Commander Lyr led Axel back to the main training arena, the scent of ozone now mingled with the acrid smell of burnt metal from the earlier skirmish.
Zaya and Kael watched from the observation deck, joined by a small cluster of other students, including Marcus Thane, who leaned against the railing, his arms crossed, a smug, expectant look on his face.
"The Academy utilizes a high-stress, high-failure training model," Lyr stated, activating the console. "We do not offer practice sessions. Every exercise is pass or fail. Your first task is to master Marble Skin. It is a defensive ability, but defense is meaningless without offense."
Axel stepped onto the grid.
"The Kinetic Punch is easy," Lyr continued. "It's an external manifestation of your STR. Marble Skin is an internal process, converting your core EP into a physical defensive layer, bolstering your VIT."
Lyr pressed a button. Two Kinetic Projection Units rose from the floor this time. They were smaller, faster, and more aggressive than the last one.
> [TRAINING INITIATED: SKILL INTEGRATION]
> OPPONENTS: Kinetic Projection Unit Beta (x2)
> OBJECTIVE: Defeat both Units using both Kinetic Punch and Marble Skin.
> FAILURE THRESHOLD: Incapacitation or EP Depletion.
>
"Your starting Energy Pool is 80, Axel," Lyr announced. "Activating Marble Skin costs 5 EP and lasts 30 seconds. You need to activate it, sustain it, and fight back. Begin."
The two Units moved as a coordinated pair, not as two solo attackers. They separated, flanking Axel instantly. This was a test of his AGI 20, forcing him to track and react to multiple threats simultaneously.
Axel focused on the first Unit, which launched a devastating flurry of high-speed kicks. Axel dodged the first two, but the third glanced off his ribs. A jolt of pain, but his VIT 19 shrugged off the worst of it.
5 EP for 30 seconds. That's sustainable, his INT 18 analyzed instantly. But I can't rely on raw VIT alone.
As the second Unit committed to a right hook, Axel saw his opening. He forced his will into his System, directing the core energy to the surface of his skin.
> [SKILL ACTIVATED: MARBLE SKIN (LVL 1)]
> [EP -5. CURRENT EP: 75]
>
A faint, high-pitched shhwing sounded, imperceptible to anyone else. Axel's skin immediately took on a subtle, opalescent sheen, momentarily turning hard and translucent, like highly polished granite. His entire body felt heavier, denser, and incredibly resilient.
The second Unit's punch landed squarely on his shoulder. Instead of a jarring shock, Axel felt only a dull, manageable impact. The Unit, however, recoiled instantly, its metallic hand damaged by the unexpected hardness.
"Good! You used the Unit's momentum against it!" Kael yelled from above.
Axel pressed his advantage. Now that his defense was solid, he could utilize his massive STR 21. He launched a rapid-fire Kinetic Punch sequence: one to the second Unit's knee joint, another to its abdomen.
The machine was staggered, its internal stabilizers failing.
> [KINETIC PROJECTION UNIT BETA (2) HP: 40%]
>
The first Unit, seeing its partner falter, sped up its assault, attempting to overwhelm Axel before the Marble Skin timer ran out. It slammed a full-force uppercut into Axel's jaw.
The hit was solid, but Axel barely felt it. His head snapped back, but the crystalline layer absorbed the kinetic shock wave. He used the forced momentum to spin into a powerful counter-strike.
> [KINETIC PUNCH!]
> [KINETIC PROJECTION UNIT BETA (1) ELIMINATED!]
>
Axel's attack had connected with the Unit's core, instantly overloading it. The Unit collapsed, inert.
The clock was ticking on his defense.
The Sustained Push
Axel turned to the remaining Unit (Beta 2), which was scrambling to regain its stability.
> [MARBLE SKIN DURATION: 10
SECONDS REMAINING.]
> [CURRENT EP: 75. EP REGENERATION: STEADY.]
>
Axel realized he didn't need to panic. His WIS 15 was already steadily trickling EP back into his pool. The Marble Skin cost was minimal, and he could practically sustain the defense indefinitely by mixing short breaks and strategic activations.
The second Unit changed tactics, trying to dance outside his range, recognizing the danger of his Marble Skin. It was looking for the timer to expire.
"Don't let it stall! Close the distance!" Lyr barked.
Axel used his AGI 20. He covered the distance in a blinding dash, utilizing the Unit's momentary hesitation. He didn't waste energy on another Kinetic Punch. He simply tackled the machine, using his superior mass and momentum to slam it into the arena floor.
With the Unit pinned, Axel delivered two quick, precise strikes to its optical sensors—the weakest point he could analyze—followed by a final, focused Kinetic Punch to the central chassis.
> [KINETIC PROJECTION UNIT BETA (2) ELIMINATED!]
> [TRAINING COMPLETE: EXCELLENT INTEGRATION!]
> [REWARD ACQUIRED: 250 EXP.]
>
The lights in the arena came up. Axel took a deep breath, the subtle shimmer of the Marble Skin fading back to normal skin. His EP had only dropped to 73—a remarkably efficient use of the skill
Axel climbed off the arena floor, passing Commander Lyr, who simply gave a curt nod. "Efficient, Marble. Now, rest. You start specialized training tomorrow."
As Axel headed toward the exit, Marcus Thane blocked his path, his blue eyes narrowed with furious resentment.
"Goddammit, I was watching that, Scavenger," Marcus sneered, his voice tight with controlled rage.
"You used a passive shield skill to bully the units. You didn't even use a proper technique. That was clumsy street brawling, not combat."
"It worked," Axel replied simply, not breaking stride.
"Working isn't enough, you shit!" Marcus shoved Axel hard in the shoulder. "We are here to master techniques, not just brute-force System garbage. Anyone can pop a shield! You're disgracing the Academy's standards!"
Axel stopped, his powerful AGI 20 allowing him to instantly reset his stance. He turned his full attention on Marcus, his STR 21 radiating raw power.
"You're right, Thane," Axel said, taking a step closer, letting Marcus feel the dominant aura of his high stats.
"I don't have your techniques. I have survival instincts. And the next time you put your hands on me, technique won't save you. You'll regret challenging a Scavenger who just learned he can turn his skin to rock."
Marcus's face went pale for a fleeting moment, but he quickly recovered, his fury turning into cold, calculating hatred.
"You've made a powerful enemy, Marble. A very powerful one. This Academy is small, and I own the social rules here. You won't be able to turn your back on me. See you tomorrow, trash." Marcus stepped aside, his exit filled with petty, aristocratic contempt.
"Pay him no mind," Zaya advised, joining Axel. "He's just angry you didn't fail. But he has a point, Axel. Commander Lyr only saw your raw power. Tomorrow, the training gets harder. You need a Technique."