain of the estate's guard," Riven whispered.
The two clashed violently, their limbs moving too fast to follow. The captain threw punches that cracked the air, but the boy dodged them with uncanny reflexes. He retaliated with a combination of speed and precision that made even the seasoned captain falter.
BAM!
A punch landed on the captain's chin. He stumbled back.
Riven's eyes widened. That technique… it was beyond anything he'd seen in this world so far.
The captain raised a hand, signaling the end of the match. He was bleeding from his mouth and smiling.
"You'll be stronger than me in two years," the captain muttered. "But that boy over there—" he pointed at Riven, who stood frozen in the trees, "—he's your next opponent."
The boy turned, locking eyes with Riven. His smirk was calm, confident, but not arrogant.
"I accept," Riven said, stepping into the ring.
They faced each other in silence.
DING.
Riven's system activated.
Muay Thai – Unique Skill
1000% Mastery of Muay Thai.
Technique precision at an inhuman level.
Strength, control, and timing refined to perfection.
As they clashed, something changed.
Riven moved differently—fluid, composed, untouchable. His strikes weren't wild or desperate like before—they were calm and perfect. He swept in with a flawless teep kick, pushing the boy back. A knee followed, crashing into the boy's side. Then a spinning elbow sliced through the air and grazed his shoulder.
The boy staggered, eyes narrowing.
Riven advanced. A low kick chopped at the boy's leg, forcing a stagger. A roundhouse slammed into the ribs. Blood sprayed from the boy's mouth.
Thump.Thump.
Every movement Riven made was sharp, honed, deadly. It was like he had practiced for decades.
And then, he saw it—Ashren's smirk.
No… it's not him.
But it felt like it. This was just like that moment—the despair, the tension, the need to prove himself.
"I can beat him now."
But another voice echoed in his mind.
"No... Even this is not enough."
He didn't want to just win.
He wanted to be untouchable.
He ducked under a flying knee and twisted around with a perfect elbow. The boy barely dodged it, but Riven flowed into a rising knee. It connected with the gut.
Riven's stance lowered. He centered himself.
Then—*
Solar Plexus Strike.
His fist rocketed into the boy's chest, hitting just below the sternum.
CRACK!
The boy flew back and hit the dirt, coughing violently.
Silence.
The captain stepped forward and knelt beside the boy. "He's alive. Just unconscious."
Riven stood still, fists trembling—not from pain, but emotion.
He'd done it.
He was finally strong enough to bring fear.
But his heart whispered: You still haven't caught up to Ashren.
He looked at his trembling hand. It felt unstoppable… but not enough.
He turned and walked away. The sun had fully risen now, casting long shadows behind him.
The captain watched him go. "That boy… is going to change everything."
He is known as Kael—the Phantom Disciple.
But for now, Riven walked alone.
Not to victory.
But toward something far greater.