The squad limped back to their usual training grounds after the brutal goblin ambush. Dust clung to their clothes, sweat streaked their faces, and their newly evolved eyes were still glowing faintly from the energy strain.
Astro wiped a smear of shadow-light energy off his cheek. "Yo… mfana, that was… wild. Lowkey feel like we got actual limits, but we crushed it anyway."
Tenji flexed, golden aura flickering as he laughed. "Bruh… Big dawg said limits are nothing if you know how to push past 'em. But damn… that was exhausting."
Hunter's Strategic Grid flickered nervously. "Dawg… if that was just a scouting team, the real ones will be insane. MFers adapting too fast."
Phantom's shadows merged with the ground. "Lowkey… feeling hyped. But mfana… something tells me the real test ain't even started."
Hints of the Trials
As they rested, a strange ripple of energy shimmered across the horizon, almost like a pulse from another dimension. Astro's eyes flared.
"Yo… mfana… I can feel it. Not a normal energy spike… this is… mental. Psychological."
Tenji frowned. "Bruh… what you mean?"
Hunter adjusted grids, projecting faint patterns in the air. "These readings… it's like a simulation. Couldn't be more than ten minutes, but energy patterns suggest time perception distortion. It's designed to make the mind feel like it's been through thousands of years."
Phantom's shadows twitched. "Lowkey… sounds miserable. But that kinda pain is how powers evolve. We're about to level in more ways than just eyes."
Astro gulped. "Dawg… lowkey don't like the sound of that. But Big dawg don't back down, right?"
Entering the Intergalactic University
A sleek, floating structure appeared in the sky, shimmering like liquid crystal. A massive portal opened, and a voice echoed in their minds:
"Welcome, students of the Cosmos. Prepare to expand your powers, your minds, and your very essence. But beware the trials will reshape you."
The squad floated closer. As they entered, they saw beings of every imaginable form:
Good Goblins: Humanoid but friendly, glowing tattoos indicating magical specialty.
Fairy Aliens: Tiny winged creatures, luminescent, buzzing like living stars.
Weird Beast-like Creatures: Four-armed, scaled, or feathered, all moving gracefully, displaying raw strength or elemental magic.
Elves and Elf-like Aliens: Tall, lean, with glowing eyes and elegant robes, channeling magic effortlessly.
The university buzzed with students ranging from 21–22 years old, all showing a variety of unique power sets: elemental control, psychic projection, dimensional manipulation, and more.
Astro whispered, "Yo… mfana… we're not the only big dawgs in this universe."
Tenji smirked. "Bruh… finally some real competition. Gonna see who's worthy."
Hunter nodded. "Dawg… time to adapt. We've only scratched the surface."
Phantom grinned, shadows flickering. "Lowkey… this is our playground now. Let's see who's got the guts to keep up."
Meeting New Allies & Rivals
As they wandered through the crystalline halls, they were introduced to a few standout students:
Lyra, a fairy-alien girl with light manipulation powers, energetic and talkative, age 22.
Kaelith, an elf-like cultivator, calm and calculating, with dimensional folding abilities, age 21.
Raxx, a beast-like alien with elemental strength and regenerative abilities, towering and loud, age 22.
Sienna, a goblin with arcane energy mastery, friendly but competitive, age 21.
Astro raised an eyebrow at Lyra. "Yo… mfana… she's got style. Big dawg vibes."
Tenji chuckled. "Bruh… lowkey feels like summer camp for dangerous mfers."
Hunter adjusted grids. "Dawg… these students are serious. Not just casual powers they're refined. MFers train hard here."
Phantom flickered shadows across the walls. "Lowkey… this place is gonna change us. Trials coming soon, I can feel it."
Foreshadowing the Trials
A holographic instructor appeared in the center of the hall, voice deep and echoing:
"Students, your evolution begins now. The trials will test your mind, body, and soul. Ten minutes may feel like ten thousand years. You will experience pain, ecstasy, fear, and enlightenment. Emerge stronger… or break."
Astro gulped. "Yo… mfana. Ten minutes… thousand years? Dawg… this gonna hurt mentally and physically."
Tenji clenched fists. "Bruh… Big dawg ready for whatever. Let's see how far our eyes and instincts really go."
Hunter whispered to Phantom, "Dawg… psychological attacks. Time dilation. Evolution isn't just physical it's mental."
Phantom grinned, shadows coiling. "Lowkey… finally a challenge worth hyping about. MFers can't over-rely on raw power anymore."
Astro smirked, shadows swirling. "Yo… we're about to evolve in every possible way. Universe ain't ready, mfana."
The squad exchanged determined looks. They knew the trials would be miserable, mentally and psychologically, but this was the only way to truly evolve.