They Sealed My Powers, So I Made New Ones

Five days passed.

Aeron trained.

Alone. Quiet. Focused.

He hadn't unlocked any new powers. No new tricks.

But his body moved cleaner. His pain tolerance increased.

He was learning to read movement, even without enhancements.

One breath ahead of the enemy. One step outside their rhythm. That's enough.

He spent nights at the black door chamber, studying the faint echoes of energy left behind. He didn't open anything new yet. He didn't rush.

Power was earned.

Not granted.

And he had time.

Or at least he thought he did.

Midweek, Cora kicked open his door.

Literally.

"You've got class."

Aeron looked up from his meditation.

"We don't have class."

"You do today."

"Since when?"

"Since the Council sent an Overseer."

That made him sit up. "What kind of Overseer?"

"The strict kind. Word is they're sweeping the Reject Wing for 'hidden threats.'" She air quoted with two fingers. "You're a glowing red flag."

Aeron sighed. "What time?"

"Now."

They called it Combat Observation Class—but it was a stage play.

A small dueling arena set up behind the main campus library, built like a coliseum with wide steps for students to watch and gossip.

Most of the students who showed up weren't here to learn.

They were here to see the fallen noble boy get humiliated.

Aeron stepped onto the cracked stone platform, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

He wore no badge. No crest. No uniform symbols.

He didn't belong.

And that made him dangerous.

The Overseer stood to the side, arms behind his back.

Long gray robe. Short beard. Eyes like iron.

Instructor Veylos.

Rank: A+

Type: Martial + Enchantment Hybrid

Reputation: Strict. Precise. Unforgiving.

"You will fight. You will be assessed." His voice echoed across the arena. "If you lose, you will return to your dorm and stay there. If you interfere, you will be expelled. If you survive, I may reconsider your right to remain in this institution."

Aeron tilted his head.

"So… just another Tuesday?"

Some students snorted. Others scowled.

Across from him stood his opponent.

Ryden Vask.

House-trained martial artist. C-rank. Bulked up. Cocky.

"You the trash noble?"

"No," Aeron said. "I'm the guy who's about to ruin your week."

No warning. No countdown.

Ryden charged.

Classic academy style—telegraphed, brute-force, no subtlety.

Aeron didn't move until the last second.

Sidestep.

Low dip.

Knee strike to the ribs.

Thump.

Ryden grunted and stumbled.

He's not used to being countered.

Ryden recovered fast. Swung wide. Aeron let the blow graze his arm.

He felt the sting—but welcomed it.

Pain Split: Redirect.

Ryden's leg buckled. He grimaced like something sharp twisted in his thigh.

"The hell—?"

Aeron didn't answer.

He moved inside the rhythm, like water through cracks.

Rhythm Break.

Fake jab. Step-step-curve. Opened Ryden's guard. Elbow strike to the temple.

The crowd leaned in.

"He's moving weird…"

"Is that an art style?"

"Doesn't look like any academy form…"

Ryden growled and activated a flame glyph on his shoulder.

"You want serious?"

Boom.

Fire wrapped his fists. Not elegant—just raw power.

"Eat this!"

He lunged, roaring.

Aeron dropped low again, breath synced.

Timing perfect.

Spark Pulse.

A ripple of lightning burst from his body, stunning Ryden just enough.

BAM.

Uppercut to the jaw.

Ryden hit the ground, flat.

Unconscious.

Silence.

No cheering. No booing.

Just stunned silence.

Aeron stood in the center of the ring, calm. Chest rising steady.

Instructor Veylos stepped forward, face unreadable.

"You used no formal academy techniques."

"Didn't need to."

"You're unregistered."

"Guess you'll have to register me now."

Veylos stared at him for a moment longer.

Then nodded.

"Combat Assessment: Approved."

"Dismissed?"

"Dismissed."

Aeron walked off the platform without a word.

As he passed the front row of students, he caught whispers.

"That's the Valen kid…"

"Thought he was sealed…"

"That wasn't martial… that was something else…"

Back at the Reject Wing, Cora was waiting, eating something deep-fried and probably illegal.

"So. You didn't get your face broken."

"Disappointed?"

"Little bit. But mostly impressed."

She tossed him a bottle of water. He caught it one-handed.

"Word's spreading already," she said. "Fast."

"Let them talk."

"You sure?" Her grin widened. "Rumor has it some big-name students are starting to pay attention."

"They should stay blind. For their own good."

That night, Aeron didn't train.

He sat on the edge of the courtyard wall, legs dangling, eyes watching the moon rise over the main towers.

He could feel the shift.

He wasn't invisible anymore.

I wanted quiet. But I'll settle for fear.

[End of Chapter 6]