The sky split apart.
A deafening roar of thunder followed as lightning streaked down, striking the ground mere feet away from Bolt. The impact sent a wave of energy through the air, crackling with raw power.
Carlos Varte stood unmoving, his gaze locked onto Bolt. His expression was unreadable, but his presence alone was suffocating. The leader of Black Squad wasn't just powerful—he was on a completely different level.
Bolt steadied himself, ignoring the static charge in the air. His heart pounded, but he refused to show hesitation.
"You wanted a test," he said, his voice firm. "I'm here. Now what?"
Carlos tilted his head, studying him like a predator sizing up its prey. Then, without warning, he vanished.
Bolt barely had time to react before a fist slammed into his side.
The impact sent him skidding across the training field. He barely managed to stay on his feet, but the shockwave from the hit rattled his bones.
Carlos was already on him again. A second attack came—faster this time.
Bolt raised his arms to block, but it was like stopping a falling boulder. Carlos's strength was unreal. The force of the blow sent him backward, his heels digging into the dirt.
Carlos stopped, arms crossed. "This is what I meant." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "You have power. But power alone is useless if you don't know how to use it."
Bolt wiped blood from his lip. "And you think you can teach me?"
Carlos smirked. "No. I think you'll either figure it out now… or you won't get back up."
Another attack.
This time, Bolt didn't try to block. He sidestepped, barely dodging Carlos's fist. The ground cracked beneath the force of the strike.
Bolt retaliated, striking out with his own attack—a direct punch to Carlos's ribs.
But the moment his fist connected—nothing.
Carlos didn't even flinch.
Instead, he grabbed Bolt's wrist. "Too slow."
With a single motion, he twisted Bolt's arm and drove his knee into his stomach.
The air left Bolt's lungs. He staggered, coughing.
Carlos released him and stepped back. "I expected more."
Bolt gritted his teeth. He knew he was outmatched. But he wasn't going to lose like this.
Not again.
He clenched his fists, focusing. If Carlos wanted him to prove himself, then fine.
He'd do just that.
The air around him shifted. Energy surged through his body, and for the first time, he let himself feel the power coursing within him.
Aether. Fire. Lightning.
It pulsed through his veins, responding to his emotions. His vision sharpened. His body felt lighter.
Carlos's eyes flickered with interest. "Finally."
Bolt moved.
This time, he was faster. His punch came swift and precise—Carlos dodged, but only barely.
Bolt followed up with a second strike, then a third. He wasn't just swinging wildly anymore. He was reading Carlos's movements, adapting.
Carlos blocked one attack, then another—but for the first time, he wasn't just standing there.
Bolt smirked. "Not so easy now, is it?"
Carlos exhaled. "Don't get cocky."
Then, without warning, his aura exploded outward.
Bolt's instincts screamed at him. He barely managed to leap backward before Carlos's energy tore through the space where he had just been. The sheer force of it sent a shockwave across the field.
Carlos stood there, his body crackling
with power. His storm-gray eyes glowed faintly. "Now the real test begins."