**Chapter 10 – The Edge of Potential**
The morning sun had barely kissed the estate's gardens when Harsh awoke. He stretched, feeling a familiar energy pulsing through him. Every day, every exercise, every secret test was shaping him into something far beyond his age. To anyone else, he was just a clever, talented child—but the system's guidance, hidden entirely, made him something extraordinary.
*Time to push the limits today,* he thought. The system silently presented new challenges in his mind: **predictive combat refinement, elemental synergy, and stealth energy management.** None of it was visible to others. Every movement, every spark of energy, every thought was private, invisible, perfect.
Rias arrived first, her crimson hair glowing in the morning light. Sona followed, graceful as ever. Both greeted him warmly, unaware of the meticulous calculations running in his mind.
*"Morning, Harsh!"* Rias exclaimed. *"Ready to spar?"*
*"Always,"* he said lightly, masking the intensity he felt inside. Outwardly calm, his body already ran simulations. Every angle, every energy flow, every reaction of Rias and Sona was predicted in advance.
They began with a friendly sparring match. Harsh moved fluidly, integrating **fire and wind into a single continuous stream** along his palms, dodging and countering their attacks with perfect precision. Rias' wide arcs and Sona's sharp strikes seemed effortless for him, though no one realized it was his system guiding him invisibly.
*Predictive combat efficiency… 53%. Elemental fusion near complete. Mana control optimal.*
He allowed himself a small, secret grin. Every dodge, every counter, every flicker of energy was cataloged silently, preparing for future challenges. To anyone watching, it was natural skill—but inside, Harsh was building a repository of knowledge no devil could match.
After sparring, he retreated to the balcony to meditate. The system guided him through energy compression exercises and silent observation. Leaves rustled, shadows shifted, ambient mana pulsed—all became data. Each subtle fluctuation improved his control, his awareness, and his foresight.
Rias leaned over the railing, curiosity sparkling. *"You've been quiet again. What's on your mind?"*
*"Just… thinking,"* Harsh said lightly. *"There's always something to notice."*
Sona's calm eyes met his. *"Your focus is remarkable. Most devils your age would tire quickly at this level of training."*
Harsh's lips curved into a secretive smile. *They have no idea. Every step, every spark, every thought is mine alone.*
In the afternoon, he tested his abilities against **invisible, self-created magical constructs**, pushing his predictive combat and elemental synergy to new heights. He experimented with **small, precise combinations of fire, wind, and kinetic energy**, measuring reactions and adjusting flows, all without leaving a trace. Every subtle improvement was invisible to the girls, yet critical to his growth.
*Cheesepiece progress… 12%. Elemental fusion achieving functional synergy. Predictive combat sharpening. Bond with allies secure.*
As night fell, Harsh stood on the balcony, gazing at the stars. Tiny sparks of energy danced along his fingertips, harmless to anyone else, yet a clear sign of his hidden mastery. The coming-of-age ceremony was approaching, and the thrill of silent preparation coursed through him.
*They won't see it coming… not Rias, not Sona, not anyone.*
He closed his eyes, replaying every dodge, every elemental flow, every reaction from Rias and Sona. Every secret test, every improvement, every hidden skill was cataloged, stored, and prepared. The system whispered silently, guiding him, unseen.
*"Tomorrow,"* he whispered, *"I'll go further. And still, no one will suspect a thing."*
Harsh leaned back, a quiet smile on his lips, feeling the invisible threads of power intertwining with his potential. Every day of hidden effort brought him closer to mastery, closer to the moment when no one would underestimate him.
*The prelude ends here. Soon, the real stage begins.*