Abell woke up with a knot in his stomach.

  Today was different.

  He had fought many people before, but his mother, Keeko, was at full strength. That terrified him.

  “I talked a big game, but beating Mom in a duel?” he thought.

  He gazed at the rising sun.

  “I must be ready for anything.”

  Determined, Abell started training before sunrise. Abell decided to follow Torin's approach after witnessing his ability to show strength without relying on his Lux.

  Push-ups, squats, and a long jog around town were necessary to prepare his body. “Things will only get harder from here. I will fall behind if I fail to maintain the pace.”

  Abell left the house for a lengthy jog; however, Keeko noticed his absence.

  She smirked.

  Placing her arms on her waist. “When did he become so responsible? Each day, he reminds me of Genevieve.”

  As he jogged past the blacksmith, a familiar voice called out.

  “Hmm? Abell? Up this early.”

  Torin stood outside, stretching his arms and preparing for his morning workout.

  Abell stopped, smirking.

  “After yesterday, I realized how much you've improved. I don’t want you catching up.”

  Torin’s grin widened.

  Ah, you’ve finally accepted my genius and stolen my training regimen? Hahaha! The great Torin has found a disciple!”

  “What are you talking about?” Abell said

  Torin clapped a hand on his shoulder.

  “Just don’t overdo it. If you exhaust yourself, your body will start draining energy from your luminous orb. If that runs out, you’re done for.”

  “How do you know that?” Abell said.

  “My mom’s the town doctor. She always warns me about it. “Now I’m telling you as my disciple. Hahaha!”

  Abell rolled his eyes, waving him off. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the advice.”

  As he jogged off, Torin cracked his knuckles.

  “Guess I should be working hard too.”

  An hour later

  After an hour of training, Abell sat on the hillside, catching his breath.

  “Hugo?” Abell thought.

  Hugo stood near the edge of the hillside, observing something. Abell tried to leave but to no avail.

  “Up early? Sneaking in some training before your big fight.”

  “Something like that,” Abell said.

  “He kept his distance, watching Hugo from the corner of his eye. Is he supposed to be an important figure? I can’t see it.” Abell thought

  “Why so far away? Am I that intimidating?” Hugo chuckled.

  Abell frowned, “No, I just don’t know you.”

  Hugo turned to face Abell. “Fair enough.”

  He began walking towards him slowly with a grin. “Curious about your mom’s past? Or maybe about me?”

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  Abell folded his arms. “Maybe, but I want to hear it from her. You? You’re just here to take me to the next level.”

  Hugo whistled. “Bold. I like it.”

  Then, his expression changed. The air around him sharpened. “Four Malignants. Near the forest side. Let’s go.”

  Abell hesitated. “The forest? That’s across town. How do you know?”

  “Enough questions. Try to keep up.”

  Hugo took off, moving so fast it was unreal.

  Abell tried to follow, but by the time he arrived, Hugo was already waiting on a tree stump.

  “Took your sweet time,” he said. “Watch closely.”

  Abell looked puzzled. "How do you even know they're here?"

  "Just watch."

  “Stay behind me; I wouldn’t want your mother to be angry if you got hurt.”

  "I think you crazy. Nothing is out here." Abell said

  Suddenly, rustling noises came from a nearby bush.

  2 large Malignants emerged.

  "See told ya." Hugo smiled

  As the first Malignant rushed forward, it appeared to be a whirl of muscle and claws. Hugo didn’t move.

  Then—a flicker.

  Hugo executed a swift sidestep and launched his fist forward in one motion. The impact was like a thunderclap. As the Malignant collapsed mid-step, shattered ribs dragged it lifelessly across the dirt.

  Hugo launched into action before his foe had a chance to respond. His kick landed with the precision of a sword slice, cleanly splitting the head from the shoulders. The body’s grotesque features locked in a horrific expression as it collapsed.

  Abell’s breath caught. “What the hell…?”

  The second Malignant lunged.

  Hugo vanished.

  He found himself above the creature, crouched on a tree branch after a brief moment. Then—he dropped.

  The collision created a ground-shaking shockwave. Before it could scream, the Malignant collapsed inward and lost consciousness due to the overwhelming force. Abell’s hands clenched into fists.

  Hugo remained silent when Abell questioned whether this ability belonged to a top Luminary.

  His gaze darkened. “Watch out. There’s one more.”

  Another malignant appeared but was different.

  Abell felt it before he even saw it.

  Shivers went down his spine. “What the?”

  This one was different—wrong. It stood upright, maintained its posture, and seemed in control.

  The Malignant’s skin stretched over its bones and presented a sickly ash-gray color with vein-like dull crimson cracks.

  Then—it smiled.

  Its smile was not the monstrous one that belongs to a beast. But something disturbingly human. A smirk, crooked and almost amused.

  He stood back. “Why does it look aware?” Abell asked.

  “Because it is,” Hugo warned.

  He stepped forward, His golden star eyes burning a hole through the creature.

  “So, this is where you were hiding? Hugo pointed at it.

  The Malignant twitched, turning its head sideways. As if it were thinking

  Hugo smirked, “You’ve caused us a lot of trouble.”

  The Malignant twitched again, but then, it smiled.

  A slow, wide, knowing grin.

  In an instant, it lunged at Hugo.

  It closed the distance between them quickly. At the same time, its clawed hand aimed for Hugo’s throat.

  “So fast.” Abell thought, “But where did Hugo go?”

  Hugo was already out of sight. Then, a golden flash.

  He appeared behind the malignant; he sent a devastating blow to its back. The force of the attack made a visible crater in its body.

  But the malignant remained in place.

  “No reaction? From that.” Abell thought.

  “Rrraaahhh.” The malignant screamed

  It spun around unnaturally in place. Facing Hugo head-on.

  But Hugo remained one step ahead.

  Hugo elbowed its head straight into the ground. The blow resonated, creating a resounding crack and a mini-crater.

  Abell felt the ground shake. But he stood tall.

  The dust settled, and the creature's body lay still.

  “Rrahhhahahaha.” It began shaking violently, and its orb flashed a violent red color. Its body was regenerating into its original state. Suddenly, it rose and darted towards Abell.

  “It’s coming this way.” Abell thought.

  He scrambled, trying to summon his Lux weapon.

  “I’m too slow. Hurry, hurry.”

  He raised his hand out, but to no avail.

  The malignant closed in with a creepy smile on its face.

  Hugo exhaled, “Seems like I shouldn’t have brought him.”

  Then, he intercepted the malignant with a thunderous kick, sending him backward.

  He looked at Abell. “That was too close, huh? Now you see the dangers we face.”

  Abell could only shake his head.

  Hugo faced the malignant again. He raised a single hand.

  A bright light ignited from his fingertips—a tiny little sphere.

  He flicked it forward. The light pierced straight through the Malignant’s chest.

  It no sound upon impact. But the second the orb connected, the malignant’s orb disintegrated, and it let out one last roar before falling.

  “Incredible,” Abell said

  Hugo stood still for a moment. “Well, that’s that. Let’s go. I’m starving.

  “That’s it. Is he not going to talk about that?” Abell thought.

  Hugo looked back, frowning, “Are you not coming?”

  Abell followed, but his mind remained on that malignant. That thing felt familiar, but he couldn't quite understand why.