Liam stared at his stat screen, conflicted.
Would gaining potential points always be this easy…?
He hovered over the Strength stat.
If he pushed it to 10, he'd be physically equal to Owen. Factor in his superior Agility, and the odds would definitely tilt in his favor.
But was it worth burning valuable potential points just to beat someone like Owen?
After all, his illness had cleared up. His vitality was up. He could probably build strength the old-fashioned way—through training and Energy Refinement.
Liam exhaled slowly and shook his head.
He still had Combat Techniques and Footwork class before the afternoon sparring sessions, plus the daily hour of Energy Refinement afterward.
Both of those skills were near leveling up. They'd probably give him two more potential points soon. No need to rush the decision.
The free sparring period took place after all core classes ended—a student-versus-student combat simulation. One-on-one, or more if you were brave enough.
The rules were clear: no fatal strikes, no crippling injuries. Everything else was fair game.
Liam was used to being underestimated. But this time, he didn't want to lose.
He closed his eyes and began the Energy Refinement ritual.
The version taught at Valor Military Academy was a hybrid—part Qigong, part meditation, part field notes from mystical ruins unearthed by the government.
Distilled from multiple traditions, tested through countless trials.
Liam could feel the subtle energy in the air respond to his focus, wrapping around his body as it flowed through him.
His cells drank in the power like thirsty soil under summer rain.
[Energy Refinement (Incomplete) Lv1: +1 EXP][Energy Refinement (Incomplete) Lv1: +1 EXP]
One minute… five minutes… ten—
Wait…?!
Liam's eyes snapped open. His pupils dilated.
That one point of Vitality he'd added earlier… its effects were beyond anything he'd expected.
Not only had his energy absorption rate doubled, but the capacity of his body had also increased dramatically.
If drawing in energy was like filling a jar with a straw before, then now… it was like turning on a tap.
Ten minutes in, and his body still wanted more.
Without hesitating, Liam dumped both of his remaining potential points into Vitality.
BOOM—!
At Vitality 10, it felt like every pore in his body had burst open. A rush of power surged from within. For the first time, Liam felt truly… weightless.
The energy in the room began to thin—he was draining it faster than it could replenish.
Dangerous.
He shifted gears, fully activating the refinement technique. Energy rushed in from the air around him, spiraling into his body like a whirlpool.
His cells consumed everything, unrelenting, insatiable.
The speed at which he refined power now perfectly matched the rate at which he could absorb it.
[Strength: 8 ⇒ 9!][Energy Refinement (Incomplete) Lv1: +3 EXP][Energy Refinement (Incomplete) Lv1: +2 EXP]
Liam didn't even notice the notifications. He was locked in.
This… this was the first time he'd truly felt the rush of refining power.
Before, he'd always had to wait—let the energy settle, digest, rest. But now? His body tore through the influx like a black hole.
He skipped lunch, fully immersed in the sensation of growth.
Across the room, Todd sat on his bed, watching the curtains sway.
There was no wind.
And yet… the curtains danced.
Outside the dorm complex, a tall, lean woman with a high ponytail stood watching the sky.
She wore a dark blue combat jacket over a black fitted tank, with baggy tactical pants and steel-toed boots. Her athletic build was sleek, predatory—like a jungle cat.
A faint scar traced from the corner of one eye down to her jaw, giving her sharp features a strangely compelling edge.
"Ma'am? Are you Ms. Vale?" A man jogged up, formal in a shirt and tie, black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. "I'm Lance Reid, your assigned liaison."
The woman gave a slight nod, her voice husky with an almost electric rasp."Call me Lynx."
Lance's expression lit up. Ah—right. Hunter Association members all went by code names.
She pointed toward the dorm buildings she'd been staring at."Those for juniors?"
"Yes, ma'am. C-Class and D-Class housing."
"And the top cadets? Zane Carter and Riley Frost—are they housed there too?"
"Oh—no, not at all. Zane's in A-Class, Riley's B-Class."
Lynx's eyes widened just a touch. The cold edge in her stare softened with a hint of surprise.
Then she smiled—a wide, predatory grin.
"Ms. Lynx?" Lance asked hesitantly.
"I think," she said slowly, "I might've just found something unexpected."
Lance adjusted his glasses, puzzled.
Word of Liam's duel with Owen had clearly spread.
Whispers followed him like a shadow. Eyes trailed him in class. Some held pity. Others, disbelief.
"Is Liam out of his mind? Owen's been itching to smash him for weeks."
"He'll be lucky to walk to the infirmary afterward."
Over on Zeke's side of the room, there was open mockery.
"Nice going, Owen. Make sure that bottom-feeder remembers his place."
"Don't worry," Owen said with a grin, "I'll make it educational."
"QUIET—! Get back to work!"
Coach Zhao's thunderous voice silenced the room. Dressed in his white sparring gi, the man radiated authority.
Liam didn't even look their way.
He just kept punching.
Over and over, into the heavy bag. Focusing on form. Precision. Flow.
Coach Zhao had told them: the academy's military combat style was a synthesis—traditional martial arts, boxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and more.
The techniques were taught in Year 1. From Year 2 on, it was all about refinement.
The goal: power delivery. Every punch, every kick, had to count.
Even if you had a weapon in the field, you couldn't afford to be helpless if it got knocked away.
Raw strength was useless if you didn't know how to use it.
Liam stepped forward—left foot, then a tight rotation through waist, back, shoulder, and finally fist.
THUMP—!
The heavy bag caved in. The built-in force reader flashed in red: 667.4kg.
Every bag was equipped with a sensor to help students calibrate their output.
But Liam didn't need the machine. He had something better.
THUMP—!
[Combat Techniques Lv0: +2 EXP][Combat Techniques Lv0: +4 EXP]
The system tracked it all. If he struck correctly, his EXP gain was higher.
Every mistake corrected meant faster growth.
THUMP—!
[Combat Techniques Lv0: +5 EXP][Combat Techniques Lv0 ⇒ Lv1! +1 Potential Point]
"Whew…"
He exhaled, riding the wave of muscle memory and newfound precision.
And struck again.
THUMP—!
[Combat Techniques Lv1: +1 EXP]Force Reading: 746.8kg
His Strength still hadn't reached 10.
But his punch… was nearly on par with Owen's.