Keeko moved with insane precision and speed.

  One moment, she was standing across from him. Next, she was already in his space, with her fist driving toward his ribs.

  Abell twisted his body, bringing his Blade down to block just in time. The impact rattled through his arms, forcing him back a step.

  Her follow-up came instantly with a low sweep aimed at his legs. He jumped, barely clearing it, and swung down as he landed.

  But she wasn’t there anymore.

  A strike came from his left side. He blocked, but another punch went through his blade. Then from the right. He parried again, stumbling.

  She's so damn fast—

  Before he could think, Keeko's fist slammed into his chest, sending him skidding backward across the dirt. He caught himself, breathing hard and blade flickering slightly.

  She stood in the center of the clearing with her arms crossed. Not even breathing hard or broken a sweat.

  "Is that all?" she asked. “I’m quite disappointed.

  Abell gritted his teeth. But he tightened his grip and raised his blade.

  C’mon, read her movements and stay calm.

  Keeko's eyes narrowed. "Hm.. you’re actually staying composed," she said, before taking off again. However, this time, Abell was ready. He sidestepped her opening strike, swinging to catch her off-guard.

  She twisted her body, avoiding it by inches.

  He struck again—faster, tighter. Finally, she was on the defensive. She blocked the attack with her forearm. The clash sent vibrations up Abell's arms.

  How is she blocking my sword with just her hands?

  Abell pressed forward, swinging in combinations—high, low, feints, left strikes, strike right. He was using everything he'd learned, but Keeko deflected each one with minimal movement. Not just blocked—deflected. Minimal effort. Maximum efficiency.

  She was reading him like a book.

  "Are you being for real?" she said, stepping inside his guard. Her fist came so fast he didn't even see it. The hit landed clean on his chest, dropping him to the ground and his blade.

  Torrin winced. "That had to hurt..."

  Astrid's arms were crossed tightly. “Abell!” she cried while Misha looked away, speechless.

  Hugo just watched, expressionless.

  Abell began to rise, ignoring the pain in his chest.

  She's not even using her Lux yet. And she's this strong?

  This is getting fun

  Keeko came at him again.

  This time, Abell didn't think at all.

  He just attacked with wild swings and no defense. He committed to every strike, leaving himself open but forcing her to deal with the aggression.

  It was reckless and messy.

  But it forced her to think more.

  Keeko's next strike met his blade instead of his ribs. Her follow-up grazed his shoulder instead of his face.

  He was still losing ground. Still getting pushed back, but for the first time, Keeko had to adjust her footing to avoid one of his wild swings.

  "So childish," Keeko said, groaning.

  Abell pressed harder. His blade glowed brighter as he poured more energy into it. One more push. Just one clean hit—

  I can hit her—Right here!

  His strike came down with everything he had.

  Keeko caught the blade. with her hands

  The glowing edge, being held in place by nothing but her grip.

  Abell's eyes widened. "What—?"

  Keeko smiled. "Not bad, Abell, I didn’t think you had it in you."

  She released his blade and stepped back, brushing her hands together.

  "You've passed the first part."

  Abell stood there, breathing hard, confused. "First part?"

  Keeko's expression turned more serious. Her stance changed slightly, her feet planted firmer in the dirt.

  "Now here comes phase two."

  Keeko exhaled through her nose at a slow and controlled pace.

  "You've done well so far, Abell. But—"

  Her heel struck the dirt with force. The ground cracked beneath her.

  It’s time to end this childish game.

  A blinding white glow erupted across her body.

  The air itself seemed to tighten around them. Abell felt the pressure against his skin, heavy and suffocating.

  Keeko's form sharpened. Her muscles flexed, and her body was outlined in pulsing white light. She looked graceful as the light reflected off her green eyes.

  Hugo's voice cut through the tension from the side.

  "Prismatic Veil, haven’t seen that in ages."

  Abell squinted against the brightness, but he couldn't look away.

  Keeko raised her hands, settling back into her brawler stance. Her hair lifted from the sheer energy radiating off her, strands glowing white at the edges. Even her veins pulsed with the same white light beneath her skin.

  "This is what you wanted, right?" Keeko said. "Me not holding back?"

  Abell took an involuntary step backward. The pressure was too much.

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  Astrid's voice was barely a whisper. "Is... that her Lux..."

  "Prismatic Veil," Hugo repeated. "It enhances her strength, speed, and durability,” he shook his head. “Truly terrifying, especially for her enemies.”

  Torrin's jaw tightened. "Is this the power of an experienced Luminary?"

  "Yup," Hugo said flatly. “No-Lux users stand no chance.”

  Torrin’s heart skipped a beat.

  Keeko didn't give Abell time to think.

  She exploded forward.

  One moment, she was standing fifteen feet away. Next, her fist was already buried in his gut.

  The air left Abell's lungs in a violent rush. His eyes almost rolled back into his skill.

  Before he could even register the pain, her elbow smashed into his shoulder. Then a kick—so fast it was just a white blur—crashed into his ribs.

  Abell's body lifted off the ground, then hit the dirt hard, tumbling across the yard before sliding to a stop.

  "Abell!" Astrid shouted. “Ms. Keeko stop.”

  He tried to breathe, but he couldn't. Everything hurt at once.

  What—what is this—

  Through blurred vision, he saw Keeko walking toward him. The white glow made her look like an angel, but an angel that’s ready to kick his ass.

  Abell forced himself to his hands and knees, gasping.

  His blade had dissolved when he lost focus. His arms shook as he tried to support his weight.

  Keeko stopped in front of him.

  "Get up," she said calmly. "If you can't handle this, you won't last a day out there."

  Abell's teeth clenched. Blood dripped from his mouth onto the dirt. His arms trembled as he tried to stand up

  Is this fear?—NO

  He pushed himself to one knee. Then, slowly, agonizingly, to his feet. But he stood up.

  Keeko watched him, expression unreadable beneath the glow of her Lux.

  "Tell me something, Abell," she said. "Why do you want to leave so badly?"

  Abell's breath came in ragged gasps. "To—to get stronger—"

  "Wrong answer."

  She moved.

  Another blur of white. A palm strike to his chest sent him sprawling backward again.

  This time, he didn't get up as quickly. He lay there, staring up at the darkening sky, chest heaving.

  Keeko's voice came from above him.

  "You want to surpass Genevieve? Surpass the Liberator?" Her tone was cold now. "You're not even close to ready. You're reckless. Emotionally, you fight like every battle, like it’s just a game."

  Abell's fists clenched in the dirt.

  "Genevieve wasn't like that," Keeko continued. "She understood what it meant to be a Luminary. It's not about being the strongest. It's about—

  "It's about protecting people who can't protect themselves."

  The words hung in the air.

  Abell's vision focused. His breathing steadied, just slightly.

  Protecting people, huh.

  He thought about Iridius. About Astrid and Misha. About Torrin and his parents. About everyone in that small town who looked at his mother like she was their shield against the darkness.

  That's what Genevieve did. That's what Mom does.

  But I couldn’t care less.

  Abell pushed himself up. First to his knees. Then to his feet. His legs shook, and his ribs screamed. Blood dripped from his split lip.

  "I'm not Genevieve," he said quietly.

  Keeko's glowing form stilled.

  Abell raised his head, meeting her eyes through the blinding light.

  "I don't need to be."

  He slammed his fists against his chest, ignoring the pain that radiated throughout his body.

  "I'm me!" His voice rose, raw and defiant. "Abell Vespera!"

  Golden light sparked at his palm. His Blade began to materialize—but slower this time. More controlled. The edges are sharper, more defined than before.

  "I'm not fighting to protect anyone, that's not my responsibility now," Abell said, gripping the hilt as it solidified. "Not yet. I'm fighting because I want to see how far I can go."

  He raised the blade, pointing it at her.

  "I don’t need to be like her or you. I'll surpass both of you." A grin split his bloodied face. "That's a promise."

  For a moment, Keeko just stared at him.

  Her expression shifted. Her face twisted as she rubbed the temples of her nose.

  "Responded just like a brat," she said. "You’re just like your father..."

  Her stance deepened, white light flaring brighter around her.

  "Fine then. Show me what Abell Vespera can do."

  Abell braced himself, his blade raised—

  Ready to attack.

  DONG. DONG. DONG.

  The town’s warning bells rang loud, disrupting the moment.

  Abell stopped his attack mid-swing.

  Distant screams erupted from the village.

  "MALIGNANTS! MALIGNANTS IN THE VILLAGE!"

  Everyone turned toward the sound—smoke rising above the treeline, orange glow of fire.

  Except Abell.

  His blade was still raised. His eyes were still locked on Keeko.

  No. Not now. NO.

  Abell's grip tightened on his blade. The golden light pulsed brighter.

  I need to keep fighting her.

  Everyone else had turned toward the village—Hugo straightening, Torrin already moving, Astrid's hand over her mouth.

  But Abell didn't turn.

  His eyes stayed locked on Keeko.

  The bell kept ringing. The screams grew louder.

  This is my only chance. If we stop now—

  Keeko's Prismatic Veil flickered, the white glow dimming slightly as her focus shifted toward the village.

  She's distracted.

  Abell lunged.

  His blade came down in a wild arc, ripe with frustration and fury.

  "We're not done!" he shouted.

  Keeko's hand shot up, catching the glowing edge mid-swing. Her Veil flared, protecting her palm.

  She didn't even look hurt.

  "Abell." Her voice was cold. "Stop now."

  "No!" He pulled against her grip, trying to wrench his blade free. "We have to finish this! If we don't—I can't—"

  Another scream tore through the air. Closer this time. A child's voice.

  Keeko's eyes snapped to his, and for the first time tonight, he saw his mother.

  "Listen," she said quietly.

  The smell of smoke was stronger now. Orange light danced across the treeline. More screams—panicked, sounding desperate.

  Abell's blade trembled in his grip.

  "I don't care," he said, but his voice cracked. "This is everything. If I don't beat you now, I'll never—"

  Keeko's grip on his blade tightened.

  "If you want to be a Luminary," she said, each word deliberate, "then act like one."

  She released his blade and stepped back. Her Prismatic Veil was fading, white light dissolving into the night air.

  "People are dying, Abell. Right now." She turned toward the town. "And you're worried about a stupid test?"

  The words hit harder than any of her strikes.

  Abell stood there, blade glowing in his trembling hand. His chest heaved. Everything he'd wanted—everything he'd fought for—was slipping away.

  "Keeko, I'm heading west!" Hugo said, already moving. “Make sure you calm down, Abell. We’re gonna need your help.”

  "Got it !" she called back. Then she turned to Torrin: "Get to your father and arm anyone who can fight!"

  "Yes, ma’am!" Torrin sprinted off.

  "Astrid, take Misha—get to Mary's clinic. She'll need your help with the wounded."

  Astrid hesitated, looking at Abell. But Misha grabbed her arm, pulling her toward town.

  “I’m scared, Astrid,” he said.

  Astrid forced a grin. “Don’t worry, we’ll be safe. Let’s go.”

  Keeko turned back to Abell. He was still standing there, deadpan and broken.

  "Abell."

  He didn't respond. His eyes were distant.

  This was it. This was my shot. And now—

  Keeko stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll finish this later," she said. "If there is a later."

  She looked him in the eyes.

  "Right now, people need us. Both of us."

  Another scream echoed as they talked.

  Abell flinched from the scream.

  Damn, she's right.

  He called off his blade.

  Whatever, let’s get this out of the way.

  "Stay close," Keeko said. "Watch my back."

  Abell nodded, reluctantly.

  They ran together, sprinting toward the orange glow rising above the town square. Behind them, the training ground was empty. Dirt torn up from their fight. Blood spots where Abell had fallen.

  The moon rose higher, casting pale light over the abandoned battlefield. Ahead, fire painted the sky.

  And the real test was just beginning.